Online Networking Part 2

So, yesterday I posted about how you don't have to blog (or whatever else online) if you don't want to. But if you DO want to, here's my own personal do's and don'ts:



DO:

Use proper grammar
This is especially true if you want to be an or already are an author. Your profession is in words. Show it.
Does this mean you can't have your own voice and/or slang? Of course not. I mean, make an effort for correct punctuation, spelling, etc.
Also: please be aware that I'm a former English teacher and a stickler for grammar. So, obviously, I'm probably biased.
Also also: I've probably made a gazillion grammatical errors on this blog. Sorry. 
When in doubt: be professional
Professional layout and design
There is nothing wrong with the simplest blog design--but there is often much wrong with the more complicated ones. More graphics/colors/bling does not a better blog make.
Please please don't make me listen to your music
Professional tone of writing
Professional subject of posts
But don't be so professional that you don't show your own personality
Book covers & info
If you are a published author, please make your cover and ordering information easy to find
If you are not a published author, be very very very wary of making a mock-up cover of your unpublished book. You tend to either (a) look like an amateur or (b) look like you're trying to trick people into thinking you're published. You just can't win this way.




DON'T:



Lose sight of your goal
If you're writing an author blog, think about your content and limit yourself. Post about topics your audience will want to know about. This doesn't mean you can't talk about your dog--but don't let it overwhelm your blog.
Be combative, rude, or belligerent
There's a difference between a negative review and a slam
There's a difference between a debate and an attack
There's a difference between sharing your opinion and trolling
Make it hard to find basic information
There are a few things that should just be easy and obvious to find:
Contact info
Feed subscription links
Comment links
Permalinks


In the end, I thought about what I want people to think of me based on my online presence. Does that make me pompous or fake? I hope not. But I decided what I wanted people to think of me was that I was professional, but real. To that end, I made an effort to have a professional design to my website, and keep most of my posts in a professional vein. But not all--I wanted to also be real--so I'll have posts about my real life, or tweet about my dog, or show you pictures of me on vacation on Facebook. But not too much. There have been books I've read and not liked--but you won't see a negative review on here (or not any more--I did do some before I got my book deal, but decided to take them down). I won't lie--if you ask my opinion on a book I didn't like, I'll tell you--but I'm not going to post it publicly. There have been reviews of my own book that I've not liked...but I won't comment on them. There have been online opinions that I disagreed with, and while I'll give my personal views, I won't argue. 

But this is all me. Maybe the you that you want to represent is different. Maybe you want to be known for being fun and funny. Or maybe you'd rather be known for being an expert on something. Maybe you'd rather be wise than witty--or vice versa.

Think about who you want to be--and be it.