The Red Stapler Chronicles

Jumping the shark is a term started in the TV industry that indicates that a show’s better days are now behind it. This phenomena got its name via the Happy Days episode in which Fonzie actually attempts to water ski over a shark. If you have never visited the website, I would recommend checking out the Jump the Shark website for hours of enjoyment.

Unfortunately, several of my favorite blogs have recently jumped the shark. No, I am not going to embarrass anyone out there and try to stir up things by naming them (although I did think about it). Instead, I will discuss some of the indicator signs that would show that a blog is indeed jumping the shark in order for other bloggers to try to avoid them.

1. Infrequent Posting–Nothing will drive readers away more than a blog not being updated. Even if you only post short blurbs about why your normal posting routine is not being followed, you will give your readers a reason to come back. Going on vacation or really busy at work?? Just let your readers know. Leaving them in the dark will only cause your readers to leave you.

2. Sponsored posts galore–Of course your readers understand that you are probably trying to make money, but if you flood your blog with shameless plug after plug you will soon be classified as selling out. If your ratio between real posts and sponsored posts falls below 7:1, you are in danger of jumping the shark. Really need the money? Tell us why. Tell us how much money you are making with these sponsored posts. Tell us what you are going to do with the money?

3. Going off topic too much–I am a strong believer in bloggers mixing things up a little and writing about whatever they want–no matter what their blog’s core topics are. However, you need to be careful not to abuse this technique. For instance, if I am reading a blog about making money online, I might find one or two posts about what extravagant food you ate at a fancy restaurant interesting. But if I am bombarded with pictures and descriptions of gourmet foods, I will start looking elsewhere for information about making money online.

4. Excessive link baiting–I can respect a blogger that takes a controversial stand on a hot topic once in a while. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a spirited discussion and debate. Still, if you are chronically repeating this tactic, I will quickly begin to doubt that you actually believe what you are staying and start to stay away from your blog. Linkbaiting can also come in the form of a top ten list or even a funny picture. When these lists and pictures are not really relevant to the blog, you are in danger of jumping the shark. How can you avoid this while still enjoying the benefits of link baiting? Dosh Dosh describes the perfect way, which he calls The Mullet theory.

In contrast to TV shows, the great thing about blogs are that they can be quickly changed. You don’t have to wait until next season to see if your favorite blog will recover. Thus, even if you believe that your blog has jumped the shark, you are only a couple of solid posts away from reconnecting with your readers and making the only sharks that you see exist on the Discovery Channel.