**The posts I write might contain affiliate links or be written in collaboration with businesses or brands. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.**
I am always on the hunt for really good information online.
I particularly love an article on blogging that includes tips on how to attract readers, how to create cool content, and all the bells-and-whistles that can help my blog be the best it can be.
I also enjoy really good articles on what NOT to do on blogs. Those are a little harder to find, but always good when I find them. Dan at Man-vs-Debt has a great post called How to Not Suck At Blogging and Amy at BloggingWithAmy always has phenomenal info too.
Soon I will be celebrating 11 years as a blogger, which I think is pretty cool and something I am pretty proud of. In my eleven-year journey as a blogger, I have witnessed my share of cat-fights and questionable behavior. I think things are a bit better these days, but I still see some pretty crazy (and mean) stuff on social media and in comment boxes. So as a blogger that’s the been-around-the block, here’s my advice as to what to NOT do as a blogger. Enjoy.
Don’t be a Blogger Behaving Badly.
#1-I think as bloggers we have a certain amount of responsibility to have integrity. Have integrity and act like civilized adults! I don’t recommend EVER blogging out of anger. Some people call it “venting” but honestly, if it’s something you wouldn’t say to someone’s face in real life, then it has no place on the WWW.
#2-I recommend never blogging unkindly about your family and that includes Monster-In-Laws, Frenemies, evil twin sisters, and Deadbeat Dads. Those discussions are best left in Draft or off the Internet completely. Once you release something into the “wild” of cyberspace, this is no going back. Baby, it’s out there.
#3-As my Dad used to say, “You don’t get where you want in life by stepping on the heads of others.” Build others up as opposed to tearing them down. If people have helped and supported your blogging efforts, return the favor whenever possible.
#4-As one of my entrepreneurial buddies said, “Be nice with a side order of Be Nice.” Even if you don’t agree with what is being said, refrain from joining the brew-ha-ha and smack talking. Never doubt the fact that potential clients could be watching your online behavior and judging you accordingly.
#5-Practice the “All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned In Kindergarten” theory? If you aren’t sure you can check it out here. But most of these rings true, especially
- Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
- Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
- And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned-LOOK.
#6- Bloggers/People Behaving Badly (also known as Trolls) exist online. A troll is a person who will leave nasty comments and do their best to badger you into a fight. If you should ever have the unfortunate instance to be on the receiving end of a Blogger Behaving Badly, my advice to you is…”Don’t Feed the Trolls.” Don’t buy into their bad behavior by responding, fighting back, or trying to sway their opinion.
Just quietly delete and BLOCK.
For me, my blog is a place for ME. It’s a place for my thoughts, my wisdom, my encouragement, my victories, and my disasters. Yes, I like pushing the envelope and bit by using naughty words cloaked in symbols like dumb@ss or holysh*t and talking about things that other bloggers don’t like Goldfish disasters and yoga-carpet-sniffing . But there’s no one getting hurt but me (if even that). I write what I choose based on what I feel fit to share about my life. Heck, maybe someday I will even be brave enough to blog about head lice, thigh rub, and boob sweat.
But for now, I ADMIT NOTHING.
So the bottom line is; don’t unleash your fury (in a hateful and slanderous way) on others on your blog. There is a fine line between ripping someone to shreds and blogging frustration of life. Yes, there are instances where wrongs need to be righted and readers need to be told a tale with a lesson. You’ll know when those times are, but choose them wisely.
So does this all strike a chord with you? Have you ever taken down one of your posts/stories because of complaints, upset readers, or just a bad gut feeling? Please share. I’d love to know your story!
One Last Thing……
My Books!
