35 Ways To Write a Controversial Blog Post

Controversy sells. If you have writing your blog for a while, you have probably used controversial posts to engage your users and gain more traction in the blogging world. Just take a look at Fox News. Those guys have some of the worst reporting I have seen in the media. They are so biased and crude. At the same time, they are dominating the world of cable television. Guys such as Bill Oreilly and Sean Hannity call President Obama all the names in the book, and people keep watching them (and I am not talking about the conservatives). It’s really the oldest trick in the book. Create controversy and reap the rewards for a long time. If you don’t believe me, ask Rush Limbaugh.

There are many ways to create controversy, some of which even I am not comfortable with. Not everyone can pull off a Rush Limbaugh. It’s an art, and that’s why Rush is so good at what he does. But if you are looking to create a little bit of controversy to gain some exposure on the Web, here are a few ideas to consider:

1. Take on other top bloggers.
2. Make bold predictions.
3. Make off the wall predictions.
4. Talk about the difference between men and women.
5. Pick one gender over the other (know your audience first).
6. Talk about why Web 2.0 is overrated.
7. Bash Twitter!
8. Talk about the death of blogging.
9. defend Scientology and Tom Cruise on your blog.
10. Pull a Hannity on President Obama
11. Talk about who shouldn’t have touched the Queen
12. Pick Microsoft over Apple.
13. Bash the iPhone!
14. Talk about UFOs.
15. Tackle Illegal Immigration.
16. Defend or oppose abortion.
17. Post a controversial video.
18. Create response videos to top bloggers.
19. Talk about how our economy is doing great.
20. Defend Jim Cramer and the Wall Street.
21. Defend Facebook’s latest redesign.
22. Better yet pick Facebook over Twitter.
23. Or Twitter over Facebook.
24. Discuss how Zune was great.
25. Repeat Glenn Beck’s claims on your blog.
26. Talk about how Kindle will never make it.
27. Discuss Cash 4 Gold on your blog.
28. Leave Twitter and talk about the reasons.
29. Bash Digg and its new toolbar.
30. Attack Net Neutrality.
31. Argue why Wikipedia is overrated.
32. Talk about why Twitter and Facebook should be paid services.
33. Talk about dubious ways to gain followers on Twitter.
34. Discuss the pros of behavioral tracking.
35. Talk about who you wouldn’t date.

There are many more ways to create controversy on your blog. I strongly recommend everyone to look at FoxNews. These guys have turned this concept into an art. I am personally no fan of controversies. But there is no question this tactic works. Just make sure you know where that line is and don’t cross it. Remember, you want to expand your blog not kill it!

Your take: did I miss anything? What would you add here?