I’ve often caught myself saying something that may have crossed your lips a time or two about television news: “Why does EVERYTHING have to be so negative?”
Well, unfortunately, after a couple of years of writing blog posts, I think I know.
It’s a point of pride that the readership here is growing consistently, and with ever-increasing rapidity. I sincerely hope what we share together here is a resource of value on many levels for you.
(And…thank you so much for spending a bit of time here. I’m grateful.)
However, it is very interesting when I examine specifically which posts have substantial readership…and which ones absolutely rock.
Blast Office Depot for swiping a small-biz speaker’s story and like thieving creeps, turning it into a commercial…over the moon! Post about how the company is sorry, doing the right thing, and coming to terms with the speaker…under the radar.
When I wrote about “overselling and under-delivering”…but, titled it the “Obama Mistake,” exploring his inability to deliver on campaign promises…we almost cooked the server. I wonder what would’ve happened if I titled the post simply, “Don’t promise more you can deliver”?
You know the answer — a fraction of the readership.
I understand why — and worked in television and literally SAW — news directors sit there, worried about their own jobs, and come to the conclusion, “If it bleeds…it leads.”
Yet, in this allure of the negative, it’s very, very easy to overlook another important point.
While a negative post — or news story — may ATTRACT a first-time reader or viewer…it won’t KEEP them, long-term.
The “haters” will view and post asinine “told you so” responses…then move on to something else. The true readers, friends, and participants don’t want to be down in the dirt everyday, every time.
In your business, blasting a competitor might get you attention — and even a few sales. However, it is NOT a sustainable, long-term strategy.
Use the analogy of your personal life. Do you desire to be around negative, whiny, complaining, bitter people all of the time? Of course not.
Then, why would you ever imagine your customers, viewers, readers, or prospects would want it in their face…everyday…all of the time?
…or, that you would create loyalty if that is what you consistently deliver?
You may have read the recent post here about my good friend, Jeff Slutsky, and how his signature story from a speech somehow wound up being repeated — practically word-for-word — on an Office Depot commercial without his prior knowledge or permission. Good news! Office Depot has stepped forward to resolve the situation! Jeff’s wonderful [...]
Let me run two events from today — seemingly disconnected – by you, and see if you reach a similar conclusion. My Friday morning started with coffee at Starbucks with Pete Dunn — better known as “Pete the Planner.” We’ve been connecting on Social Media, but had never met in person. Pete’s a really terrific [...]
My great friend, Don Hutson, has done it again! A #1 New York Times bestselling author, he is back with a new book, “The One Minute Negotiator” that is just fantastic. I recorded a message about it, and wanted you to see it. And, if you order the book, you’ll receive: * (52) VideoZine Tips: [...]
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about a wonderful gentleman I met back in the 1980s. I was in my early 20s, and highly impressionable. It is because of both the timing and the honor that I have always been thankful for the opportunity to spend three or four evenings in the company of Dr. [...]
(Again, a standard disclaimer I always make when talking about elected officials or political issues. This is NOT a commentary on politics. It is examining a situation in politics — like we would in other arenas such as business, entertainment, or books — and learning from it.) The Presidential campaign of Barack Obama was, quite [...]
It was a #1 “trending topic” on Twitter — frankly, that’s a marketer’s dream. With such a “buzz” on Social Media…and a highly orchestrated campaign to combine traditional media to ensure its success…it seemed as though the movie, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” was destined to be a big hit at the box office. Imagine [...]
“So, let me get this right,” the CEO asked me during a Q&A session with more than a bit of skepticism in his voice, “to get more sales, you are suggesting I shouldn’t focus upon sales?” “Absolutely correct,” I replied, to his astonishment. “Here’s the problem,” I continued, “you aren’t really focusing on sales when [...]
I’m an Apple fanboy. But, I’m starting to get worried. One of the big points I made in “Collapse of Distinction” and “What Customers REALLY Want” is that we hate it when new customers are treated better than loyal ones. Yet, it is starting to seem as though Apple really doesn’t care how many products [...]
The allure of the negative…
September 1, 2010 · View Comments
I’ve often caught myself saying something that may have crossed your lips a time or two about television news: “Why does EVERYTHING have to be so negative?”
It’s a point of pride that the readership here is growing consistently, and with ever-increasing rapidity. I sincerely hope what we share together here is a resource of value on many levels for you.
However, it is very interesting when I examine specifically which posts have substantial readership…and which ones absolutely rock.
Call LeBron James a disloyal jerk…it explodes! Write about a single Merrill Lynch financial advisor raising almost as much money for charity in his community as the United Way…a tiny percentage of the readers.
Blast Office Depot for swiping a small-biz speaker’s story and like thieving creeps, turning it into a commercial…over the moon! Post about how the company is sorry, doing the right thing, and coming to terms with the speaker…under the radar.
When I wrote about “overselling and under-delivering”…but, titled it the “Obama Mistake,” exploring his inability to deliver on campaign promises…we almost cooked the server. I wonder what would’ve happened if I titled the post simply, “Don’t promise more you can deliver”?
You know the answer — a fraction of the readership.
I understand why — and worked in television and literally SAW — news directors sit there, worried about their own jobs, and come to the conclusion, “If it bleeds…it leads.”
While a negative post — or news story — may ATTRACT a first-time reader or viewer…it won’t KEEP them, long-term.
The “haters” will view and post asinine “told you so” responses…then move on to something else. The true readers, friends, and participants don’t want to be down in the dirt everyday, every time.
In your business, blasting a competitor might get you attention — and even a few sales. However, it is NOT a sustainable, long-term strategy.
Then, why would you ever imagine your customers, viewers, readers, or prospects would want it in their face…everyday…all of the time?
…or, that you would create loyalty if that is what you consistently deliver?
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