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Better you than me

Stop tweeting about yourself

In a recent “Dilbert” cartoon, Dilbert and Wally beg their pointy-haired boss to keep them constantly updated on all his daily activities via Twitter.

Better you than me
It’s all about you Writing about yourself reduces followers and sharing. Write about your readers instead. Image by frank mckenna

“We find you fascinating,” Wally says. “Oh, yes. Every little thing you do is interesting.”

Fast forward to the last frame, where Wally and Dilbert are sitting with their feet up in the conference room, drinking coffee and checking Twitter on their mobile phones.

So … what’s the best length for effective blog posts?“Where’s idiot boy now?” Wally asks.

“In the parking lot,” Dilbert answers. “No need to look busy yet.”

Do you really think your social media followers find every little thing you do fascinating?

…

3 ways to Avoid Institutional Narcissism >>>

Related stories

Try imperative voice: Write to and about the reader

Try imperative voice: Write to and about the reader

Take me to your reader: How to write tweets that go viral

Take me to your reader: How to write tweets that go viral

“Want more followers? Stop talking about yourself.”
— Dan Zarrella, viral marketing scientist
Get Clicked, Read, Shared & Liked - Ann Wylie’s social media-writing workshop on Feb. 6-7, 2018 in Los Angeles

Want to master proven-in-the-lab best practices for engaging friends, fans & followers? Most of the tickets to my one-and-only 2018 social media-writing Master Class are long gone. But you can still grab a seat if you act fast. Plus: Save $100 by Jan. 6.

Register now

“This was the best writing workshop I’ve ever taken. It was packed with best practices backed up by research.”
— Liz Carmack, senior communications specialist, Texas Association of Counties

Polish your skills

Learn to Catch Your Readers and more at these Master Classes

Register for Get Clicked, Read, Shared & Liked - Ann Wylie's social media-writing workshop on Feb. 6-7, 2018 in Los Angeles

Only chance in 2018
Los Angeles | Feb. 6-7

Register for NOT Your Father’s News Release - Ann Wylie's PR-writing workshop on March 19-20, 2018 in Santa Fe


Santa Fe | March 19-20

Register for Cut Through the Clutter - Ann Wylie's concise-writing workshop on April 17-18, 2018 in New York

Only chance in 2018
New York | April 17-18

Register for Catch Your Readers - Ann Wylie's persuasive-writing workshop on May 1-2, 2018 in Denver


Denver | May 1-2

Register for Writing For the Web and Mobile - Ann Wylie's digital-writing workshop on June 12-13, 2018 in Chicago

Only chance in 2018
Chicago | June 12-13

Register for Master the Art of the Storyteller - Ann Wylie's creative-writing workshop on July 25-26, 2018 in Portland

Only chance in 2018
Portland | July 25-26

Register for Catch Your Readers - Ann Wylie's creative-writing workshop on Oct. 2-3, 2018 in Dallas

Last chance in 2018
Dallas | Oct. 2-3

Register for Get Opened, Clicked, Read & Shared - Ann Wylie's Email-writing workshop on Nov. 7-8, 2018 in Washington, D.C.

NEW!
Washington, D.C. | Nov. 7-8

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Save when you book a workshop while I’m in your neighborhood

Ask about piggybacking on my upcoming engagements in:

  • Atlanta: Sept. 6-7
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Keep up with my calendar.

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Jan. 31, 2025

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