Ever since my high school days of Live Journal (yes, I realize how much that reference ages me!), I’ve loved blogging/online journaling. Writing has been a creative outlet of mine for as long as I can remember.
I realize for many, blogging is business—it’s a full-time job for the big names out there—but for me, blogging is (currently) just a hobby. I occasionally have companies offer me products in exchange for a review and I do try to use my limited knowledge of social media to my advantage, but nothing infuriates me more than the disingenuous blogger.
These are the types of bloggers I try to avoid—you know who I’m talking about!
There’s the “nothing-but-sponsored-content” blogger.
I get it. Working with sponsors and advertisers is necessary to keep your blog running, but it gets old if 90% of your content is a product review or promotion. I don’t mind reading sponsored posts—there are some great bloggers who interlace interesting and funny personal stories with product promotion—but I will stop reading if that’s all you post.
Edited to add: I realize the irony of yesterday’s post being a review/giveaway of freebies. But hopefully my disclosure was evident and I came across as sincere, because I really do like hemp seeds!
Or the “OMG, nice post! Check out my blog look-at-me.com!” commenter.
There’s nothing wrong with commenting on other blogs to put your name out and hopefully attract readers. In fact, most blog tutorials recommend this. But it’s one thing to comment on a blog with a well-thought comment indicating you’ve read the author’s content, and it’s another to blatantly skip over their post and shamelessly plug yourself. Show respect and take interest; eventually, other readers and bloggers will do the same.
We all know the “My life is 100% rainbows and sunshine” blogger.
I’ve found myself rejoicing right along with other bloggers when something positive happens in their lives (pregnancies after years of infertility, promotions, publishing gigs, etc.), but I appreciate when bloggers share some of the “ugly” as well. I’ve actually unsubscribed to bloggers who seem phony—as in, all they share is rainbows and sunshine.
Yet we sometimes encounter the “Negative Nelly.”
This is the second side to being a “real” blogger. When a blogger shares a struggle (job loss, struggles to conceive, etc.), it triggers empathy in the reader and shows us that, yes, bloggers are real people with real emotions. If all you do is complain, though, you will alienate your readers who don’t need extra negativity in their lives!
Let’s not forget the “Link-up Abuser.”
All (most?) of us want people to read our blog and interact with us, but we shouldn’t take advantage of others by abusing their hard work and time. I’ve noticed many people posting months-old content to weekly link-ups or including several link-ups in one post—most of which have nothing to do with the content/theme of their writing. If you’re a food or healthy living blogger, you’re probably aware of the What I Ate Wednesday (WIAW) controversy. Jen, a hardworking blogger and mother, was up to her ears in frustration because people were abusing her link-up; she even had to enlist the help of others to keep this much-loved link party going. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you your blog exposure!
I’m sure there are more—perhaps “the recipe thief” (posting another’s recipe as their own and refusing to link back to the original), or the so-called “expert” who has no qualifications (registered dietician, personal trainer, health coach, etc.) yet passes off their “advice” as empirical truth—but these 5 really rub me the wrong way.
Like I said, I love blogging, and I love the amazing perspectives I’ve encountered, the endless healthy recipes I’ve made or bookmarked, and the personal (and professional) connections that sometimes arise. Like with everything in life, integrity is of the utmost importance when it comes to blogging. In other words, don’t abuse a good thing!
- Do you have a blog?
- Did I leave any “blog abusers” out?
- Sponsored content: tell me the truth, do you read it or skip it?
great reminder- vague blogging is an annoyance of mine. “you guys, i have this really big thing going on and i can’t tell you about it.” ok, then shut up! 🙂
Ha! Yes. I totally understand if it’s job-related or something that isn’t a sure thing, but then I’m like “why not just wait to write about it?”
great reminder- vague blogging is an annoyance of mine. “you guys, i have this really big thing going on and i can’t tell you about it.” ok, then shut up! 🙂
Ha! Yes. I totally understand if it’s job-related or something that isn’t a sure thing, but then I’m like “why not just wait to write about it?”
This makes me laugh… hard. I agree with all of the above.
My least favorite is probably the “know it all” blogger. Especially when said blogger is rude to those don’t share his/her opinion.
