A wee change in the rules re Blogposts on Talk

[JustineMumsnet]

Hello, hello,
As you may know, Mumsnet has a thriving Bloggers Network, which happily, many Talk regulars are part of. (Join up now if you're not and you'd like to be!)

Until now, we have specifically asked members of our Bloggers Network not to post links to their blogs on Talk (outside the Bloggers Talk topic) but that does feel a bit mad given folks are linking out all the time to relevant sources and many blogposts are directly relevant to and will enhance the discussions taking place on the site. So this is a heads up that we're relaxing the rule a bit to let MN Bloggers link to their blogs where the subject matter is relevant.

Obviously relevancy is key - this doesn't mean we're going to allow a spam free for all and certainly we'll advise bloggers that this is a discussion forum - so posting a link and running is not ideal - and that blatant, relentless self-promotion isn't on.

Whilst everyone's getting the hang of it we'd ask for a little bit of give and take from all sides [pretty please] and, as ever, we're open to your thoughts and suggestions, so please do feel free to post any here.

Many thanks.

[tethersend]

Read what I think about it all on www.nobodylistenstomeinreallife.org

[LadyBeagleEyes]

'blatant, relentless self promotion isn't on'
I think this would open the floodgates for precisely this.
How would you stop it?

[HelenMumsnet]

@LadyBeagleEyes

'blatant, relentless self promotion isn't on'
I think this would open the floodgates for precisely this.
How would you stop it?

We would delete it, LadyBeagleEyes.

We are asking our bloggers, most of whom aren't 'blatant, relentless self promoters', it has to be said, to be mindful of Talk 'etiquette'.

As Justine has said, spamming still ain't on. But if someone happens to have written a blogpost about something other MNers are discussing on a thread, we do think it's fine for them to join the discussion and link to their blogpost on that thread when they do.

So, say there's a thread about the role of nurses today...

If a blogger comes on and posts a link to their blogpost about growing carrots, we'd delete it (when reported) as it's clearly not relevant.

If a blogger comes on and posts a link to their blogpost about nurses without any attempt to join the discussion (ie their entire post is just a link), we'd be having a quiet word with them (at the very least) and suggesting that it'd be much better all round if they engaged properly with the discussion or folks will think they're just pimping their blog.

If a blogger comes on and posts a link to their blogpost about nurses as part of a post that's clearly engaging in, and adding to, the discussion, then that's fine and dandy.

[HelenMumsnet]

@TravelinColour

Maybe a rule that threads can't be started with a link to a blog except in the bloggers topic?

Yep. We have asked Bloggers not to start threads with a link to their blog - as, you're right, that could be misconstrued as spam.

[CloakofAnonymity]

Brilliant idea! I am really pleased about this.

I have a blog, under a different name. It is an established blog on a specialist topic. One of the Talk topics - admittedly, one of the lesser-populated ones - is on a similar topic, with people asking questions that often require lengthy answers. I have ended up avoiding that topic because I have found it really frustrating to have the practical answers they seek to hand, but to be forbidden from posting a quick link.

As for stopping blatant self-promotion: I think that bloggers will be flamed if they try this on. Not worth the aggro.

As a longtime blogger it also gives me an incentive to join the Mumsnet Blogger Network, as up until now I couldn't really see what the benefits were.

[Tee2072]

Excellent! Nice to see blogged being given more of a chance to share their blogs.

[Tee2072]

Too much going on: nice to see bloggers being given more of a chance to share their blogs!

[firawla]

I think this is a sensible rule, for exactly the reasons cloakofanonymity said. If something is relevant, then why not be allowed to included it just cos its a blog - people could benefit. I'm always happy to read content on blogs if its useful, and there is a lot of good content out there!

[WillieWaggledagger]

how would we know whether bloggers were part of the MN network? or is it ok for someone who isn't part of the MN network to post a relevant link if they are contributing to the discussion in the same way?

for blatant self-promotion it's easy to report and it gets dealt with pretty quickly.

[HelenMumsnet]

@WillieWaggledagger

how would we know whether bloggers were part of the MN network? or is it ok for someone who isn't part of the MN network to post a relevant link if they are contributing to the discussion in the same way?

for blatant self-promotion it's easy to report and it gets dealt with pretty quickly.

Yes, it would be fine for someone who isn't part of the MN network to post a relevant link if they are contributing to the discussion - although, obviously, we would MUCH prefer all good bloggers to be in the MN Bloggers Network

[liveotherwise]

I think this is a good amendment - I certainly will be happy to share links where they are relevant. And I wouldn't want to share irrelevant ones - who wants to sucker people into visiting their site and turning them right off it?

I daresay it will take a bit of shaking down, but looks like a step in the right direction to me.

[landofmakebelieve]

I think this is a great idea, and definitely a step in the right direction to making bloggers feel more welcome on Mumsnet.
I'm a regular on here and a regular poster and participate in many discussions bun fights
(I only use this name for my blog though before anyone says I haven't posted for a while..... )
If the link is relevant to the thread you're active on, I think it can only be beneficial to it.
Obviously though only if it's relevant - not on to just link dump and run away...

[lougle]

Very sensible, MNHQ.

I look forward to seeing interesting and relevant blog posts

[Tee2072]

Oh the pressure lougle!

[BIWI]

Oh. I won't link to mine then, lougle!


Actually, I need to go and write my blog. Have been suffering from running-related injury, so haven't been running, so haven't written my blog because it's about running ...

[MmeLindor]

Good idea. I'm glad that bloggers are being welcomed.

[waits for first blogger to post a link]

[Hullygully]

I don't have a blog and therefore am discriminated against on the grounds that I can't link even if I want to.

[Hullygully]

Maybe I'll start one.

[LadyBeagleEyes]

I don't have a blog either Hully
As long as we're not linked to yummymummy blogs which give whole details of their BF/BTW/attached parenting/perfect life in a naice middle class part of London type blogs (of which there are many, believe me I've seen them) and badly written too it's fine.
I'm not saying they're all like that, but it is something to think about.
I'll wait and see.

[HelenMumsnet]

@LadyBeagleEyes

I don't have a blog either Hully
As long as we're not linked to yummymummy blogs which give whole details of their BF/BTW/attached parenting/perfect life in a naice middle class part of London type blogs (of which there are many, believe me I've seen them) and badly written too it's fine.
I'm not saying they're all like that, but it is something to think about.
I'll wait and see.

But they'd be perfectly fine on a naice middle class part of London type thread, obvs

[BIWI]

Well, shall I be the first?

[BIWI]

[Dillytante]

I think it is a good idea. Thanks to MNHQ for taking on board the suggestion.

On the topic of self promotion, why would we break this rule any more than any other mumsnetter break other rules. Many of us bloggers are long time mumsnetters.

[HelenMumsnet]

@BIWI

Well, shall I be the first?

Ahem. Lovely blog but you should be posting the link on a thread about running/handwarmers/park birds of Britain, me dear.