The Marlon Brando Guide to Rebel Blogging
This is a guest post by Ivan Walsh in response to Joseph Ratliff’s post last week, entitled “Do You Following the Rules?“
‘Are we really rebels?’ asks Joseph.
In the 1953 movie, The Wild One, Marlon Brando and his Black Rebels Motorcycle Club, a group of boisterous bikers led by Brando, invade the small town of Wrightsville during a motorcycle race.
When a girl confronts him “What are you rebelling against, Johnny?”, Brando answers, “What do you got?”
This is the mindset of a rebel. Show me what you got and I’ll tell you why I don’t want it. It’s the classic strength and weakness dilemma that each rebel faces.
‘I want to be different. But, once I become different, then I’m just like those guys over there.’
Your back where you started. Want some examples?
Brando started as a rebel and ended up playing Superman’s dad. His mega contract broke all records.
DeNiro made Mean Streets and Taxi Driver in the 70s. Now he does Meet The Fockers. Your Grannie would love it.
Tupac was the real deal until he started duetting with… Elton John.
You get the idea. But…Joseph has a point. You can turn ‘Rebel Yell’ to your advantage. Whether you sell out or not, that’s up to you.
How To Be A Real Rebel Blogger
Remember what Joseph’s asked, ‘Are we really rebels?’ It depends on your definition and how far you want to take it. You really want to be a rebel blogger? Here’s how to do it:
1. Anti Hero. Think Howard Stern, Frank Zappa, Jim Morrison, or whoever rocks your boat. You can’t please everyone. If you do, you’re not doing it right. Create conflict. Make enemies. Be controversial.
2. Divide Opinion. Identify a topic that divides public opinion. Examine people who hold extreme beliefs. See what motivates them. They usually feel slighted, excluded and/or oppressed.
3. Social Exclusion. Identify with people who feel society has failed them. For example, divorced dads who can’t get access to their kids.
4. Create Targets. Set a goal that your followers can relate to. For example, organize a nationwide protest march to Washington DC.
5. Siege Mentality. Prove to your followers that the world is against them, that we need to pull together and every setback is an opportunity to work harder.
6. Give Hope. Encourage your fans by sharing success stories. Examples of where things are working and that positive changes have occurred.
7. Brand it. Hells Angels, Nascar, and Scientologists. They all develop strong brand ‘values’. While you don’t care about these, those on the ‘inside’ do.
So, where does this leave us?
Joseph’s last point was, ‘Are you following the rules, or creating them?’
And this is the most interesting part for me. How each of us approaches this area determines our future earnings, personal happiness and social status.
Maybe you don’t care about these, but I think you do. We all want to be different, but not too different, because then, y’know, people think your strange.
The last word goes to the late Frank Zappa.
In the 60s, it was still frowned upon for men to have long hair. During a TV interview, Joe Pyne insulted Zappa by saying, “So I guess your long hair makes you a woman.” Zappa allegedly replied, “So I guess your wooden leg makes you a table.”
What do you think? Fire away below.
Ivan Walsh helps introverts make money. Curious? Visit his site: http://www.ivanwalsh.com
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