You probably are aware of how you can fully benefit from having controversial blog posts. I bet you are also knowledgeable on how controversy serves bait to either your blog’s stardom or downfall. Thus, carefully creating a controversial topic must be something you are adept at before you even think about trying on this traffic-generating technique. Fabrizio Van Marciano shares on his blog his very own “170 Blog Traffic Tips” eBook absolutely free ! I must say that it is something I enjoy reading because it offers a lot of fresh, helpful information about successful blogging at no cost.
In response to the author’s 24th tip, I am elaborating on how to create a controversial topic and generate traffic.
Controversial Topic and Traffic Generation
1. Back up your controversial topic claims with facts
There’s no surefire way to win a battle than arming yourself with the weapons you need. This applies to all aspects of life including blogging. Before you choose to post a controversial topic, make sure you research everything carefully. No one wants to be accused of badmouthing, exaggerating or handling false information. Of course, you should expect your readers to comment on your controversial topic. You don’t like to be labeled stupid, might as well back up your controversial topic with facts. While your readers may disagree with your viewpoint, the facts you present will leave them respecting your right to informed and factual opinion.
2. Specify your argument
Creating a controversial topic by stating general statements are often misleading. Instead of ranting about something in general, narrow your argument. Specify the points you disagree about, including the individual who said it. This will make your controversial topic concise and straightforward. You won’t have to suffer from further misinterpretations then.
3. Carefully select your argument
Some people are desperate enough to search for something to disagree about. They begin creating a controversial topic on the most popular argument they find. I am telling you how terrible of an idea this is. When you write a controversial topic, only choose an argument that you personally believe in. This will make you more confident to defend yourself when people start to bombard you with criticisms.
4. Don’t ever think of retracting your post
As the name implies, a controversial topic will put you in the hot seat. So, before you post a controversial topic, make sure you understand all that it entails. Prepare yourself for countless disagreements from your readers. This shouldn’t scare you, to the extent that you would reverse your previous argument to please them back. When you retract your post, you are not only telling the world how coward you are but are also discrediting yourself. Reversing or retracting will lead to more readers lost and of course, a severely wounded online influence.
5. Choose your battles carefully
Comments are essentials of an interactive blog. Commenting on your readers’ responses on your controversial topic is even more valuable. However, you must do it carefully. Only comment back on those that provide facts themselves. Don’t fall prey to trolls who’ll only make your online image worse.
Watch the video of a Chiropractor who ran a very controversial Facebook ad and generated traffic.
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Wrapping it up, controversy can boost your blog’s traffic, only if you know how to handle it well. Before penning a controversial topic, evaluate yourself on how far you are willing to go for this proven traffic-generating strategy. Once you go all out, there is certainly no point turning back. Always embrace the facts. That’ll save you from trouble later on.
Cotroversial posts on a blog sure get attention, but you have to have readers first. If that is the case ‘the rumor’ spreads. I once wrote a post on my blog with the title “Why You Should Not Post Certain Posts”. It was about censorship and self-censorship one might experience while blogging.
It got it’s number of positive and negative reactions, it worked!
I don’t know if I speak for every blogger, but I know when I write something that people I know are likely to disagree with, that fact is in my mind when I write the post. “So-and-so is not going to agree with this. I hope they don’t hate me.”
Rather than allowing that to limit me, I use it as a good judge to whether I am being fair, kind and reasonable. If there is a specific person or group of people I know personally who will disagree with the post, would I be willing to say the same things to them across a table, in person? Is my tone one I would use when I look them in the eye? If the answer is yes, I feel fine with posting it.
Don’t expect all your reader to agree with you, so, we must accept what their comment, positif or negatif comment,, and i think, the controversial blog is very helpfull sometimes for make increase your trafict web or link. thanks.
Hey Annetta, great post by the way and thanks so much for referencing my eBook 🙂 I’ve only entertained a controversial post once in my whole career as a blogger and it did cause quite a stir. I’ve not been there since lol.
I absolutely agree that research to back up a controversial post is important as you’re going to get a lot of people disagreeing with you in some way or form 🙂 I will keep your tips in mind for the future.
@ Jan Bierens:
People always love rumors and controversy and I agree, if you don’t have a decent number of readers it may not work out.
@ Shamelle:
A very good approach when it comes to writing. In most cases, controversy comes out as a result of the free and open speech of the author. Thank you for stopping by.
@ Fabrizio:
You should try it more often 😀 and I am sure you were well prepared before you published it.
Those trolls are everywhere, aren’t they? Sometimes you have to literally get up and walk away from the post, and return with a level head.
@ Jan Bierens:
Thanks for sharing. I agree with you. However, the main purpose of having controversial posts is to attract readership. You have to come up with a controversial topic, write tactfully about it, and you sure will get an ongoing online attention.