A common challenge with writing is putting forth your opinion while knowing you are going to upset, annoy or lose a portion of your audience.
How can you explain your position when you know it is not going to be 100% popular?
Some of the best stand-out articles are when someone actually has an opinion and explains it well. The fact is if you muddle through an argument you are going to lose some of your audience anyway through cloudy writing.
Relax, this is not about stirring up a hornets nest. You can write with a point of view without looking like an ass:
- Have an opinion and explain it clearly.
- Support your arguments.
- Own your words.
- Be polite and empathise with the other side
- Be open to persuasion.
The important thing is to not seek controversy for the sake of attention and to be genuine. Explain things the way you see it and be prepared to be corrected.
Anyone who has stuck with this blog will have seen on occasion my opinions can differ from the popular advice.
- I am not against paid links.
- I think it is better to skip a day than post sucky content.
- I believe blogging is not an easy way to riches.
- I am not convinced great content is all you need.
Each time I post something like that I do lose readers, but I also get a lot of positive feedback too. You can’t please everyone and nor should you try.
There are hundreds of thousands of blogs all looking to capture the same audience as yours, there is room for differing opinions. When someone visits your blog it is to hear what you have to say. If you have an opinion share it with your readers.