Does creating content that pisses people off work to get regular readers?

13 years ago

People love some controversy. That is why rap music, tv-drama, comedy and politics is so popular.

Still, it is important not to cross the line to the extent that you hurt peoples feelings.

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Joseph G Spiteri

13 years ago

Anything you can do on your site to evoke an
emotional response in people is good.
If you can't get a positive emotion out of
them go for controversy that's a good one.

All the best
Joe

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Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago

Rule 137(a)(ii) of article marketing: "Controversy gets you published".

I sometimes earn more from controversial articles, because far more people read them. People want to show them to other people (for a variety of reasons, I think!), and that means more traffic. And that means more opt-ins. And that means more income.

http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...ml#post3188316
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Rony Ronch

13 years ago

It depends a lot on the topic od the site, what kind of people should be interesting in your blog. In most cases it's good to use Controversial content occasionally to atrract comments and replies but try to cobine with that good informative content, because it's more reliable

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John Coutts

13 years ago

Originally Posted by pheonix44

I have been told that I should create content that is more compelling and provides value. What I have seen is that people seem to respond much better when I create content that pisses them off in some way.

An example would be a blog post I made a while back. It was very vanilla, but good. I did not get any reponses. When I made a blog posts that was a bit controversial, I was flooded with comments and replies.

So which one is better, making content that is good but doesn't inspire people to act or creating content that pisses people off and get inspires them to do something?

Controversial content can work well, but "content that pisses people off" is perhaps going too far, I think.

Where there is healthy controversy that doesn't lead to heated and acrimonious argument, everyone can enjoy participation. But where there is controversy that leads to bad feeling with hate speech, insults and the like bouncing back and forth, no one can truly have a positive experience.

John.

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Centurian 13 years ago

In marketing, the concept of "going to the other extreme" creates contrast, attention, and positioning.

This is an effective way to set yourself apart from the "vanilla" regurgitated pablum of market "safety." The homogenization of ideas simply produces a commodity of content.

That is the quickest way to become irrelevant in the marketplace.

Most marketing advice is the gateway drug to bankruptcy. You can't afford it. You're not Coca Cola or Microsoft, nor do you have a Madison Avenue budget to blow.

Take, for example, WF's "big deal" Caliban Darklock (Senior Warrior post count 6,882, for those of you who are counting). He doesn't go with the flow. His contrarian commentary cuts against the grain and often goes right to the heart of what everyone is thinking, but wouldn't dare say.

He can do this because, well, he's Darklock "and you're not." His positioning immediately sets himself apart and wins converts with refreshing viewpoints.

Let's look at the presidential race. Ron Paul, love him or hate him, has done just that. No matter what your politics, it is refreshing to hear someone fly in the face of "conventional wisdom" and stuffed suits. He has positioned himself to be the anti-politician and commanded attention for his ideas on the national stage.

If you do the same thing you've always done, you get the same results. And that's assuming the second law of thermodynamics doesn't kick in.

Three words. Differentiate or die.
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Wilton White

13 years ago

Hello Robin,

Since it has been said that people "buy with their emotions" and then later justify their purchases with logic, eliciting an emotional response during the sales process (sales copy, blog content, etc.) is always a good idea--if "buying" or some other type of "action" is the response that you are looking for. Creating an emotional connection to your product, blog, or service can significantly enhance the response/reaction that you will receive for you efforts.

I would start with the end-goal in mind. That is, determine what it is that you ultimately wish to accomplish. As you reverse-engineer that goal for possible steps to take to get there, you should be able to determine which path is worthwhile for you.

Enjoy....

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littledan

13 years ago

To a point, yes go against the grain. Challenge popular ideas. But don't forget that for the most part your aim is to build a profesional relationship with subscribers and potential customers. To aceive this you need to become credible and a figure of authority in your niche. By simply trying to annoy people you may get extra vistors, but very unlikely that they will trust you or become your customers.

If you are offering an alternative view on a popular subject, then fine that is a good strategy. But what ever you do, do not infuriate your followers.

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sethczerepak

13 years ago

As long as your content is relevant, clear and delivers value that's really all that matters, but I've found it's better to piss people off than to try and avoid offending them.

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myob

13 years ago

I have made a whole lot of money simply by pissing people off. It's not even about being right or wrong on emotionally charged or controversial topics, but getting people to think logically and to do some research. Of course it helps immensely when you're the one selling the "research" books.

