The Power Of Controversy Marketing, Part I

Over time, people tend to assume certain things are just a fact and they accept them as such. When someone comes along challenging that long held belief, it creates a controversy.

For instance, it was believed for many years that the earth was flat. When one man came along named Christopher Columbus, who proved that to be false. It created quite a controversy and everyone began to know who Christopher Columbus was.

What are some other longstanding beliefs that can be challenged…

1. Getting a college education will help you make a lot of money.

2. To be successful you have to work extremely hard.

3. You have to have a lot of internet traffic to make money with a website.

4. It takes money to make money.

5. You can only make money in the stock market when stock prices are rising.

6. Great marriages are a result of love, understanding, and respect.

Let’s take longstanding belief # 1 for example. Imagine, reading a headline that said…

“Successful 19 Year Old College Dropout Says, ‘If You Want to Be a Millionaire, Don’t Go to College!’”

Wouldn’t that capture your attention? Wouldn’t you want to read what that article had to say. I would.

Why.

Because it challenges a long held belief that you have to go to college to become a
millionaire. You and I know that’s not true… but the majority of people still believe it.
Look in your industry or profession and write down a list of long held beliefs. Read the trade publications and as you’re reading, write down your thoughts. Once you have a list of long held beliefs, then write some headlines that go against the belief.

Before you know it, you’ll have some great ideas that will generate a lot of publicity!

David Frey, www.MarketingBestPractices.com

Controversy in Marketing Theory: For Reason, Realism, Truth, and Objectivity