Happy Tuesday, y’all! Today I wanted to revisit a topic that we’ve talked a bit about before…the linkup. As you know, Cynthia, Mar and I cohost our fun Friday Five linkup each week and we love it. It’s a lot of fun and I’ve been introduced to many great blogs through our linkup. However, I think it’s not a bad idea to revisit the ever important topic of linkup etiquette.
- This is always my number one but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE turn off any kind of CAPTCHA or word verification you have for that one linked up post. Making folks jump through hoops to comment on your blog post is a big mistake and is WITHOUT A DOUBT loosing you comments. I understand (not really, but sure) if you can’t part with it for all your posts, but I’m pretty sure you can disable it for that one post. Please do so. As a host, I try my best to comment on each blog that links up (unless they don’t follow the rules…) and having to jump through extra hoops is very frustrating.
- Do not just drop and go. Linking up your post and not visiting any of the other posts linked up is really poor form. When I notice that bloggers are doing this, it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. I don’t expect everyone to visit 40 blogs — however, when I’m visiting each blog and consistently see that only a handful of people are participating, it makes me less likely to make it a point to drop in on the bloggers who aren’t really participating during the other days of the week. Visit at least one or two other new blogs – it won’t take that long and you just might find a new favorite.
- Share ideas! Real talk, it is HARD coming up with topic ideas each week. The three of us spend a lot of time brainstorming and kicking ideas back and forth. If you have a great idea for a linkup topic, share it with your hosts! Guarantee they’d love to hear it.
- Give feedback. On the same note, I recently noticed that it was hard for some of our regular linkuppers to post when we didn’t announce a topic until midweek. We totally get that and while we can’t promise we’ll always have a topic days in advance, we’ve worked hard the past couple weeks to put the topic out at least five days in advance. You can always find the topic on my linkup page here – if it’s not updated yet, that means we’re still figuring it out. We would love to have topics picked for months in advance but we’re just not there yet. However, the DC Trifecta is getting together this weekend so, fingers crossed we’ll get some of the next few weeks figured out.
What would you add to this list??
I’ve been doing the link up the last two weeks and will have to say it has been fun reading other blogs! I am getting inspired by others wether it’s by their design or content. This has been great for me as a new blogger to connect with others. Thanks!
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Silent Sunday: My Weekend In Pictures
thanks for linking up, daisy!
Nice post Courtney – I love how much FF has grown! Another tip would be for those using Blogger to add a Name/URL selection to their comment feature – some posts I would love to comment, but no option for me.
Jennifer recently posted…Running and Racing Potpourri
oh yes. it is such a pain. i really don’t know why bloggers don’t make that easy change!
Word! I feel bad because I can’t leave a comment and I also feel like I’ve wasted my time since I can’t leave a comment!
Coco recently posted…A Poem To Get Over A Bad Run
I love this! As a new blogger, link ups are still sort of very very (VERY) new to me..so it’s nice to know what I am doing is right/the things I can improve on.
glad that it’s helpful!
As you know I love your link ups and try to hit lots of other blogs. Agree w the captcha annoying. I think it’s nice to promote the whole link up rather than just promoting your own post.When the link up gets more views you get more views. Having just started my own Meatless Monday link up I am still learning how to manage it and people who do not follow estab etiquette.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Let Blow Dry Taxi come to you
yeah – it can be frustrating when people don’t follow the rules. we started off sending emails to people but it takes too much time. if we have repeat offenders, we just delete their link.
I’m so glad that you’ve taken notice to some of these issues that arise during the link up. I always feel bad for you hosts when someone is consistently not following the rules because I know that you ladies put a lot of time and energy into this link up. Another thing I would mention is that folks should at leats mention that they are part of this link up. So many times we will read a blog on the list and there is never any mention of the link up or the host. This also makes me feel bad for the host because I know you guys work hard on this. Also, I did not know that you will accept ideas from readers. I’m sure we will have a few we can throw your way, haha! I know some other hosts that will come up with four topics each month and then make an image with the topics listed. It’s easy to reference then. Anyway, thanks for the link up and congrats on its success!
Yes, I HATE that and when I notice it repeatedly from someone, then honestly I just won’t comment on their blog. If that do it consistently, I’ll delete the link. You do a great job of visiting blogs – I always notice your comments. We’d love ideas! That is a good suggestion – we’ll see if we can get that together 🙂 Thanks Meranda 🙂
thanks Meranda – and yes open to any and all topic suggestions!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Week 15: Motivation (+ a Giveaway!)
Great tips as usual, Courtney. Sometimes a little refresher is great, especially with how much your link up has grown recently! I love participating, and have connected with so many fabulous bloggers through the link up. Thanks to you, Mar, and Cynthia for hosting it every week!
One additional tip: try to visit the blogs of those bloggers who visit yours. Its just good blogging etiquette. I try to comment on all of the blogs that have visited mine, but if I’ve missed one, it definitely wasn’t intentional.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2014 Army Ten Miler Recap
yes, that’s just good practices in general. but you are right, a lot of people don’t do it!
you’re welcome and YES good tip! I always start with the commenters first before hitting up the other blogs in the link up 🙂
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Week 15: Motivation (+ a Giveaway!)
Yes! I know sometimes it isn’t possible but I always try my best to comment back on whoever that stopped by my blog. It feels like there’s a connection/friendship if you constantly visit back and forth.
Carmy recently posted…Happy Monday!
Btw, who should we e-mail with ideas?
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2014 Army Ten Miler Recap
you can email any (or all) of us 🙂 we are in pretty regular communication!
Thanks for revisiting this topic!! As always great suggestions 🙂 Lately with marathon training and work it’s gotten harder and harder for me to visit all the blogs in the linkup but I still respond to all comments and do what I can! Can’t wait to see you Friday!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Week 15: Motivation (+ a Giveaway!)
Yeah, I have decided to prioritize visiting the blogs and I get to comments when I can. Pretty much every day but Fridays I respond to each comment. Can’t wait for FRIDAY and SUNDAY!!!
Thanks so much for this! I had no idea that some people won’t comment because of the word verification! I just disabled mine. 🙂
I absolutely love linkups and have been introduced to so many great blogs through them. Thank you for hosting yours!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…BCHM Training: Week 12 & Race Pics
Ah, thank you! I would still comment on your blog but it’s easier on FF days when I can just comment quickly 🙂 Thanks for visiting and for being a great linker upper 🙂
Thank you, Courtney! Yours was the first link up I ever considered participating in and I’m so glad I did; this group is awesome! These tips are great; I’ve found that when I point out to someone that they’ve not mentioned the host in their post or followed other guidelines they are usually happy to change it. After awhile, though, you just have to let ’em go because that’s not very considerate to anyone participating. You always have great suggestions and tips! Thank you!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Marathon Training Week 10
yes, we used to email people but when the same people keep doing it over and over again…we just delete now. ain’t nobody got time for that 🙂
One reason I like your link up so much is that people really do participate and visit other blogs. Sometimes it takes me a few days to share the love, but I also have found new blogs to follow on a regular basis.
Coco recently posted…A Poem To Get Over A Bad Run
I LOVE the link up and am learning a ton about etiquette and am so happy that you openly address this.
I would love to see a Friday 5 about 5 must have items for the changing season. I struggle with what to wear as it gets cold and would love to read what others select and love.
This Friday 5 has me going so many directions to go…
Well done!
HJ recently posted…Why Run Fast?