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This is my dance space and that is yours…

Just wondering on some Blogging etiquette. I have noticed that sometimes people post comments on someone else’s blog that seems to “steal thunder” by re-directing attention to themselves rather than adding to the conversation.

For example, say someone posts a comment on Mary McKnight’s blog that begins by sharing their experiences but then quickly adds in how they can buy a downloadable SEO book from their website.

I have noticed some people (and the same people) doing this on blogs that get high ratings and many “followers”. Is this considered “Bad Blogging” or is it a common and accepted practice in the world of blogging?

If someone wants to promote their own products and services, should they not do it in their own blog?

Posted by Lucie Quigley on 01/10/2007 03:37 PM

Comments (26)

blogging, etiquette, activerain, active rain

26 Comments on This is my dance space and that is yours…

JAN

2007

I don't know about this. I have a pretty wicked sense of humor and love differing opinions. If someone was BLATANT about the information and spamming I guess I would delete it. I have never deleted a blog comment FYI.

I do have someone that does silly things on my blog but it is pretty much a permission based relationship and she puts a great big grin on my face when I see her next antic. She means no harm, in fact quite the opposite! She is only around to spread a lil cheer!

Lucie ~ it does appear that some people need to have more attention that others. Just like going to a cocktail party and there's a person that has to be the center of attention. Manytimes other folks accept or put up with it because they have good manners.

Commenting draws in all kinds of people even spammers. There's nothing wrong with deleting a comment if it doesn't apply to the post. I have one crazy guy in my market who insists on leaving irrelevant comments on my other blog. I finally blocked him.

LUCY... Lately I have seen some of that on my posts. It is a compliment on one level because I know they know I have a voice that is being heard. But on another level the is being leaches.

Thanks for pointing out what many see as pretty shi_y.

JAN

2007

I have found that happening more recently as well. Very annoying. Some people just have different ideas of good manners. Best to take the high ground approach IMO

Lucie---I am so glad you brought this up. I know the frustrations you describe....I have felt them, too. Hopefully, by seeing in print that these types of comments are not appreciated but actually aggravating, the offender will cease doing it.

Great choice of pic to drive home your point!

Thanks Everyone for your feedback. Sometimes I'm not sure if I am being overly picky!

I have seen other blogs where there are moderators that you can point this stuff out to. The offender then receives a warning. If they have "multiple offences" they are blocked from the services for a week.

I have just noticed that some people take every chance they get to say "Look at me, this is my wonderful product/service, visit my website!".

I have been off AR for a few days...I guess that I must have missed something? I am so used to seeing situations such as you described (they have been going on for as long as I've been here - Sept.'06), that I just take it in stride now....I never warmed to seeing that kind of thing, however.

Lucie - I totally agree with you that this is not appropriate - I don't think anyone that puts their link in someone else's Blog gets any hit off it. I think people in the rain are smarter than that. People see these spammers for what they are. I think you can flag a post for the content of the post or comments. You could try reporting the offending spammer to the Rain Gods. Here is what you will see if you hit the flag button at the bottom of the Blog:

Flag:

Advertisement - This post is an advertisement and should not be where it was posted.
Featured - Recommend this post as a featured (gold star) post.
Inappropriate - This content is inappropriate for The ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Miscategorized - Post is in the wrong category.
Plagiarism - Post was plagiarized. Please supply link to original data (not the Blog post itself).
spam - This post is spam.

The above is a checklist. You could check the spam button and put in the explanation section that the spam is in one of the comments.

You know I never saw the Featured button - that is a great idea. Sometimes you see blogs that are so great you wonder why they were not featured - it is nice to know that members can recommend blogs for consideration.

Don't you also hate when someone makes a comment in a Blog that is even longer than the original Blog
LOL

Thanks for the info Maureen. I did try to check out "the flag" however from what I could see you are flagging the blog not the comments. Or does just flagging get the attention of the rain Gods.

I also notice that it does record your name, I wonder if they keep that info for themselves or does it let everyone know that you complained?

Lucie - I did speak to Ben about this via email. He told me that the name of the person reporting the blot is for their information only it is not made public. I'm pretty sure that the people do not even know that the post was flagged. I think they made the explanation section for situations like this. I'm sure you can Flag a Blog for its comment - just make it clear in the explanation section.

