Boost Content Success by Making Enemies

Recently updated: January 5th, 2019

Most people believe that the only way to get readers and online followers is by pleasing them with your content and ideas. On the contrary, stirring up controversy and making rivals once in a while is a great way of achieving content success and ultimately, more followers. But, there is the right and wrong way to do this; content strategy.

Your content strategy should highlight effective ways of getting readers to your side. Your opinions, beliefs, stories, data, and content should bring out your firm and defensible position. The position you choose will earn you supporters and enemies a like. For people to believe in you or your business, you must portray confidence by taking firm positions that oppose some common beliefs. This way, people who believe in what you choose to oppose will become your enemies and vice versa. The irony is that your online enemies will follow you to read your opinions and share your content with like-minded individuals. So, it is a win-win situation for you!

Who will help amplify your opinionated content?

This is a content creation rule. Before you pen down your content or formulate the title ask yourself who or what group of readers will amplify the content and why they will help amplify it. Determining your content amplifiers means knowing your allies and potential enemies. The people who will support your ethics, ideas, logic, data, and position will strive to amplify your content. Hence, you must define them and how to reach them. On the other hand, defining your opposers helps in segregating your support groups.

Additionally, you understand why your supporters would want to amplify your content despite it being opinionated. The fact that you and your supporters have a common enemy should motivate you to show the world that you have unwavering support and people believe in your opinions and the behavior you are trying to drive in your community. With such motivation, content creators set the right mind frame to formulate online pieces that thrive maximally by triggering reactions from their enemies.

Comprehending the Do’s and Don’ts:

1. The Do’s

Backup your controversial content with reliable data

As much as you want the world to know your opinion regarding a certain topic you may be knowledgeable at, it is important to back up your arguments with as much data and facts as possible. You want to make enemies and benefit at the same time, so, avoid losing your supporters due to lack of reliable evidence that supports your content.

Convey a world view

Conveying a world view means bringing out multiple appeal angles. Your content should aim at addressing people with different needs, opportunity and choice priorities. Therefore, do not focus on a single pointer or argument angle. Diversify your arguments to touch and lure more supporters and enemies a like. For instance, if you are talking about replacing exercise with weigh loss supplements, do not focus your argument on the time both weight loss methods require for tangible results to be realized. Instead, talk about the lack of workout time due to the demanding work and economic obligations, the financial implications (supplements would be cheaper as compared to paying for gym sessions that you may not always attend) and lifestyle change responsibility. The idea is to portray the many advantages weight loss supplements have to offer over exercising for weight loss. The many advantages will represent the diverse world view.

Gather input from notable parties

If you plan on addressing politically, culturally or socially charged content, it is advisable to seek input from notable parties. This could be well-known researchers, specific topic bloggers and public figures just to mention a few. In our example above, you may need input from weight loss researchers, doctors and fitness bloggers if possible. Input from notable parties boosts content credibility, and though it will still attract haters, it’s logical arguments and credibility will definitely boost its success.

2. The Don’ts

Avoid being provocative for the sake of being provocative

Though you aim at triggering reactions from your enemies, do not be provocative without a goal. Do not focus on creating content that will piss people off. Instead, use the information, knowledge, beliefs, data, and positions to create content that addresses your enemies and allies while triggering them to amplify your content.

Avoid indefensible positions

Do not choose positions you cannot defend against. You have to be knowledgeable about the topic you want to address and have facts to back-up your stand. For instance, it is advisable to keep off topics you deem dangerous and might get you in litigious danger. Also, if you try to seek input from notable folks in the field and they advise you not to pursue your mission, it would be advisable to drop the idea. Indefensible positions can be costly and damaging if not well thought of.

Do not give up after your first try

Just like all projects, investments and writing attempts, do not expect to succeed with the first attempt. You must practice, understand the rules of the game, and iterate before achieving the kind of success you seek.

Avoid being unprofessional

When you are thinking about how to trigger or make enemies, you may sway from professionalism. Remember that, you still want to retain the online command and respect you have after the controversial content is released. So, be as professional as possible when writing this type of content. Use the non-attack vector mode to trigger more reactions, shares and attract supporters as well.

Summary

Creating threats to your enemies’ means creating something special for your supporters. You will receive all sorts of hate and condemnation, but your supporters will stand by you and encourage you. The hate and condemnation will earn you more views, likes, and shares as enemies try to garner more hate for you. This would be a perfect sign that you are on the right path and you are building something special by discussing topics that address people from different walks of life.