Image credit: Gemini
Hi, there! Welcome to Life Captured. Today, let’s chat about common courtesy. Basically, the timeless art of being a decent human whenever we’re mingling with fellow bloggers! Think of this as a friendly little roundup of takeaways I’ve gathered while observing our wonderful community online.
I love navigating my day-to-day life with genuine kindness and respect for the people I meet face-to-face. But recently, a thought popped into my head that made me pause: Am I spreading that same everyday warmth across the blogosphere, or is my digital etiquette due for a cozy upgrade?
Lessons in Kindness from Seasoned Bloggers
This question came to mind after spending time reading and learning from some of the most seasoned creators in the blogging sphere. These veteran bloggers have been crafting content and building communities for years, and they all share one incredible trait: consistent, heartfelt kindness.
When they stop by a post, you can tell they actually sat down, read every word, and took the time to leave an honest, thoughtful reply. It’s an approach that creates the ultimate win-win moment. Practicing that kind of intentional courtesy gives you a great feeling inside, while sending a huge boost of encouragement straight to the post’s creator. Best of all, anyone else stopping by to read the comments gets to soak up those positive vibes, too! It turns a simple blog post into a welcoming space for the entire community.
Being a Great Guest: Visiting & Reading Other Blogs
- Read before you comment: Take a minute to absorb the post so your comment reflects what the creator actually wrote.
- Be genuine: Share a specific thought, personal connection, or key takeaway rather than generic praise.
- Respect the theme: If you are joining a link party or themed blog hop, ensure your submitted post matches the prompt or rules provided by the host.
The Magic of Thoughtful Comments
- Keep it constructive: If you share a differing opinion, express it with kindness and respect for the author’s perspective.
- Avoid sneaky self-promotion: Keep the focus on discussing the author’s work instead of dropping random links to your own content.
- Spread the love: Take a moment to read and reply to a few fellow commenters in the section to help build a friendly conversation.
Hosting with Heart: Interacting on Your Own Blog
- Acknowledge your readers: Try to respond to comments on your posts—even a quick “thank you” lets readers know their time was appreciated.
- Give credit where it’s due: If another blogger inspired your post, mention them with a friendly shoutout and a link back to their site.
- Keep your space welcoming: Foster a safe, encouraging atmosphere in your comment section so visitors feel comfortable joining in.
The idea for this post came from spending time on other blogs and feeling genuinely inspired by the kindness I found there. It made me reflect on how small, intentional actions can transform our online spaces. I share these thoughts not as strict rules, but as gentle inspiration for your own blogging journey; whether you’re launching something new or refreshing an old favorite.
I’m definitely a work in progress here, especially when it comes to dialing back self-promotion and just focusing on genuine connection. Take the ideas that resonate with you, make them your own, and leave behind anything that doesn’t fit your journey.
Which of these blogging courtesy habits comes most naturally to you, and which one are you working to practice more?
Yesterday is today’s memory.
Be sure to capture your memory today!
All the best,.
Debra Ellen
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Excellent tips here, and I follow them, for the most part. Sometimes it takes a little longer to respond to comments, but I do try and answer them all. Sharing others’ posts on social media is also good, for those who have accounts there.
There’s nothing wrong with self-promotion, as long as it’s done in addition to mutual engagement, not instead of.
Hi, Debbie. I appreciate your input on the warm fuzzies of blogging! After visiting many other successful blogs, I began to see some common practices. For beginning bloggers and maybe reminders for the experienced creators, this may be of value to have.
Thank you for your visit. Stop by anytime, you are always welcome!
All the best.
These are great! I get particularly annoyed when hosting a themed link up and (some) people completely disregard the theme. Not all link ups are free for alls! LOL. I definitely think I am pretty great at responding to comments and leaving genuine ones- though admittedly there are a few blogs that link up with me on Tuesday that I do tend to skim a bit rather than read word for word before leaving a comment. I used to try and read every single blog that linked up with me and leave a genuine comment but at some point the party just got too big and I realized there were so many that just linked and ran and never seemed to comment on my mine or anyone else’s so I started just opening their link, pinning, and running myself. I find those blogs I enjoy reading the most are the ones that I feel like I have genuine conversations with– those that I read and leave thoughtful comments on that seem to reciprocate because they genuine enjoy reading my blog as well. It makes for a lovely community feeling.
