Writing Tips: Should I Be Mild  Or Opinionated?

Do you think you should be mild or bold?

There’s this entrepreneur I have mentioned before, whom I call Natasha. You might have met someone like her.

I have a great respect for Natasha’s expertise. She is most definitely an expert in her field. She has strong opinions, and that is a good thing!

Why Be Opinionated?

Natasha is not afraid to give her opinion. Reading her blog posts, she comes across as knowledgeable and astute. Her writing is clear. When she teaches steps, she is easily understandable.

Being an opinionated expert is a GOOD thing!

Being opinionated shows that the expert has gumption and that something to say. She knows her stuff and thus can lead others to expand their horizons.

Without opinions, you’re not truly an expert.

Whether others agree with you is not important. Those who are examples of the ideal customer will resonate with the message. They will buy from you and tell their friends about you as well.

Think of it this way. Those who disagree with the way you approach your subject would never be a customer or client anyway.

But here’s an important consideration…

Do You Show Up Differently in Writing VS in Person?

Too often, an expert shows up (represents him or herself) one way in writing and very differently during a personal encounter.

Working online allows experts to expand their reach globally. Because of conference lines, webinars, Skype and other connection services, it is easier than ever to hear and see the expert instead of merely reading their words.

Talking to Natasha on a call brings a much different impression of her than reading her blog gives.

She comes across in a way that is haughty, as if she is a superior being suffering the company of idiots.

Opinionated or Belittling?

There is a difference between being an opinionated expert and belittling anyone who sees the world differently.

Hearing her talk, Natasha sounds as if she feels everyone else but her is an idiot who can scarcely breathe on their own.

Those smart ones who do as she says might one day be able to elevate themselves from subspecies status to barely sentient.

I’m sure that sounds harsh, yet that the way she comes across in my opinion. Dismissive. Not honoring their uniqueness and gifts.

Are You Creating a Mismatch?

Reading her articles made me think two different people had been talking. Expert Natasha and High-and-Mighty Natasha.

Remember that I first met her in person via a conference line. Later, I read her blog.

When I read several of her blog posts, I found them to be interesting. They did not sound like the condescending, dismissive  Natasha I had experienced.

I have tremendous respect for her knowledge and expertise. She definitely knows her stuff.

Imagine if you find someone interesting in writing and then hear them speak and experience them very differently from how they came across in writing.

How would you feel?

How you show up on a call or in a webinar needs to match what you write in your public works (blog posts, articles, and products).

Otherwise, you are misleading.

Who Is The REAL You?

Some people DO make a living out of crossing that line from opinionated expert to officious know-it-all.  Think of certain talk show hosts and political pundits.

There is room for this, too!

I am not saying it is bad to be officious if that is who you are. Be true to your nature. Only, if you cross that line, do it with full awareness and intention.

I personally do not want to do business with you if you are belittling, disrespectful and officious because that is not the experience I choose to have.

(I can whole-heartedly support someone’s right to express an opinion and yet not support them with my dollars!)

Let there be no surprises. When people read your words, let them come to know the real you.

Writing Tips for Being Authentically YOU

Here are 3 writing tips to help you be authentically yourself in writing.:

1. Step into your expert status before writing a word. You might find it easiest to truly be yourself if you TALK what you want to write instead of typing it. Be truly yourself.

A tool such as CopyTalk gives you a way to dictate anything, such as articles or blog posts in 4–minute chunks, and have it transcribed by real living humans and emailed to you.

2. Definitively state your opinion. Be opinionated. Call it what it is from your perspective. You’ll cause the people who resonate with your approach to pay close attention.

Those who are not your ideal audience will leave you alone sooner or later.

3. Be true to your nature.  Be the same person in your writing you are when you deal with people directly.

If you’re a condescending person, do not hold that aspect of yourself back in your writing.

Those who appreciate that style will flock to you in droves! Those who do not appreciate your style will turn elsewhere. Win-win.

My Opinion.

Honor everyone’s right to their voice and their opinions, even if their ways are diametrically opposed to your own..

Be respectful of people’s differences. You need not agree or endorse their differences but merely allow and respect.

Give people the same freedom of self expression you yourself crave.

Understand that experience shapes behavior. Everyone is the way they are because of their life experience.

Recognize that every person alive (including the ones who do things that shock or offend you) is a gift to the world!

More Help with Self Being Authentically YOU

One of the best ways to become authentically you and express your true nature in all you do is to take the free 21–Day “I AM a Gift to the World!” Challenge.

This challenge gives you 7 simple yet profound challenges to complete. I recommend you write your experiences in your own journal.

You also have an opportunity to take a Gold Upgrade and get weekly live help during the Gold call.

By delving deeply into your truth, you become who you are meant to be.

Take the challenge now at www.ProfitableStorytelling.com/iamagift.