Palm Desert California USA
Before we dive in to discuss this topic I want to make one thing clear.
I love you guys.
I respect your blogging hustle.
I admire your persistence, value your heart and dig your commitment to creating content.
I have made this mistake – the one I’m about to share in this post – a few times and have also observed hundreds of bloggers err in this regard at one time or another.
I write posts like this one because I admire you and want to amplify your blogging success. I spot what delays success then gently point out corrections. OK; I gently point out corrections most of the time. In less compassionate moments, I kick some butt but I am learning to be empathetic consistently.
Anyway, on to the post.
The Big Issue with Criticizing Fellow Bloggers
Every update you publish to your blog or social media critical of other bloggers robs your blog of:
- organic traffic
- blogging income
I know this from personal experience.
Organic traffic flows from solving people’s problems.
Blogging income flows from solving people’s problems.
Airing grievances is not solving problems but making problems for yourself (potentially) and other bloggers (potentially).
In a split second, you go from being truly helpful for your readers to attempting to hurt fellow bloggers and indirectly, yourself. Every critical update sullies your brand a little bit because attack is fear not confidence. You and I criticize others because we secretly doubt ourselves. This is psychology 101, folks.
My Deal
I picked a handful of blogging fights during some lean times. My tender inner weaknesses appeared to be exposed.
Rather than exploring my own intimately personal fears, I projected these fears onto fellow bloggers by criticizing them for various reasons.
A few returned volleys; we began an online fight.
As I devoted these social media updates to fighting these folks, you know what I did NOT devote these specific updates to? Publishing practical blogging tips that sent organic traffic and blogging income to and through my blog.
You guys want those blogging tips. You guys do not want me to berate other bloggers. Me attempting to cut someone off at the knees does not help you drive blog traffic or blogging income.
I eventually learned my lesson.
A few years back, a series of bloggers went off the rails. I looked past these individuals instead of fighting them. I tapped the “block” button, the bloggers disappeared and I continued to publish blogging tips because you want blogging tips and said tips drive organic traffic and blogging income.
What About Letting Off Steam?
Letting off steam in frustration is temporarily OK.
Try not to make it a habit or flat out indulgence.
Be as generic as possible; make no one feel singled out.
Proceed to give almost all attention and energy to publishing practical tips for your readers.
I Air Grievances Too
I have and still air blogging grievances from time to time.
I publish this post as a reminder to try not to do this routinely.
My few cyber dust ups were not highly public.
My generic grievances calling out particular blogging sub niches were no grand indictment because I spoke of no specific person. I noted the common Instagram influencer frolicking in Infinity pools being a stunt double for some Brazzers gals, or something like that.
I try to keep it good-spirited to have fun with it, the best I can.
Cut Yourself Some Slack
We all doubt ourselves, feel bad about it then project the fear in the mind onto other bloggers as criticism.
Cut yourself some slack. You and I are not enlightened beings.
Own this mental process.
Practice becoming aware of your own insecurities before singling out bloggers for a knock down, drag out brawl.
Root out fears to increase your confidence before railing against bloggers.
I know it’s not easy my friends. Our minds are almost entirely unconscious, robotic and reactive until you and I decide to engage in mind training.
My post today is a gentle reminder that you can choose once again.
Choose once again to drive organic traffic and blogging income by being truly helpful.
The Worst Case Scenario
The issue with criticizing others consistently is the eventual arrival of bloggers who want a good fight.
So you fight each other with a bunch of social media updates versus using this opportunity to publish detailed, practical content, the stuff of organic traffic and blogging income.
Your readers and followers want your practical help. The split second you start a cyber tiff, you stop helping them.
None of us are perfect. I care less about looking bad or airing dirty laundry. Anybody who says they never look bad or air their dirty laundry has not carefully investigated their life, both online and offline.
The issue is this; you stop solving problems and start creating problems.
Your readers follow you not for your problems but solutions to their problems.
Consider this Analogy
Imagine walking into a store to buy something.
After observing the store owner screaming at his competitor from across the street, berating him for 5 minutes straight, you leave the store and he never gets the sale. You wanted him to help you purchase the right product but he became too busy creating problems (and conflict) for himself and his competitor.
This tends to happen if current and new readers come across your streams to see you fighting competitors.
They want your help not your problems.
They will pay you for your help not your problems.
Conclusion
Think about helping your tribe before picking online fights.
Try not to give into temptation.
Let off some blogging steam, here and there.
Quickly get back to being truly helpful.
Start having fun, driving organic traffic and boosting blogging income again.
