Comments on: Keep Your Mouth Shut

By: What Happens When We Die? | Jason Boom

What Happens When We Die? | Jason Boom — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:55:29 +0000

[...] 9, 2008 – 6:55 pm It’s a question that this blog cannot answer. I’m not going to comment on the great beyond. There’s a twist though — what happens to your blog if you die? I thought of this topic [...]

By: Luke

Luke — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 18:56:51 +0000

Self-censorship is not the same as censorship… If you keep your mouth shut to avoid offending others, that is often just being polite and professional. But at times you have a strong opinion that runs against the norm, and it may be perfectly appropriate — perhaps even a your duty — to state it.

Brutal honesty and a negative attitude are two different things in my opinion. A positive attitude should be tempered with truth, even when it hurts. Criticism is not always bad, and sometimes is well-earned. But you don’t have to blast everyone every time they goof up just as a way to get traffic. I don’t enjoy reading sites that are all about bashing Google, or whoever they think is big enough to hate.

By: Weekly Implosion: Usability and Topic Discussion | Jason Boom

Weekly Implosion: Usability and Topic Discussion | Jason Boom — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:00:58 +0000

[...] 23, 2008 – 2:00 pm This week saw two new articles: Creating Stop Signs for Site Traffic and Keep Your Mouth Shut. They both brought in a lot of traffic, and created some exciting conversations among readers. I [...]

By: Tommy

Tommy — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 05:38:47 +0000

I’m torn. I think specialization in any field can be as I believe Chris hinted at, pigeonholesque (yeah pretty sure that’s not a word). Yet the majority here seems to think moving out of one’s specialized area or chosen subject matter is not the thing to do. I guess it has to do again with focus and what it is your blog is supposed to be about. I’m not so much a “march in step solider” I guess and don’t think going off topic is a buzzkill. I’d also caution that deep links are very strange creatures and you’d be surprised at what comes crawling your site sometimes when least expected. Sure, if you’re a multi K subscribed blogger I suppose you can do pretty much what ya want since your major source of income is some monetization scheme coupled with noobs paying you some stupid 50 spot to get a link or whatever, but for the other 99.5% of us I think this is an important post and subject. In the end I’m not sure we have to stay coloring perfectly between the lines, but in building whatever cred we’re working on, I’d guess you better not probably get too nutty with abstracts. Still torn though. Good topic Jason.

By: Jason Boom

Jason Boom — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:17:31 +0000

Hi Nick…thanks for stopping by.

Should we mix a controversial subject with our unrelated blog? I don’t think so. It does more harm than good. If you intention was to get noticed and get traffic, then I would have to say it was a success.

Even if you were misunderstood, it still got me thinking about this topic. So thanks for that.

By: Nick Sullivan

Nick Sullivan — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:18:53 +0000

Good post Jason. I think a lot of people just didn’t get my post though, I didn’t paticulary go off topic because it was still in the nature of tips for improving your marketing.

It just borrowed from another topic to derive opinion, passion and meaning. It also adds a new level of relatability.

Or maybe I just did it to be controversial and get the conversation sparking

By: Jason Boom

Jason Boom — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:17:31 +0000

Good comments all around. I think its safe to say everyone believes you should stay on topic with your blog. Stick to the conventions of your topic and relegate off topic discussions to other arenas.

I think it is imperative to our own blog design’s not to stray too far off topic and to definitely stay away from “touchy” subjects. As Ben said, those topics can only harm our blog — no matter which side we stand upon.

Thanks for all the great comments.

By: Jeff - buzzmyblog.com

Jeff - buzzmyblog.com — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:46:27 +0000

I do not think it is appropriate for your blog posts to stray off topic, especially if the topic starts getting into religion or politics. You run the risk of alienating your readers, just like an actor who uses their fame as a soapbox for their personal beliefs. I mean…who really cares what Tom Cruise thinks he did in his “past life”? People read your blog for a reason. Stick to that reason.

Now that does not mean you shouldn’t give people a little taste of your individual personality and ideas once in a while. You just have to be a little creative about it so it doesn’t interfere with the primary purpose of your blog. Comments on a neighboring blog is an excellent example.

By: Pastor Phil

Pastor Phil — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:50:20 +0000

Good subject on mixing politics and religion. However, Jason, you are right. To blog such as subject would require a seperate blog. After all are we not to seperate religion and state (politics)? or can you honestly write on a subject such as this just becausse 250 years ago someone(s) wanted to blog this subject with their King? You have an opportunity to reach into the mainstream of politics on this blog but how can we seperate it from religion when even the politicians bring up their religious affiliations just to sway the vote. Don’t be afraid to blog what could be a compelling interest to the blogging community to reach deep into the heart and interest of Main Street USA. I know others would love to hear more. I’ll leave that to the blog pros like you.

By: Ben Barden

Ben Barden — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:20:08 +0000

Aside from severely affecting your credibility (which is possible no matter how well you word your opinion on controversial subjects), much of the time, these topics are just not relevant. Taking my site as an example, I write about blogging and website tips. Writing about religion or politics would be off-topic at best, possibly off-putting at worst. If people really want to talk about these things it might be better as a separate blog or in a debating forum.