FYI - I have never flagged someone - I was speaking to Ben about it because the first morning when the flags came out I thought someone had flagged my Blog. I was upset so I emailed AR. Ben got back to me within minutes and explained that ever Blog had the flag. OK I guess I was not paying that much attention in the days prior to the whole flag thing or I would have know.

Here is a little light for you:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/28802/Post-Flagging
http://activerain.com/blogsview/28619/Who-s-Work-is

JAN

2007

Lucie, But if they are promoting there goods and service I would think that should be an advertisement and posted appropriately and not as a response in your blog.

Here is another one of my favorites on Blog etiquette.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/15184/So-are-you-a

JAN

2007

Lucie- Again, this is a timely post for me. Every time I have an issue - someone else blogs about it. My question is this - what if the comment posted is offensive? I was just reading a blog that had a comment posted (apparently by a nonmember) that really took me by surprise. I posted a rebuttal comment telling the effending poster that his comments were unacceptable, but what can you do beyond that?

JAN

2007

Maureen, that is a great blog - I invite everyone to take a look if you haven't already.

One quesion - Are the offenders really going to read Blog Etiquette?

Lucie - I'm sure they are not. LOL

Lucie- I guess I am too new to AR and blogging... but I have not noticed that. Thank you for the heads up on blogging ettiquette. And Maureen, thank you for clarifying how to respond to it if it ever happens in my blog.

JAN

2007

If someone is genuinely trying to aide the blog and add more info, I don't think it's a problem.

But, as in the case you made about putting an ad for yourself in someone else's post, that's crossing the line.

FEB

2007

Marc,

I think I have been neglecting this group by not posting or reading posts. Your email that people are not following the rules and are posting to the wrong group got my attention. Am I guilty of breaking the rules and reaking havoc in AR unwittingly? I have taken the time to read, follow some threads and thik I am up to speed with what has been happening in the group.

It seems the problem of misposting is across the board. Other groups are having the same problems. I thought I wa being original in suggesting in another group that we appoint "policemen" only to see that this group already thought of it. Don't know id you instituted it, but really, it is not a bad idea.

I would like to observe in this group also that AR is a growing community with new people always joining the group. New people are very likely going to "mispost." So you see, the idea of policing is not such a bad one. I don't think the problem is going to go away.

Incidentally, even at the risk of asking the question in the wrong forum, For how long may one claim newbie status? You don't have to answer. I will ask it in the newbie forum?

FEB

2007

Eloise-

All good questions, but why did you post this in a blog?!

MAR

2007

I couldn't agree with you more Lucy! I've noticed that a lot lately, as well as people posting the same thing in several groups whether relevant or not! It's very frustrating!

APR

2007

Lucie,

What I particularly enjoy is when others make a comment on your blog promoting a good or service diametrically opposed to your profession. You may not have even been blogging about your service, but rather sharing some information or tips...and here comes "mr. infomercial" telling everyone how great Ginsu knives are.

While blogging may present the perfect opportunity for such rudeness, it is just the tip of the iceberg. These are the same individuals who cut you off on the road, interrupt you mid-sentence and come to trade expos and try to sell you something while visiting your booth. Unfortunately this behavior typifies the culture we live in.

Hang in there...there are still a lot of polite professionals around, and this community demonstrates that.

MAY

2007

Good question and I enjoyed reading all the comments, personally I don't think I have seen it that blatant, but I can see that, that would not be polite.

JUL

2007

I think overall it is a compliment. They thought enough of your post that they want to use it a a marketing tool for themselves as well as for you. True they are benefitting from your efforts but it shows they apprciate what you have done.

JUL

2007

I'm not really certain what the reference is here. However, aside from whose 'speak' it is, I find it helpful when people pass along useful information & links. I also send relevant links that my be of use.

What I don't like is a blog full of links - BORES ME TO DEATH!

Thanks Lucie!

Oh, by the way - do you dance? (the reference to dance & Dirty Dancing...photo)

What does the dancing mean? Is it just a catchy tittle?

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