7 Things Bloggers Can Learn From Watching Dexter

I’m aware that many bloggers reading this right now don’t watch television at all. Of course not, you’re too busy writing list posts comparing your niche to a popular TV series or a movie character! If I had to suggest one show to check out, though, it would be Dexter.

The Showtime series is based around Dexter Morgan, a serial killer who works as a forensic blood spatter analyst for the police department. Harnessing the darkness inside only to kill those “who deserve it” (primarily other killers), the series shows Dexter trying to balance an everyday life with his secret identity while still appearing normal to all those around him. A very entertaining show in it’s own right, watching Dexter can also teach you a fair bit about blogging. Let’s take a look!

Be aware that the following may contain spoilers, so read at your own peril!

1. Learn the tools of your trade hiding within plain sight.

Freely comment on other’s blogs, engage people on Twitter and generally play nicely with the community. In the process though, absorb their quality content and mooch off their resources as much as possible. It’s not like you have feelings for these bloggers, so who cares if you’re just playing a rouse to get traffic and feeding your darkness?

2. Clean up all evidence of your crimes and leave no witnesses.

Turn your blog into a kill room. Moderate your comments relentlessly and delete those that can show others who you truly are. When in doubt, make your comment section nofollow and dump links on Squidoo, since no one will think of searching there.

3. Jimmy Smits is available for guest posts.

The fact that the former NYPD Blue star chose to play a supporting character for a season on a cable channel obviously shows that he’s desperate for work. Feel free to send him $15 via Paypal and I’m sure he’ll write for your blog.

4. Need help coming up with post ideas? Just talk to your dead father!

He’s the one who gave you the code to live by – the blueprint for ‘killer’ success. Keep him white listed in your spam filter though. He pops up all the time.

5. When you find someone that seems perfect, visit their house. It’s probably a facade.

Every blogger looks up to guys like Darren Rowse and Brian Clark, putting them up on a pedestal as a shining example of what they’d like to become some day. But how much do you really know about them? Visit their house on Thanksgiving and you might find them beating their wife, breaking their son’s fingers while caressing the urn holding their dead sister’s remains.

6. If you get caught lying, pretend you have a drug problem.

No one will fault you then because the blogging community cares deeply about your private life, right? Even if you do get ostracized, publicizing your demons will cause a boatload of self improvement or lifestyle design gurus to come out of the woodwork and attempt to be your savior. If they get too close for your liking, be like Dexter and pin a crime on them!

7. It’s totally okay your wife is dead. That just means you can finally blog in peace!


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  • I liked the last point ....lolz
  • Hahaha. I need to watch this show. Time to go pirate it somewhere since i cant afford cable.

    I just cut the fat from my RSS Feeds, had way to fn many. Not A Pro Blog is staying along with a few others. It is causing way to much stress following 100 RSS feeds. This blog and a few other ones are really the only ones I actually enjoy. The other ones usually just regurgitate the same shit over and over. Time to free some time and focus on the important.
  • I hear ya - I have 981 unread items in my RSS reader as I type this. That's what you get for being away for 4-5 days. Tempted to click mark all as read, but I'll probably do a super skim of the titles at least. I naturally go to the sites I enjoy and sites recommend to me from people I follow closely on twitter. An RSS reader is starting to become irrelevant.
  • That's the right approach to take, in my opinion. Just because you subscribe to an RSS feed, doesn't mean you have to read every post. For our niche though, it's a very good idea to skim through post titles so you can see what the hot button topics are lately and/or get inspiration for posts of your own.

    I could probably flush out 50% of the feeds in my reader based on my actual reading habits, but I think that would keep me less connected to the tech/marketing/social media as I should be.
  • I've never even heard of the show but I love how you put this all together. I have a TV and three game consoles and NEVER watch TV. I'm far too involved in my computer all the time.

    Besides, the TV shows I DID watch are no longer on TV anyway. The Internet's the new TV, right? lol

    Awesome stuff, Jordan!
  • I dont watch Dexter, but I thought this was great and really got he humour nailed in this one. I was a bit disappointed when it wasnt a video, but I carried on and read it anyway and was well worth it.

    I wonder is there anyone we can't learn blogging from?
  • Well my blog niche is totally different, so I do not think that I can any resource from TV serial. Well I can get some information from newspaper.
  • I love it! I've only managed to catch a few episodes, and those with Spanish dubbing, but it's such a cool concept.

    In fact I believe it was modelled on my own story. You see, you know me as mild mannered Brit blogger Mike CJ. But I have a dual identity - I'm slowly, but surely ridding the blogosphere of bad writers. One by one, they must all "disappear."
  • Mike, I've got almost 500 RSS feeds in my reader... from what I see, you're not doing very well. :-)
  • Lol!
  • Why do you think I move every two months? :)
  • Dude you just combined my 2 of my favourite things - blogging and Dexter. You're right I barely watch ANY TV but while I was living with a couple of knuckle heads (best buds) last year we watched Dexter religiously. The only thing I watch these days is a bit of sport and 'The Office' - I get a kick out of the office for a number of reasons - one I used to be there, I can relate and it's kind of scary how close in comparison it is. And 2 - it's funny to look back on as I don't have to live in that environment anymore :D.. And yeah I'm on a tangent. I'm using your blog and my comments to unwind. This is my chillaxing space because you've made it that way.

    BTW is Brian Clarke your next target? Aka. A guest post on copyblogger.com coming up? ;)

    Fit Jerk is right - you blew season 4. Luckily I've seen it.
  • Don't worry about it, Sarge. I have no problems with anyone using the comment section to unwind. That's kind of the whole point of this blog to begin with... having fun while still learning and discussing serious topics that will help us all out in our endeavors.

    By the way, there *is* a spoiler alert line before the list, so don't tell me I blew it! :-)
  • Haha you did too. I must have 'scanned' over it ;) :P My bad.
  • bradgosse
    I love it, one of my favorite shows is Dexter. Turn your blog into a kill room LOL
  • Hahah, this is also a pretty good summary of Season 4. You should put up a fucking "SPOILER ALERT" at the top.

    And this show rocks. Who needs superheros when you've got Dexter. The blend of dark, dark humor with intense moments and some sexy hot MILFS make this show one of my top favorites. Right under The Biggest Loser... of course.
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