Thursday, April 12, 2012

2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge: Know-it-alls


This post ties in somewhat with my post yesterday about jerks. Just as we all know at least one jerk, I’m sure we all know at least one know-it-all - someone who knows everything about everything. Their word (at least according to them) is the be-all and end-all.

I can think of one author in particular who’s like this. I won’t name names of course, but this might sound familiar to some of you. This author is an expert on pretty much everything - or at least you get that impression by the things she says on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog. She knows everything about writing, self-publishing, marketing, social media, all the dos and don’ts and everything in between. She’ll dole out little pieces of wisdom and ask for people’s opinions (usually in this manner: agree or disagree?), and she says it’s ok if people disagree with her, but then if people do disagree with her, she tells them why they’re wrong. 

It actually makes me laugh because it’s so ridiculous. One person cannot possibly be right about everything. I’m all about learning - I love to learn, and I’m always grateful for helpful tips that will help me sell my books or make my blog better or get me more followers/fans/friends, but there’s a way to do it without coming across as a pompous know-it-all.

Another problem with know-it-alls is that what works for one person might not work for everyone else, especially when it comes to publicity. I’ve tried things that other people said worked for them, but didn’t work for me, and I’m sure people have taken my advice and wondered how it worked for me if it didn’t work for them. That’s just how this crazy game of writing and marketing goes. I try not to give advice unless asked for it, because I sort of fly by the seat of my pants, and do a lot of experimentation - some of it works, some of it doesn’t. That's part of the beauty of indie publishing. I’m keeping track of everything I try, and compiling all my ‘research’ to eventually share with people, but it will definitely have a disclaimer - this is what worked for ME. It might not work for you, or you might apply my principles and do a million times better than I did. There’s no way of knowing. But I’ll never claim to be an expert, especially when things in the publishing world change so quickly. 

Do you know a know-it-all? Or maybe you are a know-it-all?


8 comments:

  1. Not a big fan of know-it-alls, but it is always hilarious when they have no choice but to admit they are wrong! :D

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  2. Yes, I'm one of those know-it-all types. (Smart people can get like that. LOL!) However, in my defense, I CAN admit when I'm wrong. It's the know-it-all types who can't admit when they're wrong that aggravate me.

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  3. I don't know. They're not all bad. Hermione Granger for instance...

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  4. Well, we all know I know it all, Marie. ;) lol Kidding of course. I'm just as clueless as the next person.

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  5. Definitely not a know-it-all! But when I worked as a Librarian, people would often comment, "You must know EVERYTHING." And I would always reply, "I don't 'know' everything, but I know where to find info on everything." LOL

    "KNOW" was my K word today too. :)

    It's funny to watch 2 know-it-alls get in a verbal sparring match, as they keep one-upping each other.

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  6. I have this classmate that likes think of himself as a know-it-all. He is so irritating that sometimes I just want to yell at him. Thanks for sharing your story.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  7. Hm. I have my "know-it-all moments," especially on topics I'm really passionate about. But I try to not be annoying.

    I know what I know and I'm definitely steady in holding my points, but I'm open to exploration and self-correction.

    After knowing a number of true know-it-alls, I very much knew I didn't want to be anything like them. ;)

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  8. I probably come of as a know-it-all. I'm totally a compulsive corrector, but I do love to learn knew things and get other's views.

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~Marie

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