Michel Fortin has a great post on his blog at MichelFortin.com. It is called On Not Playing The Blame Game.
I’ve admired Michel for many years, I’ve met him in person, I read his blog religiously and this post is really worth mentioning and reading. What does this have to do with YOU writing great AND ethical posts. Don’t get into the blame game. It will do more to hurt you in the long run. If someone attacks you verbally, ignore it or answer calmly but don’t get into it with him/her. It’s a good lesson for life too.
Talk about what some marketers do that you don’t like but by all means, don’t name names. Don’t do it on your blog and don’t do it in life – either publicly or personally. It ALWAYS comes back in a bad way so yes, talk about stuff you don’t like – controversy is a great way to get people to join your conversation – but talk about things people do, not about people by name.
I’d like to offer a quote from Michel’s blog but don’t let that stop you from reading his entire post.
"Similarly, the risk you run by calling out some marketer can, in many cases, strengthen that person’s position in the minds of their followers because you are in essence challenging belief systems. You are bashing not just the guru but their followers, too."
Well said, Michel and I applaud you for saying it.
So be careful what you write. Yes – shout out about what you see as ‘wrong’ in your area of expertise but don’t be a name-caller. As Michel said, there’s an old saying about pointing your finger at someone. When you do that there are at least three pointing back at you.
Cathy Perkins – The WordPress Wizard
Cathy,
I think there is a difference between “calling somebody out” and being a “name caller.”
If you draw attention to a particular person and his or her bad business behavior, that is a public service. This is why there are complaint boards, business rating services, etc. They exist to help document unethical business practices and protect consumers.
Should we have not called out Bernie Madoff — and let him continue his Ponzi scheme? Should we have been silent as Robert Tilton exploited thousands of TV viewers every week?
In my opinion, naming names is not optional. It must be done to preserve law and order in a society. Criminal behavior (like fraud) can’t be ignored.
Name-calling is a different issue entirely. It rarely serves any positive purpose and only redirects attention away from the real issues that need to be talked about.
-Ryan M. Healy
Good point, Ryan. While I was reading Michel’s post and writing this one, I was thinking of internet marketers who ‘name call’ without a lot of proof.
There is a huge point here – be sure of what you are saying – and then say it. If you aren’t certain, don’t say it. If there is controversy of any sort around my area of expertise, I’d rather write about it and start a discussion than name names.
We must also be cognizant of libel and slander on our part so we must be certain about what we are saying before we say it.
~Cathy
PS – Nice to chat with you again. It’s been many years!!
Thanks Cathy for your posting. I went to Michel Fortin’s link and read his blog post and I also read Ryan Healy’s comment above. Both have their points and the Web allows both positions to be made and for each to respond according to their personal ethics. We the readers have the opportunity to find the value in both. I will be following both Fortin and Healy from now on thanks to you.
Good, Joyce. Both great guys to follow!!
Cathy