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How To Lose Clients and Aggravate People While Telling the Truth

April 21, 2011 64 Comments

I bill myself as an Insultant. Here’s the definition.

Consultant: Someone who tells you how great you are. Good for ego.
Insultant: Someone who tells exactly how much you suck. Good for bank account.

So when a potential client came to me with a few questions about the strategy they could use to make a splash in the Blogosphere, I told them the God’s honest truth.

Below are the exact questions, and the exact responses I gave. However, they were not the answers they were looking for, so they went running someplace else.

How would you answer these questions differently? Keep in mind that my goal is NOT to be diplomatic, but to tell the truth. Also, my goal is to weed out clients based on their personalities.

I want clients who’s personalities are aligned with mine. I want clients who I can invite to a barbecue.

Here it is, without any edits. Enjoy.

Client: How to aggressively tap into the blogging community?

Me: You dont tap aggressively into a community. If you do, you will be shunned. Blogging is very much like real life…no one likes an asshole. Instead, ask yourself, how can I be useful to the community?

Client: How to generate revenue from having a blog page?

Me: You don’t. Blog is a platform. The same way TV station is a platform. TV doesnt generate revenue unless it has viewers. If you want to generate revenue using methods you mention below, you will need a shit ton of viewers. Advertisers dont even look at you unless you are getting 60 000+ hits per month.

Client: How to generate a large number of readers/hits?

Me: Publish really useful, unique, entertaining, compelling, interesting, funny, content and do it on regular basis. Then learn SEO, copywriting, social media optimization, marketing, and few other disciplines that are escaping me now.

Client: How to improve search recognition?

Me: Implement solid SEO practices, make friends online that will link to you and produce content worth linking to.

Client: How to charge for advertising space?

Me: Get traffic. Get connections. Find suitable advertiser who is willing to take a chance.

Client: How to propose advertising space/sponsorships?

Me: Not really sure where to even begin with this one….so I’ll leave it alone.

Client: How frequently must I review stats on traffic?

Me: As often as you like. I have most of my relevant stats open all the time.

Client: What are the pros and cons to having and maintaining a blog?

Me: Its hard work for no pay. On the other hand, its a great way to have your voice heard and make important connections.

If all those answers weren’t bad enough, here is the one that sent the would-be-client running for the hills :-)

Client: Based on my current website, what improvements can you recommend?

Me: Your site is terrible. Everything about it kinda sucks. Needs to be scrapped and re-tooled. I would start by clearly defining your audience and clearly defining what you can bring to that audience that is different from everybody else.

There will always be a market for someone who tells you that it’s easy. All you have to do is pay $99.99 and you will find out one simple step to achieving eternal happiness and all your desires will be fulfilled.

There is however a smaller market. A market of people who don’t believe the hype and know that it’s going to be a hard road and an uphill battle. These are the people I want to barbecue with.

So tell me…

  • Do you appreciate bluntness?
  • Do you prefer someone sugarcoats it for you and tells you lies?
  • Do you think I was too harsh?

Business Hacking
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  • http://twitter.com/synapticmishap John Gallagher

    Possibly typo: “Hot to lose clients and aggravate people while telling the truth”. Don’t you mean *How* to lose clients…?

    I like the general direction you’ve taken of no bullshit, tell clients the truth etc. But I think you might be missing an opportunity here.

    It’s interesting that you want to tell clients the truth and not sugar coat things and yet you say that you’re an “insultant”. I don’t see the link between being aggressive and insulting people and telling them the truth. I think it’s possible to be friendly, chilled and respectful whilst still telling people their shit stinks.

    In interactions with the world you can be a doormat, assertive or aggressive. I’d say you’re veering towards the latter in some of your answers, assertive in others. If you want to be seen as aggressive you’ve achieved this. But I know that as a client I wouldn’t want to work with someone with this attitude. And I don’t think it’s necessary in order to tell the truth or educate someone.

    “Also, my goal is to weed out clients based on their personalities.”

    I think there’s a flaw in your logic here. I don’t see how being aggressive towards a client when they ask some basic questions filters out clients with certain personalities. No-one likes an attitude. Just imagine going into a field you know nothing about – say health care or law – asking some basic rookie questions then being shot down in a ball of flames. You’d feel bad. I think anyone would. I see that as pushing everyone away, not choosing who you want to work for. How much someone knows about our field is totally tangential to whether you’d want them as a client. In other words personality != knowledge.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Its funny…it WAS a type, but I think it worked better than “how” at least as far as traffic is concerned. The click through rate has been exceptional so far.

