12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
12 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Can WTF content work?

by kaaregarnes
10 replies
I just realized that most of the things i share oneline falls in the "What the F..." category.

So lately I´ve been toying with the idea of "WTF Content Marketing", where you create content that is unrelated to your clients business, but strange/WTF-ish in a way their target groups like.

I think this could generate a lot of social shares and links and be good for SEO, but I also realize that the branding aspect might not be ideal.

Any thought? Ideas on how to do this without bewildering the audience to0 much?
#content #seo #work #wtf
  • Profile picture of the author Danielle Lynn
    Everything you do related to your business should have a purpose.

    If your goal is to build rapport with your clients by sharing that material, you have to ask yourself a few questions:

    1. Does this fit in with my brand image (how I want clients to see me) ?
    2. Will this actually build rapport - or will it ALIENATE my clients?


    You've already asked yourself the branding question, I think you need to look at your overall business goals so you can answer it.

    If you like, you can post here or pm me your business site and an example of your 'wtf' content and I could give you some more pointed feedback.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7480122].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by kaaregarnes View Post

    Can WTF content work?
    I agree with Danielle, above.

    The furthest I go with this, myself, is sometimes using "surprising" article titles which may at first appear unrelated to the niche. But even with those, their relevance will become very clear not far in to the article itself.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7480375].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      We tried something similar in one project. It is tricky to keep the balance, on one hand your public will share a lot of your links and will open your emails. On the other you can become the WTF guy... the guy to hang out with, not to buy from.
      Signature
      Coloring book niche? I have a proposal for you.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7480970].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Corey Geer
    Are you talking about using controversial material as a sales tactic or attention grabber? Of course.. this and sex are two of the top sellers.

    They always have been and they always will be. Sure, you might take a hit on branding but the majority of people on here don't really think about the long run and the big picture.

    AKA: Building a list, becoming an authority, branding, etc.
    Signature

    Skype: Coreygeer319

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7481220].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      Originally Posted by Corey Geer View Post

      Are you talking about using controversial material as a sales tactic or attention grabber? Of course.. this and sex are two of the top sellers.

      They always have been and they always will be. Sure, you might take a hit on branding but the majority of people on here don't really think about the long run and the big picture.

      AKA: Building a list, becoming an authority, branding, etc.
      Are you talking from personal experience?

      Have you ever tested it?

      I´m interested in your results, share please.
      Signature
      Coloring book niche? I have a proposal for you.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7481552].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Corey Geer
        Originally Posted by Sandra Martinez View Post

        Are you talking from personal experience?

        Have you ever tested it?

        I´m interested in your results, share please.
        Have I tested it?

        Pretty sure a large majority of corporations, marketing geniuses and advertisers all around the world have used controversy and sexual appeal to sell products...

        You make it sound like this is a new theory that should be tested.
        Signature

        Skype: Coreygeer319

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7481667].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
          Originally Posted by Corey Geer View Post

          Have I tested it?

          Pretty sure a large majority of corporations, marketing geniuses and advertisers all around the world have used controversy and sexual appeal to sell products...

          You make it sound like this is a new theory that should be tested.
          Thing is.. I was involved in a project were they tested it. And the statement doesn´t work in the results I saw in the broad way you put it.

          Corporations and big companies use model´s sex appeal to attract customers, in the frame of advertising. The owners are usually ugly as hell and proud of it.

          The advertising makes people want to recreate the scene, and buy the product as the only tangible element there.

          But when a single person wants to use the system, usually ends up into trouble...

          There is an intangible but important line separating friendly from friend. Thing is... friendship and money don´t go together. To be able to sell, you need to have certain authority and that puts distance.

          Some people can do the cool kid of the block and get away with it, Frank Kern is one of them. But not everyone does it right.

          The OP can share all that stuff and get away with it IF he has the right personality for it, and he also shows the other face, in a balanced way.

          It is darn hard to get the balance right.

          And for you... never believe anything they tell you, test it. Absolutely all the theories have borders, they don´t apply everywhere.
          Signature
          Coloring book niche? I have a proposal for you.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7481834].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Claire Koch
            worst idea I ever heard of. There's a difference between the surprise factor and being a scum bag. Sorry to be so blunt but you want to advertise to that crowd you will get what you get and believe me its not a buying crowd IMHO.

            Good grief this topic should not even be entertained. What is everyone talking about? ANd you tried it already? Oh my goodness gracious.

            EDIT: try it with rock music I wouldn't but that's me. I know I sound apauled but when did marketing get this low????
            Signature
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7481850].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author johnrone
    WTF content could work if you are f*d up and want to share your f*d up life while dealing with f*d up people. As you have mentioned, this doesn't seem like an ideal topic or niche.
    Signature
    ==> FREE eBOOK <== Want to FIRE your Boss? Avoid THESE mistakes in your business
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7481648].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Corey Geer
    ...Time to go to bed before my head explodes after reading some of the comments posted.
    Signature

    Skype: Coreygeer319

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7482366].message }}

Trending Topics