I got a letter this week from a fairly junior blogger. And he said.
"Dear Recruiting Animal, I listen to your show because you're the Mighty Quinn and I'm hoping I can learn some secrets from you. I've been blogging for six months now and I cover the same territory as everyone else but I just don't seem able to get the hits. Nobody's visiting me. What can I do?"
Well, little buddy. I checked out your blog and the problem is very simple. It's as plain as day to me. You don't know how to be an expert. That's your problem. So I'm going to give you some clues.
Here's Number one. Don't think too much. If you see a study that says short men get better jobs don't ask if it's really true. You're not a scientist! You grab that topic and talk about it as much as you can.
Think of all the short guys that's going to please.
People who know better are going to grumble but who cares? Most people don't know anything. That's why they come to you. They want simple ideas and absolute certainty. So they can sleep at night. So you want to make them feel good but you also want them to have fun.
Here's something to think about. How many magazines put out lists? The best movies of 2007. The best hundred rock songs of all time.
How do they know what they're saying is true? Of course they don't! But that doesn't mean the list isn't fun. Or that it doesn't make you think. Or that it doesn't give you something to talk about with your friends. And your blog should be written the exact same way
And it doesn't hurt to be a bit sexy sometimes and break the rules a little. Let's say someone writes to you and says: "Should I sleep with my recruiter? I think she likes me." Well that's a no brainer. The answer is: Of course you should! That will give her a reason to help you.
Of course, there's a lot more that I could say but let me wrap it up with this:You can always jazz things up a bit. Tell some stories from your personal life that never really happened. Who's going to know that you weren't a jockey. Who's going to know that you didn't go skydiving? Or that you didn't tell your boss where he can get off?
You don't have to feel guilty about fibbing. What are you doing? You're just helping people. And as long as the basic idea is true who cares what examples you use?
Are you starting to get the picture? Good. I hope I've helped. Good luck and regards.
