Hey, it’s Chris here… I need your opinion real quick… Do me a favor and read this post and let me know what you would prefer.
What YOU WANT is SUPER important to me…
About a year ago when I started this blog, I did a post and was looking for a pic that had something to do with weapons, well… I found a picture of a chick with a gun and posted it. I had a good response of people saying the pic was awesome and they loved it.
Keep in mind at that time my readership was like 90% males… cool dudes too… the more edgy guys in the industry are the ones who I naturally attract as readers… so one aspect of my blog besides delivering killer in-depth fitness marketing content has been a sort of Spike TV… Man Show… Maxim Magazine… Howard Stern Show… T-Nation edge.
Blog posts for fitness entrepreneurs with balls, a sense of adventure, freedom, humor and high testosterone levels. ( Yeahhhh!!!!!!!!!)
Along with that comes some pics of chicks… chicks with guns… chicks with tattoos… chicks in UPS uniforms… whatever…
However lately I’ve picked up a larger female following so I’ve considered dropping the whole “pic of a hot chick” in the blog post thing
And yesterday I got this comment, so I thought I’d poll my readers and see what YOU want… not what I think you want… so first check out the comment…
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the info, it is practical and tutorial. May I please trouble you to help me honor my wife by not including inappropriate and sexually suggestive pictures? I want to continue receiving your newsletters without causing “static” or tension in our home.
Thanks Chris.
Respectfully,
Karlton
This made me curious to get some more opinions.
Now, keep in mind… I’ll continue to be me and swear, tell weird jokes and have an off-beat sense of humor… and talk to you like I would talk to my best friend… cuz I gotta have fun and be me dammit… and I actually do want to offend a certain segment of the industry ( I can get into the reason why for that in a later post) … but the pictures of the half naked girls is one area I’m a little confused and really want to know what you think and want…
Please post a comment telling me what you want… I really value the value the opinion of my loyal blog readers just like you…
Keep the pics, Chris!
Tell them to feel free to keep it moving, your website is something they can choose or not choose. Are they reading your blog on the 60 inch plasma or what? Give me a break. Once you start acquiescing to things like that, it will snowball into the depths of whiny-ass hell, and you'll be producing generic crap like everyone else in no time flat.
Now and then I'm like damn, there's alot of testosterone in here, but I came in of my own choice. It's YOUR thing…I like your info…but I'd never ask you to 'do you' differently…
The NY'er sez stick your half-naked guns lololol
Hey Chris,
Keep doing what you have been doing man! the blog is amazing, and those pics are awesome. You can find worse things on prime time t.v.! I think thats what sets you apart from other fitness business bloggers. I am a member of your market annihilator program, and this blog is why I signed up.
Thanks for all the awesome content!
Steve Krebs
Next Level Athletic Performance and Personal Training
http://www.nextlevelbeachbodybootcamp.com
http://www.nxtleveltraining.com
http://www.nxtlevelspeed.com
http://www.stevekrebs.blogspot.com
Bottom line is: You have to identify your target market and deliver a message that speaks to them. So, who is your market?
Jonathan Aluzas
http://www.arenafitness.com
I could care less one way or the other.
I come here for the content and down to earth approach you have.
If the pics are part of your personality, keep them.
If they are just a marketing ploy to seem "coo" then get rid of them.
Peace.
I always wondered what happened to Karlton after his gig on "Fresh Prince"…
I agree with Terri's comment Bro, don't open up that can of worms it will only bring forth a bitch session with everyone's opinion. Keep doing what you're doing, your blog or newsletter should be representational of you and your personality, not be all corporate and sanitary.It's not like you're showing Hardcore Porn, it's all in fun. That dude Karlton should grow a pair, his girl snipped the last two.
Keep it real Bro, that's why we do what we do.
Hey Chris,
I read your blog because it gives me good ideas, and keeps inspiring me to do more marketing, which is something that I've always avoided. I've taken alot of your suggestions, and they have helped me alot! I'm with the previous poster that says there is alot of testosterone in the blogs, which I kind of just speed read or gloss over and ignore for the most part. My NY side also says "you don't like, tough". BUT, the reality is that different people get offended by different things; and if leaving pictures out gets more people to READ your blog and take it for the important, well-thought-out message that it is, than I say leave the girlie pics out…and give me more great advice on fitness marketing!
