Life’s Too Short To Be An A-Hole
By Bryan Clark on Jan 25, 2008 in Personal
For those of you that know me, you should know that it takes an awful lot to get me to write a negative article about another blogger. Well mission accomplished Vic!
I recently ran across an article on Problogger that caught my attention. It’s titled - “Dropping the F-Bomb: Blogging with Naughty Words“. This article caught my attention because there are more and more foul-mouthed, and “jerk blogs” popping up daily. While this may be a business model that gains you shock appeal for the time being, is it really a profitable business model?
Let’s take Vic from BloggerUnleashed (due to my disdain for this jerk, nofollow was used). This guy is quite possibly one of the biggest jerks in this category. I understand that being controversial is a great way to garner short term attention, but insulting major bloggers that you share a niche with - Darren Rowse, John Chow, Yaro Starak and more, is not really the route to go for long term success. If you really want attention, just tell the world that Shoemoney Is An A-hole - Did that get your attention Shoe? By the way, I should clarify that I don’t really think that he’s an A-hole, and I read his blog daily. It’s just a way of proving a point.
Blogging for long term success is all about your ability to build relationships. I’ve interacted at one time or another with all of these guys, and they are all very helpful, courteous, and respond rather promptly. So what is his issue? He’s a JERK. It’s that easy.
So he can’t interact with the A-listers so he takes refuge in the fact that his mindless drones will hang on his every keystroke. Too bad you can’t read his content because it’s written like a dyslexic 3rd grader. I haven’t seen so many typo’s, grammatical errors, and misspellings since I worked as a bartender and watched drunk people fill out comment cards on their experience.
Why do I dislike Vic? He’s a jerk. Let’s take a look at a screenshot from StumbleUpon. You can see it here. Or there are the two negative articles that he took the time to apparently type with no fingers, which would explain the poor writing. You can see those here and here. Or you can consider the fact that he flat out insults other bloggers, such as Caroline Middlebrook, who is a wonderful blogger. I think he forgets sometimes that some people might be new to this. Instead of ripping them for trying, why not point them in the right direction?
“Success isn’t measured in dollars you earn, but in the quality of your life and the people in it. The truly successful will always be the first people to point you in the right direction. The unsuccessful will appear successful at first, but the true indicator is in their ability to offer encouragement, and positive reinforcement.” –David Shields
I try not to burn bridges, be polite, and help anyone that I can… but this guy is just past salvation.
That’s all I have to say about it. He can continue to be 1/2 a step up from a spammer all he wants… this will be the last you hear of him on my blog.
It feels nice to vent!
Popularity: 9% [?]
50 Comment(s)
By robert on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Vent away Bryan! The best part of it is that you’re being real… I appreciate that.
(Stumbled)
By BlogEntrepreneur on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Vic might be kind of “course” but from what I have seen he often has a point. The only people he rips are those who try to claim to be something they are not.
At least that’s the way I see it.
By Sly from Slyvisions.com on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Bryan, I wouldn’t really flat-out say that he’s a jerk, but that’s just the way he really is. In fact, by him doing that, he as actually branding himself even without the name of his blog. Who knows, after this post he might try and get you just for the heck of it.
Oh, and he really could be a jerk. Nobody can really know unless you know him in real life.
By Sly from Slyvisions.com on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Haha. I just checked out the links that you pointed out too and he already DID attack you. I can see why you really don’t like him now.
By Bryan on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
By Sly from Slyvisions.com on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
I just finished reading your little convo with him on his attack-post about you. That was seriously one of the harshest things I’ve ever seen on a public page. The only thing I can say is for you to do whatever it is you’ve been doing. Vic will always be Vic, but you will always be yourself too. Let the attacks come but don’t let it take over you (which I’m guessing it never had).
Sly from Slyvisions.com
By Bryan on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
I did my best to wish him well, and squash whatever it was that was causing this… But as you said, Vic will be Vic.