      None the less, I did change it to “How”. Thnx for pointing that put.

      When in person, I pretty much say the same thing except with a smile on my face. I think it softens the message whilst giving hope that not all is lost lol

      Via email however, I can see how these can come off aggressive. Sometimes shock to the system is whats needed to break the client out of the doldrums of hear-say thats being fed to them on regular basis.

      You win some, you lose some…and thats the way the cookie crumbles :-)

  • Anonymous

    Once again, the headline drew me in. Then the article delivers, I’m glad to say.

    I’d like to start by addressing the 3 questions at the end.
    1. Bluntness is not synonymous with sincerity. You can provide an honest opinion, yet tread lightly. I know this isn’t always possible, I know you can’t make an omelette without breaking the eggs. But sometimes you have to take a step back to see whether you’re telling the truth, or just venting. I’m sure you exercise your best judgment every single time.

    2. Sugarcoating is a waste of time for all parties involved. If you’re going to focus on the pain points, why should you pretend they’re not as important as all that? Why should you overlook niggling flaws just to make your client feel better? I don’t think you should.

    3. Yeah, your final response was kind of harsh. Then again, maybe your prospect needed to face the terrible truth that their website sucked. However, you could have couched your professional opinion in more… professional terms. I just read John Gallagher’s response, and he’s providing you with a valuable POV.

  • http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com Grace Elliot

    I love honesty! I think your answers are spot on.
    If I was Prime Minister I would campaign for an ‘Honesty Day’ at least once a year when you were allowed to tell the truth no matter how unpalatable to all the *rs*holes out there who think because they pay you money, they are always right. Bitter? Me? No….of course not (sigh, oh for honesty day.)

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      I’d sign that petition. All vote for Honesty Day!

  • Anonymous

    “I want clients who’s personalities are aligned with mine. I want clients who I can invite to a barbecue.”

    I feel you, dude. NOT IN THAT WAY! [grin]

    I get paid (when invoices get paid!) well for what I do. And, truth be told, I don’t think that my clients are people that I want at a backyard barbecue. Put in another way, the people who come to my barbecue can’t afford my professional services- but they love me and that’s what really matters.

    I’m not saying that the barbecue is over-rated. I love barbecues where I waddle around in my cut off sweats and Ed Hardy’s Death before Dishonor tee shirt.

    But I also like the steakouse at the Borgata where I’m wearing a custom tailored suit- thinking here of a place that we might know in common. My only complaint is the no smoking sign. [grin]

    My point:

    The ambitious love less. They’re less faithful. They’re almost all about themelves. And I find myself guilty as charged. Too often.

    Still, I want love at my barbecue.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      When are you back in the states. I’ll fire up the grill :-)

  • http://twitter.com/KimbaGreen Kimba Green

    I enjoyed the point of your post. Some of us might use different words but the bottom line is to be honest with your clients. Two days ago I told a client that their web site sucked. Then I told them why. Now I have a client.

    Love what you have to say and always looking forward to your next post!

  • http://www.FirepoleMarketing.com Danny Iny

    Hey Dino, I for one appreciate bluntness, but I’ve found that with clients (or prospective clients), it has to be sugarcoated – here’s the reality, and here’s what we can do in this reality for everything to work out for you. Don’t worry, client, everything will be fine. ;)

  • http://www.highballblog.com/ Constantin Gabor

    No BS approach is my favorite way of both taking advice and giving advice. The funny things is that the No BS approach implies using the world BS quite a lot. And I’m not BSing!. (Gary Vee and Dino Dogan are responsible for this) :-)

  • http://technicallyeasy.net Paul Salmon

    I’m not someone that likes things sugar coated, as long as I am given the truth and facts. The harshness is where I may problems because I also think that you can be truthful and also less-harsh. The reality is that most people don’t realize the work involved in being successful online. They don’t realize the work that is involved, and the mental and emotional struggles in the beginning where you are working hard for very little in return.

    Those that don’t understand the effort involved, usually get discouraged and quite very quickly. Those that understand how much work is needed, will usually overcome the obstacles and keep driving towards their goal.

  • http://www.businessesgrow.com Mark W. Schaefer

    There is no problem with bluntness, but I disagree with much of your advice … to be blunt : ) And I also think there is a difference between blunt (which is OK) and over-simplifying things ( which is a disservice).

