If you've got nothing nice to say, say nothing.
It's a great rule to follow when you're offline. Online though, saying nothing just isn't an option.
As an online publisher, you have to publish. You have to keep a steady stream of new content appearing on your website so that your users will keep coming back, your ads will keep appearing... and your money will keep rolling in
Sometimes a rant can be a great piece of content. Readers love it when a writer pulls out all the stops and says the things about a company that they wish they'd said but didn't. Touch a nerve and you can be sure that you'll get a nice pile of comments supporting you and plenty of views as well.
You don't want to do it too often otherwise you'll start to sound mean and angry, but an occasional eruption can be a lot of fun -- and good content too.
But that's about the only time you should post a completely negative post.
Writing posts that provide advice, for example, can be a great idea, and plenty of successful websites do it. Tell people what they can do to get more out of their iPhone, and you'll have a good solid post.
Tell people what they can't -- or shouldn't -- do with their iPhone, and you'll have another good, solid post.
But you'll also have lots of people leaving your website feeling down. They'll think of you as a bit of a spoiler, and they'll certainly be less likely to buy the product whose limitations you've just pointed out. That's not going to do your returns any good, or your clickthrough rate.
That's why online there's a better rule to follow than saying nothing when you've got nothing nice to say.
Find something nice to say.
If you want to point out that the iPhone doesn't let people edit Word documents, for example, that would be valuable advice and the post would be acceptable.
But if you then go on to say how iPhone users can get around that word processing problem by writing drafts in Gmail, for example, you'll have a much more valuable post -- and higher revenues too.
There is room to write critical content on the Internet. But you can get much more back when you see those negative points as an opportunity to match them with your own positive spin.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
November 24, 2008 09:06 AM
Does this mean that if I'm ever around you and you have nothing to say that I should be worried? :)
November 24, 2008 09:58 AM
I'm all about positive feelings, but it's nice to stir the hornet's nest every now & then.
With more than 1300 domains in my profile, I have copy written that could be deemed as "controversial". Well, at least thought-provoking and counter-intuitive.
However, for our first, original site, we won't be touching (or even want to touch) any "hot buttons". The site is a positive experience dedicated to honoring the servicemen & women of our (U.S.) Armed Forces.
The stories in the blog are submitted by them with the sole purpose of them expressing their gratitude TO the military. They let the readers know what the military did to strengthen their characters by making then better: leaders, managers, organizers, etc.
In exchange for their stories that they submit to us, we gladly promote their current ventures. For example, quite a few of the submitters are fellow internet marketers who let the readers become aware of what they are up to now. In fact, we have a U.S. Congressman on board ready to send us a story. We are now just waiting for it.
In closing, it's best to keep things positive. But, if you want to be negative & grey all the time, I suggest a wholly different medium (blog, website, etc.) for just rants & raves.
Best,
-K
http://www.for-the-troops.com/?p=154
November 24, 2008 11:45 AM
Internet marketing is not an easy game. It is hard work initially. And writing & publishing is one of the top doings in the list. Helping people and writing ideas is one of the avenues to success.
November 24, 2008 11:47 AM
Well said Impu. Joel is right. Write to help others.
November 25, 2008 01:07 AM
Be nice to people when you are going up, because you will meet them when you arew going down.