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 unsure how to enter the world of online diary. How the media has grown, I thought it would 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 blogs that offers advice of label, or a Miss Manners that details appropriate behavior. This does not mean that there are acceptable and unacceptable actions that bloggers should take. To efficiently communicate as a blogger on the Internet, it is essential to understand the unwritten rules of blogging etiquette. If you copy other blog post you should link to them? Yes, ways to blog stats that you make every effort to the original source of the blog credit, this must be done via a link. The link must not contain the nofollow tag. As a general comment on the post, should be at least as long as the post that is copied. How much you can quote other blog post people? Fair use allows postings or portions of posts to be cited, but it is generally recommended to quote only what is necessary to maintain the context of the post. When you post an excerpt from another person, 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 a text that explains why the post was removed. Even if you feel that the post was simply fair use and not a copyright violation, net courtesy dictates that you respect the will of its author and removes the content. Why should you credit your sources? Always the sources of credit information. Attribution is important, not only increases your credibility, but he'll also help build your channel for future content. Fonts, seeing that you give proper attribution often will reward you with additional information in the future. How to validate the information? As a blogger, reputation is everything. All items must be confirmed before posting. Consider using two sources to verify this information is accurate before 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 his readers and correct the information as soon as possible. Not only is he the right thing to do, but often feeds or blog posts are distributed and unless a correction is made the words could perpetuate unchecked. If the error occurs in a blog post to post an apology, go back to the original post and strikeout the incorrect content and add a comment indicating why the post was changed. As must be my posts formatted? Posts by breaking into readable chunks. Usually the best posts are divided into several paragraphs. Be careful not to alienate readers, using all caps, that is considered "shouting" online and is thought of as very rude. I have to use proper grammar in the blog? Questions of proper grammar, spelling and grammar may be inconsequential when IM with your friends, but blogs, immortalize his words, the Internet is becoming a file to the past. Proper grammar should always be used when blogging or posting an RSS feed. What's off the record really mean? Always respects its sources. If you are told something "off the record" no report about it, post it or share it with anyone. what exactly is copywritten? Any creative works are copywritten. In the u.s. and many other countriesm, even if the creator does not apply for a copyright, the creative works are protected by copyright laws at the time that the creative work is created. Unless the creator waives these rights, the creative may not be reproduced or modified without permission from creators. Copywritten work includes images, text, music or software. If you post a controversial piece, it is 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 opposite point of view on any contentious items. Let your readers see both sides to the controversy, respect the balance to be provided. After 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 to create, edit, publish RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a software company of wireless text messages.

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