April 8, 2010 147 Comments

Chris Brogan Has Jumped The Shark

Chris Brogan Has Jumped the Shark Every week, I get a few blog posts and a few dozen tweets that say I’ve jumped the shark, that I’m not a good marketer, that I’ve really gone and done it this time. Something. There’s always someone with a good opinion on why I’m not worth it, why you can’t understand the hype, why it’s all nothing new, etc.

Every week, I smile and appreciate the feedback. That’s what you do with feedback. You mine it to see if there’s something of value. You take the better parts. You consider the lenses that people use to say what they’ve said, and you move forward.

The funny part, to me, is that over the last year, while every week I have somehow been called out for something bad I’ve done, I’ve also done the following (forgive my bragging; it’s my birthday today):

  • Launched a company that started in the black and finished strong in its first year.
  • Doubled my company’s revenue in the first few months of 2010.
  • Worked with over 20 Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 clients.
  • Co-wrote a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling book.
  • Wrote and published another successful book.
  • Helped launch a successful online marketing community forum.
  • Spoke professionally at over 100 events globally in front of tens of thousands of people.
  • Raised money for different charity projects every month of 2009, and on track for every month of 2010.
  • Appeared on Dr. Phil, in BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, and several other publications.
  • And gave you something to think about just about every day of the year.

While you’re over there blogging about my demise, I’ll be over here figuring out the future and being helpful to as many people as I can.

Show me a shark. I’ll jump it. (No, not you, Georgia Aquarium, but you were kind to offer.)

Update: Kenneth Lim reminded me of this great video Colin Browning did last year:

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  • MartynChamberlin

    Waytago Chris! You're the best. Tom Peters should be proud of you. You're doing excellent stuff.

  • remarkablogger

    You get that many complaints every week? Crikey! Happy birthday and congratulations on all your success. I think you're doing wonderful work. Haters gon' hate.

  • http://twitter.com/JonStow Jon Stow

    Chris, there will always be critics and criticism.We can't ignore it but criticism is a hobby for some people. I think you are doing much better than OK thank you, which is why I like to read your stuff pretty much every day and learn too. Anyway, as you suggest you seem to be getting it right.

    Happy Birthday.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    But people like to critique. See Will's comment below. It's okay. It's what they do.

    My main point, couched in bragging: if you don't like me, beat me at my game. Do something. Don't just sit around and poop on things.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    You're always a wonderful guy, AJ. Thankful that I know you.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    It's hard some days. I really don't like being told I suck. But if I do suck, and sometimes people have a point, I try to fix it.

  • ramblingtart

    I can imagine! People can be downright dreadful sometimes. I hope your
    mean-spirited critics disappear and only the kind, helpful ones remain. :-)

  • http://themarketingmark.blogspot.com MarkSherrick

    Jealousy is an ugly emotion, Chris…and people seem to have no problem with showing it online. You rise above what these people say and do what you do on a daily basis. You are where you are because of who you are, who cares what anyone else says?

  • http://GetYourBizSavvy.com/ GetYourBizSavvy

    Haha, this video is hilarious. You got a great group of friends there man. And then you actually “jumped the shark”, great stuff. Seriously though, congrats on the all the accomplishments, happy birthday and keep hustling!

  • http://copywriteink.com/ Rich Becker

    Chris,

    You're right. The criticism that you jumped the shark would make a lot more sense if it wasn't for the fact that some folks follow you for shark jumping. Happy Birthday.

    Best,
    Rich

  • http://thepaisano.com Paisano®

    I think jumping sharks is smarter than swimming with 'em… easier to keep yer shirt that way…yes? (Remember Harvey MacKay?)

    Good advice from others on here… if you don't have critics then you're doing something wrong or nothing at all… envy breeds haters…so bask in the glory.

    Happy Birthday!

    Pai

  • http://www.DrinksAreOnMe.net Dale Cruse

    Yes, I understand WHAT you're doing – I just don't understand WHY. I guess it's just part of what makes you you.

  • http://www.superdumbsupervillain.com/ superdumb

    Now, how many people can you motivate into the ether this year? Keep that momentum up, birthday boy…

  • http://www.linkedin.com/in/richullman richullman

    Congratulations on all of the above. and Happy Birthday. For a moment there, I thought your post twinged of a little bit of, “I'll show you!” and some bitterness toward these people. But that's just not you, I don't think. If anything, I think you've proven that (aside from all the other attributes) someone can be genuinely transparent — and that it can be a good thing. See you later, I hope.

  • http://quotesnack.com/ Elizabeth Able

    No shark jumping? How about dancing? Maybe the Georgia Aquarium would be up for a little happy dance @ shark tank.

  • http://www.mikestenger.com Mike Stenger

    Ooo, gettin' serious now with all the haters are we? The way I've always felt about this is that if you don't have someone hating on you, you're not doing it right. Most of the times, people are either jealous or well, jealous.