    Most notably the issue about blogs– There are many solid business reasons to blog, even if you don’t have direct advertising revenue. You have to start with the client’s goals. It’s not one size of strategy fits all Dino. For example, I have built my entire client base off my blog. I wouldn’t call that hard work without a payoff. There are tons of different blogging strategies aligned with different business goals. This simplified advice would not cut it for me if I were your customer.

    The other thing I would urge you to consider is the cultural readiness of the client. They may suck, but that doesn’t mean they are not willing to learn and improve. Sometimes quick wins and a spoonful of sugar can go a lot further in facilitating cultural change than a hammer.

    • http://www.hanelly.com hanelly

      Agreed – a lot of times the client doesn’t know what they don’t know. Or they had a slick web developer build the presence you are currently looking at and *trusted* said developer. Or they had their nephew build it because he was studying it in school.

      Regardless of its inherent quality, it is an extension of the person you are talking to. I think your message can be couched in a way that they don’t take as personally. That said, if you’re trying to weed clients out who don’t respond well to the “you can’t handle the truth!” approach, then you’ve done your job.

      Like Mark said, “it’s not one size of strategy fits all.” Some people will agree with your approach, some won’t. Different strokes for different folks.

      That said, I really enjoyed this post. It didn’t suck. :)

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Its funny to see people’s reactions to this. I thought I was doing us all a favor lol

  • http://twitter.com/JeffKryger Jeff Kryger

    My boss at the agency I work for is more along the approach that you took here Dino. I am still new to the team so I don’t know about past interactions, but I think our current clients appreciate it (probably one of the reasons they chose the agency). I imagine it has lost us some clients too. I tend to disagree with some of the other comments here, as I am more along the lines of “this is my approach, this is my advice, it works” vs. the sugarcoating or approaching each client differently. I think you have to have faith in your methodologies and strategies, and tailor them to each new situation, but your overall approach can be consistent.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      This approach works really well for me…especially in person. I deliver this info with a smile which gives them hope that not all is lost lol

  • http://live-your-love.com/ Brankica U

    I bet he will find one that will tell him his site is awesome, pay a lot of money for it and end up dumber than he ever was.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      I bet you’re right :-)

  • http://twitter.com/lavenderuses Patricia Millman

    Hi Dino

    You tell your client the truth and then they decide if they want to work with you. At least you are being honest…not wasting your time or theirs. I would rather people be honest with me than tell me something is wonderful and works, waste time trying to get it to work and then wonder why it doesn’t!

    Interesting responses and I’m sure they are not taking your personality into account in the post. The fact that you have a smile while you say it….should soften the blow somewhat ;-)

    Patricia Perth Australia

  • http://socialposer.com/ Collin

    I love honest posts like this, and I guarantee that I’ll use the word “insultant” at some point in the future.

  • http://www.brandontwyford.com BrandonTwyford

    Well, you were certainly brutally honest with them! I agree that you shouldn’t sugar coat the advice you’re giving (they asked for it, after all) but at least in my opinion, there’s more diplomatic ways to go about it. Especially the last question/answer: I doubt there’s many clients who wouldn’t bristle a bit at being told their website plainly sucks and is terrible. You could say something like “thanks for being open to hearing my advice on improving your site. Now, let’s get down to it – there are a LOT of things I would change or improve: #1, etc…”

    But that’s just my perspective…and a lot of that may come from my business experiences in Japan, where you almost never just say “No…” You have to find creative ways to disagree with someone without directly expressing it. If being blunt and brutally honest works for you, then go with it!

  • http://www.getting-unstuck.com/http://fearlessdating.wordpress.com/http://www.getting-unstuck.com/ RILEY HARRISON

    Dino,
    Many people are “blunt” and then when people become offended they say “I was only trying to be honest”. I think the point is when trying to communicate you can’t be one dimensional. Effective communicators and salesmen use different strategies depending on who they are talking to. The bottom line question people need to ask themselves is
    “how is that working for me?”. If one is satisfied with the results nothing needs to be changed, if not other possibilities should be investigated.
    Riley

  • http://www.rackertalent.com/culture/ Carl Davison

    First visit to the blog here, and what came to mind when I was reading this is that in business and combat there is only what works. The faster you do away with the flashy BS and useless illusions, the better. Dino, you strike me as the sort of fellow who is to these business owners what the Gracie family were to the Martial Arts world back in the 90′s. (Reader: if you’re not sure what I’m talking about, go read about the history of the UFC and the evolution of MMA.)

