August 9, 2009 76 Comments

My Pledge to You

My Pledge In the unintended consequences department, I’ve come to a realization: I have to drop satire and sarcasm as a vehicle for education, with regards to this blog. If you read the comments on this post, you’ll see what I’m getting at here.

I had no intention of misleading people with my satirical attempt.

My pledge to you, hence forth, is that if I’m telling you about something here, I’ll write from the perspective of positive improvement.

Because I have NO memory, please remind me if I ever blow this. I’m human. I get sad and frustrated and stuff.

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  • http://www.honeybeeconsulting.com startabuzz

    So, in your constant effort to show yourself as human, you have to abandon one of the things that *makes* us human? Laughter is the music of the human experience. Sing it. :)

  • http://justinkownacki.blogspot.com Justin Kownacki

    Thank God. I, for one, am sick of reading anything other than declarative sentences. I also think comedy should be banned from theaters, because not everyone understands irony or sarcasm, and we don't want to upset the people who feel confused.

  • http://sazbean.com sazbean

    Sarcasm is the sign of true intelligence imo. Bring it on!

  • Hedgewytch

    *Hugs*

  • http://www.ChristopherSPenn.com Christopher S. Penn

    Write what you like. People can always unsubscribe.

  • KathleenLD

    This makes me a little sad. I think snark is good, in moderation. I especially liked your Twitter post because I thought it really showed how genuinely you care about this space by not only expressing your frustration with those who are trying to game it, but also by giving really valuable advice.

    Maybe a satirical disclaimer could help people who don't quite know your tone yet, but I think that you hit a rather clever way to express your frustration and help your friends at the same time.

    Also, I just really like snark.

  • http://twitter.com/wadesmom Carolyn Stephens

    Too bad you have to drop the satire; you're really quite good at it. Some people just have no sense of humor.

  • http://www.honeybeeconsulting.com startabuzz

    Preach it, Mr. Penn!

  • http://twitter.com/linksmonkey LinksMonkey

    Forget that! I say => Come for the satire, stay for the education.

  • http://theburnman.com Burnman

    Satire can be entertaining and provide a humorous quality to material which many will appreciate. Sarcasm can also provide some level of humor, though it is a bit of a slippery slope.

    In today's media, it does seem that “Sarcastic Heckler” is the marketing mantra. Look at the current advertising campaign which KFC is running. Two people making snarky, sarcastic remarks aimed at belittling their pier for paying more for a lunch. Rather than point out a good tip to a friend who shows appreciation and is later shown eating KFC, they decided to go with sarcastic insult.

    Personally, I would not give up on satire, there is nothing wrong with trying to make people laugh. It's all about disclosure and delivery. Just make sure people know it's satire, and make sure it's not too negative, and everything should work out just fine.

  • deannamcneil

    Truthfully, if someone *actually* followed that tongue in cheek advice, well, umm, really, isn't that just the fodder of even more jokes?

    All joking aside, your more serious point in those posts was well taken: there is a lot of fluff material out there purporting to be someting more substantive. We each do well to pay attention to our sources than just glom on to some random post that says, “Quick, easy way to expertise….”

    What you learned is that there are many folks intersted in an easy way out and the fact is, they will just keep searching endlessly. If anything, your posts point out that a lot of time, effort, caring goes into becoming an expert.

  • http://www.charlesneville.com/ charlesneville

    Hey, when I wrote “If you changed your style to sarcasm rather than genuine easy-to-follow advice you'd lose readers in the long term.” I didn't mean not to do it, just not to switch to that entirely, those two posts amused me greatly – but then I'm English, sarcasm is our default setting.

  • http://www.brainleadersandlearners.com/ Ellen Weber

    Wow Chris, thanks for sharing this insight and Eureka reflection — you have moved us all into the innovations we really need from amazing minds like yours, and beyond cynical toxins that prevent innovation in human brains. Thanks – our world is so needy for new neuron pathways that open to brain chemicals not possible with sarcasm. Thanks Chris also for inspiring change and reflecting visible movement forward for the online community. Imagine the next generation with humor that builds bridges and extend benefits from dynamic innovations like yours – with the brain in mind!

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I am forever smacking into the “can't win” wall. I realize that I shouldn't try. I just feel for people.

  • http://blog.eyeviewdigital.com EyeView

    I agree with Mr. Penn.

    Chris, I get the whole thing about authenticity and integrity and it's something I think you do pretty well. But I also like that you don't always have to be earnest. There's no reason to treat the blogosphere as a suburb of Mayberry.

    I say be sarcastic and snarky when you feel like it. Be sincere, positive and encouraging when you feel like it.

    It would be much more devastating for your audience if they felt your true feelings were being filtered by a desire not to alienate those who are too green to “get it”.

  • http://www.facebook.com/lynnelle Lynnelle Wilson

    I wholeheartedly agree with startabuzz and Chris Penn; You're writing about trust economies where the importance of transparency and authenticity is critical. If you start withholding and changing for others, doesn't that fly in the face of everything else you stand for?

