No Blitching Please (Bitching while blogging)

Would this man use his blog to complain?

Interesting comment from my sister (I would provide a link to her website but she doesn’t have one… ahem) regarding the rules listed below. Her point was simply those rules listed are really the rules for civil communication in general. I would agree and add many of us sometimes need to be reminded of the rules. Too often I see new bloggers focus on the mundane. Even more so I see them use their forum to bitch complain a lot.

Complaining, as a topic, works but only in the short term. Kind of like going negative in a campaign. You might see a spike but it won’t last. Additionally, if your focus is complaining, I can’t imagine trying to find several hundred topics to complain about over the course of the year.

I think about those bloggers who have really captured my attention; Chris Brogan, Brian Solis, Todd Defron or Seth Godin to name a few. (I would have named Chad Osko but Slim Slow Slider is under construction for the moment. Maybe if we all clap our hands together we can bring it back to life. But I digress). Sure, each might occasionally share their disdain or despair but it normally comes with a solution or wish for something better. At a minimum each asks for help in resolving their angst. Each person is also knows for the advancements they offer their industry or folks surrounding them – another reason they can occasionally get away with poking something with a stick. As a side, several months ago Chris Brogan responded to my tweet about cloud computing. I’ve never met the man, and he doesn’t know me, but if I do I will surely buy him a cup of coffee to repay him for his kindness and selflessness.

Bottom line, if you blog, blog with the idea of making the world, even if it’s just your corner of the world, a better place. If you have a legit complaint, first take it up with the person or company. Still can’t get satisfaction, go ahead and blab…  I mean blog all about it. But be constructive. Offer your audience the big picture. Teach them, make them better, smarter by reading your post. Don’t just wine you didn’t get what you want even if it was deserved. Offer up observations about how, if changes were made, the world would be better and not just the fact you would be happier.

Thanks Bonnie for your feedback. Big sisters are great, even when you’re as old as we are!