    I think you are looking for a client that can handle having their egos crushed by being tapped out the first day on the mat and still wants to train. At the MMA gyms where I’ve trained, the people who can take their lumps in a humble fashion, keep learning and keep working their hardest every day are the ones that gain true respect. If they puss out early on, they never get to go to competition with the team and they’re never around for any of the victory barbecues.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Dude..you are talking to a long time MMA practitioner and a Gracie BJJ fan. Also, a UFC fan….so when I say I hear ya, I mean I hear ya :-)

      So glad you got exactly where I was coming from. I subscribe to the same exact ethos in life as I do in Dojo.

      Thank you for your comment. On the money :-)

  • http://www.kaibalance.com Fleur

    My like about your bluntness is that I know what you are saying is true. My dislike about your bluntness is that if you are trying to get a client like me – I don’t really know what “retooled” means so the language goes over my head. And I am not a dummy.

  • http://www.rackertalent.com/culture/ Carl Davison

    Okay, I gotta say this too…

    Any halfway decent, at least semi-pseudo idealist should have at least half-assedly surveyed the landscape and zeroed in on a few other sites that look like what they want to have. So I think not knowing that their website sucked is a sign…(one of these things is not like the other…lol) and if they did know and couldn’t have instantly agreed with Dino and asked what could be done about it…that…is also…a sign. :)

  • http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/ davinabrewer

    This was a fun post Dino, think maybe some of your answers have been simplified for brevity and humor? IDK. For example, “pros and cons of blogging?” would have gotten a “how much time do you have?” then a much more detailed reply from me. Before that I’d have asked why they wanted a blog in the first place, as ITA with you blogging well is a lot of work. The question on stats is encouraging.

    I’m for directness and brutal honesty is sometimes what is needed. I hear ‘we have a great product, good service, nice prices” and my reply to the would-be client is probably something along the lines of “And? So? Your competitor has a better product, faster service and lower prices. Now what?” w/ my standard “You ain’t Apple. Apple ain’t Apple, so let’s figure out what value you do offer your customers, how you help THEM better than anyone else. Let’s tell that story.”

    And FWIW, not looking for a BBQ or drinking buddy, I got those. It’s TEHO of course, but I prefer that healthy separation in personal/professional. Anyway I enjoyed the bluntness of the post, my nitpicks not withstanding.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      It was one of those situation where a person wanted me to distill everything there is to know about blogging, marketing, technology and the online world in a matter of minutes.

      And if I have to do that, then it comes out looking like that email lol

      • http://www.3hatscommunications.com/blog/ davinabrewer

        I’ve been known to include links in posts, even a rare tweet or two replying to questions like that with a LMGTFY. Someone wanting all that in a matter of minutes would send me running for the hills. IDK.. just seemed very @ClientsFH, red flag ya know? JMO.

  • http://www.mylifestylemax.com Stacey Herbert

    . He asked honest questions and you gave honest answers, But,,a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. People egos are fragile things. Sometimes, I think you have to weigh up being right, and saying what you have to say; in your own inimitable style. Or, tailoring your words to suit the learning style of your potential customer, engaging them at a place where the willing to listen learn and growm and getting their custom.
    People also buy from people they like. Your a ballsy guy, your style of communication is very bold, anyone who has had a bit of banter with you, will know that. Your potential customer on the other hand, may just feel like they were getting slammed, even if they recognise what you say to be true. It never hurts to be nice. Interesting post Dino, I really enjoyed it.

    • Dwmatty

      Stacey, I like the way you tied up all the loose ends.

    • http://stanfaryna.wordpress.com Stan Faryna

      Stacey has charm and grace in her medicine bag.

  • http://kikolani.com/ Kristi Hines

    The answer to your last one is awesome! I told someone that once – that I refused to work with them until they changed their design. Even if it was an out of the box template, it would be 100 times better than where it was. I think most of the time I fall somewhere in between insultant and consultant in the sense that I tell the truth, but I try to do it in a bit more of a sugar coated way. Not like you’re awesome or you suck, but you need some major improvement in ___ area.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Kristi ….omg…you should have seen this…there was really no way around it. The site sucked. It was not salvageable at all. It looked like it was made by the client. And if was to tip toe around the fact that the site sucked and had to struggle for every little change, I’d lose all my hair in a matter of hrs lol.

  • http://www.thenerdynurse.com The Nerdy Nurse

    That’s it. I like your style.

    Live convinced me I need to blog stalk you.
    You speak the truth and likely sometimes people won’t like you for it. But are people paying you to lie to them or paying you to help them? Guess that’s the choice they will make.

    Thanks for the tips. Will be looking into those snooks of yours!

