Dont be a Sheep Online its Baaaaaad for Your Profile

Being a black sheep in the SEO environment is not always a negative thing. Noticing the amount of chatter that certain SEO types who court controversy create is indeed eye-opening. Its quite alluring, an almost head-locked type of link-bait.

For one, if you have something to say, even if it rubs against the grain of the majority and it is your total belief - then say it. Who knows? The majority may just be sheep following the bark of someone already established and your outcry may make others think hard enough to look twice at what was-said-before. Individuality online is not easily classed as black or white its about being the many shades of you.

I’m not saying fight against everything that is chiseled into the SEO blogging wall of truth. Whether it may be written by a high-priest or a newly converted disciple of organic search marketing don’t always swallow everything put in front of you. Sit-up, look at what’s being written and if you feel even a tad uneasy in what your reading then listen to that cry from inside. Simply, you may have not understood what has been written. So, questioning a blog post in the comments section is always a great way to bring clarification by asking the author to explain in more detail what you are uneasy with. However, questioning can be seen as being threatening to the collective community but it’s also the easiest and most beneficial way to get the best understanding.

Being bold enough to stand-out may make you seem like a figure of controversy. Is instigating a deeper understanding of a written work by asking questions really outlandish. By being different from what the majority expect in behaviour really an outcry? When you question a persons statement it is not a stance against their authority … it’s a nurturing of your own online presence.

Acting yourself online involves allowing your personality to come to the fore. If like me, you struggle to be socially switched on 100% of the time then don’t beat yourself up about it but accept that is who you are. You can’t be everybody’s friend - heck don’t even try to be! You’ll be ripped apart in months from your online ‘buddies’ seeking your approval and vote from their submissions.

There is a big difference about being accepted online and having your strings pulled from those above. By growing into your own online identity you can survive, you can form your own ring of friendships and your own opinions. You don’t have to be aggressive or heavily conflict focused just accept that you are individual enough to form your own opinions. And if Bo Peep shows up and tries to count you as one of the flock then show them that you like the lay off the land for now and in any time soon you’ll be off and no-one best count on you being penned in any one corner.