Blog Comment Etiquette

Etiquette:  conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion. (according to www.dictionary.com)

Recently I received a comment on one of my blogs that none of you will see.  To be honest I was sad to reject the comment because there were some valuable things said in the comment.  It was not nasty or disrespectful.  It did break some unwritten rules regarding what I consider to be blog comment etiquette.  So in order to avoid comments that break these unwritten rules I thought I would make them written.

Follow these guidelines and your comment will be posted and add value to the conversation:

• Have a take

No one wants to read comments that don’t offer additional value to the post.  If you want to give props to the author then just say “nice job” and leave it at that.  It is better if you have something to say that adds to the opinion given by the author or takes issue with that opinion.  Feel free to disagree, it makes a good conversation.

• Support your take

There are few things more annoying than someone who offers an argument and doesn’t support it.  Support whatever take you have proposed.  This can be done with a short argument or suggesting people read an article or post on another site.

• Make it short

This is where the comment on my blog made their mistake.  Under no circumstances should the comment be longer than the post.  This particular comment was over 900 words which is almost the length of a short article in some magazines or a long blog post.  My blog post (in this case) was less than 600 words.  I think a good general rule of thumb is to keep the comment at less than 200 words.    The reason is simple as an author I won’t read long posts and neither will most readers.  If you want people to read your comment, keep it short.

• Never call names or participate in rude behavior

I have been called names many times when I have commented on blog posts or youtube videos.  Because of that I don’t often comment on posts where I think that might happen.  As the primary author here at YM Theology I will not publish comments if I feel they are rude whether I agree with them or not.

• Don’t take it personally

Sometimes people disagree, that’s what makes the conversation fun.  Have thick skin if someone disagrees with you.  Don’t let it stop you from making your case in a respectful manner.

• Have fun

Your participation will make the conversation better for everyone.  Go for it…have fun…

About

YM Theology is a blog designed to help youth pastors and workers think theologically about youth ministry. John Byrne (the primary author) has been in youth ministry for about 18 years.