By Alan Johnson on Jan 25, 2008 | Reply
Being a father myself, I will never agree with foul language. A lot of children are following blogs on a regular basis nowadays and exposing them to such foul language is not the responsible thing to do.
Alan Johnson
By Bryan on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
By A Blog about Nothing on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
I have to agree. He’s a jerk (and then some). Thing that gets me is he and Courtney Tuttle who I happen to really like are running blogging zoom together. As Vic’s jerkiness (for lack of a better word) becomes better known I can’t imagine Courtney will want to be associated with him. But oh well stranger things have happened.
By Bryan on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
By Ryan on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
Actually, I had no idea that this was the individual that Court teamed up with for BloggingZoom. Court is a highly intelligent, classy guy, and it comes as a surprise that he partners with this dude, as they have completely different attitudes.
Interesting…
By Caroline Middlebrook on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
Oooh I’ve been insulted and I didn’t even know it! Well that *must* mean I’ve hit the big time then :p
By Basement Ideas on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
LOL Vic tells it like it is. If you can’t deal with it then I guess you should ignore him. He tries to help us all make money unlike all these other blogs.
By Matt on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
I personally think you should take it as a compliment. Look at the people he insults (ProBlogger, John Chow, Yaro). Apparently he thinks you are worth going after, otherwise he would have passed over you without consideration. You are now an official voice in the blogging community. Enjoy it!
By Mike on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
I can see both sides of this, but I can say it seems Vic is really trying to help bloggers, where the other so-called A-listers really don’t. So Vic is saying it like it is.
Between Vic, Court, Grizz and you’re blog, I think that’s my TOP FOUR blogs to read. I don’t go to any of those other blogs anymore.
Your guys’ blogs are the BEST and I thank you for that!
By Alan Johnson on Jan 26, 2008 | Reply
It’s always great to help others, but there’s no reason why people can’t do this without resorting to foul language. You can get your message across by expressing yourself in a civilised manner as well
Alan Johnson
By The Internet Entrepreneur Diary on Jan 27, 2008 | Reply
Bryan:
That’s very interesting post. I have never tried to argue with other bloggers like that or make some buzz by bitch about other bloggers.
I only have a small thank to few bloggers, who motivated me. You are one of them.
Thank you!
A life long journey from nothing to something! Thank you!
By The Rookie on Jan 27, 2008 | Reply
I have something to share on this subject. I am not going to lie, but I would be pissed if I was Bryan and someone said all that stuff about me. But, coming from someone who hasn’t been attacked by Vic I have to say the guy has been what I was looking for in the blogosphere. The guy runs multiple websites (like 200) along with BZ and BU yet still offers to help more then anyone can say they do outside their little circles. An example - I emailed him about a couple of domains I wasn’t using and he offered to talk to me via Skype (gave me his contact info and set up a time). What A-lister would do that for a no-name blogger? What did he have to gain from this? Nothing at all. He was truly helping out a fellow blogger.
By Curt on Jan 27, 2008 | Reply
That’s exactly what I’m talking about! He really truly is helping bloggers. His mouth is a bit over the top, but his genuineness is heart felt and sincere. You can never get a personal response from the “so-called” A-listers…NEVER!
I hope Vic stays with what he’s doing (but maybe with a few less f-bombs).
By Bryan on Jan 27, 2008 | Reply
“What A-lister would do that for a no-name blogger?” - The Rookie
“You can never get a personal response from the “so-called” A-listers…NEVER! - Curt
Have you tried contacting A-List bloggers? They are usually more than happy to help with problems you encounter. I’ve only contacted John Chow once, but he got back to me promptly. Darren Rowse, Yaro Starak, Maki (DoshDosh), and Andy Beard have all helped me with problems at one time or another.
To make a comment like this, I’m assuming that you just believe Vic when he says they offer no help. They’ve been there to help me, what’s the difference?
By Work From Home Jobs on Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
I have contacted Vic and he has gotten back to me right away as well. He shares the goods and reveals the secrets the A-listers would NEVER reveal.