    Marketing 101 – You can't be all things to all people. Focus on your target market – those who get it and aren't insulted by good, honest, straight up funny sarcasm. It's who you are and why I'm a fan. The pledge I'd like to see? Continue to deliver the bare-bones, unfiltered, Chris Brogan's take on things. IMHO

  • http://twitter.com/coffeewithian Ian Isanberg

    How about a “How to be Chris Brogan for a day” post?

  • pamcourt

    I thought the posts were fantastic and really resonated with me! The number of followers that come with an offer learn how to add thousands of followers, make millions of dollars from Twittering, or my personal favorite — getting me into a bikini in two weeks (which at my age is pretty much illegal in all states, or at least should be — is annoying. Therefore, your sarcasm was totally spot-on for me! Thanks for the smiles.

  • http://twitter.com/SueOnTheWeb Sue

    Some people need to get a sense of humour chip installed. Is there an ap for that?

  • http://billcammack.com/ Bill Cammack

    Like I said on your other post, Satire is fine. The problem is that it's only going to be effective amongst people that have gotten to know something about you as a person.

    This is especially true for titles. If I post “How to break up with your girl”, people are going to click on it thinking they're going to get tips on how to break up with your girl. They're not going to think “Oh.. Bill's making a satirical post about relationships!”.

    So you have to find the line. If you don't feel like people are going to get your post properly, print disclaimers in every single one. I personally gave up on that concept, because I don't care whether people think I'm joking or serious. The difference is that I post for *fun* and you post for business.

  • kat

    you're wicked cute :)

    -kat

  • markpmsg

    Chris — I have not problem being in the minority about cheering you on for your pledge to focus on positive improvement. I believe you are what you think, and if you think about positive improvement, you will be a more positive person that people want to read and spend time with. Bravo, my friend.

    Also, there is plenty of negativity and sarcasm available today, in this economy. We need positive suggestions to improve our economy and our lives, now more than ever. Blog on!

  • greggmorris

    I agree with C. Penn FWIW. I have followed you for a long time and found those two posts very refreshing. I thought they enhanced rather than detracted from your “trust status”.

  • http://www.jeffreysass.com sass

    Chris, whenever you have the urge to be absurd, or want to be both lyrical and satirical, you have an open INVITATION to guest post at http://www.SocialNetworkingRehab.com, where the medicine is always administered with tongue firmly in cheek.

    Sincerely,
    Dr. @Sass
    Cheap Administrator
    INVITATIONS
    “The Nation's Premiere Social Networking Recovery Facility”

  • http://theburnman.com Burnman

    We all are. Other people build that wall for us, we certainly don't put it there ourselves. We have two choices. We can continue to run into it, or we can ignore the obstacle and go around it.

    Ultimately, what you write and how you write it is up to you. You can't please everyone, and trying will only give you heartburn and headaches. The only thing you can do is try to write honestly, from the heart, and in your own words. We are our own moderators, and it is our job to present our message as we wish it to be seen.

    As for sarcasm and satire… as with all things… they are good in moderation. Too much of anything is too much of anything.

  • KathleenLD

    Awwww :)

  • http://twitter.com/CoachNeil Neil Phillips

    How do we tell this isn't a satirical statement? I frankly think that satire is a great way to get across the seriousness of an idea without beating people about the head and shoulders. Oh well, I'll still subscribe. I just won't get to smile as much.

  • szivot

    Do not sacrifice your humor and wit because of the stupidity of others. Keep the sarcasm coming.

  • http://www.thinklikeablackbelt.com/ Lori Hoeck

    You write, “I am forever smacking into the “can't win” wall.” Nah. You are simply finding humans and their expectations are funky, diverse, and contrary.

    My two cents:
    Snarky spins the negatives quite well and often humorously. I liked your Twitter post and its sarcasm, but I got it because I've been around a bit. Newcomers to social media need connection and education, and they are struggling to find their way online, often ignorantly following the siren call of snake oil sellers. People new to social media haven't read months and months of social media blog advice or undergone the learning curve. Should we extend them a helping hand via positive improvement-type writing or hand them a plate of snobbish snarkiness?

  • http://www.roundpeg.biz Roundpeg

    But you are at your best when you are being sarcastic. Those are my favorite posts. If people don't get your sense of humor, let them go elsewhere. Or simply lead with a warning statement: For those of you unable to discern sarcasm, the following post contains sarcasm, and may not actually represent my point of view.

  • http://www.imjustsharing.com/ Mitch

    Chris, write what you feel at the moment, and if some folks don't get the satire, that's on them. The truth is that this “get more followers” movement on Twitter is getting out of hand, and a lot of people go clicking on those links and end up loading malware or viruses onto their computers.

    I think it's a blogger's prerogative to shake things up every once in awhile. I enjoy what I read, satire or not. If people don't like it, they can unsubscribe or just ignore it and wait for the next one. Dude, stuff just needs to be said sometimes; be yourself.

