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How Not to Take Bad Advice

Virgin Group

Image via Wikipedia

Notice that so many blog posts are actually subversive advertisements?
 
The one that finally sent me on this missive was a "why you should not do PR yourself" listing, but so many are simply "the five reasons something free or you can DIY is bad because I want you to hire me" list.
 
So here are my three ways on avoiding bad advice online. Forewarned: these are fairly broad generalizations
 
1. If the subject or title is "How to do something" and it doesn't really involve anything where anything is made or done, be wary. This isn't to say you can not find decent advice in such listings, but often they are only geared to get you primed for the end of the blog post listing of their services. They want you saying," oh yeah, I am not smart enough to do things for myself. Who can do it for me?"

2. The blog post ends with MULTIPLE listings of where you can find the author. Mind you, there is another wrong with a little self-promotion, but there can always be too much of a good thing. 

3. There is nothing like a second opinion. Richard Branson of Virgin had this great piece talking about it.  Even if you find yourself pining to hire someone because of their blog post (who would?), take a second and ask around for someone else to take a look at your need. 

I dare say you should go back and consider this advice about starting up a new venture. The same rules apply. Talk to someone, but as Branson points out- listening is even more important.

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