Blogging, the hottest trend in online publishing right now,
is currently spreading like wildfire across the Internet.

A cross between an online journal and a bulletin board,
everyone from rock stars, politicians, business leaders
and your average “Joe” or “Jane” can instantly become a
center of influence online using blogs.

But, as with any social interaction, certain rules apply
(my grandma calls them manners) in order to be viewed as
behaving “properly.”

One of the things that gives blogging such strong appeal as
an online publishing method revolves around “comments.”

Blogs that allow “comments” enable readers to respond and
elaborate on the information posted by the blog owner.

These comments and the free exchange of information,
opinions, links, and new ideas creates the dynamic and
growing content that makes blogging such a popular online
activity for both publishers and readers.

However, rules and unwritten customs about the proper use
of “comments” on a specific blog are also where most of the
problems and controversy will arise.

Since a successful blog eventually becomes a community of
people (albeit in cyberspace), proper social behavior is
critical to be an effective and accepted member of the
community.

Keep these basic rules in mind when approaching a new blog
that allows commenting by readers so you won’t find
yourself on the wrong end of a scolding by people who
operate with a different set of rules than you.

As with any social circle, violating the group’s rules and
customs will instantly cause a negative backlash.

** Keep It Relevant **

Stay on topic with the post you’re commenting about in a
blog.

Nothing will earn you the wrath and disdain of your
fellow posters and the blog owner faster than posting an
off-topic comment.

** Watch What Others Do **

Different blogs operate under different rules. What rates
acceptable in one blog would earn you a verbal thrashing in
another.

Before posting (especially if you have not posted to a
specific blog before), look to see the types and quality of
posts others make regularly.

Are they long or short?

Do they contain a link to the person’s website?

Is there a “signature” under their name?

** Be Polite **

It’s fine to disagree with people when making a comment,
whether it’s the blog’s author or a comment made by another
reader.

It is not, however, acceptable to launch a personal attack
on anyone or make nasty comments in someone else’s blog.

If you feel the need to do so, do it in your own blog.

It’s the same principle of you can say whatever you want in
your own house, but when you’re in someone else’s house,
you act right (and better than you do at home).

** You Can’t Respond To Everyone **

If you operate a blog and someone asks a question, try to
respond, but both sides should understand that you can’t
respond 100% of the time.

We all get busy and a blog, unless it maintains a paid
membership, is often supported as a labor of love.

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About the Author

Jim Edwards is a syndicated newspaper columnist and the
co-author of an amazing new ebook that will teach you how
to use fr^e articles to quickly drive thousands of targeted
visitors to your website, affiliate links, or blogs…

By now, if you haven t heard of Blogging, you must be in a coma, seldom watch or listen to the news, or never use the internet. Bloggers are the newest and most popular authentic voice on the internet.

Blogging Defined

First, let s begin with an accurate definition of Blogging. Blog is short for Web Log. To blog is to upload text onto the same place on the internet daily, weekly, monthly, or at least with some predictable frequency. The best bloggers are trained professional writers, people who write because it s their passion, and politically inclined individuals who need a bully pulpit for their ideas. Some bloggers are traveling long distance over an extended period of time, and they want to communicate with family and friends. The traveling bloggers do not have enough time to e-mail everyone so they blog. Family and friends can check their blog for updates on their whereabouts, their adventures, mishaps, and golden opportunities while they re on the road.

Is Blog a Noun, Verb, or Adjective?

I have seen Blog used as a noun, verb and adjective. This means blogging is a thing, an active principle, and a way to describe something. If you want to blog (verb) and do it well, the best advice is to blog on a subject you know quite a good deal about. Chances are, most people who blog with a good solid background in their subject area, do not readily run out of good material. Also, people who read blogs (noun) constructed in this way will walk away enriched, educated on a particular subject, and are more likely to return.

Blogging as Gossip or for Profits

As a professional writer and a creative writer, I am enjoying the popularity of the blogger (noun). Why? Because bloggers are bringing back respect for the individual voice in writing. Their popularity is sometimes based upon the depth of their knowledge on a particular subject. Or, as in the case of bloggers who helped reveal the true identity of White House Press Corps gay hustler Jeff Gannon, bloggers can turn a little vicious gossip into an international news story, which I personally find amusing and enlightening. Since bloggers uncovered this scandalous man s double life, blogging has gained a great deal of attention. In fact, marketing and public relations firms are now using blogging as a tool in their whole package of increasing a client s media visibility.

Public Relations and Marketing Blogging

If the Public Relations and Marketing firms gain a stronghold on blogging activities, perhaps the authentic individual voice that began the blogging craze will be lost in the rubble. This is the worry of many devoted bloggers. Or, maybe this trend could strengthen the position of political or gossip oriented bloggers. Perhaps the devoted bloggers who were working in the restaurant and retail industry, will now find they re being offered the opportunity to blog for money instead of slave away over a hot grill, or at a cash register.

This is where the whole blogging debate takes over.

Ethical versus Unethical Blogging

Who actually has the right to blog? What does an authentic blogger look and feel and sound like? How do you identify a slick, Public Relations blogger? Should blogging remain in the realm of the individual voice? Or will it be usurped by multinational corporations and governments for their own devious purposes? These are all valid questions, and I m afraid I do not possess an answer to any of these ethical questions about blogging. I feel that the individual person, company, or entity must answer these questions on their own. But there is one thing I am absolutely certain about. Everyone has a right to blog, just as every one has a right to write and publish their work in the public sphere, which includes the internet.

For some ideas on how to increase web site traffic by blogging, visit http://www.sidhecommunications.com and read the companion piece to this article: Start Blogging to Increase Internet Traffic: We Blog.

About the Author

Elizabeth Kirwin has published work in national magazines and newspapers. She is co-owner of Sidhe Communications http://www.sidhecommunications.com in Asheville NC. She develops web sites, newsletters, brochures, and internet marketing plans for businesses, non-profits, and health care ogranizations nationally. For more information, e-mail ekirwin@bellsouth.net.