The Axl Rose school of blogging

Axl Rose, the notoriously unpredictable front man of Guns N’ Roses, proudly sticks out like a sore thumb in the increasingly sanitized and manufactured music industry. While most musicians with major label history are happy to be pushed around and be told what to do, Axl Rose walks his own path, never concerning himself with anyone who seeks to stand in his way or disrupt his creative vision.

I don’t know Axl Rose personally but recent occurrences in my other life have resulted in a potential crossing of paths. A forthcoming Guns N’ Roses world tour, perhaps in 2010 or 2011, if my usually reliable sources are to be believed, and will take the form of a lavish stadium show, complete with a full orchestra. Due to my connections, for which I am ever thankful, one of the trumpet chairs in that orchestra may have my name on it.

Of course, there are a lot of ifs and maybes in this situation and the deal is far from done. But, this possibility was a good enough reason for me to become interested in Axl Rose, his music and his history. Never let it be said that I don’t prepare properly for my gigs.

But how does all of this apply to blogging, successful blogging in particular?

Axl Rose has the ability to generate the one thing that every blogger wants.

Attention.

Fifteen years ago Axl Rose started to write fresh material. The material was original and his own. And, partly as a result of his determination and unwillingness to compromise he soon found that he was going through collaborators like most people go through disposable razors. Quickly and with some regularity.

Axl knew what he wanted to achieve, knew what he wanted to write and he knew that listening to people who didn’t share his vision wasn’t in anyones best interest. He refused to conform and refused to compromise. He became unpopular with many of his peers but was highly respected by those people who admired his determination and single mindedness.

Thirteen years later Axl Rose releases Chinese Democracy to an awaiting world. At this point he had all the attention anyone could wish for. Even those who disliked him were watching, and listening, hoping he would fail but failing to realize that even their negative attention was only adding fuel to the publicity fire that, in turn, drove sales.

Following the herd is never the right thing to do, in the music industry or in the blogosphere. Whilst the cattle mentality may bring you short term success it will not bring you respect, perhaps the most valuable of all online commodities.

Never trade your integrity in return for popularity.

Write what you want to write, express your opinions, challenge the commonly held views, and your blog will become an online reflection of your own personality. And people, the countless millions searching online for fresh content every day, like talking to and engaging with people with real personalities and, once they have separated the genuine characters from the carbon copies, will happily drive an increasing stream of traffic to your blog.

Ashley Morgan is a UK jazz trumpet player and owner of independent record label 447 Records. Ashley Morgan is the trumpet player with Enormous.