Controversy - A key to Web Success

In traditional public relations, the publicity manager is always trying to avoid negative publicity. However, on the internet being a little "in your face" can be as valuable to the blog author as it is to the radio talk show host.

In some rural markets, a very pleasant non-controversial talk show can be quite successful within the local community. But there are almost no national talk shows that don't include a bit of controversy.

But you do pay a price for that controversy. There are some fringe radio talk shows that have a national audience but there audience is not mainstream. Finding the right balance and avoiding tainting your brand is a constant challenge to the program.

Similarly, in the internet world, finding the right balance of "edginess" is key to success in the Internet publishing world. Different venues call for a different degree of controversy.

Either extreme amiability or gratuitous shock can be a death blow to internet publishing.

Sonia Simone wrote: "9 Little Known Traits of Successful Bloggers."