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      I thought you were already blog stalking me..whats a boy got to do? (pouty face) lol

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  • http://twitter.com/asuperaffiliate Adrienne Smith

    Hey Dino,

    Had to stop by today and comment on this particular post. Wow, you sound like me! I always tell people if you don’t want to know my honest opinion, don’t ask!

    But this one kind of hit home with me because I laid it on the line in my post today. Having some problems with a community and I just told the truth. This is what’s happening, I don’t like it and I’m not the only one. Probably get some slack from it but what else is new!!! I think my faithful readers will actually reach out and help me though. That’s what a great blogging community is all about.

    Sounds like you didn’t need to work with this particular person anyway. So, all is good!

    Have a great day and a wonderful weekend.

    Adrienne

  • Dwmatty

    The one thing that stands out for me the most in that conversation was that a new blogger needs good content BEFORE they learn SEO.

    • http://stanfaryna.wordpress.com Stan Faryna

      That’s a tall order.

  • http://www.newbizblogger.com Michele Welch

    LOL… I love it Dino! Not harsh, upfront and to the point. The way it should be! I hate it (ok, hate is a strong word, how about very much dislike) when people sugar coat things. I think that’s why I really like people like you and Julien from inoveryourhead amongst a few other bloggers b/c you guys say it like it should be.

    Hey, you want clients who are ready to get their hands dirty and that means seeing things as they are and as they are not.

    Well done!

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Thats exactly how I figured it as well. Im glad we see eye to eye on this one :-)

  • http://billdorman.wordpress.com Bill Dorman

    I think you were just about right………I’m spending his 99.99 right now; one’s nose can never be too brown…….

    Some people just don’t get it so I think some bluntness is probably in order but I would always try to be tactful. If they still don’t get it, just agree to disagree and part as friends.

    I see way to many who aggressively try to monetize w/out establishing any kind of relationships. Maybe they think if they can reach enough people even if 1-2% buy into it they will make money. I’m pretty sure they will never get into my wallet.

    As I clunk along I’ve had one or two subtly try to offer advice and direction. I might not have picked up on it right away, but later recognized what they were doing. I think I appreciated the advice more this way than being bludgeoned with it………….I’m a sensitve guy………I might get my feelings hurt…………:).

    However, for the most part what I see in this blogosphere world is just one big lovefest. Sometimes it’s healthy for someone to stand up and ‘state the obvious’.

    I guess my conclusion is, go ahead and let me have it and then I will decide how I want to proceed………..or if you will be my friend anymore………….:)

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Right on Bill :-)

      I truly want people to quit putting sugar and mincing words when speaking to me, so when Im asked a question, I simply answer the way I wish someone would answer my questions. No bs…straight up.

      So much easier than trying to guess where you stand :-)

    • http://stanfaryna.wordpress.com Stan Faryna

      Bill is a stand up guy.

  • http://twitter.com/xcelbusiness Helen Cousins

    This is a good thought-provoking post.
    Honesty is good, but being insulting or blunt is not good. Honesty is not the same as bluntness. Your last answer was harsh. Of course, as readers of the blog, we don’t see the body language or hear the tone of voice you used, and that may have softened the impact of the harsh words. And your prospect may have been a tyre kicker or someone who is a bit of a shark. We can’t tell.
    Any consultant is selling knowledge and experience to a client, and therefore by definition a consultant always knows more than their client in a given field so one has to be careful not to seem superior, arrogant or simply someone that nobody could work with.
    Confidence is key for an entrepreneur, and consultants have to respect clients while maintaining honesty, which can be a tall order. It’s good to pick the clients that you are best suited to working with – but I think it would be better to focus on being a resultant rather than an insultant :)
    It’s a great read – a controversial point of view – thank you!
    ~ Helen

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Hi Helen,

      Thnx for your insight. I tried to soften the blow somewhat by saying ” Everything about it KINDA sucks” :-)

      • http://stanfaryna.wordpress.com Stan Faryna

        “Everything about it KINDA sucks.”

        lmao

  • http://www.slymarketing.com Jens P. Berget

    Hi Dino,

    Brilliant. That’s my feedback to your answers. I especially love this one:

    “Your site is terrible. Everything about it kinda sucks.”

    I enjoy people who are uncompromisingly forthright when it comes to business. Because we don’t earn money, or build a community or whatever by being superficially attractive or do whatever just to sound acceptable for the client.

