The Glee Guide to Attracting a Raving Horde of Social Media Fans

The Glee Guide to Attracting a Raving Horde of Social Media Fans

Reader Comments (62)

  1. Fanatical loyalty. That is motivational. It’s interesting the great lessons you can learn from tv shows and apply them to your blog. Another one that has stood out for me is LOST.

    • I’ve heard the same thing about Lost! It’s one of those shows I won’t allow myself to watch, because I fear I will disappear into a cave with all the past seasons of it on iTunes – and I will not reappear for six weeks! Lost fans certainly are fanatical, though!

  2. This is classic Copyblogger. I read the headline and thought “There is no way they can make THIS subject matter fit copywriting or online business…I have to see what happens!” And yet, you knocked it out of the park. There are some awesome points to be learned here (I particularly liked “letting your freak flag wave”). Nice job, Beth.

    • I’m thrilled that you like the post, Daniel! I’m obviously a big fan of Copyblogger and have been diligently studying their style for a long time. And I’m glad you liked the point about letting your freak flag fly – as a nerd and a geek myself, this was my favorite part. 🙂

      • Interesting post, Beth.

        Not to nitpick, but there’s a little detail you may want to reconsider before some corporate attorney calls you to task. You mentioned the Slushies that get tossed. Then, in the next paragraph, you mention 7-11 , which of course does NOT sell Slushies. Of course we get that it’s a like product, but evidently Glee is not licensed to use that other product’s name or the company that sells them. Corporations can get pretty touchy these days about trademark infringement and the like. Just a word to the wise.

        Thanks for the post!

  3. Wow – your post was packed with thoughtful insights. I’m in the midst of launching a new baking line of artisan mixes, something that’s never been done before. I am the underdog. It is scary. And amidst all the balls I’m juggling, I need to keep building that fan base. Thanks for the push!

  4. I’m just waiting for someone to send me the What Downton Abbey can Teach You about Content Marketing post. I’d write it myself, if I could figure out how.

    • James, I think it’s a really important point (giving your customer someone to cheer for) and it opens the door for you to be more vulnerable in your posts, which I think is a good idea. I know we’re supposed to keep our ultra-personal stuff out of our professional blogs, so I understand there is a line of appropriateness, but I think everyone needs to be able to get behind you in order to support what you’re doing – whether it’s buying your products, hiring you for consulting, or whatever else you do in your business!

  5. I really appreciate the way you highlighted the balance Glee brings, Beth–the way it’s not enough to stand for something or to be quirky… Because so often it’s easy to focus on one thing like letting your freak flag fly and overlooking the other bits, but none of that really works without first being really spectacular at what you do. (Nor does being spectacular really work without the rest when you want those really dedicated fans.) Thanks for sharing these insights–they were a pleasure to read.

    • I completely agree, Jessica – if the Glee kids were *just* freaky and didn’t have serious chops, the show wouldn’t be nearly as popular as it is! Thanks for reading!

  6. Awesome job, Beth! As one of those who flies her freak flag at least weekly (on Tuesday nights), I have to say you really made some great connections about how to tell your “story” biz in a way that generates passionate addiction.

  7. Love Glee but never have time to watch and I can’t remember when it’s on but your advice is spot on. Being yourself is one of the most important things you can do when writing for your blog. Having confidence will go a long way in bringing your readers back time and time again.

  8. I never thought I’d enjoy something Glee-related… until reading this article. I detest that show, but this was a kickass post! I’ve gone back and forth on how much of my ups and downs I should share with my readers, but time and time again my biggest supporters have told me that they like seeing what makes me human. I don’t want to seem untouchable, anyway.

    • Thanks, Liz! I’m glad that someone who doesn’t like Glee was able to get something from this post. And yes, the more open and genuine I am with my readers, the more they seem to like what I write. It’s scary sometimes, but I just have to remember that we’re all really cheering each other on, anyway. Except for a the few trolls and bullies out there, we’re all wanting to see each other succeed. At least that’s what I believe!

  9. What I really love is that the show as well as the points you made fit almost all age groups. Count me gleek. Great post and great writing.

  10. Agree with Liz – I really dislike the show, and yet was sufficiently intrigued by your kick-ass title to read – and enjoy – the article. I really see what you mean about underdogs, and can’t help wondering why I never thought of that before! Lots of great insights, Beth – and fabulous titles that make me want to stay and read everything here. You can bet I will be back to check out more of your articles.

  11. Wow, Beth! This is amazing. I haven’t watched Glee (hey, don’t knock me – it’s in the streaming queue) but that doesn’t matter. This is solid advice whether you’ve watched the show or not. And even having not watched it, I know the fans are… um… fanatical. My favorite part was about letting your freak flag fly. I’ve found the people I respond to most positively are the ones who do just that. They’re just more fun! Great post. Keep ’em coming.

  12. Thanks Beth! I’ve never watched a single episode of Glee, but I love this post. I really love your point about having a platform and a place for people to connect with you. Just producing something that people love isn’t (sadly!) enough: you can have a great book, website, etc., but Twitter and Facebook really give people a forum to gush about how much they love your stuff 🙂 Thanks for all of this inspiration; it’s like a year’s worth of marketing ideas in one blog post!

    • Thanks, Corinne! Have you started a Facebook page for your business yet, so fans have a place to gush about you? If so, I need the link! And you need to put it on your websites!

      • OK, that’s the one venue I’m resisting so far, but you may have pushed me over the edge. I am pretty responsible about updating my blog and Twitter, but I do need to think about FB, especially with another book coming out. Thanks for the nudge 🙂

  13. Beth, thanks so much for this post! I’m a Gleekster and loved it!. You obviously fancy yourself as a Gleekster, too, or you wouldn’t have picked up on so many of the subtleties in the show. What I hadn’t thought of until reading this post is that (1) I really do need to emphasize and celebrate that underdog more often; and, (2) while you are talking about clients needing to know what we’re standing for and against, I was reminded that I need to be clear about what I’m standing for and against . . . before I can expect my readers / clients to know what I’m standing for and against.