Also don’t really care for bloggers that live the glamorous life. Boring and unrelatable!
Yeah, when I’m NAK (nursing at keyboard, learned that from other bloggers), reading about glamour just doesn’t feel right! 😉 I agree on the rudeness thing.
This makes me laugh… hard. I agree with all of the above.
My least favorite is probably the “know it all” blogger. Especially when said blogger is rude to those don’t share his/her opinion.
Also don’t really care for bloggers that live the glamorous life. Boring and unrelatable!
Yeah, when I’m NAK (nursing at keyboard, learned that from other bloggers), reading about glamour just doesn’t feel right! 😉 I agree on the rudeness thing.
I agree! There’s always a few in a crowd that are those types of bloggers. I’m sure I’ve been an offender at some point. HAHA
Oh, I’ve been an offender before, too. Luckily it’s pretty easy to click *unsubscribe* to the habitual ones, though.
I agree! There’s always a few in a crowd that are those types of bloggers. I’m sure I’ve been an offender at some point. HAHA
Oh, I’ve been an offender before, too. Luckily it’s pretty easy to click *unsubscribe* to the habitual ones, though.
Oooh friend, this is good stuff! You have me evaluating myself. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of at least one of these before but definitely try my best to be genuine and authentic! I hadn’t heard about the link-up fiasco. Totally not cool!!
From what I’ve read of your blog, you’re very genuine. I know I was guilty of some of these myself, too, so every now and then I re-evaluate myself!
Oooh friend, this is good stuff! You have me evaluating myself. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of at least one of these before but definitely try my best to be genuine and authentic! I hadn’t heard about the link-up fiasco. Totally not cool!!
From what I’ve read of your blog, you’re very genuine. I know I was guilty of some of these myself, too, so every now and then I re-evaluate myself!
Ooooh yes. Can I jump through the computer and hug you? I so want to. Alas I have to go clean cheesecake off my floor because, clumsiness 😉
<3 Just how clean are your floors? Because I'll help with that cheesecake! 😉
Ooooh yes. Can I jump through the computer and hug you? I so want to. Alas I have to go clean cheesecake off my floor because, clumsiness 😉
<3 Just how clean are your floors? Because I'll help with that cheesecake! 😉
I 100% agree with everything said above. I have so many thoughts on this, I hope you don’t mind my long comment:)
I love blogging and like you it is a hobby. Sure I like to make a little money on it, but in the end I decided right at the beginning no matter what it turns into, it’s got to be me, and I need to stay true to who I am and what I am and not fake it just to be a part of something I am not.
As someone who hosts link ups, I can tell you there is nothing more annoying when you take the time to set things up and people link up incorrect things, or jump in just to link up but never fully participate.
I actually wrote a post on that very subject not long ago, because so many just don’t get the purpose of a link up, and that it isn’t just about them, it’s about sharing the love and visiting others and most importantly linking up the correct content with the link up.
I get annoyed with the ones who go on social media pages, and say, Like my page, or visit my blog today I worked so hard on this post etc… I know there are not right or wrong ways to promote, but etiquette gets missed at times:)
I’m also not a fan of those who stop by and don’t read a thing and say “great post…” I don’t see the point of their visit.
I value genuine bloggers, and truthfully when I built my blog tribe and as I expand it I look for others who are genuine because blogging isn’t a “just for me” thing, its about respect and value, building friendships.
I don’t know if you’d call these blog abusers, but I dislike the ones that follow on social media just to get a follow back, and as soon as you do, they unfollow you so they can go follow more. There is just something very rude about that, I don’t care for those types:)
I should probably stop, I could chat on this subject all day:) LOL
I welcome long comments! Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you agree. I imagine with all your blogging experience you’ve seen all of this and more.
I hate the “follow swappers” who immediately delete after they get a follow, too! It really is rude, which is why I only follow people I really like. If they follow me back, great, but I don’t “buy” that follow.
You know, I stopped participating in a couple linkups simply because I didn’t have the time to devote to proper etiquette. I felt it was better just to stop participating than inadvertently become an abuser.
