Some bloggers I know are provocative on purpose. They will pick divisive issues that play well to their hardcore fanbase but which piss off even more. Sometimes they do this to shout about an issue that they feel really strongly about, but a lot of the time they do it to draw controversy and attention. The controversy generates a lot of web traffic and may result in a few more sales. However, I wonder at the wisdom of this.
It's one thing to sound off about an issue within the industry that you feel passionate about. I have more than a few posts like that myself, so it's not like I hide who I am. However, I don't go out looking to generate controversy. It's easy to do - simply tackle a social issue of the day and watch people tear at each other - but is it really wise? Genuine controversy on the subject of the industry or another book is one thing, but just getting people spun up to generate traffic seems risky to me. In today's polarized climate, it's real easy to piss off half the audience, and those potential sales are usually forever lost, regardless of how talented you are or how good your work may be.
In addition to controversy, it gets easy to spot a phony. Those who throw red meat into the lion's cage just to see how many people will watch can be found out. Yes, I'm sure there is tangential conviction to whatever the position is, but if that's all you do, people will grow exhausted, and they'll figure out you're just trying to play them.
Remember what your goal is. Is it to piss people off and/or get them talking smack to each other, or is it to get them to eventually fork over their hard earned cash so you can be a full-time writer. The issues you present are your choice, but whether people buy your stuff is theirs.
It's one thing to sound off about an issue within the industry that you feel passionate about. I have more than a few posts like that myself, so it's not like I hide who I am. However, I don't go out looking to generate controversy. It's easy to do - simply tackle a social issue of the day and watch people tear at each other - but is it really wise? Genuine controversy on the subject of the industry or another book is one thing, but just getting people spun up to generate traffic seems risky to me. In today's polarized climate, it's real easy to piss off half the audience, and those potential sales are usually forever lost, regardless of how talented you are or how good your work may be.
In addition to controversy, it gets easy to spot a phony. Those who throw red meat into the lion's cage just to see how many people will watch can be found out. Yes, I'm sure there is tangential conviction to whatever the position is, but if that's all you do, people will grow exhausted, and they'll figure out you're just trying to play them.
Remember what your goal is. Is it to piss people off and/or get them talking smack to each other, or is it to get them to eventually fork over their hard earned cash so you can be a full-time writer. The issues you present are your choice, but whether people buy your stuff is theirs.
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