    Keep up the hustle Chris. Maybe I should go brag on my blog too ;-)

  • http://newsincolor.com/ David McMillan

    Forget the haters, Chris. Just keep rockin'.

    FYI, looking forward to the NML conference this Tuesday. ;)

    David

  • http://kentshaffer.com/ Kent Shaffer

    Happy Birthday, Rockstar!

  • http://wwwjackbenimble.blogspot.com/ The JackB

    Happy Birthday Chris. I come here because I find value in your posts and videos. So if you have jumped the shark I suppose that I just don't care. See you at Arnolds. ;)

  • http://www.jonglassett.com Jon

    Is this the nonsense you referred to in your cryptic email?

    People. Opinions. Internet. Pffft.

    The Internet is full of sharks trying to jump each other. I could die tomorrow. What do I care?

  • http://scmorgan.net Susan Carter Morgan

    You motivate me today as you motivated me back in 2005 (skip to bottom of comments: http://beach.typepad.com/running/2005/04/and_th…) I keep that image in my head!) Keep up the great work, Chris. And happy birthday!

  • http://ivanhernandezonline.wordpress.com/ Ivan Hernandez

    Hi Chris!
    Happy birthday man! All the best wishes … all the way from Poland!
    Congratulations on ALL this year's accomplishments and I wish these represent just a small fraction of what you will accomplish from now on after this birthday.
    Have a great time celebrating your day!
    All the best!
    Ivan

  • http://www.marketsamurai.bzblgs.com/ Isha

    Chris, that is an awesome birthday post. This is perfect advice for me: “Every week, I smile and appreciate the feedback”. I gotta do that. I gotta make it a mantra for a while until I got it in ma bones.

    I don't know what “jump the shark” means (tho I can guess from the context). If I could jump over a shark I'd be feeling well chuffed (an old fashioned northern English phrase meaning proud, happy & having achieved).

    My feedback to you is that you're doing things awesomely right and all kudos to you.

    Happy birthday Chris! :))

  • martinkronicle

    He did look like Fonzi in his previous avatar…but I digress.

    Congrats CB. I've given your book to a few dozen people as gifts and refer them to chrisbrogan.com and to the the MotherApp Application.

  • MichelleGillies

    Love it Chris! You tell 'em. I remember the first time I saw this video I laughed so loud people came in from the other room asking me what was going on.
    Oh, by the way, “Happy Birthday”. I hope it is everything you want it to be.

  • John Rosa

    Chris,

    First Happy Birthday, maybe you'll get some Sharkskin boots from that Shark you jumped.

    If you are getting complaints accusing you of jumping the shark, then that means you are doing somethings and some of those somethings (Tom Peterese) are working for you, because of that others complain because you've had some success. Why, because they are following what they think are the rules to success and static and must be followed. As an example, before you feed the shark you must get in the water, before getting in the water you must put on your bathing suit, before putting on your bathing suit you must take off your clothes. Either way, you know you are going to get in the water, get wet and deal with the shark. If you want the success you'll know how to think outside the box, therefore, knowing you are going to get wet, then make sure you are ready to get wet and jump in at the first step and don't waste time. You thought outside of the box and jumped right in and got things moving, while others are complaining because they couldn't understand that you can step out of the box at anytime, therefore you must have cheated because you knew that, in business sometimes you just have to break the rules [of conventional thinking] to get ahead. I say, throw the box away, blow out the candles and enjoy the cake Chris!

  • http://www.dogwalkblog.com/ Rufus Dogg

    Is that ALL you've done, Chris? You had me at the first bullet point. Anyone who thinks that isn't an achievement all by itself has never done it.

    If you are not pissing anyone off, you're not doing it right. And the only ones you ever owe anything to (including me, regardless of how often I comment or not on your blog) are your clients and those you choose to give to. Anyone else is just freeloading (including me, with the exception of buying your book… on Kindle :-) )

    Happy birthday. All the cool kids were born in April, yes? :-) The only thing wrong with the month is that tax day smack in the middle.

    Next year: – Appeared on Oprah or the Ellen Show or Dancing with the Stars or The View on the list. Then, you will have arrived….

  • http://www.rosssimmonds.com/ TheCoolestCool

    Wow Chris – I had no idea you were are artist… That Carcharodon Carcharias looks extremely realistic. With that said, keep doing what you're doing man.

  • http://www.3hatscommunications.com davinabrewer

    Chris, Maybe the haters really are the biggest fans. I for one am exhausted after just reading that 2010 ALREADY DONE list. And really motivated to get off my ass, get to work and makes something happen.

    Since you liked Will's baseball story, I'll quote Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan: “It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.” So jump as many sharks as you want.

    Happy Birthday!

