Want To Limit Your Audience? Try Swearing.
"It's how I communicate emotion.", "It's used for emphasis.", "People need to get over themselves." These are only some of many reasons I've heard for why swearing is okay. I personally avoid swearing for multiple reasons, but I'm going to focus on one specific reason today: Your audience.But before I do that, I'd like to give some context to the argument for swearing. Without it, my conclusion won't make any sense.
So, Why Swear?
Believe it or not, I sympathize with people who choose to swear more than you'd think. As such, I can make a pretty good argument for why swearing isn't an issue.
I believe words are words.
I believe that actions speak louder than words and that words have meaning beyond what the dictionary says.For example, there are times when my brother and I will get into a silly mood and trade what some would find to be incredibly hurtful insults. But this isn't actually what we're doing. We both know that neither one means a word of what we're saying. Rather, it's a game of wit to us. It's a way we can grow closer by sharing what is in actuality one huge inside joke. It's a language in and of itself that we share and understand.This is why people swear. Though the definitions of the words mean something offensive, people use them to give context, emphasis, and additional meaning to what they're saying. As such, these words take on a meaning that's no longer offensive.
Now, The Problem
Communication is a tricky thing. We can use words to mean one thing, and they can be taken in an entirely different way.Enter Eugene Meltsner, a character from the show, "Adventures in Odyssey". He's the smartest guy in town, a wiz with computers, and has a massive vocabulary.The problem? Nobody can understand him. His words leave many dumbfounded and confused early on in the show. It even gets him into debates with some of the characters.This is the divide that comes from using swear words in your content. The fact that so many, if not all swear words contain questionable or morally reprehensible connotations/definitions means that you run a high risk of your words being taken poorly.In addition to this, many parents believe that good parenting means censoring entertainers who use profane language, despite the content being great, hilarious, or even sometimes educational. There's still swearing, and little ears repeat things a lot. Imagine a mother's embarrassment when little Timmy spouts that word in front of her judgmental neighbor. As a Christian, I can say that at least in Christian circles, this is a huge concern for parents and children alike.
So, Why Bother?
"If a viewer will judge you for swearing, why would you want them for a viewer?" Great question. You aren't trying to please everyone. Defining your audience is an important strategy. In the end, it depends on who you want your audience to be.Consider this wise proverb/Bible verse:
"A man reaps what he sows."
You will get out of your work what you put into it. Or rather, you get out of an online community what you put into an online community.Do you make videos with tons of swearing? Well, then prepare yourself for the likelihood that you'll get subscribers who leave very *ahem* colorful comments.This goes beyond swearing. Just look at Logan Paul, who has made videos saying to "dab on the haters", or in essence: ignore the criticism. As a result, he now has a fanbase full of young people who disregard anyone who disagrees with or offends them. People fully willing to back Logan for poor behavior and slander anyone who criticizes him (even when he is clearly in the wrong). The “LoGang” has become something many on the internet dread. This doesn't help Logan's reputation.If you keep your videos clean, what harm will that do to you? Will people demand that you swear? Probably not. Will people with high morals such as devout Christians be more likely to appreciate your content? Probably.
The Worth of "One".
"But people who don't swear are in the minority", I hear you saying. Okay, perhaps. I'd love to see your data, but for the sake of the argument, let's assume it's true.Minority or not, turning off specific demographics still makes a huge difference, especially for content. Recently, Julian Smith released a video in which he swore for, like, the first time ever on his channel. Kevin McCreary, who currently has over 20,000 subscribers, did a review of the comeback video and called him out on it. 9,000 people saw that review. And we know that a huge number of people took notice because Julian released a SECOND video about why he thinks swearing is okay.How many people responded? It doesn't matter.
Minority or not, it's still large numbers of support for a content creator, as well as possible in-roads for expansion.
Look at it this way. If you tell three people about a channel, and then those tell three others about it. If the cycle continues, it will only take 13 cycles before you've reached 1,594,323 people who know about you.But if that first person says, "Nah, I don't appreciate his language.", that minority has made a decision that actually affects you significantly. If the principal is more important than the audience, it doesn't matter. But if the principal doesn't matter, then it isn't worth losing the audience.
And Finally, Your Content
I'm just going to come right out and say it. Your content will be better if you don't swear. You will make better content. Again, you will have content that is better without swearing.Do you do comedy? Well, humor takes originality. The chicken crossing the road joke isn't funny anymore because everyone has heard it. Swearing doesn't make you any funnier than your competition.Do you game? Well, I've got news for you. Markiplier, JackSepticEye, and PewDiePie have clearly perfected the art of swearing. And soon, I reckon that's going to hurt them. With YouTube cracking down on non-advertiser-friendly content, it's not long before the big YouTubers get hit too. Many already have been. So find a different way to express your massive rage for failing Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy for the millionth time.Whatever your niche, realize that swearing doesn't challenge you. It doesn't force you to come up with a unique word that describes what you're communicating. There's one word that fits everything. If you're okay with limiting yourself, feel free to swear. I don't have a problem with what you decide to do because I'm more concerned with how I choose to act.
A tool that doesn't fix anything is no tool at all.
But in choosing to rely on swearing, know that with time, it will become a crutch you can't do without. That crutch will keep you from expanding your vocabulary, expressing yourself in new ways, and innovating your entertainment to find new ways of entertaining your audience.So toss it to the side. A tool that doesn't fix anything is no tool at all. So learn to use new tools to convey meaning and craft your content. I look forward to seeing what you can create.Stay classy!