If you like the pics, keep 'em. Do what YOU want. You can always have a milder page to please everyone, but why would you want to please everyone? You attract who you are and people who like who you are.
Honestly, I don't think the pictures would influence me to read the blog either way. I do it more for the content. Sure, I love half naked women as much as the next guy (naked even more) , but I can't honestly say that's what draws me to the site. I'd be here with or without them
Casey
The pics are not inappropriate.. a bit off theme for a personal training marketing blog, but not entirely inapplicable… A blog will seem dull without some controversy.. However, a sharper message across the pics – something like "Jazz Up Your Fitness Business" or "Is Your Marketing Strategy As Sexy As It Should Be?".. (you get the idea) will give the pics the extra edge.. Having said that, your edgy style keeps me coming back.. but yeah, making some updates should lead to a broader audience.. just depends on you, whether you want that audience or not!
http://www.nitin360.com/
Three words Chris FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!! None of the magazines or TV shows that you mentioned would ever change their content. Why should you? If someone doesn't like what's being said or the pictures offend them,STOP READING or LOOKING at them. A simple thing to do. Keep on doing what you're doing.
Yep, I agree with Terri, girlfriend has got her shit together and is a fellow New Yorker. I'm actually in Denver now, but trust me you're not offending us.
Your content is still what matters. These people should spend more time applying what you advise them to do instead of trying to press some bullshit censoring issue.
It's good to have pictures, but personally I like for the pictures to actually apply to what I am reading. Seeing pictures that have nothing to do with the actual content, is really just a distraction from what's important. If someone really wants to look at pictures of women, there are plenty of other websites for that. I vote to drop them.
Hey Chris
I think those pics are great and I love them. Those pics caught my attention initially but now I am more into the content of your awesome blog. I will still read the blog now with or without the pictures.
TC
TC Professional Fitness Coaching
http://www.tcpersonaltraining.com
http://www.perth-women-bootcamp.com.au
What pics? lol I barely have time to read the post ..I skip over pics..so don't care one way or the other..If you are paying a fortune for these pics..well then..??
He needs to ask his wife for his nuts back. Make no changes.
JC
Keep em they are always the hottest of females and that guys wife is way to insecure
Yo Chris,
Keep the chicks! That's what makes you You! like my dad use to say "you can please most of the people most of the time but not all of the people all of the time"! Screw that! I'm sure they she saw Casino Royale and didn't complain when Jame Bond was getting his nuts(sorry) whacked! What will they want you to change next! Stay cool,
Rich
http://www.reactfitness.com
Rich Fewell
Again! Stay You Bro!!
The fitness business content is what attracts most of us.
If we come here for the pics then we need to get our priorities straight, if we are offended by the pics we gotta reevaluate our sensitivity threshold.
Let the man -Chris- do whatever the hell he wants on his blog!
In complete agreement with Joshua Carter. Nuts back please?
Keep the pics Chris. In fact start adding more:)
I don't mind the pictures but I don't come here for them either. I come here to read the content and that's all I'm interested in. I barely even notice the pictures to be honest. If it was me, I'd get rid of them just to keep from losing any readers that may be offended by them. Remember, marketing is not about what you want but what the people you're marketing to want. That's just my opinion.
His wife is so insecure she feels threatened by a picture of some random broad on the internet? Keep using the pictures of women that are hotter than his wife. You don't need the world to approve of and validate you. You rock!
If it were me in your shoes, I'd wonder what others thought about me & my stuff too BUT then that would be the end of my thoughts on it!
You got this far by being yourself, right? Soooooooo why are we having this discussion???
While it's still a free country, do what cha' want to do big guy!