    Thanks for the fun post! Hope to see you back here again soon!

    The other thing that jumped out at me was

    • Hey Tamara – That’s a great point. If your not clear on what you’re about (and what you’re standing for/against), you won’t be able to communicate it properly to your audience and you’ll miss a great opportunity to get them on your side. I’ll bet mind mapping would be a great exercise for helping to figure that out.

  14. Dear Beth, Like many others, I LOVE the advice to let our geek flag fly — I’m now pondering how to give voice a little more to my own geek flag on my website…. great stuff, and very common sensical!!!

    thanks !

  15. Beth, just when I was thinkin’ I should “stifle,” as Archie Bunker used to tell Edith, you come along with this fabulous exhortation to be our real selves on our blogs. Thank you, and hope to see more of your posts on Copyblogger, which I love.

    • It is so freeing think about being more “me” in my posts. It’s true…we tend to love the quirks, flaws and isms more than perfection in people. Thanks for advocating fearless personal expression!

    • Gail – I know you’ve gotten a lot of pressure to stifle yourself, but I say let that flag fly. We’re at our best when we’re fully expressed and totally authentic. Thanks for the comment!

  16. I just found out yesterday, the term “geek” originated as a reference to circus performers who would eat animals – like snakes and such – whole! They were such outcasts that bullies in highschool (cleverer than the ones that picked on me!) started using the term to belittle math whizzes as “outcasts” and “weridos.” Isn’t it funny how in today’s world the word geek is suddenly a point of pride, and not only that but one that can be marketed to? From Glee to The Big Bang Theory to everybody’s iPad, it is suddenly cool to be a geek! Crazy!

    • Sean – that is bizarre and hilarious! Who knew? And I agree, I think it’s funny that being a geek is really trendy now. Geeks everywhere, UNITE!

  17. I’ve never seen Glee, but I enjoyed your tips as new and confirming thoughts. I’m finding the more competitive the market, the harder it is to grab attention. Thanks.

  18. Glee is on my list of shows to watch, which is ever-growing. I’m currently addicted to Battlestar Galactica…but that’s a story for another day! 😉

    I enjoyed this post even though I haven’t seen any episodes of the show. “Take Risks” is my favorite section; I had no idea that Ryan Murphy took such a chance on Chris Colfer! That’s one heck of an inspirational tidbit. Sometimes you have to trust your gut even if that means muting the voice of reason. And as you mentioned, Beth, controversy for the sake of controversy isn’t necessarily the best route, but there’s no shame in being yourself. It’s impossible to please everyone (even if you keep it vanilla), so let’s all let our freak flags fly high and proud!

    • Hey Jill! I was really surprised to hear that story about Chris Colfer, too. I can’t imagine the show without him! Apparently after his audition, Ryan Murphy said to his team, “Well, we HAVE to use that kid. Let’s write a part for him.” Talk about a risk that really paid off!

      And you’re absolutely right – there’s no way we’re going to please everyone, and we shouldn’t try. So why not take some risks and be ourselves?

      • Watch Chris Colfer for even half a second, and you know it’s no risk! Every time he’s on-screen I’m riveted. Yep, I’m a Gleek too–a recent one. As I prepare to put myself out in the world in a big way, I will take your line with me: “Think of Kurt, and be brave.”

  19. Hi, again, Beth–Awesome blog post–I’m “of a certain age” who had never even heard of Glee, but you’ve tweaked my interest–I’m struggling to absorb this whole social media thing to promote my new book and my blog, “Madly, Kindly, Truly” –sometimes I feel totally overwhelmed and immobilized, like Prometheus chained to my blog/rock–but when I read something from you, I feel like Atlas about to shrug off those chains!

    • Hi Harriet – If you’re feeling overwhelmed, just pick one tool, one platform or one thing to focus on, and just do that. When you’ve got that mastered, move to your next thing. Baby steps, baby steps! 🙂 Best of luck with the promotion of your new book!

  20. Inspiring ideas! And how true that we have to let our own personalities shine through in a blog. I haven’t been doing that as much as I should. Thanks for the kick in the pants. Now off to sing some tunes from South Pacific!

  21. Society tends to demonize the oddball. In the end, however, it is the wacky kid who makes the dough and heads turn. It may take a long time, but he will achieve that goal in the end. History shows us that creative people are quirky. They may behave in a bizaare way. They may appear eccentric, because they see the world in an unique way. And they live out their lives in a way that make conventional people stand up and take notice. Their behaviour invites critics and raises eye-brows. Even so, it took a college drop-out like Steve Jobs to invent the personal computer in a borrowed garage in Palo Alto, California. It took another college drop-out like Steven Spielberg to re-invent the movie industry. A third college ( Harvard )drop-out named Bill Gates became the wealthiest man on the planet. Richard Branson never attended college and started a business at a young age. Where would we be without such people? What matters is passion. However, you have to be willing to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. Sky’s the limit for dreamers who have a bias for action. Oh, and don’t forget marketing. Without marketing, you may die “unhonoured, unsung and unheard” like a poet put it once. So, your article here is right on the money. We thank you for your contribution. Cheers.

  22. Thank you for the extraordinary post.

    I like the underdog part. Putting myself as the underdog to create a fan rave. What an idea! There is something more about the underdog. We build a context of “good and “bad”. The good underdogs will attract the fans, while the bad underdogs will attract boos.

    Look at NBA. It the Lakers who has the most fans. They are not underdogs. In the world when there is not good or bad forces, the underdog method may not work.

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