Sometimes It’s Rude To Expect Honesty

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Since launching this site I’ve been asked by several dozen people to visit their site and give my honest feedback about how it looks, what areas need improvement and how they can attract more readers (and, as a result, higher-paying writing opportunities). That’s flattering. It really is.

After all, I obviously launched this site with the goal of helping people start blogs, write better and make money blogging. I try focusing articles here at BFTM on some of the basics that are quite often overlooked in the haste of firing up a blog, and over the next few weeks I’ll be adding further content on blog promotion, optimization and writing informative reviews that deliver value to advertisers and readers alike.

At some point, yes, I may even offer to review specific sites by request. But I haven’t offered that yet, and there’s a reason.

It’s awkward, from my standpoint, to be asked to visit the blog of someone I’ve had little to no contact with and give an honest review. How do you tell someone you can’t stand their color scheme? That their writing is purile? That they truly need to stop deluding themselves into believing they are somehow an exception to every rule about site design, professionalism and good writing?

Naturally, my first inclination is to say “Hey, you’re off to a great start! Now keep reading BFTM regularly and let’s improve your site together!”

Unfortunately, from what I can see in my InBox, that is not the advice people want. They want specific, step-by-step answers… and then they want to explain why they can’t (read: won’t) follow them. They want immediate constructive criticism of their site… and then they want to say they’re too busy trying to make their daily financial goal to follow that advice. They want honesty… but what they really mean is that they want a pat on the back.

Really: I do want to help. I want to write about the things readers want to learn about. I welcome your suggestions through my my contact form and your requests for entries on the topics of blogging and making money writing reviews.

In fact, I promise to write an entry answering each question you leave in the comments on this entry. How’s that for offering to help?

But perhaps the best way to help people who don’t know me from my other sites is to point out that I’m not a back-patter. I’m not a warm, fuzzy, hold-your-hand-and-tell-you-that-you’re-pretty-and-so-is-your-blog kind of person. There is a reason I’m called “Venomous” Kate over at Electric Venom, and considering that I chose that nickname for myself that should warn people what to expect.

So for now let’s just agree that I won’t offer to review your site and you won’t ask me to do so, at least not yet. It’ll be better that way for both of us. Trust me.

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5 Comments

Comment by James Chartrand - Web Content Writer Tips

2008-01-18 16:29:46

I had to laugh at this post, because I hear you. There are many people who fall into that category and who truly just want reassurance of their self-worth and not constructive criticism on how to improve their blog or website for business. It takes a gentle hand and some diplomacy to handle the situation.

But personally, I enjoy this kind of thing. I enjoy giving website or blog consultations and helping people see the potential they have to turn a real ugly site around. I like finding the right words to affirm their worth while picking apart their work.

Plus, it feels good to take a bad site and make it so much more better. It’s pretty cool.

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Comment by Janet

2008-01-18 16:47:12

Kate, I will take you up on your offer here I asked this question in the comments of another post, but wondered if you would indeed write up a detailed post about the topic. So here’s my question:

I hate having to wait for advertisers over on LinkWorth to notice me. Is there *anything* I can do to encourage those opportunities to come my way?

Thanks! ~ Janet

Janet’s last blog post..Tailgating *ssholes and you: a few coping strategies

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Comment by Chelle

2008-01-18 17:58:45

I second Janet. I signed up with LW hoping to find a way from P3. I know it takes time and I’m very patient so I don’t mind waiting.

And personally, I’d never ask you to review me. I think if you chose to review someone, they’d be worth your time.

Oh, you could always charge them a reviewing fee. Think of it as reviewing a book for a publisher or author before it goes on sale.

Chelle’s last blog post..Daily Photo: Upside Down Jack

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Comment by jae

2008-01-18 18:00:32

From one Janet to the other — I’ve been asking that same question over and over and over. It sucks wanting to write for what you know is a good company and hearing crickets chirp.

Although I did get another assignment in December finally. Just leaves one waiting for more, though.

jae’s last blog post..It’s fixed!

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Comment by Lincoln

2008-01-18 19:37:37

I rarely ask people for their opinion on my site. I already know my blog sucks.

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