Angel
from Georgia
I agree with the Jasons. My wife would care less. Most fitness or even internet marketing blogs are too soft and it seems in this society we are taught to not be edgy. So I say do you keep it real and "F" the rest. If whatever you do isn't hurting anyone and making you money what is the problem? I think a lot of women on the planet have high jacked men's nuts. I say its a government conspiracy but what do I know I'm just a paranoid ARMY vet…LOL
PEACE Chris,
Nii
Doesn't bother me in the least Chris. But then I have been hanging out in hardcore gyms and training with guys for 30 years plus I am an ex Operating Room Nurse. Takes a lot to offend me!
I read your blog religiously for the content. The fact that there are pics of women just shows us who you are. Be true to yourself; can't please everyone.
Keep the content coming and I'll keep reading.
Narina
http://www.victoriawellness.com
http://blog.victoriawellness.com
keep the picts Chris, if the guys wife is that jealous over picts on a fitness website geeezzzz he needs a double take on his relationship status. We are in the fitness industry we should all appreciate a good figure. You could toss in a sexy guy now and then for us girls lol……………..
Just look a the comments 1 saying no vs many many more saying yes. Keep the pics, your fans have spoken.
Every fitness site, fitness books and magazines have pics of chicks showing their body.
Live the free lifestyle Chris do what you want.
*bump* Carter
B
You got to be kidding me. I am just going to tell it like it is Chris. Tell Karlton to train his wife and maybe she wouldn't be insecure looking at hot chicks.
The only reason someone would make a statement like that is because they are insecure and are not happy with themselves.
My wife could care less if there are beautiful girls around. As a matter of fact she is right next to me and "enjoying looking at the eye candy".(that's why I married her)
Remember Chris, first rule of business is a "niche". You can't be everything to everyone. If you delete the chicks then you might lose some other readers.
I personally LOVE your content but also like to have a little eye candy.
Just remember what happened when Bill Phillips changed muscle media 2000 and tried going "main stream".
Chris, you just have to be comfortable in knowing people will be put off by your style! Can't win 'em all!
Hey Chris,
This is a democratic country and majority rules. If a minor amount of individuals get offended about the scenery then maybe your website is not for them. Keep the pics because the majority is comfortable with it. They are only models anyways that you are showing.
Hey Chris,
I say keep them if it's what you want. You're the guy with the edge right? So why cater to the whiners? If you get tired of girls with guns get rid of them.
I live in Oklahoma in the middle of the "bible belt" and believe me its nothing I haven't seen before.
And with that, publicity is everything! Good or Bad it gets people talking!
Stay the course
Ryan
EdmondBootcamp.com
TheFitStyle.com
Chris,
Dude… It seems the majority has spoken. The pics are cool and more often than not relate to the post in a different kind of way. Your content is OUTSTANDING and that's what I come here for. If I want pics of half naked girl (or naked) I can go elsewhere. The problem aint with your blog, it's with the person reading it. That goes for almost all situations in life. You start pointing the finger, and there is always 3 pointing back at you.
Pics or not I will continue to come back purely for the ridiculous content you put up. As i said, Outstanding.
Cheers,
Adam Toohey
I do not read your blog for the photos. I read it for the great content. Where do you get your celebrity pics?
Wow!
Freedom is a great thing and I exercised mine by presenting a request to Chris. As a Christian I choose to do what I believe is pleasing to The Lord Jesus. I am not demanding that all others do likewise; as you can read in what Chris posted. I didn't beat him down or place demands on him.
As a husband, my wife has all of me not part or parts.
Sensitivity is a fine topic but more importantly is the issue of desensitization. The bar continues to fall to feed our lower nature. But think for a minute of your Mom (we all have one), sister or daughter. Now would you want some guy's mind desiring to have his way with either of them becuase he has been sexually stimulated merely from veiwing a picture. We know that that stimulation did occur from the comments in some of the posts. Everything starts as a thought; images are powerful and sensuality can be intoxicating.
True Freedom has boundaries and Guardrails do serve vital roles.
Graciously,
Karlton
Hi Saman,
my wife didn't make any statements. She hasn't even seen the pictures. I made the decision to honor her because I value her as well as modesty. I guess that is my niche, a holistic approach to fitness for wellness sake instead of mere aesthestics. Spiritual, financial and physical fitness. Big bill of goods, I know but success is the pursuit of a worthy goal.
