In keeping with the social media theme of the past two posts, it’s time to reveal a not-so-secret secret for generating interest about you and your work. You may even use this trick yourself, or at least recognize the strategy. After all, you see it on newsstands all the time. Gazing at the magazine selection while you wait for your turn in the checkout line, which magazine do you pick up and flip through? The well-known “secret” is that headlines influence 70% of our decision making.
As a blogger who posts articles on a few different outlets, I sometimes have to take calculated risks to increase my reader engagement. Sometimes I choose a controversial headline that for example suggests I might be a hardcore feminist. The truth is, I did this because I needed to get a range of responses so I could determine for the other side of my business (The Women’s Code) how readers interpreted the article.
Tip: When you want to evaluate marketing ideas for new products, or check if your unique angle is working, using a controversial headline is a fast way to test how your audience reacts to your idea.
And oh boy, did the reactions fly in! As expected, a few people unfollowed me right away. A handful of readers focused their comments on my lack of political correctness. They felt it necessary to tell me that it is never about being a man or a woman, but it should always be about the individual. (Um, yeah. Of course!) A couple readers realized my strategy halfway through their responses and let me off the hook.
What I’ve found interesting is in the creative groups that I manage, the readers seem to get very personal with their responses. I have been verbally attacked, called a man-hater, and much worse. The discussions sometimes get so hostile that I eventually have to shut them down! I see it all the time often in my own group on LinkedIn (Photography Business) where the discussion suddenly becomes about the author instead of the topic, and group members go for the jugular. Especially in the creative world it seems to be okay to call others idiots, and stupid. Which is never okay.
Have you ever written a harsh or offensive comment? Our behaviors in cyberspace may not matter much when we have names like Wallflower45 or DogLover123. But, when on professional forums like LinkedIn or any other outlet where your name is your handle, your remarks can cause big problems that you’ll never see coming.
Here is why: The way the internet is developing, comments can be included in search results. This is already true for websites like LinkedIn and Facebook. What you put out there with your name on it is here to stay. When you use a LinkedIn feature that allows you to search for a person, you will also get their LinkedIn history including their comments in the search results. Meaning, the comments you’ve posted are visible to everyone who checks you out—including your potential clients, the hiring manager for your dream job, and other businesses who are considering partnering with you. You can have an impressive track record and portfolio, but what the people searching you will pay most attention to is how you conduct yourself. Conflict resolution, respect, and being a team player are attributes all professionals must have.
If a potential client or hiring manager investigates you and takes offense with either what you say or how you say it, the outcome could be disastrous. You could lose a job or miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.
(If you have made comments that you now regret, this article offers advice for cleaning up what others can see.)
When commenting anywhere, maintain a professional attitude and request clarification on a hot topic before you blow off steam. Or better yet, choose to respectfully disagree and add something useful to the conversation.
So true…
I recently had a new ‘potential contact’ try to establish a working relationship with me.
The whole thing seemed a little odd…(when you do this daily, you start to sense the very subtle clues that can raise red flags).
Anyhow, I did my homework, and googled the contact’s email address, and other info.
Low and Behold…there were several online forums where the contact had used the same email address with an “anonymous” handle. The comments that this person had written, were enough to let me know it’s not someone I want to do business with, let alone ‘hang out with’ after a shoot.
My general philosophy is that if someone is going to anonymously slander and belittle others, they can easily do the same to you.
Search, Research, Repeat.
🙂
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Just before reading your article I had a friend request on FaceBook. My FaceBook page is my business page and I am cautious as to who I befriend as it can reflect on my professionalism and my reputation. I didn’t know this person so I checked his page out. I didn’t accept his request. His disrespect for others opinions and bullying attitude told me he wasn’t the type I wanted to associate with. He lost out on an opportunity to make a real connection in the field of professional photography. I am sure in his mind it is my loss but it’s a loss I can accept.