It was brought to my attention that there is possibly some confusion over the “rules” or the intent of the New Friend Friday (not to be confused with Follow Friday or Follow Me Friday) blog hop. It’s really not about following or gaining followers. It’s more about blog and comment support.
I thought the rules were pretty simple but maybe I should simplify it a bit more:
- Add a link to your main blog – Hopefully self-explanatory
- Visit the blog of the person whose name is above and below your name in the list and comment on their blog. – When I say “comment” I really mean leave a meaningful comment – not just “visiting from NFF, please follow me”. As per blogging etiquette, it’s always good practice to leave a comment that lets the blogger know you actually spent time on their blog and read their current post (at least their current post) or some of their other posts.
- Visit as many blogs as you can and leave comments telling them you are visiting from New Friend Friday at The Girl Creative. – Again, leave meaningful comments but be sure to tell them where you are visiting from also. If you don’t have time on a given Friday to leave decent comments, come back to those blogs when you do have the time. But be sure to at least come back to the person above and below you on the link list though to keep things cool.
- There is no obligation to follow everyone who follows you. Please just follow the blogs that are of interest to you. 🙂 – Okay, this is a big one. This party is NOT about following everyone who follows you. That is one of the main reasons why this blog hop does NOT have the word “FOLLOW” in the name. I’d much rather have 200 relevant followers who are actually interested in what I blog about and who actually read my blog then 1400 “followers” who just followed me back. Ooooh, and another great tip about following……….some people don’t use Google Reader or even really check in their dashboard other than to post to their own blog so some people may have your blog listed in their blog roll/list rather than actually follow you. IF you add someone to your blog list, it’s a great idea to let them know. I know it still makes me all giddy when I see my blog on someone’s list. 🙂
- Family friendly blogs only. Blogs of elicit content will be removed. – Hopefully self- explanatory. If you are not sure, send me an email and I’ll let you know. 🙂
I know this post is coming a few days before this week’s New Friend Friday party but I know that come Friday people get anxious to get their blog on the list that they forget to even read the post.
And one last thing: I hope this post does not sound like I’m professing to be the perfect blogger or don’t need to brush up on my own blog etiquette because I totally do. But, this week some things came to my attention and I wanted to address these questions or issues just in case anyone else was confused about the intent of New Friend Friday or the rules.
Thanks to everyone who participates. You guys are great. 🙂
**I should add that we have joined forces with The Trendy Treehouse on Fridays and although their blog hop is called “Follow Me Friday” their intent is to only follow blogs you love as well. 🙂 Tara, the owner of Trendy Treehouse, have spoken in the past and we both want our blog hops to be friendly with no pressure of following everyone who follows you. They are both great ways to find blogs that you may not otherwise find. And if you gain followers, that’s a bonus! 🙂
XOXO
Diana
www.thegirlcreative.com
elizabeth @ twelvecrafts says
Thanks for clarifying the "rules".
Kristin says
miss corner cape says
but i do have a question about new friend friday specifically...i mean, how new is new? are you only allowed to link up once, and then you aren't a new friend anymore? you know what i mean? should someone be linking up every friday-then they aren't new. i don't know if this is coming across correctly, lol.
The Girl Creative says
k80 @ onegirlsjourney says
Kimbo West @ a girl and a glue gun says
Brook says
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
Mel Tales says
Teresa says
katiegirl says
While I was thrilled to gain some new followers, it did feel a bit soul-less, when people would leave comments, that just basically said to follow them back. I wondered if they had even read anything I'd written, or just skipped straight to the comments section.
And then I felt obligated to follow back, even if theirs was a blog that I wouldn't normally follow.
I decided not to do it anymore, because I wanted followers who actually wanted to read my blog, not just "followed" and then never came back.
But I'm going to stick with yours. I love the idea of it being about making friends, and showing support. We can all use friends and support!
rainbowcreek says
Debbie says
Jessica @ This Blessed Life says
This is not about numbers. I've been to some blogs were the people get only 1 or 2 comments per post yet have hundreds of followers because no one actually cares about their comment.
The other thing that really bothers me is that there is at least one big blog party in particular where the host tells everyone it's "common courtesy" to follow someone who follows you. Ummmmm, why? You are supposed to follow blogs that inspire you or interest you or make you laugh - not become a follower out of obligation. And what if the content of someone's blog isn't something you feel comfortable with, anyway?
Following is a compliment to the blog writer and not an automatic response.
Thanks for posting this! As you can see it is a big pet peeve. lol
Michelle says
Clean Mama says
katlupe says
Jo says
Lisa says
Kelli @ RTSM says
daniii♥ says
Lanie Ree says
Kimberlee says
Lanie Ree says
"Hi! I'm stopping by from _____. Follow me back!!!"
I'm not even kidding.
Yours is the only blog hop I participate in, for that reason.
Heidi says
M.O.T.B says
Danielle says
Amber Dawn says
[email protected] Not Just Paper and Glue says
The Girl Creative says
ellie g says
Actually, I just wanted to say I've been reluctant to join NFF for some of the very reasons you listed. I ONLY follow blogs I really love. And I list EVERY blog I follow on my blogroll...so I don't want it filled with blogs I don't really enjoy. I consider my blogroll an extension of my own tastes. Anyway, I always feel bad not "following back" but it's just not my MO. I'm so glad I'm not the only one. Maybe I won't feel so bad.
Okay, after all that ramble....ditto. The end.
Laura says
LuLu says
Judy says
I also appreciate that you clarified that comments be congruent with the purpose of the blog hop so there is also no confusion there.
Maybe if some of your followers notice that others may have misinterpreted the focus of New Friend Friday, that could be an opportunity for one on one discussion and connection/support.
Thanks. Judy B., beachbird2
Heather says
I look forward to reading some new blogs this weekend.
Bocci says
I'd love to post my blog to this linky, but it's not letting me do it?! I do other bloghops with the Linky tool...not sure what happened-tried several times.
Anyway, thanks and check out Bocci's Beefs at: www.boccibeefs.blogspot.com