Blog Basics 101: Avoid Making Costly Cyberspace Etiquette Blunders

Everyone likes to gripe. It used to be that “Letters to the Editor” or “OpEd” pieces in your local paper were the place to go to unleash this torrent of “two cents.” Now, the Internet provides the hippest way to unload -- blogging. But bloggers forget that whatever they say, wherever they say it; it still can come back to haunt them. Workplace/etiquette expert (and author) Marjorie Brody has 5 “Blogger Basic Questions” to ask yourself before posting your latest rant and rave.

Jenkintown, PA (PRWEB) August 25, 2006 -- Everyone likes to gripe. It feels almost cathartic to let loose with a verbal tirade about a perceived slight, customer service gaffe, or share your unopposed views on any topic.

It used to be that “Letters to the Editor” or “OpEd” pieces in your local paper were the place to go to unleash this torrent of “two cents.”

Not anymore. Now, the Internet provides the hippest way to unload -- blogging. Whether on an official Blog site like Blogger.com or, a social networking site like MySpace.com, these Internet Web Logs -- blogs -- are the hottest mode to unload.

And, therein lies the problem -- bloggers forget that whatever they say, wherever they say it, still can come back to haunt them.

I’m talking about posting a blog that makes etiquette faux pas that can hurt your career, and cost you the respect of colleagues and friends, not to mention possibly even your job.

Remember, anyone can be reading your words. Here are my five “Blogger Basic Questions” to ask yourself before posting your latest rant and rave:

•“How would I feel if my mom read this?” This means keep descriptions of your latest sexual conquest to yourself. Why does the world need to see such personal information?

•“What if my boss read what I posted?” OK. So maybe your manager or boss really is a jerk. Start looking for another job. Don’t write a lengthy rant about the inequities of your workplace. You never know if the person you’re criticizing or, possibly worse yet, a prospective employer may be reading your words!

•“What would happen if my coworkers saw what I wrote?” You may think no one knows you have a blog site, but think again. Perhaps one day you uploaded comments, then went to get a cup of coffee, forgetting to close the file. Or, maybe your coworker (you know, the one you posted must have had bad plastic surgery) has a secret blog-reading habit ... and stumbles across yours at 2 a.m. one morning! Busted!

•“Should I be using my current blog site?” If you are a professional in any industry, or desire to climb the corporate ladder, why are you blogging on the same Facebook or MySpace site as a 16-year-old girl who posts the latest pictures of her buddies illegally drinking and flirting with neighbors? Time to check out Blogger.com. Think carefully about which audience you want your message to reach.

•“Should I list the URL to my blog on my web page, business cards or other letterhead?” The answer to this one depends on your answers to the previous questions ... if you are posting professional commentary (i.e. no whining or griping) on a wide range of business topics, on the right type of blog site, then yes, by all means, promote and link your blog site!

The basics of business etiquette apply to all modes of communication, whether digital rants or vocal commentary, e-mails or notes written out longhand. It’s all about kindness, efficiency, and most importantly when it comes to blogging -- logic.

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