One thing I like about this hop is that do many bloggers seem genuine. 🙂
I 100% agree with everything said above. I have so many thoughts on this, I hope you don’t mind my long comment:)
I love blogging and like you it is a hobby. Sure I like to make a little money on it, but in the end I decided right at the beginning no matter what it turns into, it’s got to be me, and I need to stay true to who I am and what I am and not fake it just to be a part of something I am not.
As someone who hosts link ups, I can tell you there is nothing more annoying when you take the time to set things up and people link up incorrect things, or jump in just to link up but never fully participate.
I actually wrote a post on that very subject not long ago, because so many just don’t get the purpose of a link up, and that it isn’t just about them, it’s about sharing the love and visiting others and most importantly linking up the correct content with the link up.
I get annoyed with the ones who go on social media pages, and say, Like my page, or visit my blog today I worked so hard on this post etc… I know there are not right or wrong ways to promote, but etiquette gets missed at times:)
I’m also not a fan of those who stop by and don’t read a thing and say “great post…” I don’t see the point of their visit.
I value genuine bloggers, and truthfully when I built my blog tribe and as I expand it I look for others who are genuine because blogging isn’t a “just for me” thing, its about respect and value, building friendships.
I don’t know if you’d call these blog abusers, but I dislike the ones that follow on social media just to get a follow back, and as soon as you do, they unfollow you so they can go follow more. There is just something very rude about that, I don’t care for those types:)
I should probably stop, I could chat on this subject all day:) LOL
I welcome long comments! Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you agree. I imagine with all your blogging experience you’ve seen all of this and more.
I hate the “follow swappers” who immediately delete after they get a follow, too! It really is rude, which is why I only follow people I really like. If they follow me back, great, but I don’t “buy” that follow.
You know, I stopped participating in a couple linkups simply because I didn’t have the time to devote to proper etiquette. I felt it was better just to stop participating than inadvertently become an abuser.
One thing I like about this hop is that do many bloggers seem genuine. 🙂
YES, YES, YES! I love your list so much. I used to follow a BIG blogger and I adored her before she was even big and then it felt like she was over-sponsored. Every post was a sponsored post and I felt like I was constantly reading a commercial. It was such a bummer, I vowed right there to not become like that.
http://www.mom4ce.blogspot.com
I’ve actually quit following some blogs like that. Or I’ll still read them, but I try to devote more of my comments toward smaller, more genuine blogs. It’s not that those bloggers are bad people, but it is off-putting.
YES, YES, YES! I love your list so much. I used to follow a BIG blogger and I adored her before she was even big and then it felt like she was over-sponsored. Every post was a sponsored post and I felt like I was constantly reading a commercial. It was such a bummer, I vowed right there to not become like that.
http://www.mom4ce.blogspot.com
I’ve actually quit following some blogs like that. Or I’ll still read them, but I try to devote more of my comments toward smaller, more genuine blogs. It’s not that those bloggers are bad people, but it is off-putting.
Ah Yes! I was just thinking the same behavior is all over most social media platforms in general now…thank you for putting this out there. Another reason why I am digging periscope these days…you can weed out the ppl that are not authentic real quick! And it took me a good few months after I started blogging to understand what a link up was all about!
I’m so ambivalent to new social media that I haven’t tried periscope (or snap chat for that matter). Seems like I need to learn more about it.
It took me a while to learn link up etiquette, too. In fact, I am guilty of taking too much liberty with early WIAW posts myself. I just can’t stand when people do it habitually!
Ah Yes! I was just thinking the same behavior is all over most social media platforms in general now…thank you for putting this out there. Another reason why I am digging periscope these days…you can weed out the ppl that are not authentic real quick! And it took me a good few months after I started blogging to understand what a link up was all about!
I’m so ambivalent to new social media that I haven’t tried periscope (or snap chat for that matter). Seems like I need to learn more about it.
It took me a while to learn link up etiquette, too. In fact, I am guilty of taking too much liberty with early WIAW posts myself. I just can’t stand when people do it habitually!
I am new to blogging (less that a year ) and learning how not to be one of these types of bloggers. I try to be genuine it what I share and supportive of others.
i enjoy link ups to see how other bloggers use the link up to share content. I try to read at least up to 5 blogs when I link up.
