Last night, an internet/social networking colleague asked me the following question:
“Are you at all concerned that your political views may cost you business opportunities? That is a concern of mine. I’m totally in your corner, but I stay in the political closet professionally.”
This was my answer:
“I thought about it a lot, and, in the end, I decided that this election (and its outcome) is way too important to my family for me to worry about that. I certainly haven’t lost any clients. And while it’s quite possible that I’ve lost some blog readers, my traffic has actually risen quite sharply – and I’ve made some amazing connections because of my rhetoric.
To be honest, I don’t want the business of someone who doesn’t believe in women’s rights, choice, gay rights, peace and the environment enough to vote for a Democrat (or for a black man).
I live in a very blue state and on a very blue island, I feel like it’s my civic duty to do whatever I can to spread the word….
Great question – I’m so glad you asked.”
And, I am glad she asked, glad that she got me to think about my reasons again – because I feel so good about them.
You know what else this made me think about? Copywriting and marketing are also topics rife with debate and conflict. Not everyone is going to agree with my thoughts on why blogging is essential to business or the top marketing collateral items you must have. I may have lost some business opportunities when I wrote about using a blog for a portfolio/website, but I know that I gained some business from that post. This industry has fierce competition. It has good guys and it has bad guys. My blog is my space to voice my opinions.
It’s like my dad (and Abe Lincoln) always says, you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time. But, no matter what, you’ve got to please yourself. Feel good about what you’re doing and stand strong.
While I’m not moved to write political commentary on my own blogs, I agree that taking a stand isn’t at all a drawback. A long time ago, I moved out of marketing and PR work because the jobs I was doing then weren’t meaningful to me. That’s not to say that every single piece I write today is an inspirational piece that comes from my heart — but they do keep my writing in places where I can continue to bring stories that get people to engage.
When writing on the internet, it’s easy to get swept up in worries over whether you’re being too transparent, whether you’re compromising your privacy or turning off potential editors. I want my writing to inspire, and I can’t do that if I’m turtling behind political correctness.
I’m with you, Julie.
Thanks, Lisa. I love that phrase, ‘turtling behind political correctness.” I agree, if I’m not being honest and true to my beliefs, my writing will suffer.
Atta girl.
I was so happy to read this post. I’ve run into so many women who are afraid say anything political in their blogs because they will lose readers. You said it perfectly, this election is TOO important to worry about something so silly. And I also don’t want to do business with people who don’t have the same core values and beliefs I do. If I lose business, I’ll survive, my beliefs are more important.
Jennifer – thanks for that affirmation! And good for you!