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I’m a fan of Chris Brogan. I found “Trust Agents” to be infinitely better than Gary Vaynerchuck’s “Crush It”, and recommend you purchase it.

But because I like Chris doesn’t mean I’m not going to disagree with him. In fact, I disagree with what he has to say often.

Today’s example , “Your Blog From the Prospect’s Point Of View“.

Chris’s point is that negativity for negativity’s sake doesn’t get you anywhere with a potential customer. He’s right. It has been proven, using politcal campaigns as an example, that smear ads are not effective.  They piss the voter off and cause them to either vote for the opposition or sit out the process entirely.

But there’s a difference between negativity and the truth. When it comes to telling the truth and giving your opinion, There’s nothing wrong with negativity. Say what you want.

If you’re like me, you couldn’t care less what other people think. If someone gets turned off by your opinion? Good. You  don’t want fair weather fans. They’re not likely to be customers and will turn on you in a second. Who wants that?

If anything, I hope that blunt honesty would be effective in pulling in and winning over the prospects Chris is talking about. The truth, I hope, is refreshing, encouraging, and those that want to hear it will be glad to. Regardless of whether or not it’s negative.

So, stay away from negativity to save yourself a few dollars when you can make more in the end with a loyal, dedicated audience that knows you, understands you, and trusts you?

I have to disagree. I’d take 5,000 true fans over several million any day of the week.

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Boys Won’t Be Boys

by Brandon MendelsonFebruary 5, 2010

If there ever was a bullshit excuse, especially today considering the accelerated maturity of our young friends, its this: “Boys will be boys”.
So when TechCrunch unloaded their empire-building seventeen-year-old intern, I was a little tweaked about the “Boys will be boys” attitude by some.
TechCrunch, for it’s part, said something was wrong, apologized, and took action. I [...]

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Embrace The Pay-Walls

by Brandon MendelsonFebruary 3, 2010

Although Soap Box Included might be free, you should get used to paying for the best content on the web.

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by Brandon MendelsonJanuary 23, 2010

If you tell me to go to your website instead of answering my questions, I won’t do business with you.

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No One Owes You Anything On The Web

by Brandon MendelsonJanuary 8, 2010

No one owes you a response. Not to your tweets. Not to your blogs. Not to anything you say or do online.
Get over yourself.
I just read a blog post about Mashable, which I’m usually critical of despite contributing guest posts. The blogger goes on to create a list of companies and bloggers he has criticized, [...]

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Can Microsoft Out Apple Apple?

by Brandon MendelsonJanuary 5, 2010

Allegedly, Microsoft is going to unveil their own Tablet PC this Wednesday. Made in conjunction with the folks at HP, the idea is to steal some of the thunder from Steve Jobs and the Apple Tablet’s debut this month.
Can they “out-Apple Apple”?
No. Microsoft can’t “Out-Apple Apple”. The same way most entertainment company’s can’t Out-Disney Disney.
It’s [...]

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by Brandon MendelsonDecember 26, 2009

For 2010, Brandon changes how he’s going to promote his causes in an effort to fight “cause overload”

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