Are the best marketers typically controversial?

[DavidTheMavin]

I feel like if you look up any well known marketer, there's always some type of controversy surrounding them. Whether this is manufactured controversy or real doesn't really matter to me and is different on a case by case basis, but it raises the question, do you need to have some type controversy about you to really stand out from the crowd?

[MacFreddie]

Originally Posted by DavidTheMavin

I feel like if you look up any well known marketer, there's always some type of controversy surrounding them. Whether this is manufactured controversy or real doesn't really matter to me and is different on a case by case basis, but it raises the question, do you need to have some type controversy about you to really stand out from the crowd?

You should probably ask Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Bill O'Reilly, etc...

[LB]

I have often spoke about the need to have an opinion in your marketing.

Trying to please everyone is a certain way to cut your potential in half, at least.

My most profitable products and campaigns also generate the most hate mail.

[AmyBrown]

I was thinking about this last night as I watched a tribute to Billy Mays. As much as people loved to complain about him being over the top and loud he got people talking and people bought the products he represented.

[Nathan Denton]

Some form of controversy adds an angle to your product and ultimately your image and reputation. Being controversial is not the only angle marketers use. Some use humour, others portray themselves as the expert in their field etc.

[DavidTheMavin]

Originally Posted by Razer Rage

Not really, no. Yes, controversy is a highly effective marketing tool, and if you're a popular marketer (or if your product is popular) then it is inevitable.

So I suppose they are, yes.

Yeah, whether it's the competition creating controversy, people digging up skeletons in your closet because you're in the limelight, critics, jealous haters... it always brings controversy.

[JasonParker]

Backlash seems to come with the territory.

[Don-James]

The answer is yes and no! Being controversial is just one form of marketing yourself. If you've had the chance to read Seth Godin's 'Purple Cow' you'll see that creating your own brand can be in many different forms - but, should be unique. This can be 'yelling' like Billy Mays or 'angry and outspoken' like Bill O'Reilly. There are other forms such as 'honest', 'smart', 'experienced', 'disciplined', etc.

Whatever it is - be unique!

[Steven Donald Smith]

For every controversial successful marketer, there are more typical white hat type marketers. I definitely don't believe you must be controversial to be successful.

Steve

[DavidTheMavin]

Originally Posted by Sportsmarketer

For every controversial successful marketer, there are more typical white hat type marketers. I definitely don't believe you must be controversial to be successful.

Steve

Successful and "best" are two different things. We're all successful in one way or another, but the cream of the crop, they tend to have some type of controversy surrounding them, no? I tend to take controversy with a grain of salt when the marketer is really famous.

[MichaelHiles]

Anyone who leads any field is a target.

[athibaul]

I think that often, controversy comes after success. The more success you have, the more people will hear from you and the more people not agreeing with you will manifest themselves.

Alain,

[nailzer01]

Let me share a thought of mine. There are books about everything. But it will not help all the way to success. Every individual must add something of his own to it. It is your job to enrich the technique everyday.