Why would I try to contact the A-listers? I’m not interested in what they have to say. They are too busy trying to be famous and they make their money by blogging and selling affiliate signups and advertising.
By Curt on Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
I second that!!!
By lim seng on Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
I “third” that!!!!!
By Bryan on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
“They are too busy trying to be famous and they make their money by blogging and selling affiliate signups and advertising.”
Isn’t that what we’re all doing? Like Vic doesn’t promote affiliate programs? I find it funny that you mention Vic like he is above the rest of us, when the only thing he does differently is cuss a lot and put down others. I can’t find one article on blogger unleashed that’s different than anything I read anywhere else… minus the cussing that is.
By Curt on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
You’ve got to be kidding right? Vic’s blog is the BEST for helping bloggers make money right NOW! What does Darren’s do that really shows you the REAL stuff? And I’m not a newbie either. I’ve been making my living on the net for 8 years. You’ve really got some issues dude!
By Bryan on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
By RT Cunningham on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
I really have to stay on the fence on this one. Both Victor Franqui AND Darren Rowse helped me out of a tight situation. It just proves to me that, even though bloggers can have issues with each other, they can also get along when it’s needed.
By Bryan on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
By RT Cunningham on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
I’m trying to wrap up a few things so they don’t fall apart when I leave for the states in a couple of weeks — around February 17th.
I’m planning to branch out with my blogs when I return and do things I couldn’t do before. At this point, I’m probably at the mercy of the luck of the dice.
By Bryan on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
By RT Cunningham on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
Nope. Temporary. My son is still going to college here in the Philippines. I have too much invested here to give it all up.
By Bryan on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
By RT Cunningham on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
Not quite yet. I don’t think it all be sorted until I’m ready to return.
By Work From Home Jobs on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
“I can’t find one article on blogger unleashed that’s different than anything I read anywhere else… minus the cussing that is.”
I think that statement is so far off base that it pretty much proves you haven’t spent any time at all reading anything on his site.
By Bryan on Jan 30, 2008 | Reply
By Day Job Nuker on Jan 31, 2008 | Reply
WHAT? Now you say you haven’t read much of his site? You just said you couldn’t find any aticle of his that was different than you have read elsewhere!
I gotcha dude. You can’t have it both ways. I know you don’t like Vic but he helps people more than your beloved A-listers. Period.
By Bryan on Jan 31, 2008 | Reply
He’s really got you guys brainwashed though.
By Stef on Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
I reckon the persons who are brainwashed are those sucked into the A-lister shit. It is about time you all stopped wingeing and get on with life.
Vic is a very helpful man if you can see behind his language and attacking him for his lack of English is racial to say the least!
You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Anyway, you probably don’t care anyway. Just wanted to say that Vic is the blogger who truly cares for the well being of his readers. If you don’t believe it, then I suggest you go and read his blog.
By Cohnsey on Feb 1, 2008 | Reply
Sadly, this is the kind of stuff that you need to do to stand out from the millions of blogs out there. With sites like stumbleupon and digg, you have to get a little crazy to get noticed. it does suck for the blogging world though.
By bdurfee on Feb 11, 2008 | Reply
“.. an angry old A-hole.”
If that’s what it takes to become a success, maybe success is over-rated. Thanks for the laughs.
By Jason on Feb 17, 2008 | Reply
Bryan, your headline should be a t-shirt slogan.
You want to know why and when people are a-holes online?
Why: Because they’ve put in serious hours to only find out they know a lot of stuff but have no money in their back pocket.
