"We need more cowbell" has become a cultural idiom from SNL that seems to represent an excitement, originality, and hilarity that we all find so appealing. As a blogger, it's important to recognize the basics of what creates viral humor, sharing, and enjoyment online. The following five tips are good recommendations for blogging, and for those situations where you find yourself holding a cowbell.
Be anything but boring. Some people probably hate the cowbell skit. Some people probably hate Will Ferrell. But I bet nobody thinks he is boring. There are too many people trying to do stand-up comedy and blogging; you can't afford to be even the slightest bit boring.
Be ridiculous and memorable. You can't play a half-hearted, or forgettable cowbell. When someone jumps up and starts banging away,you pay attention, and you probably tell others about it as well. Blog posts that don't grab your attention in the same way as a cowbell are going to be passed over and forgotten.
It's OK to stand out. You won't exactly blend in anywhere playing the cowbell. But that's OK! It's good, actually. You play the cowbell and blog because you want to be noticed. Cowbell players and great blog posts stand out from the rest, and love it when people think they are weird and different.
Keep it staccato; short, loud and crisp. The cowbell is such an effective attention grabber because it's a loud, distinct, percussive instrument. People want to read blog posts that deliver that same
instant "bang", not a drawn out, dull sound. There is a reason people want more cowbell and not more oboe.
You never know what people will love, so just keep trying. I doubt the SNL writers wrote the cowbell skit thinking it would be well-known and repeated by everyone for decades to come. Sometimes success surprises you, but only if you step outside where you can be found. Don't worry if people hate what you thought they would love, or love what you thought they would hate. Just keep hustling and eventually something will stick.