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tpw

13 years ago

Originally Posted by myob

I have made a whole lot of money simply by pissing people off. It's not even about being right or wrong on emotionally charged or controversial topics, but getting people to think logically and to do some research. Of course it helps immensely when you're the one selling the "research" books.

One of my articles that achieved the highest level of syndication was created to piss people off.

People I angered were putting my article on their websites to give context to their readers why they were right and I was wrong!!

It was an SEO article, and it found publication on hundreds of High-PageRank SEO blogs, just so that hundreds of publishers could tell their readers what an "idiot" I was.

I laughed all the way to the bank on that one, when their readers started coming to me to buy SEO services!!

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pheonix44

13 years ago

That is pretty much the goal, to get a debate going. I also like to see people reply to the comments of others. I have seen that this works, when I walked on egg shells I did not get anything.

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Centurian

13 years ago

Originally Posted by myob

I have made a whole lot of money simply by pissing people off. It's not even about being right or wrong on emotionally charged or controversial topics, but getting people to think logically and to do some research. Of course it helps immensely when you're the one selling the "research" books.

Originally Posted by pheonix44

That is pretty much the goal, to get a debate going. I also like to see people reply to the comments of others. I have seen that this works, when I walked on egg shells I did not get anything.

Pushing the envelope definitely creates interest.

Zoom. Sending this thread back up for more controversy.

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johnchristopher

13 years ago

Ha ha.. Good question bro. One thing is sure, negativity draws super attention and of course replies. But, its not the way to go (my view)... go for some good posts and people will reply to it... May be not much but you will keep up your respect as a warrior

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tpw 13 years ago

Originally Posted by johnmoses

you will keep up your respect as a warrior

LOL

I am a Warrior who is known for pissing off a lot of people, and despite that, I still have a lot of respect in the forum from a lot of people.

All I am saying is that it is not guaranteed that you will lose the respect of others if you piss some people off regularly.
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Anomaly1974

13 years ago

The question I would ask is can you monetize the additional traffic? If everybody comes there just to pee and moan so to speak, are you going to be able to turn that into a profit? All of the traffic in the world is not going to help if it cannot be monetized.

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Gerard Mohamed

13 years ago

I think that you need to draw a fine line between being controversial and pissing people off. The former is obviously preferred, as long as your message is a strong, convincing one that can be backed up or substantiated with evidence.

And yes, controversy do sell in most circumstances.

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Shaun OReilly 13 years ago

There's no doubt that controversy helps to get a response.

But, you need to know how to piss off people correctly
so that you get the desired response for you from your
audience - and convert controversy into cash.

You need to push the envelope and piss off the wrong
people. Give out messages that push away the people
that you don't want as customers.

However, you don't want to piss off the right people that
you DO want to have as customers.

Give out a strong polarizing message that splits people
into followers and non-followers.

You can also get people pissed off at what other people
are doing to them by focusing your posts on your common
enemies.

So, piss off people you don't want so that you can more
strongly attract people who DO want to hear your message.

As Dan Kennedy says...

"You can only attract to the degree you're prepared to repel."

Dedicated to mutual success,

Shaun
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DigitalBusker

13 years ago

Might depend where you live. They might not like it if you live in North Korea.......or Florida.

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pennynickels

13 years ago

In essence, you answered your own question.

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cashp0wer

13 years ago

Yes you did answer your own question. It is better to piss people off because it starts a debate which then in turn makes your blog worth reading but you will have to have a thick skin to put up with all the haters you will eventually get.

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JimDucharme

13 years ago

I love the title of this thread! TY for the chuckle. An old talk radio vet once told me: "You don't get many callers talking about sunshine and puppies."

I don't think you have to "piss" people off, but you do have to be provocative, take a stand and make people think if you want reactions.

Generally when it comes to marketing, many thought leaders promote that your content should "add value" to people's days. That concept can be a bit more vague than talking about sunshine and puppies though.

Regards,
jim

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DigitalBusker

13 years ago

It's going to take a certain type of person who wants to be pissed off on a regular basis and yet keep coming back for more. maybe that's not quite what you meant, or is it? I agree that provocative trains of thought or perhaps playing devil's advocate can be a force for good. In that it can make you question assumptions. Unfortunately, many people view such behaviour as threatening/insulting, rather than simply questioning.

