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.

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.”

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?