What generates buzz...
 

Hi Michael,
It's a fascinating "case study"...

While I wouldn't really want to be the "world's most hated blogger", it sure shows how "controversy" can bring traffic, bring in free news publicity (Phil back in Nov. posted an article about him from USA Today, I posted an article about him from the Sydney Morning Herald - these are hardly "small time" news sources!) - and even bring in dollars...

As well as being interesting, there could be something useful there...

According to the book "Buzzmarketing" by Mark Hughes (former marketing dude for Half.com, before they were acquired by eBay) says that the 5 most frequently written stories in the news are...

• the David-and-Goliath story
• the unusual or outrageous story
• the controversy story
• the celebrity story
• what's already hot in the media

I guess his story is "unusual" and "controversial" - who would want to be the "world's most hated blogger"? But he realizes he has a good thing going... So perhaps he tries to keep the "controversy" going...

This list explains too why Paris Hilton going to jail is "BIG News"... That combines THREE things - "outrageous", "controversial", and it's happening to a "celebrity" too (thanks to the "Hilton" name)!

Cheers,

Dien

The Psychology Of Crowds And Cults...
 

In 2003, I was the most hated blogger. The fact that I was using the words "making money" and "blogging" in the same sentence was considered a sin. But it pulled in the traffic, just the same.

I call it The "O Factor" named after conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly.

Why?

Because at the end of each episode he reads his hate mail along with his fan mail. No one turns off the show till they watch that segment. And what does it do? It cements the love of his fans -- and cements the viewing of those that hate him.

Another case in point is this controversy that made it to The Drudge Report this morning. It seems that the listeners of Michael Savage's radio show have been writing into CSPAN with some lively emails.

And what does CSPAN do?

They fall into Michael's trap and discuss the emails live on the air instead of just ignoring them. And of course that just fires up Michael's listeners! They want to know that they are being listened to! They want the attention.

The psychology of cults and crowds in fascinating stuff.

Aloha,

Jason Cain