New Video: What does “Being Professional” Really Mean for Your Small Business?

Some people are so sensitive 🙂 You have nothing to apologize for. I often say if you’re not pissing people off on occasion, then it’s a good sign you might not be pushing the envelope. And let’s be honest…using a cuss word now and then is not that controversial. Every business has a target audience; that means everyone else isn’t necessarily going to like or care about what you’re doing. And that is of course, just dandy.

I can definitely see why people might have been shocked if you don’t normally swear as it’s not what they’re used to encountering from you… I don’t have a problem with the F word myself but but I guess we live in a world where swear words are still starred out in newspapers etc and judging from the fact that people took the time to email you about this it’s obviously something that *some* people are bothered by.

For myself, I swear quite casually in my private life but I’m always super careful about my language when I blog or tweet, sort of in the same way that I err on the side of politeness when emailing my customers and will only become less formal and more chatty if they respond that way.

I think swearing on blogs is a bit like strongly voiced opinions about politics etc, complaining about someone/something publically, or sharing details of your private life … sometimes these things are appropriate and sometimes they’re not, and only you can work out when those times are based on your personality, your ideas about your “brand” and who you think your audience is.

Don’t stress it. I always go back to what Seth Godin said:

If I get criticized for this, will I suffer any measurable impacts? Will I lose my job, get hit upside the head with a softball bat or lose important friendships?†If the only side effect of the criticism is that you will feel bad about the criticism, then you have to compare that bad feeling with the benefits you’ll get from actually doing something worth doing. Being remarkable is exciting, fun, profitable and great for your career. Feeling bad wears off.

What an interesting topic! I use all the words I know! whenever I think the situation calls for one of the words I know,I use it. Although I try to edit my voice to suit my audience,it should be obvious that this is your blog. You are a professional writer and marketer, therefore it’s up to you to determine your ‘professional’ behavior. It seems quite clear that you don’t plaster the blogosphere with f-bombs and you haven’t alienated your audience so your language/behavior must be acceptable to the majority out there. I think you’re absolutely wonderful and to folks who are offended – read elsewhere. To those who were disappointed…get over it. Adjust your expectations – we are all fallible, folks.

To me, a small business is professional when they consistently produce excellent quality work. Occasional (or frequent, even) cursing shouldn’t play into the equation of it in the creative field.

I actually read that post and didn’t even notice the F bomb, it’s just that ingrained in my vernacular. 🙂

How much do you care about “being professional” – over making a point? It’s interesting that people took time out of their days to write you regarding something like this. I would have written to ask for the best RV cupcake recipe.

you are welcome Brittni! Yeah I wanted to say I still read blogs of people who do not swear I’m not anti-non profanity users, just pro being yourself and lots of people mostly don’t swear. I do think its totally up to you and your vision of your blog. Many professional blogs include profanity and others don’t so I don’t think it’s “unprofessional”. That’s the best part of new media, we get to decide what the new professional is! I’ve worked for a lot of dress code type companies and .com’s that are totally casual, let me tell you the stuff that was said at those law offices and banking institutions…I mean so wrong, jokes that are really not funny but offensive. I still feel like it’s like Mad Men at some of those places so who says that’s what “professional” has to be anymore?? It’s very exciting to see so many women running their own businesses online and who have carved out an entirely new set of rules, etiquette and basically a new profession. Social media, ecommerce and online communications, so awesome!

Yay I love that you brought this up I’m sorry you got some negative reactions! I agree with what’s been said, this is your blog so it’s your choice and if you want to be the authentic you and express your personality or have it be really proper. I mean I don’t care and yes if people don’t like it they don’t have to read it!!

I have the mouth of a sailor and I’m super queer and I talk about it and at first for years on my blog I was afraid to be who I was because people wouldn’t like it and be offended and then I realized that pretending to be someone that I wasn’t was doing everyone and my art a disservice. I know artists that are queer that don’t really talk about and I get why its not to hide but put the work first but I’m just totally not one of those people!!! I’m a loud, passionate, political radical queer and my art is as well. I vowed never to try and fit into other peoples ideas for the online art community again or try to be something I’m not again! If you don’t like me or my art, ok sucks for you but I like who I am, imperfect, foul mouthed and often inappropriate!

So what you said the F-word, big deal I thought it was funny, everyone else can suck it!

xoxo

OK I actually have more to say LOL.

Seriously, I could agree more with April, “It’s you’re f*****cking blog”. This is your home + your sanctuary + your place to vent + your platform of self-expression. How are you going to maintain that if you have to censure yourself?

Putting on a stupid + totally fake mask to obey the Flingstones book of etiquette, now that’s what sounds silly + absolutely ridiculous + unprofessional to me. And honestly, if you ask me “these protocols” makes people look fat + super ugly. Just saying.

Heck wear your pajamas on your next vlog, while holding a glass of wine + dropping the f bomb if you feel like it. The people that love you will love you even more for it + the people who don’t didn’t really like that much in the first place + they should go read an Almanac or something.

Hey Brittni,

My opinion is this: it’s your f***ing blog. It’s your online space. You get to decide what you want on it. If you’re being yourself and people don’t like it, then they should read another blog. That might sound a little harsh. But, I think the MOST important thing in our businesses is that we infuse them with our personalities.

One of my faaaaavorite blogs is Marie Forleo’s blog–and anybody who knows Marie or knows her stuff, knows that she sometimes says four letter words. And, she also says things that some people would find inappropriate. She doesn’t do it to be provactive–it’s just who she is. And, I LOVE her for it. I’m one of her raving fans, and part of the reason I’m a raving fan is due to her AWESOME personality. People who don’t like it, don’t read her blog or buy her stuff. But, I’m pretty she doesn’t care, because there are lots of people who love her and her stuff–and she makes lots of money doing what she loves and being herself.