This week I have unfriended and unfollowed two people because of their response to the San Bernadino shootings. Two weeks ago it was two people for their thoughts on the Planned Parenthood shooting. I also unfollowed someone due to their response on the Paris terrorist attacks. The people on the Planned Parenthood were beyond obnoxious in their posting and it quite frankly made me sick. The person on the terrorist attacks was so callous I was shocked. I have seen postings I don't agree with before and even though I didn't agree with them I shrugged and moved on, not feeling the need unfollow or unfriend but this time postings went clear out of bounds and I don't want to be associated with people who think or post things like that.
I get it something violent and scary happens or someone says something that just makes you want to jump up and down and shout your views and feelings from a mountaintop but before you do stop and think. Are your feelings so strong they are worth losing potential followers, readers, and maybe even people you viewed as a friend? While normally I would encourage people to attempt to open a dialogue in the times of today that just doesn't seem possible anymore, it winds up becoming a screamfest and your stupid because you don't believe what I believe and there is no discussion. You are trying to sell something, you and if people don't like what you are selling they won't buy. Some of you may go 'Good I believe what I believe and I don't care if someone doesn't like it. If they don't like me then I don't want them following me or buying my books.' Really? Don't be stupid. It's hard enough to find readers and people willing to hit follow or like that you would truly be cutting off your nose to spite your face.
I'm not saying you should attempt to be something you're not but it's plain and simple if you can't say anything nice then don't say it at all. Think about the things you are liking and sharing the people I unfriended seemed to want to say something cruel by sharing their post and cruel doesn't work for me. If it's a statement of fact that you don't care about your sales and you want to be outspoken and stand so far behind your beliefs that you are willing to forgo followers who believe differently than you then go for it. However, don't be surprised or whine later about lost followers or sales.
