Blogging Basics 101

When commenting, why do some people use a profile name and others use their real name? Does it matter which one I choose to use?

As you visit blogs and read comments, you will notice that some people appear to have an alias (e.g., chilihead) and some people appear to be using their real names (e.g., Melanie). Whichever route you choose (alias or real name or blog name), that is the name that will become associated with you. When readers see a comment from your alias or name, they will recognize you as part of a community.

There are several reasons I can think of to use an alias:

• Privacy: Some people are not comfortable putting their real names online. They prefer to have a modicum of privacy when they comment or blog.
• Too many people with the same name: For example, there are a lot of different bloggers with the name Melanie. It's hard to keep them all straight without a little help.
• Branding: Many bloggers have a brand they've developed based on their blog and/or their interests. Commenting under that brand helps others recognize them. The brand can be an alias or the name of your blog.
• Nickname: Some people use their nickname because it's easy for them to slip between online and offline.

When I started blogging four years ago, I only went by Chilihead online. I was wary of privacy issues and didn't want anyone I know to stumble on my blog and know it was me.

As I've gained readership and started writing for other blogs, I realized that Chilihead as an alias wasn't going to cut it. For one thing, many of the professional organizations I deal with prefer to have a real name for their authors and not a nickname or alias. So I shed the Chilihead persona and outed myself as Melanie. However, it became clear that Chilihead was not going to be lost completely; it is part of my mommy blog brand that I cultivated for four years.

Now I go by both names, but only comment as Chilihead. The reasons are two-fold:

1. Chilihead is part of my brand in the mommy blog world. People know me as Chilihead. When I comment as Melanie, my blog friends don't always realize it's me.
2. There are many, many bloggers named Melanie and many of them comment as Melanie. Posting comments as Chilihead allows me to separate myself from the pack and most people who know me are immediately sure it's me posting.

Using an alias when you post, whether it's a nickname or your blog name, allows you to be immediately recognizable when you post comments somewhere else. People begin to associate your alias with your brand. Using your real name can do the same thing as long as it is still unique.

Another thing that can help your recognition is a memorable avatar (the picture that represents you online--usually when you leave a comment at a Blogger blog). For instance, I use a picture of me with my Groucho glasses. People know it's me when they see those.

Do you use an alias or real name? Why? Do you have a unique avatar?

Mighty Helpful Links

• 16 Post Ideas for Your Blog via Network Blogging Tips

• "A New Day" Blogger XML Template Download via Blogger Buster

• Why Writing for Spiders is the Least Sticky Strategy of All via Copyblogger

• How to Create Social Media's Favorite Type of Blog Post via ProBlogger

• Send Large Attachment for Free Without FTP via Webgrrls

Should I ask permission to link to a blog I find interesting, or should I just link to it without bothering the blogowner?

I don't think you need to ask people if you want to link to them. For the most part, when you link to another blog or web site, you are helping generate traffic for that blog or site. In most cases, you are sharing the link because you think it's worthwhile and you want others to be aware of the content. It's win-win-win: You share the info with reader, readers learn something new, the linked-to blog/site receives a traffic boost.

There have been instances where one site links to another to flame or make fun of it. These are unfortunate, but there is no rule that says one site has to ask the other permission to link. Once you put something out on the internet, it's going to be fair game as far as linking goes.

I do not usually ask for permission from any site I link to. I link to things because they are relevant (e.g., Mighty Helpful Links) and they will be useful to my readers. Sometimes I receive a thank you from the person I'm linking to, but it's because they've figured out via their stat counter that I'm sending readers their way. It's nice to hear from them, but I don't expect anything in return. I'm sure that if they deem anything I write or offer as helpful, then they'll link to me. If not, that's OK too.

If you do decide to give the other blog/site owner a heads up about your link, you shouldn't necessarily expect anything in return. They may or may not respond with a polite "Thank you"; certainly you cannot expect a reciprocal link just because you link to them.

The great thing about blogging and the communities it inspires is that everything is shareable.

I have started a website about "Work from Home" and have been advised to contact webmasters and request to exchange reciprocal links but have not done so because I don't feel comfortable asking. What are your thoughts?

This is the second part of the question I was asked yesterday.

Reciprocal links are a gray area. I don't care for reciprocal links. I don't like to be asked and I don't like to do it. I feel like anything I link to (that's not a paid advertisement) should be something I *want* to link to of my own volition.

However, there are many people who don't feel that way and are perfectly happy to do a reciprocal link. It's win-win for both of you.

