Controversy and Sex Sells - Mundane and Vanilla will Bankrupt You!
While catching up on some of my favorite bloggers and their recent posts this morning, I came across Sex Sells, But Will You Go To Hell? by Calvin Warr.
I left the following comment:
It’s sad that controversy and sex are the top selling points. But it’s so true! Historically if I look at my blogs and their traffic, my top traffic posts are controversial or downright sexy! It’s so bad that if I see near mid-month that the month is dragging in terms of traffic, I will purposely interject controversy as a means of budgeting.
When you take a long look at yourself, your blogging and your commenting habits, can you honestly say that controversy doesn’t draw you in?
Interestingly enough, I encountered something recently that took what would normally be considered by most, to be a vanilla post - a post that completely lacked controversy. However, one person took the content of that post turned it around, shined the light of sexism on it and suddenly the post was hot!
Because the blogger was a friend of mine, I felt the need to point out the mistake that was being made by a perfect stranger. That the writer didn’t have a sexist bone in her body and that the post was completely innocent.
What happened then was a snowball effect. My protective nature kicked in, the person who left the initial comment stepped up to defensive mode in overdrive and well, the post became a hit!
Everyone looking in to see what was happening with the discussion - whether on the side that saw sexism or on the side of, well, reality - it didn’t matter. Everyone had something vested in the conversation. Along with blood pressure - a increase in comments, links, subscribers and traffic could easily be seen.
A few months ago I purposely did a search on the most controversial topics associated with many of my blog topics and keep the list in a binder filed on my bookshelf. Typically around the 15th of the month, I check my stats and if traffic seems exceptionally low for the month, I’ll stir up the stink pot just a bit! Whether it’s Britney Spears in yet another see-through top or Dr. Phil on Wet Nurses or even the dating scene and casual sex - there’s really a lot of traffic that can be sparked by one quick post.
Sometimes I hate to admit it, but if sex and controversy are going to sell more - I’m going to claim my piece of that pie - are you?
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Blogging, Marketing, MomGadget, Working at Home
3 opinions for Controversy and Sex Sells - Mundane and Vanilla will Bankrupt You!
Calvin Warr
Mar 7, 2008 at 12:51 am
be careful when stirring the stink pot… if it spills over, you might get some on your feet! :)
I guess we are all sort of “victims” in that sense - on the one hand we condemn these things, yet on the other hand, we are irresistibly drawn to them!
Hands up, all those who slowed down to get a better look at a highway pile up!
homemom3
Mar 7, 2008 at 3:08 am
Gayla- I know exactly what you mean, today alone I’ve been watching something like this go on. Of course I keep going back to see what’s being said now. This of course will definitely add to the blog but it certainly shows about controversy.
kpriss
Mar 7, 2008 at 10:04 pm
.. so if I got it right, this is your mid-month moment when traffic is slow? ;)
I guess you either have sex or controversy or both. depending on how much you want to pimp your blog and how much controversy are you willing to put up with. (things get easily out of hand. felt it myself even if I’m a young blogger and stirred things up without any consciousness regarding traffic or else).
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: