I read a handful of blog posts I read today that were a total waste of 45 minutes of my life that I can never get back. For this, crappy bloggers, you will pay.

Bloggers are generally known as influential early adopters. They can wield a lot of power in certain circles, and can make quite an impact if they use that power for good. But, they can also suck, and often do. It isn’t too much different than the way(s) you should interact with people at a party, in normal day to day interactions, or in the business world. If you act or speak in certain ways, there will be social repercussions.

I too am guilty of crapping up the blogosphere from time to time, but I generally do it on purpose. I’m just a geek like that.

Here’s some things to watch out for if you have a blog. They are a quick route to my sh%# list.

  • 10) Report regurgitated “news” a few days after it breaks- Come on now… People aren’t stupid and RSS means we already knew about it. At least add commentary or analysis if it is older news so it is still interesting.
  • 9) Steal ideas- If there is something I can’t respect, it is a thief. Idea thieves are especially loathsome. Think people, don’t flat out steal. Think.
  • 8) Troll other writers’ blogs- Nice. I give you an open invite to my house and you crap on my carpet.
  • 7) Promote yourself in any means possible- Brag, especially if your blog sucks. Brag loud like you mean it. People will love it.
  • 6) Start personal flame wars- Flaming can be fun, but when you attack people personally, not so much. Try walking into a party and starting an argument with somebody for no reason and see how the room reacts. The blogosphere will do the same.
  • 5) Poorly duplicate somebody else’s angle- There are billions of ideas to be thought of, it doesn’t make sense to be a copy cat. This is a lesson most learned on the playground.
  • 4) If you do steal somebody else’s idea, diss the original idea publicly- This is a great way to show you lack originality AND you are a weak personality. Not a great way to gain readership or trust. In the real world, it’s a great way to burn business relationships too.
  • 3) Ignore social cues that you suck- Most of us have figured out how to read people, comments, instant messages, emails, or posts. If you refuse to believe anybody who gives you criticism, you will likely fade into obscurity with few readers to miss you. Stubborn= lame IMO. Good sales people need to master these things, as do good bloggers.
  • 2) Comment spam- Seriously, what the hell.
  • 1) Take personal discussions public- A blabbermouth is a blabbermouth. Nobody likes or trusts somebody who reports personal conversations as news without asking first. Heres a good rule of thumb proclaimed by a really smart dude: Don’t be a dick.

Do you have any other ideas that make a crappy blogger? I am sure my top 10 could use some work, since it was only inspired by a small sample set of posts. I bet the problem could warrant a 101 list.