If you're not comfortable doing it, then don't. If you think it might be worth a shot and don't mind a few "no thank yous" then go for it. The most they can do is say no, right?

I'd really love to hear your thoughts on this, readers.

• What do you think of reciprocal links?
• Have you ever asked for a reciprocal link?
• If so, have you had more positive or negative responses?
• What are the pros and cons, as you see them, of reciprocal links?

I'm Posting at 5 Minutes for Mom Today

I'm posting over at 5 Minutes for Mom today about RSS feeds and feed readers. Go check it out.

I have started a website about "Work from Home" and have been advised to post comments on blogs. Am I on the right track by posting on any blog or should I just be posting comments specifically on "Work from Home" blog sites?

This is part one of a two-part question I received this week. Part two will be answered tomorrow.

Leaving comments on WFH blogs (or any blogs for that matter) consistently will allow other readers to start to get to know you. They'll recognize you from the comments section on blogs you both frequent. If your profile name (the name you leave in comments) links to your site, then they'll be able to link over and find out more info if they are interested. Leaving thoughtful comments, not just Wow, that was a great post, will be more effective. Remember that blogging is a community of people with common interests. If you want to be part of that community, you need to contribute something useful.

My advice to you would be to concentrate on leaving comments at Work from Home blogs. However, it's considered bad form to comment, then leave a link to your own site--especially if it's just for linking purposes and doesn't have a direct link to what's being posted on. That's essentially trying to poach traffic and many people find it distasteful and akin to spam.

I want to clarify that having your profile name (the name you leave when you post a comment on a blog) link to your site and actually typing a link into your comment are two separate things. The first (your profile name) is acceptable as a link; the latter (typing your URL into a comment, especially if it's not relevant) is poor blogging etiquette. If, however, you have written a similar post or discussed a relevant topic recently, go ahead and leave the link. It's adding to the conversation.

What do you think, readers? Do you have any experience with this type of thing? How do you feel about people leaving links to their blog in your comments?

Mighty Helpful Links

• Freelance Writing vs. Freelance Blogging: What's the Difference? via Network Blogging Tips.

• Create a Sprout to Promote Your Blog via Blogger Buster.

• Twelve Essential Companion Accounts for a Successful Blog via Blogthority.

• 10 Ways to Improve Blog Traffic in 30 Minutes or Less via ProBlogger.

• The "Chicken Plucking" Secret of Success via Copyblogger.

When entering an online giveaway, is giving an e-mail necessary when you've left your blog link?

Many online giveaways require that you provide a valid e-mail address so they can easily contact you if you win. I would say you need to leave your e-mail address even if you also leave a link to your blog. My reasoning is that if the host has to track you down, they may just choose another winner so it's not as much work for them. Whether that's right or wrong, it's a possibility.

On the other hand, leaving your e-mail in a comment opens the door for spammers to collect your e-mail address. One way to deter spambots (the little code robots spammers send out to collect data, similar to how search engines look for key words) is to type your e-mail without using the @ or . in the address. For example: bloggingbasics101 AT gmail DOT com. Just about everyone knows to change the AT to @ and the DOT to the .

If you do choose to leave a link to your blog instead of leaving your e-mail address, make sure your e-mail or contact information is clearly marked on your blog. It won't do any good if the host actually clicks to your blog and still can't find and easy way of contacting you.

I use Typepad for my blogs. When I receive a comment, I can automatically respond to specific commentators because they have had to type in their e-mail addresses in order to leave a comment. They don't have to re-type their address in the body of the message because my host already includes it in the message.

So what do you think? How do you handle this with your own online giveaways and such?

I accidently published a post in Blogger, but I don't want it to go up yet! What can I do?

Yep. That happens to everyone sooner or later. We hit "Publish Now" instead of "Save for Later" or "Draft" or whatever.

To fix this issue:

1. Go to your Posting tab.
2. Click Edit Posts.
3. Click Edit next to the post you want to change to unpublish.
4. Click Save as Draft.

How can I make a video/text/picture be centered in my blog post?

Today's tip comes from Kathy at The Junk Drawer Blog.

To center video, text, pictures, etc.:

1. Go to the Edit HTML tab.
2. Find the item you'd like to center.
3. Type the following code before the item: <div align="center">
4. Type the following code after the item: </div>
5. Go to the Compose/WYSIWYG tab and check to see that the item is centered. Move the <div align="center"> or </div> code as necessary.
6. Click Save.