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It’s Friday. And for football fans, nothing to watch this weekend. I suspect Netflix subscriptions just shot up. Oh, and don’t forget it’s Valentine’s Day, right now.

Today, I’ve just got a brief note on some misguided writing advice I ran across last week from a solid newsletter expert. Afterward, we wrap up this week in marketing.

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Writing Advice for Content Marketers

I’ll link to the 12 writing tips that seeded this thought at the tail-end of my ramblings.

The tip that caught my attention? Don't hit publish unless you’re afraid (of the writing you’re about to share with the world).

This is dead wrong. 

Sure, you want your opinions and ideas to stir up emotions in the folks reading your content. 

If you don’t shock them a bit - at least with the headline - they’ll never read your opening line. 

Much less the second paragraph. And the call-to-action at the end might as well be on the other side of the ocean if you can’t MOVE the reader to keep on reading.

After all, there’s plenty of spoon-fed snappy takes over at TikTok for your audience. No reading required over there. 

But one reason I disagree with the premise of “don’t publish your content unless you’re afraid,” (not the main reason) is it’s too common these days.

Hot Takes that Ain’t

Content creators have leaned into hot takes that are about as authentic as Lebron James’ hairline.

Not sure where this tactic came from. Prolly some online course telling writers this is how you build an audience → you have to have controversial takes… all the time. 

So, now, many writers are willing to write anything that gets a click. The fact that they don’t believe what they just typed out never enters their mind. 

Yes, have a strong take. But don’t pretend to have a take just to get attention. 

Surely, there are hot takes you do believe in that you can use instead?

Furthermore, how much does someone really have to say about a topic or story angle that they don’t believe in? Not much.

Second Reason this Writing Advice is Wrong

Another reason the “be afraid before publishing” writing advice is off base? 

Nothing new under the sun.

Hundreds of writers through the ages have already written about your “new controversial” opinion.

It won’t be new at all. 

The only way to make it truly fresh is to sprinkle in your legit opinions that come from your experience on this planet. Now, that is something fresh and hot that no other content creator can do before you. 

They can copy you, but can’t write about that unique angle before you, because they don’t possess it.

Main Reason the Writing Advice Misses the Point

Here’s my main point about this writing tip that says being afraid of sharing your work is mandatory.

If you’re afraid to publish your article, a book, or hit send on an email, then you are in the wrong line of work. 

Go be a cop or work on electricity lines for a living. It’s safer.

I’ve never been afraid to share what I write. Never crosses my mind…

• To care if someone doesn’t like what I wrote

• That someone thinks I’m being a jerk

• To wonder if my angle on a story makes me look dumb

Does that mean I don’t want to be likable to my readers? Or that I produce content that only I care about? Heck no!

It just means I’m focused 100% on writing things I feel are helpful based on my experiences.

Yeah, I make the effort to give the audience, you, what you want. However, if I worried about every detail that might be off-putting or hurt someone’s feelings, this newsletter would be straight vanilla and a cure for insomnia. 

So, my best advice to writers is to find ways to NEVER be afraid of publishing your content. My best tactic for this? Being a minimalist. Lack of want for nice things gives me the ability to write mainly about stuff I want to write about without fear of getting canned.

Plus, I could switch gears and earn a living doing something else if need be. I know how to get my hands dirty.

After all, even though I love writing, there are easier ways to earn a living. Unless you’re in the top 1% of content creators. 

So why be afraid to share what you write, ever? 

Having something to say and the skill to SAY it are the best parts of being a writer.

If you’re making money from writing, you’re already pretty brave in my book. Leaning into that will only make you a better writer. 

Anyways, those other 11 writing tips are here if ya want them.

Bonus at end of email: One last reason being afraid of posting controversial content is wasted emotion.

Have a good weekend. Please share Inbox Hacking with a fellow marketing person or business owner. 

Shane McLendon - Copy Kingpin

Bonus: Final reason that being afraid of posting controversial content is a wasted emotion? One reader’s controversial article is just common sense to another reader.

ICYMI: 😕Customer language (& brands’ illiteracy)