Free Website Content - Blog and RSS Feed Etiquette
Blog and RSS Feed Etiquette
By Sharon Housley
Citizen journalists and writers have become common place
on the web. Perhaps you are considering blogging, but are
unsure of how to enter the world of online journaling. As
the medium has grown, I thought it might be a good idea
to put together some general guidelines for new bloggers
and reminders to veteran bloggers about blogging practices.
There is no Emily Post in blogging that offers
etiquette advice, or a Miss Manners that details appropriate
behavior. That does not mean there are not acceptable and
unacceptable actions that bloggers should take. In order
to efficiently communicate as a blogger on the Internet,
it is critical to understand the unwritten rules of blogging
etiquette.
If you copy another blog's post should
you link to them?
Yes, blog manners dictates that you make every
effort to credit the original source of the blog post, this
should be done through a link. The link should not contain
the "nofollow" tag. Generally speaking the commentary about
the quoted post, should be at least as long as the post
that is copied.
How much can you quote of another persons
blog post?
Fair use allows for posts or portions of posts
to be quoted, but it is generally good practice to only
quote what is necessary to retain the context of the post.
When posting an excerpt from someone else, it is imperative
that the context of the post remain intact.
If someone complains about having a blog
post copied, what should you do?
The appropriate course of action would be
to remove the offending post and replace it with text that
explains why the post was removed. Even if you feel the
post was simply fair use, and not a copyright violation,
net courtesy dictates that you respect the wishes of the
original poster and remove the content.
Why should you credit your sources?
Always credit the sources of your information.
Attribution is important, it not only extends your credibility
but it also will help build your channel for future content.
Sources seeing that you give appropriate attribution will
often reward you with additional information in the future.
How do I validate information?
As a blogger, reputation is everything. All
items should be confirmed prior to posting. Consider using
two sources to verify that information is accurate prior
to posting. Also always use credible sources. Second sourcing
and relying on credible sources will ensure that posts are
accurate.
I made a mistake, what should I do?
If you have a change of heart, or posted something
that is not 100% accurate, apologize to your readers and
correct the information as soon as possible. Not only is
it the right thing to do, but often feeds or blog posts
are syndicated and unless a correction is made the words
could perpetuate unchecked. If the mistake occurs in a blog
post in addition to posting an apology, go back to the original
post and strikeout the incorrect content and add a comment
indicating why the post has been changed.
How should my posts be formatted?
Break posts into readable chunks. Generally
the best posts are broken into multiple paragraphs. Be careful
not to alienate readers by using ALL CAPS, this is considered
"shouting" online and is thought of as very rude.
Do I have to use proper grammar in by blog?
Proper grammar matters, grammar and spelling
may be inconsequential when instant messaging with your
friends but blogs, immortalize your words, the Internet
is becoming an archive for the past. Appropriate grammar
should always be used when blogging or posting to an RSS
feed.
What does off the record really mean?
Always respect your sources. If you are told
something "off the record" do not report about it, post
it or share it with anyone.
What exactly is copywritten?
Any creative works are copywritten. In the
US and many other countriesm, even if the creator does not
apply for a copyright, the creative works are protected
by the copyright laws the moment the creative work is created.
Unless the creator waives those rights, the creative cannot
be reproduced or modified without the creators permission.
Copywritten work includes images, text, music, or software.
If posting a controversial piece, is it
appropriate to include the opposing view?
It depends on the style of your blog or RSS
feed, but in general, it is best to include an opposing
view point on any controversial items. Let your readers
view both sides to the controversy, they will respect the
balance your provide.
Following basic netetiquette when blogging
and posting to RSS feeds will build credibility and a following
of loyal readers.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and
podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage
http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software company.
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This article may be used freely in opt-in
publications and websites, provided that the resource box
is included and the links are active. A courtesy copy of
the issue or a link to any online posting would be greatly
appreciated send an email to sharon@notepage.net
.
Additional articles available for publication available
at http://www.small-business-software.net/free-website-content.htm
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