Bloggy Question 46: Beware of Making Noise

She Didn’t Believe What She Said

For those who come looking for a short, thoughtful read, a blogging life discussion, or a way to gradually ease back into the week. I offer this bloggy life question. . .

A young blogger, someone you have helped in the past, shows you a series of blog posts that she wrote. It’s a week of articles about the bad habits of bloggers. She set herself up as superior to and more informed than all other bloggers.

You ask her whether she believes what she’s written. She admits that she’s trying to “make some noise.” She hopes that her claims will go viral. It’s a sad attempt at gaining publicity and “get-rich-quick links.

You do your best, using words such as authenticity and relationships, to explain that it’s dangerous and unethical to take a stand that she doesn’t believe. She ignores your advice and publishes the first two posts.

A furious response results. People pounce hard. She is dropped from blogrolls. Bloggers talk, but they actually avoid linking to her posts.

You were ready for the heat. You figured that she’d face the fire and learn the hard way. You figured she would gain some humility and grow a bit. You thought you’d help her put things back together when she did.

The surprise was that she never did acknowledge the mistake that she made. She blamed the other bloggers for not getting her “joke.” She quit blogging instead.

It’s a year later. She just emailed you with a question about a new blog.

How do you respond?

–ME “Liz” Strauss