Hi, Joanne. Actually, you are one of the blogging models for me. I’m trying to figure out how you have made time to get all of your posts written, respond to your post comments and you commenting on other blogs. I’ve noticed you do not self promote your site, however- you have a large group following you. I would sure enjoy increasing viewers to Life Captured 😉
I do appreciate your continued support here and ehjoy reading your posts!
All the best.
Aw, thank you! It took time, I found that consistently commenting on other’s blogs often had them finding their way to mine and leaving comments. Then over time it really started to feel like checking in with real friends.
I’m beginning to feel like I’m checking in on new found friends as well. I like to read the full posts of the ones who regularly visit my site. I have fun visiting your site!
Have a wonderful week.
All the best.
I started blogging over a decade ago and have built so many fabulous relationships through it over the years…and it all started in the comments! Some of my closest friends are people I’ve never met in person! Haha, but they were the kindest ladies who practiced everything you mentioned and welcomed me into the fold right away.
Hi, Kim. One of the common traits of the successful blogs is, ‘time’. Their followers were built over time. Have you heard the prayer, ‘God, grant me patience. And do it now!’? That’s me 😆 So, I’ll take the baby steps and give it time!
I have made several friends online as well. Looking forward to meeting more friends.
Have a wonderful week.
All the best.
I try to always leave kind and genuine comments and if I am joining in with a link party I try to comment on most the other posts joining in. I have noticed that, other bloggers are some of the nicest, kindest people I’ve ever came across. They are always so encouraging.
Hi, Kim. Yes, you do leave kind comments! I enjoy reading your words.
Have a fun week.
All the best.
My blogging partner and I are fairly new to this community but we’ve grown to love and respect it so much. Thanks for sharing these important reminders!
You are most welcome, Laura. I, too, appreciate the visits and comments left on posts here at Life Captured.
Please visit again, you are always welcome.
Have a fun week.
All the best.
I always make sure to visit someone back when they visit my blog and leave a comment. I do this two times a week. It’s very important, I think.
Hi, Nicole. Thanks for giving me an idea on how much time you spend on replying to comments.
Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Come back anytime!
All the best.
I try to respond to the blogger’s content rather than insert my own. Unfortunately, I usually fail at that. But, I do make sure to address their post first and fully. I also respond to every comment on my blog though I’m quite behind on that right now. I don’t respond to every blog that links on my various link parties because I do some of those with other bloggers and don’t know every blogger who links up. I appreciate when bloggers who link up thank me, and I respond to those comments. I think it’s because I do read blogs in depth that I don’t read every linked post. I try very hard, though, to respond to blogs on link ups I host solely.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thank you for sharing! I am finding it difficult to keep up with commenting, replying to comments and visiting links at the parties I host. I am not a person who can go a mile a minute doing several things all at the same time. I’m more like a tortise. I’ll get there- eventually 😳
Have a wonderful week.
All the best.
Good reminders that are too often forgotten!
Hi, Barbara. Thank you for visiting Life Captured! I visited your site and was looking for your ‘About’ page. Sadly, I did not see one.
Have a wonderful weekend.
All the best.
I’ve learned so much from reading about so many varied topics I’d likely never encountered except through blog hops. It is always interesting and engaging.
I don’t always have witty engaging comments to leave. I do respect the time and effort that went in to reaching out to the world but I may not have the wisdom to provide that thoughtful comment they seek. I did take the time to read the post and respect the time given to it. I do try to leave a kind respectful comment but I also am not hurt when I don’t get the deep thoughts on my posts either. I’m glad someone took the time to read. The world is full of distractions. It was an honor that they took the time to stop by my world.
I appreciate even a ‘thanks’. Doesn’t need to be witty or lengthy. If someone doesn’t comment, then I do not know if I received a visit.
Your comment is appreciated. Honesty is always best. Thank you.
All the best.