We’ve talked Do’s & More Do’s of blogging, and spent some time last week talking about some don’ts of blogging! I’m back to day with even more Don’ts of Blogging! 5 more Don’ts to be exact!
#1. Don’t Feed the Trolls. If you’ve been blogging for any length of time, chances are you’ve either run into trolls yourself, or seen them in action. If you’re lucky enough to not know what the heck I am referring to when I say “trolls”, count your blessings 😉 The Urban Dictionary defines Trolls as “Someone who goes about forums or other websites in an attempt to purposely upset people and cause arguments. There is no reasoning with them and any attempt to belittle or mock them is just pointless and makes you look stupid in the process.” Trying to deal with Trolls is exhausting, emotional and futile. Unfortunately, I know this from personal experience. The only thing you can do is ignore them… otherwise you’ll basically spend a ridiculous amount of time “bashing your head against a brick wall”. So take it from me, Don’t Feed the Trolls!
#2. Don’t Blog with Ulterior Motives. I wish I could tell you how many times I’ve been emailed or asked about making money via blogging. Yes. I do make a little money blogging, but it takes a TON of work to get to that point. It will not happen over night. Brands won’t just show up the day after you publish your first post offering you free stuff and money to talk about their products. Yes, there are bloggers that have been able to quit their full time jobs and focus on blogging full time. They are the lucky few and I can guarantee they have worked their arses off to get where they are! If you are willing to put in the work, commit the time, learn everything you can learn about blogging, then maybe someday you’ll reap the rewards as well… in the mean time, make sure your blogging for the right reasons!
#3. Don’t Link and Run. This applies to Facebook groups AND to Link Parties. Please, don’t just drop your link and leave without taking the time to visit and share some of the other blogs. We all work hard, we all want our posts seen, and we all want to be successful. Link parties are awesome. Blogger Groups on Facebooks are awesome. But they are only awesome;y effective if we all play our part. As a moderator of several facebook groups for bloggers, I can not tell you how many times I’ve ranted and yelled at my computer because someone else messaged me about not getting the proper amount of support. Or I’ve audited a thread and had to tag the same 5 people. ANNOYING! I get it, believe me, I do… life gets in the way, stuff comes up and you don’t get finished, but it shouldn’t be a regular thing. If you’re going through a stressful season, can’t meet all your obligations, or have fallen behind too many times, reach out to the moderators and let them know! Believe me, they appreciate it!
#4. Don’t Over Promote. You may now be asking “is over promoting a thing?” Yes, yes it is. And its a little annoying. I shouldn’t see the same post shared over and over and over again on twitter or facebook or on any social media really. By all means schedule your posts and share your own content (after all that is kind of the point), but please, don’t share the same time multiple times in a row. It might not seem like a big deal, but its a turn off… and seems a little desperate. Space things out, pay attention to what times you get interaction, do your home work… it will make a huge difference! (Great posts to follow up with >> The Best Times to Share on Social Media and Best Times to Post Twitter & Facebook)
#5. Don’t Sell Out. This might be a little bit on the touchy side for some. It relates back to #2 and to #1 in Part two of the Do’s of Blogging … It comes down to consistency, blogging for the right reasons and sticking to your blogging standards. I wrote about this once before “If you don’t know what you and your blog stand for, the offer of a post, free product or sponsorship can be very tempting. There are still many companies out there that think they can bend the disclosure “rules” and get away with it… and even more that want to pay you for a back link to their site. And believe me, the money is tempting. But sticking to your guns and holding true to your standards will benefit you greatly in the long run!” There are some things that I would never, ever write about on this blog. It doesn’t matter how much money or compensation is offered, it won’t happen. My standards are written in stone, and I hope yours are as well.
I hope you’ve learned from these Do’s and Don’ts of Blogging, that you found them helpful and that you’ve been able to take your blogging up a notch or 2!
What is your number one take away from these Don’ts of Blogging? Would you share below? Pretty Please 🙂
I haven’t run into many trolls yet, but I am not looking forward to the day that I do! I will never understand why people choose to be so cruel!
I to am waiting for the "trolls" lol. I don't understand why people do such a thing. If you don't like something why are you taking the time to comment about it you know lol!
I agree with all these tips!
Great tips!
These tips are so true and when you first begin to blog it is hard NOT to sell out a little bit. In my early year of blogging I accepted free products and would create a recipe or do a review and create a post but that was so I could get the practice and exposure. Now I am a little bit more picky. Unless I believe in the product or love the company I am very careful.
love these! Very helpful! And I’m going to have to check out the dos!
Amen!
