When was the last time you made your readers uncomfortable?
I don’t mean a little squeamish but actually pushed them to the point where they had to actively choose to continue reading your blog.
It’s a scary thought isn’t it? You see, we work so hard to get readers that we can’t bear the thought of pushing one of them away.
However, taking your game to another level may be exactly what you need to do.
How Good Blogs Go Bad
I’ve found that most blogs start out edgy, clean, and precise. The writer’s mission is crystal clear. They dare their readers to disagree and hunt for opportunities to stand out like a high-school senior on prom night. But over time, the blogger gets “respectable.”
They start “choosing their battles,” a civilized way to chicken out of making a stand.
They begin softening their posts to not offend the thin-skinned.
They change their voice to be stately, civilized, and measured.
In no time at all, their blog sinks into the quicksand of mediocrity.
I have a role model that I look up to and periodically beg to read and mention my posts. He’s a wonderful guy that has supported Pushing Social from the start. He’s wicked smart and probably rich as hell too. But what I love about him is that he’s never sold out. His blog pushes boundaries, and he has no problem firing readers that fu*k with his mojo.
I challenge you to do the same. Consider raising Cain by:
- Stop trying to be the grown-up: Be sassy. Be sarcastic. Give as good as you get.
- Fire readers: Some readers won’t get you or what you’re trying to do. They will insist that you change your blog, your logo, your pop-up, or your e-mail newsletter to match their needs. Look these time-sucks straight in the eye and tell them to get the hell out of your house. These readers will not make you better; they’ll just kill your blog a little day by day.
- Trust your instincts: After writing hundreds of posts, I’ve learned that my gut is the best editor. If I feel that a post is wussing out, then I can be sure that 100% of my die-hard readers feel the same way. Your instincts are your subliminal compass that reminds you to be true to your voice. Listen to it.
- Push it: Find the line in your industry and edge right up to it. Now take a deep breath and blow right past the line. eaders scoff at lines, rub them out, and dare the world not to follow. Here’s reality. Anyone can blog. Many people can blog competently. You, my friend, can’t get away with being nice and non-threatening.
One more thought for you to chew on…
You can take the easy way out and hope that you can thrash it out in the middle of your niche. I would rather you get out front, inspire, and lead.
Tell me what’s on your mind. Have you been playing it safe?
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I was the epitome of playing it safe and just recently I wrote an article entitled Playing it Safe where I pretty much gave the 411 on me and how I was never offering an opinion, etc.
Social media has allowed a new type of exposure to us that enhances our need to be accepted. Through this a persona is created as the pleaser. The be all to go after the masses as if you please everyone then they all will jump on board help advance your efforts. This is not necessarily a bad strategy however it suppresses many as never allows growth within relationships we build.
If we are us and reflect that in our blog or on our twitter and we lose some subscribers, then we do. There are always new ones waiting.
I enjoyed reading this and you make a good point… I honestly think people should consider being a bit more different in their blog posts…sure they may lose a few readers, but along the way they’ll gain readers, too!
Great stuff right here bruh!! You really made me think about how I have been paying it too safe myself!! Very good inspiration right here!
Thanks man, now go out there and kick some butt
Too true! We need to be ourselves and not someone we think someone else wants us to be. Being who we are draws some — and should send some folks running away!
I agree 100%. Don’t be afraid to push the edge!
Oooh….good stuff, Stan. I think that it’s so easy to become a servant to our readers, isn’t it? After all, we all want “likes’, retweets, comments and for people to care about what we write. But, tip-toeing around is certainly not the way to go about it.
I think the struggle is that some feel the need to done some persona to stand out. I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t think you have to start swearing like a sailor to get noticed or develop some shtick. I do think, however, it helps to be bold and take a stand. It’s hard thing to do for sure, but people like to follow those that are willing to step out in front of the crowd and lead.
The bottom line is to be yourself, stay true to your beliefs and dare to be different. You’ve definitely set a fine example.
Thanks Laura. I would push your “bottom line” a bit further. Don’t settle. Sometimes being “yourself” gives people the excuse to not step out of their comfort zone. If you are not growing then you are settling. Make sense?
Totally makes sense and definitely something I need to do more of. Thanks for the nudge.
BRA—VO, sir! Well said!
Stan, I am inspired. I have asked, watched, learned, and tried my damnedest to filter good info from ‘meh’ advice. I find it difficult to place so many rules on myself—try to make sure you do this, don’t talk about this, be careful pushing this button or that—FRUSTRATING! Worst of all? RESTRICTING!
This post tells me that I should just be myself and go for it… (once again… how many kicks in the pants does one person require?!)
Thank you for this. Sometimes we all need to hear it.
Thanks Brandon for the comment. And yea – GO FOR IT.
I wuss out when I hold back sharing a tip that I haven’t used myself.
Yes, I can point to others that used it, but I feel afraid that someone will call me out that I haven’t received personal results from this strategy, and therefore I have no right writing about it.
If I do write the post, I’m tempted to add all sorts of disclaimers so people know I’m not pretending to be something I’m not.
Do my readers ask their doctor is she’s personally tried all the pills she recommends? No! That’s not where expertise comes from. So why do I hold myself to that incorrect standard?
Thanks for the honesty bro. I think you are already seeing how your fear is holding you back. There isn’t a boogie man out there ready to attack you. Ultimately its just you and the post.
Very much true and straight forward piece of writing about blogs. Especially with Blogs about Social media which is of great trend now