A world without teasing and snark would be a sad one indeed.
Master it and you will sell more books (or whatever you subscribers want)
Now, at home I cannot turn it off.
Poking ribs
Squish-hugging like a trap
Telling my girls as they leave to “Punch someone in the throat today with God’s blessings.”
But I am way too boring with people outside the family.
Not only am I ranked near zero in “joking around” with non-family, but also am totally cringe when I react to pro teasers.
Just a smiling deer in headlights.
I don’t get it how some people can banter like that chubby catcher in the movie “Sandlot” with just anybody. (Actually almost every catcher I have played with had this skill)
Always ready to prod and provoke with excellent comedic timing.
If you’re like me, and suffer this same dualistic problem (expert at home, incompetent outside), I have good and bad news for you.
Bad news first: I don’t think spontaneous banter and snark with outsiders can be learned.
Basically we are doomed.
My dad was an expert in knowing exactly how to employ humor in all circumstances, but my genes wouldn’t allow me to absorb that ability.
Sure you can cheat and learn a few lines. But they will see right through you.
Just try saying “Just another day in paradise” the next time someone asks you “How are you doing?” They will just force a smirk.
Good news: You can and should snark in your emails, and this can be learned.
It is really the only place I prod and tease outside of my family.
Not only is writing snark therapeutic fun for us boring types, but you will stand out from all the content out there in you niche.
While they are finishing their 10k-word pillar post, you will have already have a list of subscribers who like you and feel they know you.
So I admonish you, “Go out there and ridge-hand strike your subscribers in the nasal cavity with your snark.”
It will bless them.
A helpful tool to get new subscribers up to speed on your hidden banterous nature is a 5-day email course. Your book is where you want them to go deep and serious, but your emails is where they learn a little bit, but mostly learn to like you.
I can get that done for you or with you.
We can snark it up together…(that is supposed to sound cringe)
See my offer here:
https://blairjohnlee.substack.com/p/done-for-you-email-course
Blair
P.S. My girls about died watching “Sandlot” when that boy at the swimming pool tricks the beautiful lifeguard into giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Not too many things brings me more joy than their squeals of embarrassment.