Blog Snob II: Darth Blogger!
Blog Snobs on the Web
Remember what I said earlier about how Blog Snobs, “…wag their finger and remind you how much you’re missing out by not playing their way;…”
Well, I just got this email today from one of those “blog gurus” and the sanctimonious and arrogant tone is exactly what I was talking about.
Here’s an excerpt:
“Let’s face it: If you’re a complete newbie just toying with the idea of making money from blogs, you don’t stand a chance.
By the time you to figure out exactly how to set-up and manage a profitable blog, others have made thousands and have moved way ahead of you.
You’ll end up playing a cruel game of catch-up with these fast-moving entrepreneurs, in which you will always be the loser.
It’s not something you’re looking forward to, is it? What I’m trying to say is this: If you insist on learning WordPress and blogging the hard way – by searching for free videos and tips – you will fail.”
Is this the kind of marketing you respond to? Maybe it’s just me, because personally, this is a TOTAL TURN OFF!
Here’s what stands out, and it just makes me want to SCREAM!
- …you don’t stand a chance.
- …others have moved way ahead of you.
- …you will always be a loser.
- …you will fail.
Is this what copywriting and marketing has come to? Inauthentic, brow-beating scare tactics designed to play upon insecurities?! Maybe it’s a “Mars/Venus” thing? Tell me what you think about being marketed to in this way.
In my opinion, this is the Dark Side.
Comments
5 Comments on Blog Snob II: Darth Blogger!
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Mary Lee on
Tue, 15th Sep 2009 5:39 pm
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Kerry Hargraves on
Wed, 16th Sep 2009 9:39 am
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Kathryn on
Wed, 16th Sep 2009 10:13 am
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Anca on
Wed, 16th Sep 2009 11:20 am
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Peter on
Tue, 6th Oct 2009 2:02 pm
I have enough evil thoughts of my own, thank you very much. I agree with you, I want to be motivated to do things right in a positive way.
What’s the expression about bees and honey? We all want to believe we can succeed and we want others to believe in our success, too.
Great post!
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If an organization or individual used that message in an attempt to market to me they would not only fail to sell me anything, I wouldn’t use anything they were prepared to give away.
Negativity and scare tactics might sell to a certain demographic but would (should) also do a lot of damage to an organization’s image.
Thanks for sharing this…I’m really glad now that I am pretty selective about who I sign up for pitches with. Definitely a Mars thing.
I respond to this kind of marketing – with disgust. Fear does not inspire trust, IMO.
But this is the kind of tactic that marketers have been using for all sorts of things for a long time. In fact, you can find all kinds of ads on late-night TV that have a similar tone. Usually they are for rip-offs.
Needless to say, there will ALWAYS be someone bigger, better and badder. That is not the question. Someone marketing with the techniques above is already losing out. They just want you to jump on their bandwagon so THEY feel like a winner.
The thing you have to consider is: What do I want to accomplish? My goals are to make a difference in the world, and maintain a certain lifestyle, not to make TONS of money. So no, I would never be attracted by that kind of marketing material.