  • http://www.rocknrealty.net Nanette Labastida

    Haiku:
    Chris Has jumped the shark
    that's what people like to say
    I say “whatever”

  • http://writelife.net/ Bill Wren – Writelife

    Sounds like a book. “Shark jumping for fun and profit.” There does seem to be a perverse phenomena that the more successful a person is the more voices pop up to say he or she is all wrong.

    Maybe that will be my new mantra: “Put me in the pillory. I could use the money!” :-)

    Happy b'day!

  • http://twitter.com/dredman dredman

    Brogan: 1 – Sharks: 0

  • http://www.conversationmarketing.com/ ian

    The better you do the more folks will say you've jumped the shark. It's like Vizzinni saying “INCONCEIVABLE!”. It doesn't mean what they think it means.

  • pamslim

    Rock on brother and happy birthday!

    I was *slightly* disappointed that you didn't solve the Iraq/Afganistan/Palestine issues last year, but given what else you accomplished, I will give you a pass this time. :)

    Hateration is never about you. I keep The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz) by my desk and read the “Don't Take Things Personally” chapter whenever I get a zinger.

    You should feel proud of your accomplishments. And entitled to take a little nap.

    Big hugs,

    -Pam

  • http://twitter.com/thebetsy Betsy

    I always liked this quote:

    “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

    Teddy Roosevelt. Rough Rider. All around tough-guy.

    Happy Birthday Mr. Brogan.

  • http://twitter.com/gingerw gingerw

    You know, it is not easy to jump sharks, so that is quite an accomplishment. While some people sit around and complain, other people continue to jump and take action. Your energy and drive always inspire me. I have been slammed in a pretty big way a couple of times recently. It is hard not to let that knock you down and derail you from your mission. I appreciate it when you share stories like these because it makes me continue to dust off my hands and keep my head high.

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y B U D D Y !!!

  • http://www.debeljuca.com/ Ivan

    Happy Birthday Chris and greetings from distant Serbia, your stuff is excelent content to read, actualy it's very nice since our developement is few steps behind we have few years to implement all those great ideas.

    <3

  • http://www.personal-success-factors.com steveborgman

    Hey, Chris! I'll jump whatever shark you're jumping any day of the week! I just wish I had the energy to stay on the skiis like you do! The greater you are, the more criticism you will receive, so the critique is a sign of greatness :)

  • http://www.daniellegauthier.com Danielle Gauthier

    You can add one more thing to your list of accomplishments – took criticism with class. I've witnessed some cutthroat conflicts arise out of criticism then the vehement denial of said criticism. These people are just trying to cash in on your success – it's the worst kind of linkbait.
    And nobody is perfect every minute of every day – your success has momentum and that is what matters most.

    Happy Birthday! :)

  • shannonkay

    You do a great job, Chris. Keep doing what you've been doing!

  • http://www.the-generous-husband.com/ Paul Byerly

    Chris,

    First happy birthday. You were born in the best month, you know that don't you?

    Second, I notice that the posts that get me the most feedback usually get me both negative and positive feedback. Funny how “The best post you have ever done” is almost always also “The post that has convince me to stop reading you”.

    You can't please everyone, and trying will destroy you.

  • http://constructingsocial.com Colin Browning

    Chris, a birthday toast to the best shark jumper I know! All the best to someone who continues to amaze, inspire and mentor myself and countless others!

  • spunkypr

    Happy Birthday, Chris! I always benefit from your blog and appreciate your viewpoints and experience. May you have a wonderful celebratory day!

  • spunkypr

    Happy Birthday, Chris! I always get so much from your blogs, viewpoints and experience. It's much appreciated. I hope you have a great celebratory day!

  • http://twitter.com/lulugrimm Lisa Grimm

    Thanks for all you do and your general awesomeness, admitting when you're wrong, playing the game, working hard and redrawing so you can keep doing it… better. Your daily contributions (and I don't even participate in all of them) have helped me immensely. THANKS Chris!

  • http://www.Guydz.com/moneypowerwisdom/ drmani

    From the 1920's echo these words of wisdom, in Max Ehrmann's “Desiderata”. Over years, they have helped keep me grounded, in good times, and in bad:

    “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
    and remember what peace there may be in silence.

    “As far as possible, without surrender,
    be on good terms with all persons.
    Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
    and listen to others,
    even to the dull and the ignorant;
    they too have their story.
    Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
    they are vexatious to the spirit.

    “If you compare yourself with others,
    you may become vain or bitter,
    for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

    “Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
    Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
    it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”

    - – -

    There's more – you can read it at http://www.fleurdelis.com/desiderata.htm

  • http://www.dentalholiday.co.uk Daniel

    thank you for you!

  • Pingback: Humankind is Unready for Unvarnished

  • mistressmia

    I know you don't need another “hey, I appreciate you” … but perhaps there are never enough of those. Chris, thank you for sharing your gift with me and with everyone who has ears to hear.

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