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tpw

13 years ago

Originally Posted by DigitalBusker

It's going to take a certain type of person who wants to be pissed off on a regular basis and yet keep coming back for more. maybe that's not quite what you meant, or is it? I agree that provocative trains of thought or perhaps playing devil's advocate can be a force for good. In that it can make you question assumptions. Unfortunately, many people view such behaviour as threatening/insulting, rather than simply questioning.

"Rush is Right!"

Like him or hate him, and plenty of people do both, Rush Limbaugh pisses off people on a daily basis.

Yet for years, he had one of the top 5 most-listened-to radio shows in the United States.

People do consider him to be "threatening/insulting", and still they listened to them to be threatened and insulted.

I know it for a fact, because my aunt and uncle hated everything he stands for, and yet, they made it clear that they listened to his show when they could.

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NewParadigm

13 years ago

I wouldn't necessarily pursue what pisses people off, but material that stirs up debate. Like selling arms to both sides, you get the responders to provide lots of content and invite others to your topic.

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Sid Hale

13 years ago

Hmmm...

Let me go see what that a__hole is saying about "me" today.

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Brandon Sheley

13 years ago

People in general love to argue so you'll get visits and replies, it's just a matter if that's the kind of content you want to publish with your name on it.

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Troy_Phillips

13 years ago

You have to be careful and not get so into this type of marketing that you end up being one of those marketers who go completely negative. The people you attract then will never make you any real money.

Calling someone out and not appearing to be holier than thou is an art form few can master

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adammaxum

13 years ago

Yeah, definitely. Although, when creating content for most employers they are not going to want controversial content for the most part. They'll want professional copy that doesn't go against the grain. With that said, it depends on the situation. Stirring emotion within your audience is always going to be good for attention.

It's been proven time and time again that controversy sells in all areas of media. Howard Stern, Simon Cowell, Rush Limbaugh, etc.etc.

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Kelly Verge

13 years ago

Here's a related formula that's worked well for me, while building rapport and community:

"I received an email from a reader who asked this today: {Very controversial dissenting view}."

{My thoughts on why they're wrong}

"What do you think?"

I also usually get TONS of comments and backlinks.

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JayPeete

13 years ago

Let's get down to it. Did pissing people off make you any more money? Probably not. Most of us are in the forum to learn more and to make more money. If being negative didn't accomplish that goal then it is for nothing...

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tpw

13 years ago

Originally Posted by JayPeete

Let's get down to it. Did pissing people off make you any more money?

Probably not. Most of us are in the forum to learn more and to make more money. If being negative didn't accomplish that goal then it is for nothing...

Frequently, YES!!

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

And when you do stand for something, some people will decide to love you for it, while others will decide to hate you for it.

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Troy_Phillips

13 years ago

This just pisses me off to no end :-)

Originally Posted by tpw

Frequently, YES!!

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

And when you do stand for something, some people will decide to love you for it, while others will decide to hate you for it.

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tpw 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

This just pisses me off to no end :-)

Out of Thanks for the day.
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- Troy_Phillips 13 years ago
  
  I gave you one ... use it wisely
  
  Originally Posted by tpw
  
  Out of Thanks for the day.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  myob 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips
  
  I gave you one ... use it wisely
  
  Knowing him, he'll just waste it on another damn useless post. :p
  
  Thanks
  
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  Troy_Phillips 13 years ago
  
  He acts all tough but he will end up giving it to his wife to get that beer he has whined about for the last week.
  
  Originally Posted by myob
  
  Knowing him, he'll just waste it on another damn useless post. :p
  
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myob

13 years ago

Originally Posted by tpw

Frequently, YES!!

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

And when you do stand for something, some people will decide to love you for it, while others will decide to hate you for it.

Originally Posted by Troy_Phillips

This just pisses me off to no end :-)

You just gotta love it!

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Jim Guererro

13 years ago

Responses to your writing is one of the main goals that should be aspired too. If you can write content that makes people have to respond makes you an elite writer. But the trick is to keep in within the parameters of the subject. Writing content in such a way that makes people state their opinion is great but keeping it civil and fair as to evoke a dialogue is great.

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Does creating content that pisses people off work to get regular readers?

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