  • http://www.fearfullyoptimistic.com tacojohn

    You shouldn't write to the lowest common denominator. One big theme in the world today that explains a lot of problems is that everything is watered down so no one gets left behind. Jokes that might offend anyone are censored. Complex political issues are oversimplified into sound bites. Education makes sure that no one gets left behind, but does it allow anyone to get ahead?

    If building trust with people means anything, it means they can take a joke and see one when it's coming. If a bunch of people come here for a headline that says “10 -no- 4!! Days to Become a Social Media Expert” and don't realize that's a joke, I'd ask myself two questions:
    1) Do I really want to ensure that I'm keeping that type of audience around?
    2) Am I really that worried about offending or misleading those people?

  • http://bashfoo.org delta40

    Keep the sarcasm. It is an important part of determining intelligence of your audience.

  • wendysullivan

    Chris. I'm so sorry to hear that many of the people who find your blog are retarded. I suggest you keep using satire and sarcasm as a way to separate the wheat from the chaff. Unless of course the chaff are the ones paying you. Then I totally understand.

    Wendy

  • stevebrogan

    Just be yourself. When you are educating us – that is fine. You can even do it with sarcasm and irony – if someone does not get IT – that is their loss. Don't let your audience change you.

  • http://twitter.com/Nicolefrance5 Nicole France

    @chrisbrogan I hope your pledge is an attempt at satire and sarcasm. I very much enjoy the sarcasm in your material.

  • http://www.evowebdev.com/blog/ raygulick

    Sarcasm is hard to pull off online, without the cues you can give in face-to-face communication. A good share of your audience is almost certain to not get it. The question is how clear you want to be in communicating what you mean. I think it's a good move, Chris.

  • edmodo

    I like the sarcasm. I agree with Christopher S. Penn, write what you want.

  • edmodo

    Yes, I think it's called “Pull my finger” :)

  • edmodo

    Chris, jenny even read those posts and thought they were fantastic.

  • Pingback: Can you be a real person, a public figure, and in business at the same time? | Broadcasting Brain

  • cherylharrison

    Ahh but your satire is so fun, Mr. Brogan – don't stop! :)

  • campbele

    i found you via twitter and have been following for a while now. that pretty much makes me a complete stranger. yet, i gotta say that i like your sarcasm so much better than your music.

  • http://groundupmedia.com askjayson

    Hey Big C, we wear our hearts on our sleeves and I know that you care about your readers more so than many. I think that you taking this to heart says so much about the real you! There is a time and place for sarcasm, its not meant to harm and if readers find your statements misleading or more likely take what you are saying too seriously, they really don't know you. SO then we ask the questions: “is it me or is it them?” Does it matter?

    We can not control others opinions, no matter what we say and do. Keep coming from the heart, trust in yourself and those that are meant to get it will and the others, well let them be as they shall be. For everyone is on their own path. All we can do is the best from where we are with what we got!

    To me, for me…I would probably do the same thing. I always want to please as many as possible, I just have to keep remember, sometimes I just can't no matter how hard I try.

    Keep on keeping it on my friend!

    -Jayson

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bruce-Barber/675885708 Bruce Barber

    Dude – the SECOND you start writing other people (and not for yourself) is the moment you're sunk.

  • http://twitter.com/wendysoucie Wendy Soucie

    I will continue to subscribe and hold you in high esteem as a leader in this media. You make me ask questions, question myself, while looking at others and what they say with a keener eye. I thank you for all that insight done with emotion, humor, satire whatever….

  • http://twitter.com/Tina_Williams Tina Williams

    Chris-

    In the world of Know, Like and Trust sometimes the “like” part gets a little gray. Sometimes “like” is replaced with “respect”. People aren't always going to like us or what we blog about, speak about or teach about but if we have earned their respect (as an expert) then we should continue to do what we do best…at our own discretion.

    You are someone people know, like, trust and respect. This is your space. You're not building a Christmas Card list, you're building a community. Occasional snark and satire helps shake things up a bit. I agree with Steve Brogan…be yourself and for all the rest, Christopher Penn hit the nail on the head…unsubscribe!

    Thanks for being real!

  • http://www.blazonfire.com Paul Durban

    Your tribe understands you. Don't lower yourself to the common denominator.

  • http://twitter.com/BradCoy Brad Coy

    Loved the two posts. Wit, satire, and all. It seemed pretty obvious to me and further endeared me to you as the author of this blog. I would agree that a good balance is in order, but being human comes first. With everything that it is you provide on this site, I would say dirt off your shoulder and move on. Your overall message shines through anything that would be perceived as negative.

  • strive4impact

    “humans and their expectations are funky, diverse, and contrary.”

    And often quite counter-intuitive to what you imagine they're going after. GREAT comment.

    Chris, I'm going to echo much of the rest of the crowd. It's YOUR blog. You do a great job naturally of being sarcastic and satirical in person. You also offer some incredible help to people. Both things are who you are. It's fun and is you.

    Why should your blog have to represent anything different than who you are, just because a few people took/take you the wrong way and didn't/don't get it?

    Jonathan
    http://www.ThreeMoneyMethods.com

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