When: Because right after they login to AdSense and see they made .01 for the day, they get mad and take it out on everyone else…
Just a theory my friend… =)
By theaffiliatepost on Apr 15, 2008 | Reply
Wow, this is great. Nothing like some good old blog wars to start my day
Bryan 1 - Vic 0
By kredi karti on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply
Fantastic article Life’s Too Short To Be An A-Hole…
nice blog its great to read
By Air Jordan on May 6, 2008 | Reply
Great nice & thanx each point is appreciated
By Mat on May 20, 2008 | Reply
Vic is the real deal and tells it like it is. He doesn’t bash people for the sake of bashing. He just wants people to start make some fuc**g money and stop chasing their tails reading worthless blogs lol
By Bookmarking Demon Review on May 24, 2008 | Reply
Bryan, I can definitely understand why you don’t like Vic. If I were in your shoes and some guy was publicly humiliating me like that…yeah I’d be a little pissed.
But, my friend, I have to say that Vic is hard on the outside but soft on the inside. I have been blogging and in the MMO niche for years and I have found absolutely NO ONE like Vic when it comes to helping others. Really. This guy has hundreds of sites and is really busy but he took the time to walk my dumb ass through a lot of things.
He just set up a hundred blogs for a contest that he is sponsoring for his readers. He set up 100 blogs!! There is no one out there who does these sorts of things for people.
One other thing that jumped out at me…and this is more of a marketing issue not a “Vic” issue but you said…
“This article caught my attention because there are more and more foul-mouthed, and “jerk blogs” popping up daily. While this may be a business model that gains you shock appeal for the time being, is it really a profitable business model?”
This is not a business model. Vic doesn’t advocate using this so called shock technique on all of your niche blogs. And if you have been in this business for a while then you should know that the MMO niche isn’t where you want to make all you money anyways…there’s not much money in this niche compared to other niches and that’s for sure.
I can tell you from my own personal experience that I’ve made more money, after consulting with Vic (for free and daily) than I ever have before. I tried all the A lister stuff and, well you know what I mean.
I have seen no one else online, ever, go out of their way to REALLY help people one on one like Vic From Blogger unleashed. Truth be told.
By Nicky on May 24, 2008 | Reply
Vic is a total sweetheart and is one of the few honest bloggers I’ve seen online. You are completely missing the point of his blog if you think that this “shock” factor is merely a marketing ploy designed to attract readers and make some quick money. You can’t judge his blog by his typing errors (how snotty!!). That’s like judging someone because they stutter. Judge the content. What he says is true and it works. I’ve been blogging for 3 years and I set up my pretty little wordpress blog and got readers and did stumble and digg…I didn’t make anything and the A-listers talk about “well you need to develop relationships…”
None of that stuff works…only for a few lucky people. The way Vic teaches is not based on luck but hard work and applying the fundamentals. I started to make some real money once I stopped doing all the “A-Lister” stuff and started listening to Vic.
And besides, who says that Vic “can’t hang” with the A-listers. He is the real A-Lister while the others are the fakes. Like the kids that think they are cool in school and you can’t sit “at their lunch table”…gimme a break.
Vic truly is a wonderful and kind hearted person.
By Megan on May 24, 2008 | Reply
I love blogs. I guess I just like the open forum atmosphere of it. Bryan, I’m impressed that you have actually let all these comments (many of which disagree with you) stay on your blog. A lot of folks would have deleted them. You seem pretty straight up to me.
But this whole “credibility” thing…you said this, “But you don’t give yourself much credibility as a make money online type without a link in your comments.”…this kind of statement is glaring proof of how twisted your concept of making money online is.
Your head is so full of nonsense! Why would you say that? Nobody needs to know who you are to make money online. I create a niche blog about music boxes, write ten posts, get my links and in 4 months I’m making pretty good money from it. I do this all the time. No one knows me or if I’m credible.
People who click the ads on my blogs have no idea if I left a link in a post or not, which I didn’t do here. The whole concept you seem to have about having to establish the “credibility” is just so NOOB!
If you are trying to make money online and you think that in order to do so you need to develop social cliques and do all this stuff to look credible -you will never make any money online. Honestly, what an enormous waste of time!
By robert on May 24, 2008 | Reply
Meghan, I’m interested in your comment about how you make money online. Can you contact me: robert@covenantglobal.com