Ask An Ambassador: Sometimes It's Better To Just Punt

Hi Bill you've got the punt figured out to perfection.  Sometimes things just pop out for me....and then they don't.  I like to write just not every day.  You have don such a good job of doing so for years and years.

Hello Bill(and Liz too) - sometimes it doesn't make it to the point where the next step is hit publish.  And that's okay.  

Hi Bill- I've punted so many times I could play for the Texans. I know exactly what you're talking about...I set out with an idea and then it meanders all over the place. 

I have been saying that phrase for over thirty years. I picked it up from a respected colleague I worked for. When things take a detour and some one asks me which way to go next, I say... "Let's drop back and punt" ... just a great way to change course and refocus.

Yes, I totally get what you're saying. Putting a questionably toned post into drafts  and checking it the next day can be a reputation saver. :-)

It's like business and lead generation...you just need to do it and good things come.

Sometimes all you need is a breather to compose your thoughts. Have a great day! 

Yep.... we all get that way one time or another, LIZ AND BILL SPEAR .  You really have something you want to share, and you are right, not sure of tone or manner you type it in.... whether or not it comes across, how your "mind's eye" sees it and inerprets it... where was I going with this, hmmm...oh well, make it a great hump day!

Fantastic point Bill! Every post written is done with intent and resonates well with the audience more often than not.

Hello Bill,  I have been dealing with "writer's block" for a few weeks now. I know what I want to say but how I feel inside will be reflected in what I write - so I wait and the posts sit in draft until the writing can flow from a positive place. 

I found myself "punting" more and more.  Opinions, for example, are out the window because your are bound to tick off some of your audience. Politics, religion: don't even think about it.  Even real estate "gems" I can't share in most cases because they relate too much to a specific client and, if they read my blogs, will see themselves.  They can expect privacy about their transaction. Writing about other businesses in my town? I've had several from years ago ask me to make changes because their businesses changed, moved, closed or whatever.  And because I wrote them initially to help them get patrons, I really don't want to spend a lot of time re-marketing them at this time.  In fact, I've let whole community websites languish because there is just too much change right now.  Why? Because my own marketing has changed so drastically and I just can't give away my time on former endeavors. So what do I write about now? Actually, I haven't lately.  But, never fear, at some point I will be inspired again and write a blog.  Maybe do a wrap-up of this quite unique year. But in the meantime, I do comment on other AR members who are doing the hefty lifting right now and keep churning out blogs.

Hello Liz and Bill Spear, sometimes, it is best to pause, take a few moments to evaluate what we want to publish. Are we adding? Will our post make a difference? I too find myself punting more and more these days.

Excellent thought process on whether to move forward with an idea or not to.

I like this point especially: a flat medium where there's no body language to tip you off as to which end of the emotional spectrum I might be.

Many times Bill I just leave a post in draft until I decide to post it. sometimes it just sits there and never does see the light of day

I've been punting longer than I realized.  I wrote a post today and when I looked at my home page, it looks like my last post was September of last year!  Since I keep up with everyone on Facebook, I forget to come over here sometimes.

That is why now I just mindlessly post my market reports LOL!