Especially the "don't like and run" and the "don't feed the trolls". I'm still relatively new to blogging, so I haven't received my first hateful comment yet, but I have a blogger friend who was being bothered by a troll. It's just so sad. Always a good idea to handle them gracefully or ignore them altogether instead of feeding them!
Great tips, girl 🙂
Thanks for sharing these Don'ts! Now I need to go back and read all of the rest of your posts as well as the Do's. Stacie
All essential tips. I've turned down lots of opportunities because they don't fit my site and I love my readers too much to just throw anything up to make a buck.
Love these posts! The one that was the most helpful for me was the GIVEAWAYS! I had no idea about some of those rules and it was really helpful for me to know, especially since I just posted one. Thanks for putting these together!
So very appreciative of the time you take to help others, Jennifer!
This is a great post. As a new blogger, I'm learning these as I go 🙂 Trying to make a little money on the side is difficult, too. Thanks for sharing these tips!
I am LOVING these posts! Awesome tips
Great series Jennifer!!
Great advice. I am pinning this so I can reread it again.
I hate when people over promote!! Sometimes its over kill!
Great tips!! Definitely something ever blogger should pin and remember!
These are all great tips! I agree with not feeding the trolls.
Love these tips!
Preach girl, preach! LOL
Again a great post- loving this series!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I'm an infant at blogging and your posts have been invaluable!
So many great tips!
Love the blogging tips!
Excellent tips! Thank you!
Great tips! I like your advice about not over posting! I totally know what your talking about! Thanks!
Have appreciated this blog quite a bit cos I agree with you and I know that I'm on the right track x
I started blogging with the intent of making money and then I realized how much I loved just sharing my motherhood experiences. It was very therapeutic! Now I write more on how to help people rather than just rants and solely stories. Heading to check out Part 1 now!
Good Info. Thanks!
Great post and loved that it was straight to the point. Definitely don't link and run and yes, keep your standards! Thank you and pinned!
So true! I like #4. It's a little hard to know where the balance is between overpromoting and underpromoting, but I hate to be a spammer so I know I probably err on the side of underpromoting. Great advice!
Some great tips … as a new blogger I found them reaffirming. Thanks for sharing on The Makers!
Thanks for the tips! I pinned this one and the 'Do's" from last week. I am pretty new to blogging, so I wanted to be sure to have these to refer back to. I am linking from My Girlish Whims today.
I'm new to blogging so I really enjoyed your post. Luckily, I've never encountered trolls but it will be hard for me if I do. All your tips were good and I love the free advice!
These are good tips! Wasn't aware of the trolls. Yikes!
Love your blog, girl! New follower here. 🙂 🙂 -Marie 🙂
Great advices! I don't know how people link on a party link and don't browse others too, today was my very first attempt at this kind of social gathering and I found myself reading most of what other people shared. It's kind of addictive, like Pinterest I would say :))
These are fantastic tips! I don't know if I'll be able to monetize any time soon, but I really enjoyed hearing your insights on the matter! (:
Visiting from http://www.andieconn.com/cute-diy-spring-planter/ and would love a visit back!
totally agree on these! Definitely think there's a fine line in blogging for keeping balance between promoting your blog and not being annoying. thanks for sharing this awesome post!
http://storybookapothecary.com ♥ stop by and chat 🙂
Id like to take your paragraph #3 and shout it to the roof tops!!! argh!!
Thanks for stopping by to link and share on The Oh My Heartsie Girl WW this week!!
We appreciate you shared your blog with us!!
Have a great week, Karren~Host
LOL, popping over from The Happy Gal! Good tips! Heading back to look at Part 1. Have a great day!
Great tips and a terrific series too. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo
Very good tips!
Great tips. Guilty of some, but hopefully not enough to go to blogger jail. – Margy
Not selling out and leaving comments that simply say "cool" or "awesome" or really have nothing to do with the blog post in general are the worst offenders when it comes to blogging! There is nothing I hate more than receiving a comment that has nothing to do with my blog post, or asks questions about something when I specifically ANSWERED those questions in the post – clearly that person did not read/watch! 🙁
As for selling out – it's really unattractive to read a blog that is constantly being filled with sponsored posts…
My biggest one right now is keeping up with visiting other blogs at link-up parties or in my Facebook group. There have been a couple times where I've submitted my post, and then got distracted with other things and forgot to check out others! It's still a learning process to be consistent, but I think I can get there!
(Found you on DIY Budget Girl's My Favorite Things Saturday.. great site!)
I love your tips. Thanks for sharing.
Great article and tips! Thanks for sharing your blog post at the party!
Those are all great tips, especially #3. I used to participate in follower hops but gave up on it when I was putting so much time in and getting little return from the other participants.