1. When leaving comments, be sincere. No one likes to see a comment that says "Great Post!" with a website attached. All that says to me is "Please visit my blog, I'm desperate for attention".
2. Don't ask people to follow you back. Once again, this sounds desperate. We all want followers. The best bloggers will noticed you followed and follow you back. Which brings me to my next point.
3. Don't follow without leaving a comment. Sometimes it's hard to find the blogs of people who follow me. I always try to follow back, but there are cases when the blog simply can't be found. I even go as far as to google the usernames of people - I like to share the love THAT much. If you leave a comment, the chances of me finding your blog increase ten fold.
4. Most important, have fun! Blog-hops are about spreading the love to bloggers everywhere. Enjoy it, don't stress yourself out and don't feel like you have to apologize for every mistake you make. We all make mistakes, just do what you can and we'll all end up enjoying the ride right along with you.
What's your favorite thing about Blog hops?
34 comments:
Such a timely reminder, especially since there are 1800++ participating in the A-Z!
I think the most important thing is to have fun! Don't stress out about getting to everyone because we're only human (especially this month!)
The follow-me comments really annoy me. As do people tweeting follow-my-FB-page. There's a whole raft of people trying so hard to get followers they forget they need some content as well! Rant over :-)
I'm really enjoying your layout of your posts. Having the numbering and boldness makes the post so much easier to follow!
Yes, please leave a comment, because often the icon in the Google Friends Connect widget doesn't connect to a blog or anything.
Totally Agree with these. Great post! Truly love 1. Be sincere, it seems as time passes people seem to forget about manners and being nice.
I've been blogging for three years but can use all the help available. I already picked up one tip and look forward to picking up more from you. And I wholeheartedly agree about white on black and font size.
Ugh, you know I hate it when people leave their website in your comments and say "follow me!" but don't say anything relevant about the post that I just put my time and effort into.
Liking your theme. Good luck in the A to Z challenge :)
Definitely have fun. .I used to be able to participate in more blog hops and I miss it.
I'd also add something to the hosts of bloghops (when there are prizes) to make sure you visit everybody or at least everyone gets visited. Because how do you award the prizes unless you've seen them all, right? LOL. So when you choose to host something, know what you're getting into! ;)
You're so good to even google people to find them. I like to spread the love too.
Great post! (Just kidding) I started getting into bloghops in order to meet people but it was rather awkward because the first blog hop I entered I had no idea what I was doing and I think it was just too evident. Brave thing on my side, but I wouldn't want to do it again, jumping in without knowing what is it all about.
It's been interesting combing through this blog hop's responses. Several seem to not even read the host's post, like they're rushing through a game of tag. It feels like a shame to me since they don't get to understand the person whose blog they visit and connect. I figured the big appeal of A-to-Z was enjoying each other and forming relationships.
I want to post on a somewhat regular basis, but don't always know what I should post. Bloghops are a way for me to find a fun topic, meet other bloggers, and get idea for what interests me.
Great comments! I too try to always follow back, but I can't always find the blogs, so the tip to comment when you follow helps.
I don't participate in very many blog hops. I get tired, in some of them, of reading the repetitive themes and yes, wanting to visit friends' blogs but having a difficult time leaving meaningful comments. I like reading original posts. The A-Z is fun because of the unique takes everyone has with the theme.
Good tips! I haven't participated in many blog hops, but I like to stop by other blogs and learn about the people I'm following.
What a great idea you have chosen for your A-Z Challenge. I have been blogging for about 13months ( on and off) so still have a huge amount to learn. Will be checking back frequently to see your honest and well written posts.
Patricia, Sugar & Spice & All Things ? Nice
Yes, good points. I think I might be guilty of following but not posting once or twice. I'll bear that in mind...
For longer blog hops, I'd say don't stress over not being able to visit everyone on the days it's running. Not everyone can get around to like 300 people. I'd also recommend not signing up for each and every blog hop you encounter. It's best to pick ones you're really interested in, instead of choosing every blog hop to try to increase hits or followers, or because a lot of your blogging friends are doing those hops.
It's my first blog hop adventure! I find it is a good writing exercise for pumping up my writing day!
I also google people if I can't find their links, but it's slowly becoming more and more difficult for me to go through my follow list, since it's almost at a thousand people now.
This is a great idea for the A to Z challenge! Well done!
I think having fun is the most important part:) Although I will say something is a great post if that is so;)
I've got to say, I'm impressed with your blogging etiquette. I don't know if I'd spend the time to track someone down on Google, but now I might have to change my mindset.
I'm having fun with this blog hop - literally leaping from one to another randomly on the list. Who knows where I'll end up next... BOING!
It doesn't happen often, but I have gotten frustrated when people follow without leaving a comment. And it's even worse when I click on their profile and their blog is not listed. And like you, I have ended up googling them to track them down. But when it gets to that point, I start to wonder if they even want me to follow back. And a big YES to what Cassie said. If you host a bloghop, make sure you visit every single participant. And if you don't think you can, get friends to help you co-host and divide up the list. (:
great reminder for the current challenge.
Thank you for visiting my blog and posting a comment. I am really enjoying your posts so far in the A to Z Challenge. This is some good advice.
Denise at Organization and Inspiration for Fellow Writers, participant of A to Z Blogging Challenge
As usual, great tips. I'm one of those bad bloggers who doesn't automatically follow back, BUT I do creep back on the blog and at least try to comment back...so it's like the same thing, right? :)
I love bloghops. Another tip would be to make it easy for me to find your blog! When I click on our name and only see the ones you follow, it makes it harder for me to return the favor and find out more about you. And comments definitely keep a writer happen - like a apple for a teacher!
Yes yes yes to #3 and another yes too. Tracking down blogs from the GFC widget is sometimes quite the challenge.
These are great tips and frankly reminders even if you've been doing this for a few years. :)
My fav thing about hopping is finding new blogs to follow!
Popped by from the AtoZ Challenge.
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
I LOVE blog hops! It's a great way of connecting with new people!
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