Graciosly,
Karlton
You give amazing free content on the business of fitness. If this is how Karlton makes his living he needs to man up and explain to his wife "this is the business we have chosen".(Hymen Roth from G odfather 2)
Hey Chris,
keep the pics of the half-naked women coming! They're great and they make the blogs more interesting.
As the wife of Chris McCombs- I am not opposed to a beautiful thing.
I know my man, I trust him and it's me he married, not the model with the problems..they all have them!
It's just a little picture, not a Hustler magazine
Have you every tried to tell Chris what to do? lol… he won't do it.
My man lives by his own rules and that's one of the reasons I'm so attracted to him. He wanted to create a blog that was different than anything else in the fitness industry and has obviously archived his goal.
He is a guys guy and wanted a blog to be for similar minds.
I know how he just couldn't relate to how bland and boring the big personal training organizations make everything and he was committed to make this blog fun and for other guys who were just like him. Guys who like to live on the edge a little and laugh once in a while ( or all the time in Chris's case)
Like he always says, if it isn't fun, whats the point?
For people who want plain vanilla text book teachings there are plenty of other websites out there. When Chris used to find those sites I remember him saying "Who wants to read this crap?"
For those who want to learn and have fun at the same time… obviously it doesn't get any better than this blog.
I know Chris took a leap of faith when he started this edgy blog a year ago, but he knew it would pay off. He has a way of setting his mind to something, doing it his own way and succeeding.
As Chris's readers I know he really values you and wants to give you the information you want and do it in a way that makes it fun for everyone… I can just see it now, he's gonna use twice as many pictures of girls, and hire Adam Carolla or Howard Stern as guest blogger
Sarah McCombs
Be yourself. They stay
What up Chris….I would tell that horny bastard to get his mind off his personal problems and think of us for a change. It's always about Karlton. Karlton this and Karlton that… On the lighter side of things…your pics are killer. Not quite as good as the content though. I have been at this for years, bought and followed some of the biggest names out there and your shit is real. No fluff and entertaining.
Thats why I read it and have turned my wife and 2 teenage sons into your fans as well.
Keep on keepin on and NEVER change…
Charlie Slack
Chris,
I think the only reason my wife would have an issue with the pics is if there was a phone number scrawled across it…
But also agree with some of the other posts. I usually don't even notice them – too busy reading – plus I married a former fitness model…
-John
um – if a little picture of a chic with a tiny ass bothers him or his marriage i have a few things to say: how huge is his wife's butt? how shakey is his marriage/life that a picture like that would disturb him? and most importantly, what do I have to do to get my butt to look like that?
keep up the great work
b
Chris-
Keep the pictures!! Obviously it's been working for you. It gives you an edge to your blogs, like you said a Spike TV/Maxim/T-Nation love child sort of feel lol.
Anyways, I say keep them. I don't see how that is offensive anyways…
-John Cortese
To:chris@imakemorecheesethankraft.com
cc:karlton@ihaveamangina.com
Karlton,Buddy,Pal
Karlton click on Chris's home page. It clearly states… This site is raw, controversial and NOT for everyone… ENJOY! You were forewarned.
Karlton, you need help to "honor" your wife?…What kind of man are you if you need help to "honor" aka respect your wife? Listen Chris has a lot of credentials to his list…I'm pretty sure marriage counseling is not one of them.
If you or your wife find a girl holding a box "sexually suggestive" I say with certainty your sex life sucks more than the 72-73 Philadelphia 76ers.
Get your c**k out of your a** and go relieve some of the "tension" this picture caused!
As for the "static"…take wife and yourself and throw yourselves in the dryer with some dryer sheets.
If problem persist…I will go ahead personally train your wife. I will recondition her mind and transform her body.
Then she will be more confident and have higher self esteem. Obviously your program doesn't deliver these results.
Luv,Peace,Hur Grease
Big O
Keep the pics. If his wife isnt secure enough to handle seeing sexy pg13 pics then he needs to dump her and get a confident one anyway.