#3: Fascination Power Blogging with ALARM!

This is Part 3 Of the Fascinate Series inspired by Sally Hogshead’s sensational book “Fascinate”

It’s the art of agitation.

Fidgeting, nail-biting, tension that crawls under your skin and puts you on edge.  You feel it when you have a problem that you can’t solve. It’s the stress that grinds on you when there’s a chance you will miss something important.

Sometimes it scares you.  Most times it’s a dull ache that reminds you to take action.

It’s Alarm and It’s Hard to Ignore

Up to this point, we’ve been talking about more pleasurable Fascination triggers like  Lust and Mystique.  These tools give your blog a sense of seductive smoothness.

Alarm, on the other hand, pokes the hell out of your reader and forces them to take action.  That’s why some of the sassiest and savviest bloggers use Alarm to ring the cash register. That’s right…Alarm is the secret ingredient for posts that get’s people to take action.  It makes them retweet, comment, and take their wallet out.  Alarm says that “All is not well and you need to make it right – with your attention or your cash”.

Friend, You need to use Alarm well and often.  Here’s how you should go about it –

Be Persistent

Blogs posts are almost universally positive, motivating, and wholesome.  Too bad, because too many readers are being allowed to wiggle off the hook.  As a Tribal leader you want your audience to do something.  So don’t miss the opportunity to give your reader a nudge to remind them that there is a problem that you post/blog is trying to help them solve.

Describe the Problem

Be upfront about what problem you solve for your readers.  For example, Pushing Social solves the problem of having your blog ignored.  How about you?  What makes your reader want to scream, vomit, or get drunk?  The bigger the problem the more your readers will do get a solution.

Push for Action

Use Alarm responsibly.  Don’t leave your reader hanging without a way to solve their problem.  As soon as you present a problem immediately show them how to solve it.  Don’t be shy though…if subscribing to your newsletter is what they need then tell them.  If you’re a non-profit, remind your reader that inaction is worse than the problem!  Be bold.

Is Alarm Right For You?

Yes.

Listen – if you are writing to get any reaction then you need to add Alarm to your repertoire.  It’s just a matter of how hard you push.

Tell me, are you alarmed now?  Do you feel that this might be pushing your readers too far? Talk to me and I’ll talk right back