Insanity 101

Post Archive (12-Feb-2008)

I read a number of different blogs, most on a daily basis. You can see a partial list on my website. One of the blogs I read was Beyond Bullet Points. I started reading it, because I really liked his book (of the same name). Now, Cliff Atkinson has decided that he can no longer be bothered with “free” blogging. He wants to charge me for his words. C’est la vie. I guess he completely missed the point that his popularity increased because he had a blog. We spread the word. Now, he no longer needs us. I guess he has enough sycophants out there who are willing to pay for his marketing messages with weak content. Not me! Count me out!

But, I wonder how many of us are paying for things, like this, that don’t really provide value. I’m also a Popular Science reader, love it. On their website, they provided a link to a FREE Brain Training site. Wonderful! I do crosswords and sudoku puzzles every day. This is my kind of thing. Except, FREE wasn’t free. They wanted my credit card (to avoid people signing up for multiple free previews … what a crock!), and I would be automatically billed. Folks, the model just isn’t there. Count me out!

Here’s two more. I was a huge Borders Book Store fan. I was in the store multiple times per week. Then, about a year ago, Borders switched my local store to a Seattle’s Best. No problem. But, I live in Central Florida, and the wonderful Seattle’s Best folks do no have a soda fountain. NONE! NADA! ZIP! Which given that I have documented proof of almost $3000 in purchases in the previous year, Borders was willing to throw away because of their partner Seattle’s Best. Now, I actively speak against them. And Amazon then became my best friend. I am currently an Amazon.com PRIME account holder. I ordered a telescope for my nephew’s birthday. Despite several emails and a call from me, I was assured the telescope would be there. I could clearly tell it wasn’t. But, alas, the wonderful Amazon.com support folks disputed my doubt. What happened? The telescope was back-ordered. I had to scramble. I took my business to B&H Photo. And, I have done very little business with Amazon since. Why? Because they didn’t so much as offer me a free “anything” to make amends for their partner’s foul-up. Well, pick your partners well. I do. So, Borders and Amazon, I guess my business and referrals are not good enough for you. C’est la vie. Count me out!

In all, I am just looking more closely at my relationships at all levels and all types. Ultimately, a relationship should provide value. If if doesn’t, PLEASE count yourself out! If nothing else, it will save your sanity.

• cliff Says:
  Hi Bill - I’m actually working on installing a new WordPress blog, which will continue to be free. There is also a paid section of the website so that there is a business model to support all of the free material that you have enjoyed in the past. You’re free to have your opinion about whether or not writers should experiment with business models so they make a living, but keep in mind that there are people out here on the other side of your criticisms about our “sycophants” and “weak content” - the insults only make the blogosphere a more hostile place that ultimately becomes of less value to everyone involved. Best, -Cliff

• Admin Says:
  Cliff - You earned a significant amount of respect just for replying. So, kudos to you for that. But, as I stated, I read your original book. It is quite good. I’ve recommended it to people. I’ve also (used to) read your blog. The value of it was pretty weak, but completely normal. I fully expect that business people will use a blog to introduce people to their work, announce new products and services, and otherwise be very light on content and heavy on marketing.

  What I don’t expect is for someone to convert a blog into a pay-for-read format, and then to expect me to continue to pay for the privilege of receiving their bits of wisdom which are really just excerpts from their books, speeches, presentations, and consulting jobs with that same heavy dose of marketing. I do not pay for marketing.

  So, when you blog went to the pay-for-read format, I am not going to pay. Period! That is my job as a critic of what I see. Heck! Movie critics and Broadway critics go to expensive shows, for free, and still pan the stuff they don’t like. So, I don’t consider it a necessity to be nice. I do consider it a necessity to speak my opinion, and to do so in a manner that hopefully helps others make intelligent choices.

  I find it interesting that you decided to eliminate your free blog, convert to a paid blog, and then promise a free blog in the future. How am I as a consumer expected to interpret that? You’ve given me no context to appreciate your content. So, let me provide you with context to not appreciate your content. I am a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) subscriber (to the online content). I pay $99 per year for the WSJ. You want me to pay $99 for a year of your blog? Excuse me, but I stand by my comment that such an action would be the very definition of Insanity 101.

  I don’t fault you for trying new business models. But, I think you have lost sight of the bigger picture. People buy your books. People undoubtedly pay to hear you speak. Companies undoubtedly pay you to speak and consult. Heck, with all the traffic to your site and blog, you could easily earn off-setting ad and affiliate revenues. Your free content was the draw. It hooked people to the importance of what you have to say. Some will pay for that, and to me they are sycophants.

  Merriam-Webster’s defines a sycophant as a “servile self-seeking flatterer”, and it also suggests seeing Fancy which is defines as, “to like”. In my book, flattery is paying someone with my hard earned money. For what purpose? Must be self-seeking because I could have gotten a whole year of the WSJ for the same amount.

  Good luck with the new business model. I’ll still recommend people to the book. And, I’ll still stand by my comment that paying for your web content is Insanity 101.

  Regards,
  Bill

• cliff Says:
  Thanks for the honesty Bill! And thanks for taking the time to write about the topic - it’s good to get market feedback, for better or worse, to know how things are being perceived out there in the blogosphere. Best, -Cliff

Last updated: 19-May-2009