    What you did was to filter the clients, and by doing it, you will end up working with people you can invite to a barbecue. That’s a lot more fun, than working with lame people who are only thinking about earning money as fast as possible :)

    - Jens

  • http://www.hollandz.com Brad Holland

    I asked you simple questions and then you proceed to beat me down while forcing me to listen to Poison’s “Talk Dirty to Me”. What a dick. I don’t want to hire you at all, but I’d still like to attend your BBQ and maybe have you check out this other site I’m working on. :)

    As for reality, those answers were spot on my man. Keep on cranking out the hits like Prince.

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

       I struggle to come up with a complimentary Prince reference :-)

  • http://twitter.com/girlygrizzly Amber-Lee

    Dino~
    Seriously? YES. I hate it when someone thinks they are being “kind” or “gently leading you”, all it does is get me even more confused, and that is IF I catch you are trying to tell me something in all the sticky-gooey mess that’s pouring out of your mouth. You beat around the bush- someone is gonna wonder off into the woods and get lost. Don’t ask questions and/or advice if you don’t want to hear the truth.(period)

    F**K no. Do NOT lie to me. If it aint the truth- it’s a lie (and again, period)

    Harsh? Are you referring to the conversation above? No. I thought (personally) that your answers were very clear and to the point. Easy to understand. Who said they were harsh? I was waiting for the fireworks to fly!

    (that’s what I’ve been dealing with, with my tail tucked between my legs- don’t give up on me, I asked- not you, I was kinda scared- but I asked another one I trust, got an answer and AM implementing the cure) 

    Thanks for another good one
    ~Amber-Lee

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      You beat around the bush- someone is gonna wonder off into the woods and get lost. I had to tweet that…great stuff :-)

  • http://ideagirlmedia.com/ Keri J

    Dino,

    Awesome post!!

    I actually tell people that I don’t like my words sugar-coated…give it to me straight up.  They often don’t know what to do, since I live in an area where very gentle language is expected.

    Which is why I’m choosing to work online where I can be more direct.

    No, I don’t think you were too harsh.  People need to know.  That is why they would pay you.  If they don’t want to hear it, someone else will.  And they’ll kick the first customer’s ass!!  :D

    ~Keri

  • Vivienne @ The V Spot

    If I need people to blow smoke up my ass, I will bake a batch of cookies and tell my kids they need to be good in order to get one.  I prefer direct, constructive criticism.  Constructive is the operative word, though.

  • http://www.KieraPedley.com Kiera Pedley

    The thing that tickles me the most, is most of the people that you would be sharing these gold nuggets with, are already sold on the “web dream” 

    It is really hard work, long hours, ahem, INSANELY long hours for very little reward. Only a blogger knows how AWESOME it is to see a $0.49 click in their adsense account, and know what they’re MAKING IT!!
    Fantastic post!

  • Natasha

    I appreciate it. No sugar, and hell yeah, this blogging thing is hard work. The last comment…maybe a little softer….

    • http://diyblogger.net/about Dino Dogan

      Natasha…believe me wen I tell you, the site was terrible. That WAS soft. Black background, small font, busy with ads and nonsense, non WordPress, I could go on and on….you know what it reminded me of? Remember Geocities sites? It was like one of those….yikes lol

  • http://katscafe.org/ KatMoody

    Love it! I started blogging for me – as a way to express myself. Then I started blogging to help others … trying to post relevant things about my life or otherwise targeted to my specific niche. My traffic grows slowly but steadily, and I’m always looking to improve my site. If you aren’t willing to accept honest advice and run with it, you shouldn’t be asking for advice in the first place. That said, I am a big fan of tell them something inane but nice and follow it up with the cold, hard, truth. Sometimes, I just don’t have the patience. :D

    • http://diyblogger.net/ dino_dogan

      hehe…I like that you equated nice to inane lol Not that Im anti nice…I actually a really nice guy, but I feel protective of the blogging community so when someone comes in and wants to rape it, I tend to give it to them straight …I promise, all this make perfect sense in my head lol @KatMoody

  • http://twitter.com/acmasterpainter Andy Crichton

    Spot on. I was asked by a painter what I thought of his site. I told him it that the internet and blogs and site themes have changed out of all recognition in the last 5 years and that his site was a good 5 years out of date. He appreciated my honesty and gave me the job of relaunching his site for 2012 and beyond. 

    On the other hand, I am a big critic of Farrow and Ball paint. If I changed my tune and played to the crowd who have been baffled by marketing over substance, I would be snowed under with work and way too busy to ever build websites. In the long run, I would rather have credibility with a few.

    • http://twitter.com/dino_dogan Dino Dogan

      wud up, pleya. long time no see. great to hear from you :-)