As you may know, I host a regular gratitude linkup on Alphabet Salad. I also hosted a 2015 Word of the Year Linkup back in January (which was a whole lot of fun!), and have participated many times in linkups hosted by other bloggers.
For the most part, my linkup experience (both as host and participant) has been incredibly positive… but since I’ve also seen some rather poor, thoughtless, or simply unaware/uninformed behaviour at play throughout the years, I thought I’d take a few minutes to offer some suggestions on best practices to potential linkup participants. You’re welcome. 🙂
Linkup Etiquette 101
1. Share your post’s permalink, NOT your blog’s main page.
For example, if I wanted to share this particular post in a linkup, I’d use this:
http://www.alphabetsalad.com/microblogmondays-27-linkup-etiquette-101
and NOT this:
Why? Because this post may be at the top of my blog now, but as soon as I post something new it’ll be pushed down the page. If I shared Alphabet Salad’s main page in the linkup, anyone clicking that link would have to scroll down to search for this post – and, if they were at all impatient or annoyed or pressed for time, they probably wouldn’t bother. Missed opportunity!
2. Share posts that are relevant to the linkup.
Chances are pretty good that the linkup host has outlined the linkup theme and the type of posts that should be added. Does the post you’re planning to share fit the guidelines? If not, don’t share it! If you really want to participate in the linkup, use the host’s guidelines as inspiration to write and share a new, on-topic post.
3. Read and comment on the host’s linkup post.
Don’t just drop your link and run! No one likes to feel as though they’re being taken advantage of, so do your host the courtesy of taking the time to read her post and add a comment (even if it’s just a note to say thank you for hosting the linkup).
4. Visit and comment on other posts in the linkup.
You want people to read your post, right? So make it a priority to drop by and read a couple of other posts in the linkup and add a thoughtful comment on each. The Golden Rule – “Doing unto others” – is always a good policy!
I know we’re working hard to build our blog’s readership – and the chance to join a linkup can seem like a quick and easy way to make that happen – but we need to remember that courtesy and respect for our readers’ time should always come first.
Wouldn’t you agree?
→ What is #MicroblogMondays?
→ #MicroblogMondays 27 linkup here!
Any other linkup etiquette suggestions?
Please share!
