If you are blogging, you probably often scratch your head and wonder why some posts get comments and others get tweeted out. Some posts benefit from both kinds of affection. What is the difference?
I am certainly not the be-all and end-all of blog readers, but I thought I would offer some insight into what molds my decision making process when I’m reading a post. There are five things that automatically make me not tweet a link out to your post. And here they are.
1. Cussing: I know that this is a controversial issue. A lot of people feel like you should be able to talk online just like you do in real life. If you cuss a lot in real life, cuss a lot in your blog posts. Well, this is in direct combat with my general philosophy that when I’m online, I’m at work. I’m talking to, potentially, existing and future clients, family members, your 85-year-old grandmother, and who knows who else is out there. I wouldn’t introduce myself to any of those people by saying, “Hi, I’m bleeping Margie Clayman. Who the bleep are you?” I won’t send out a post full of swear words for the same reason.
2. Tearing someone down: A lot of people have noticed that a great way to get a lot of comments is to rip someone to shreds. While I may comment on such posts (usually in a “REALLY?!?” kind of way), I am not going to support this behavior, nor do I usually want to directly associate my Twitter account with such content.
3. Lots of grammar mistakes: I don’t know about you, but to me, if I tweet out a post, I feel like I’m saying, “I think this is so awesome that I just have to share it with you.” If your post has a ton of grammatical errors, I just can’t feel like I can recommend it. I don’t lambaste people in the comments sections of posts like that, but some of the mistakes I see in posts reflect poorly on the blogger. If I tweet it out, it will also reflect poorly on me. Some examples? Your/You’re. It/It’s. These are really basic, really important things to get right when you are writing a lot.
4. Lots of spelling errors: I know that by now you’re probably rolling your eyes and thinking what a jerk I am, but this is just part of my analysis process. Spelling errors in a post make you look sloppy, especially since most blog sites offer a simple spell check feature that you could click. Again, if I stand behind a post, it needs to meet the standards I set for myself. That means definitely should not be spelled definately. Just an example.
5. Super personal stuff: It’s hard to define what TMI is, but generally, if you are doing one of those “I’m going to get personal here” posts, I won’t share it. I always go back and forth in my head about this. You posted it to the public domain, so you must have thought there was a chance it would get shared. It just doesn’t seem like my place to tell people I don’t know to check out really personal information about you. I’ll likely comment, but it just usually makes me feel weird to tweet out a post called something like “My personal battle with cancer” or “My struggles with domestic violence.” It’s your story to tell.
Are there triggers that make you pause before sharing a post? Do any of these resonate with you? Let’s talk about it in the comments section!
Image by Kjell-Einar Pettersen. http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Kjelle69
Darn. You just listed the five things I was going to do in my next blog post. Oh well. . .
Totally agree. Let me add one more little tidbit here: When I would run video boards, I made sure that the copywriter had a dictionary. If a misspelled word appeared on the board in front of 50,000 fans, it didn’t make me look bad, it made the owner of the ball club look bad. That just cannot happen.
You said it, but I need to say it again: You simply never know who is reading your blog. And one day, it could be your next employer.
See, I sensed that you were heading in all 5 of those directions. I dedicate this post to you Paul 🙂
You make a great point – essentially, a blog is like an ongoing, detailed cover letter or letter of introduction. When someone Googles your name, your blog is very likely going to show up. How do you want that first impression to be?
Geeze, I’m making myself nervous now…:)
Margie,
I have to completely agree with on cussing and tearing someone down. Those posts definitely in my opinion also are not worth sharing. On the Super personal stuff unless I see it can help someone out by hearing that person’s story then I definitely won’t share. If the person posted it online then it public and she is willing to share.
I agree on having it less probable for me to share to my community but if the Story can help someone out I might share.
I guess I understand the lots of grammar mistakes and spelling errors.. How do you feel about a few? I guess for me it sometimes can be difficult since I blog in spanish and english and sometimes I commit grammatical mistakes. If you ever see one on my part feel free to let me know I know I need the improvement.
I think many people need this guideline I have the same mentality you have once I am online I am working and what a great example talking about my 85 year grandmother. If I cuss in front of her oh boy I am sure going to hear it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with all of us.
I think there’s not a reason to be super strict about the grammar. You don’t need to be a jerk about it, and if the errors are minimal I might still tweet out the post. It’s the posts where the person clearly didn’t go back and look at what they were reading that I find the most troublesome.
Thanks for commenting!
Enjoyed this post. Your points seem to be plain common sense, and many people just don’t get it. Even though I’m no prude, I, too, feel that it’s inappropriate to use bad language online just as you wouldn’t use such language in a business setting. But the most annoying thing for me is the wrong use of words: if another person uses “your” instead of “you’re” I think I’m going to cuss!
Nooo!! No cussing!!
I don’t get it either. It seems like people who swear online are kind of revered, like “oooh, how neat!” But I just find it unprofessional. I’m definitely not a censorship fiend myself – it’s in everyone’s best interest though to remember that online is “on.” Always.
Thanks for your comment!
01/17/2011
Hi Margie
Thanks for the good & informative content this last week. Yours is the first “Blog” I’ve joined. I made the right choice. 2011 Is the 30th year I’ve owned my own business. I’ve been successful with Direct Mail, Telemarketing, Toll Free #’s and Trade Shows but never tried “Social Media Marketing”.
I’m starting from scratch in this media, {I just found scratch}. I’m learning a lot from you. I’m impressed that you can develop something new each day “WOW!”
Cordially
Mike
I really appreciate that, Mike. Glad that I am providing you with information you can use! 🙂
01/17/2011
Thanks for the “5 Enemies of Post Sharing”. This is good info.
1. Cussing: As an Ex-Marine I value my “Cussing Vocabulary” & I’ve used it with great
effect with the right group. However “Cussing is of very limited value”. I agree it has
no place in a blog or tweet. Friends are too valuable to alienate by using the wrong word
at the wrong time.
2. Tearing Someone Down: Don’t do it! One of the “Traits of a Troll” or worse. If you demean
a person or their ideas it is unlikely they will share their ideas with you again.
3. Lots of Grammar Mistakes: Shoot! OK, I’ll try harder and proof read more often.
4. Lots of Spelling Errors: Remedy = “Large Print Dictionary”. I keep two of these handy.
5. Super Personal Stuff: Yes, it’s hard to define TMI, however we know it when we see it.
Cordially
Mike
I know – if you’re a fan of cussing it can be hard to let it go while also feeling like you’re maintaining your own personal voice. However, there are just some settings where it’s not appropriate and where I feel it can make you look really…ignorant I guess. Ignorant of the power of words, ignorant that anyone can be reading your blog or your tweets, etc. So I try to avoid it.
As for the grammar, I always try to read my posts once or twice before I hit publish. Sometimes more than that if I’m punchy from fatigue. If it doesn’t make sense to you as you read it, it’s definitely not going to make sense to someone else!
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