Fundamentals of Blogging (Part 2) : How To Blog Safely

This article was originally featured on AwesomeLife.Com Business Resources site.

Recently, quite a number of bloggers were either fired and/or sued by the company they were working for or by some other parties, for what they wrote in their blogs. So, here are some pointers for you to help you blog better and safer.

Don'ts of Blogging:

• Never blog about anything sensitive or controversial such as political, religious or racial related topics. Unless, you really want to and can handle the consequences of doing so. And if you do, do it tactfully. Avoid bigotry and overly critical. Be open-minded.

• Never blog about any other blogger without their permission. Whether you are going to write about something positive and good or something negative and bad, please seek the other blogger's permission before you do so. This is an understood and acceptable protocol among bloggers and you should obey it if you wanna fit in nicely.

• Never make use of your blog to carry out "attacks" or "sabotage" on the reputations of any individual or organisation. If you are not satisfied about anything, for example the product or service, you can blog about the problem you faced with the necessary company, so as to bring about a realisation to the problem you faced and maybe a solution to it. But do not condemn any individual or organisation by name in the form of personal attacks, just for the sake of venting your frustration. You can and will be sued. So, use your blog constructively to increase the quality of your life and those of others.

• Never plagiarise. If you wanna blog, write your own stories and articles. Do not copy other people's blogs and try to pass off as your original writing. Trust me, very soon they will be on your trail and they might teach you a lesson you will remember for the rest of your life ... and maybe even forced you out of the blogosphere. Remember, your blogs need not be impressive. Just write what you think and feel and those original thoughts will have their own value.

• Never blog about your company by name or divulge too much about its operations (and especially DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT post pictures of any of your company's facilities through your blogs). Most companies have policy to protect its privacy and trade secrets. Never blog about anything "sensitive" about your company or anything that might hurt it. As an employee of your company, you should know that you must not do anything that can harm it in any way. If you are not satisfied with your boss, change your job. If you are not satisfied with your company, leave and find work with other companies. But never condemn your boss or company through your blog while you are still employed by them. Be an ethical employee. Be a dignified blogger. Be forewarned: If you forget this warning, you can and will be fired and might even be sued!!!

Just one last reminder: Eventhough a blog is just like a personal diary, but please be aware that as it might be open to the public, possibility of it being read online by all sorts of people worldwide is very high. So, if you want to share your thoughts and opinions with others, just like in real life, be prepared for the reactions of those who might support or oppose them. Learn to protect yourself instead of putting yourself in a vulnerable position that is open to attacks and possibly instances for embarrassments. Last but not least, be a responsible blogger. Be an ethical blogger. Be a blogger with dignity and self-respect. Frankly speaking, it is NOT worth losing your reputation, self-respect, work, girlfriend / boyfriend, sleep, appetite, etc. over a blog!!!

Practise freedom of speech ... but be responsible. It is better to be safe than sorry. 8|

regards,
matakecil.

ps. the original article can be found here.