Oh my I hadn’t heard of the WIAW issues-that is horrible.
I do reviews every once in a while but only for products that I find beneficial for me and may be for others.
Thanks for sharing.
It’s definitely hard to learn the ropes as a new blogger. I’m not seasoned by any stretch, but I’ve learned a lot since my very early days. It took me a while to learn link-up etiquette, and I think I sadly tried too hard to get comments/likes/clicks/etc. instead of focusing on my content. Now I just try to blog for me and hope I’m being authentic.
I think you do a good job and seem very genuine. 🙂
Awww thanks. I try. i do this blogging for me so no point trying to impress others or make it a popularity contest. Being genuine is the only way I know 🙂
I am new to blogging (less that a year ) and learning how not to be one of these types of bloggers. I try to be genuine it what I share and supportive of others.
i enjoy link ups to see how other bloggers use the link up to share content. I try to read at least up to 5 blogs when I link up.
Oh my I hadn’t heard of the WIAW issues-that is horrible.
I do reviews every once in a while but only for products that I find beneficial for me and may be for others.
Thanks for sharing.
It’s definitely hard to learn the ropes as a new blogger. I’m not seasoned by any stretch, but I’ve learned a lot since my very early days. It took me a while to learn link-up etiquette, and I think I sadly tried too hard to get comments/likes/clicks/etc. instead of focusing on my content. Now I just try to blog for me and hope I’m being authentic.
I think you do a good job and seem very genuine. 🙂
Awww thanks. I try. i do this blogging for me so no point trying to impress others or make it a popularity contest. Being genuine is the only way I know 🙂
These are all so true. I’ve stopped following several bloggers in the past who started out talking about their journey (whether it be fitness, parenting, writing, whatever) and then stopped when they became popular and their blogs were clogged up with sponsored stuff. I think it must be hard for successful bloggers to hit a balance with stuff like that! I know that one of the first rules of blogging is to create a schedule and stick to it, but I’m more likely to skip a day if I feel like I don’t have anything worthwhile to say instead of posting to a link-up or something like that. Really good thoughts, thank you for sharing!
Good point about striking a balance. It probably is hard to cater to regular readers and sponsors once you get really popular. I’m with you on the scedule thing. I *try* to keep a general one, but sometimes it’s better just to skip a day when needed.
These are all so true. I’ve stopped following several bloggers in the past who started out talking about their journey (whether it be fitness, parenting, writing, whatever) and then stopped when they became popular and their blogs were clogged up with sponsored stuff. I think it must be hard for successful bloggers to hit a balance with stuff like that! I know that one of the first rules of blogging is to create a schedule and stick to it, but I’m more likely to skip a day if I feel like I don’t have anything worthwhile to say instead of posting to a link-up or something like that. Really good thoughts, thank you for sharing!
Good point about striking a balance. It probably is hard to cater to regular readers and sponsors once you get really popular. I’m with you on the scedule thing. I *try* to keep a general one, but sometimes it’s better just to skip a day when needed.
My biggest peeve are the blogs with 100% sponsored posts – Every once in a while, okay but day after day… I would think that would get boring after a while!
Yep, it would get boring. Especially when the topic/product has little to do with the person’s blog!
My biggest peeve are the blogs with 100% sponsored posts – Every once in a while, okay but day after day… I would think that would get boring after a while!
Yep, it would get boring. Especially when the topic/product has little to do with the person’s blog!
I work full time and blog as a hobby too and like you don’t sweat it if I have other things on. Sometimes life just gets in the way but that’s cool and I do the best I can! I enjoyed this post and can relate to it as the same things wind me up too! ?
Thanks Traci-Ann!
I think it’s easier it to take logging too seriously when you’re a smaller blog.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets annoyed at these things! 🙂
I work full time and blog as a hobby too and like you don’t sweat it if I have other things on. Sometimes life just gets in the way but that’s cool and I do the best I can! I enjoyed this post and can relate to it as the same things wind me up too! ?
Thanks Traci-Ann!
I think it’s easier it to take logging too seriously when you’re a smaller blog.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets annoyed at these things! 🙂