Will This Offend My Readers?
When I first got into this industry, my biggest challenge was writing articles. It took me a while to accept that the fact that I didn't need to major in English and have perfect grammar and spelling to succeed.
Eventually I got over that. To my surprise my fears were unfounded because most people really just enjoyed the information and value I was providing. In fact, most people were able to look pass my grammar and spelling imperfections. As a result of this experience, my confidence was built up and I continued to plug away. It was all "good in the hood".
But then one fateful day, I received my first negative comment. I was utterly shocked. For months all the feedback I received was positive. But then unexpectedly like bird poop, someone decided to drop some negative feedback.
Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap
Apparently someone took offense to my "colorful" language in one of my blog post. If I recall correctly, they were offended that I use the word "Hell" or "Damn". I thought to myself well I'll be "damned"! LOL I didn't think "HELL" or "DAMN" were even "cuss" (aka curse) words.
After getting over the initial shock and then the annoyance, I sent them an email apologizing that they were offended by my post and I can totally appreciate if they decided my blog isn't for them. Basically it was my polite and professional way of letting them know; don't let the cyber door hit you on the way out.
Lesson Learned...
At that moment I learned a valuable lesson. Chances are something I write even if it has the intention of helping people will probably offend a small portion of the population. And I have to be fine with that. You do as well. Everyone has different sensibilities and valuable systems. Given that you're bound to piss someone off. (Oops, I did it again. lol)
In a world that has become increasingly more "politically correct" (aka PC), "damn" near everything you say is going to rub people the wrong way. It's a gift and curse of the world we live in. It's the beauty of having freedom of speech here in the U.S. But it can also be a pain in the....
My Two Cents...
So my advice to you, is suck it up. Just continue to provide value and help people. Express yourself the way that makes sense for your personality and beliefs. I tend to be in your face, sarcastic and corny when I write. It reflects my personality. Fortunately a lot of folks gravitate towards it.
I think a big part of my success is because I have a unique voice. Even though I may be covering something that thousands of other marketers are writing about, the way I write and the injection of my personality will attract certain people. But in the same breath it will repel others.
That's fine. Birds of a feather flock together and I don't want pecking hens hanging out with me. So don't worry about offending people. There are billions of people on the web. I'm sure you'll be able to carve out enough of those people that get you that you won't have to worry about the ones that don't!
Please understand I'm not advocating being a tool under the guise of self expression or freedom of speech. Just use your best judgement and don't let that be too heavily influenced by a few "haters" or people that have different sensibilities than you.
So what do you guys think? Are you worried about offending people? Have you offended people with your blogs or articles? Have you left a blog that you found offensive like this one? LOL Chime in below. I'd love to hear your take.
Recent Comments
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Hot damn! ha ha I LOVE the way you write. I also have a fear of not having correct grammar etc., but I also feel I have to be true to myself in the way I write. My writing style is more conversational. I just had my husband (who of course has a M.A. in Communication) read/edit my About Me page. Anxiety!!
About negative comments - I'm planning to just delete them when they come my way or I'll be too depressed to keep going. I actually want to put somewhere on my webpage "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything". My website will be all food and recipes - I figure no one is forcing you to be on my website, so if you don't like it - move on!
Thanks Annika! I love conversational style blogs. I find them to be a lot more personal and enjoyable. So if that's your style then run with it. Negative comments will come and your game plan is right. Just delete and ignore them. Some people just like hearing themselves and want to get a rise out of you. So you have to treat them accordingly. Thanks for chiming in!
I agree. When you start trying to please everyone you start losing who you really are. It's hard for me to find blogs offensive because I feel like in order to do so you have to take it personal. If that's who that person is then that's that. If I don't like it I don't follow!
I remember the post that you are referring to Eddy as well as the comment that was made. Personally I didn't think that you said anything offensive. Heck I have seen much worse said in blogs here in WA. And yes there will be haters and people being offended with your (our) blogs and articles. I haven't been offended by your blogs.I think you write great blogs. Keep up the great work. Cheers :) Patti
Hi Eddy. I was reading some very negative and opinionated comments on Nathaniell's review site and wondered how I would handle that if I got them, Kyle gets the same. I have a few review posts up but haven't had anything "nasty"...yet. But you're right, we need to continue adding value, especially on review posts where we look at these various "opportunities". And of course we will get negative comments but that's ok cuz they typically don't like the alternative we are offering. Thanks.
Hey Rick, I agree with you. Some of my nastiest comments have come from people who were reps of a company I was reviewing. Mind you I always try to be objective. I will always give a company their due when it comes their pros. But then I feel obligated to tell you the cons as well. And God forbid you do that! The reps of these companies go "cray cray". You would think I'm attacking their mom. LOL
Instead of coming back with some professional feedback. They act like children and start name calling which ends up making them look worse and the company they represent look just as bad. I've literally had people thank me for review and the negative comments they read because it helped them make the decision against that particular company and want to join WA instead. I feel bad because sometimes the company I'm reviewing is good. But it just had a few cons. But because of of their reps went bonkers, it rubbed people the wrong way.
So it's interesting to see how it's played out. As long as we try to take the high road and provide value, it doesn't matter. We just need to have a thick skin and keep it moving. So thanks for chiming in!
You're right, they do make themselves and their company look bad. Nathaniell had a good point, too, he asked "Lets see who's site will be around in 5 years". Quality will be "fly-by-night" anytime.
I don't worry about offending people at all. Sometimes I'll purposely write about a controversial topic for Examiner just to see the people flock to it and the comment arguments ensue. I like any engagement, whether positive or negative. It's still publicity and exposure.
Clearly you get it! I agree. I love engagement. The negative comments are good too because I use them as a way to show my professionalism when dealing with "a holes". LOL But seriously engagement is always a good thing.
Loved your 'bird poop' description, it made me giggle. But yes, this was tough for me, I have to constantly put aside who I think I am writing to, and just forget about that and write it. I was once ripped apart on facebook for 'enabling' plus size women with my blog. It took me 3 weeks to get over that and write another article.
Thanks Anita. LOL Glad you can appreciate my corny sense of humor. I'm glad you got over the negative facebook comment. As long as you feel like you're providing value and helping people that's all that counts. Continue to be true to yourself and your following will continue to support you.
There have been times where the "haters" come out in flocks and I don't even need to say anything because my long time followers will come out the woodwork and shut those folks down. It's a nice feeling because it shows that I've impacted people in such a positive way. So continue to push forward Anita!
LOL - Eddy, I was thinking that you were lucky if you'd only had one negative comment. You can't please all of the people all of the time....
Beverley
LOL. Agreed Bev! Fortunately the negative comments are probably less than 1% so I can live with that.
IMO you need to define your "typical" reader and then stick to your style. This way, your followers will remain so for a long time and will be more responsive to your messages.
I didn't really define my reader in terms of my writing style. One day, I said screw it, I'm just going to write the way I talk. And if people like it then cool. If not, I'll think about dialing it back. Fortunately it worked in my favor.
At the end of the day I knew people were being scammed like I had and wanted a way out. And if I provided that, they would ride with me. And that's what happened. I was more concerned that I could provide value and show that there were legitimate ways of earning online. When I did that, folks were very responsive.
So I think as long as you're providing value and helping people there will always be folks that want to hear your message.
Thanks for chiming in!
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I love the way you write Eddy! It keeps my attention and I don't get bored. I admire your writing skills. Keep up the awesome work and offend away! LOL
Thanks Shawna! I really appreciate that. All I do is write as if I'm having a conversation. As long as people do that, writing can be easy and fun to read. It was a lesson that talk me a while to realize. But it has paid off well ever since I learned that!