Create Hubs that Generate Controversy ( . . .er, I mean, Comments)
There are a great many tried and true ways to create Hubs that will generate a lot of comments from your readers/viewers. And, in certain instances, those comments are sure to escalate into impassioned dialogue and controversy.
Perhaps the easiest way to begin generating comments — and perhaps the occasional fistfight or two — is to venture into those traditionally taboo topics of polite and well-mannered cocktail and dinner party conversation the world over: religion & politics. (For my own sake, I would always be sure to complete the Taboo Trifecta by adding 'money' to that don’t-go-there list.)
Trust me, I know what I'm talking about! I have written about How to Be President and How to Be Pope. I drafted a Hub about How to Enjoy Paying Your Taxes, and How to Make More through Online Writing. I have opined on the merits (or lack thereof) of both the current and past U.S. Administrations, and I've got the backtalk to show for it. I'm sure if you put your mind to it, you could come up with some particular facet of religion or politics or money that hasn't already been flogged to death by all of your fellow Hubbers, nor by all the reigning pundits and talking heads of the many multivariate cable channels serving the planet.
Perhaps you could parse the Dead Sea Scrolls? Or cogitate on why so many leaders of male-dominated religions like to walk around in long dresses? Ruminate on the fact that for decade upon decade, the Feds can keep on printing all the Benjamins they want, but just you go ahead and try to produce even one measly poorly drawn Lincoln of your own, and see where that gets you. Or why not start publishing the exorbitant salaries and perks of your local oligarchs (along with photos of who they were spotted with at that quiet little getaway bistro outside of town)?
But when even the Big Three fail you, never fear! There are still many topics you can tackle! Try hopscotching through the encyclopedic range of hobbies that most online readers are likely to pursue! Coins, yard sales, comic books, guns, ATVs, dolls, dollhouses, snow tires, tattoos, birdcages, music, mailboxes, apps, yard ornaments, take-out pizza, snuggies, weed, really lame TV shows that shouldn’t have been axed, facelifts, beer, stove-top stuffing, really comfortable slippers, flycasting, reality TV, sex toys, NASCAR, magazines about comfortable lakeside entertaining, cinnamon buns, and so on.
I, for example, have Hubbed about stamps, The Beatles, classic fictional detectives, Harvard, teenagers, Junkanoo, dorm rooms, The Cleveland Zoo, caricatures, divorce, Tickfaw, cell phones, Barack Obama, and even how to design a really good parking lot. (And, believe it or not, I get an awful lot of hits on that Hub about designing a really good parking lot!)
You must also Hub, Hub and Hub some more. And you must read, read, and read some more. It is only through reading and writing, and writing and reading that your work will keep improving in quality, range and interest. (And you might finally figure out the difference between ‘there’ and ‘their’.) I’ve got more than 700 Hubs to my name, and don’t plan on stopping ‘til I’m well past 7,000 — if then.
And, just when you’re mired in a slump — unable to come up with even one more interesting idea for a Hub — and you feel all is lost: do what I did. Start writing about cats. Cute little cats. Doesn’t matter what — anything about cats. It’s sure to get noticed.
[Don’t believe me? Then check out my Devon Rex Cats or any of my Leos. Told ya.]
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We all know it ain't easy being male. Here's some of the ugliness (and I mean that literally) that all of you guys will have to look forward to. - Detecting Wisdom?
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Despite what you might think, it's really not that difficult to save the world. All you have to do is start in slightly smaller increments. - Wowser, the First Dog Ever Transmitted by Morse Code
“Wowser!” Yup. Say it again. “Wowser!” Wowser!, indeed, for here you see the first canine ever transmitted a distance of greater than 100 miles by Morse code. I say forget your G4 with... - The Whopper Spaniel
Yummy little yapper! This meaty little creature is every American's favorite (and a particular hit with little boys everywhere)! Whether one prefers them plain, or with the works, it seems it's hard to resist the frisky antics of these... - Osama Bin Burrito, Rice, Hot Tea
Dateline: New York 09:27 EST May 2, 2011 — The news yesterday that a special operation by the United States military had resulted in the death of al-Qaeda leader and revolutionary icon Osama Bin Laden in the small... - Elephants make the best pets!
Have your own circus! If you want to really enjoy the experience of having a companion animal, helpmate and best friend all rolled into one, you can’t do better than getting an elephant. For starters, you will finally silence that neighbor’s... - The World's First Earthscraper
In the mid to late 1930s, it was left to real estate mogul Triumvirate Nabob Trump, visionary great-uncle of The Donald, to create the World’s First Earthscraper. Triumvirate was known by friends and enemies alike by...
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Ecomonies are in dire straits, but I can count on this!
- AUTHOR
Oh, I'm not giving it away, Kasara, I'm netting 0.002 cents each time someone like you clicks on this! Thanks for reading (and contributing to my retirement). — Rick
People noarlmly pay me for this and you are giving it away!
- AUTHOR
I agree; I'm still perpetually surprised how feel people really want to embrace a new idea or perspective or new information. I believe it was Mark Twain who observed, "There is no man so stupid that I cannot learn something from him."
I'm not the most controversial-Hub producer in the world, but I've found that those I write that do tend to get comments (and controversy, sometimes even "hate") are the ones that I write in an effort to defend a group of people that tend to be among a group that "everyone" loves to hate (or at least a group that others enjoy feeling superior to). All it takes is point out a few hard-to-argue-with points on something like "why all poor people aren't ignorant and uneducated" or "why all wealthy people aren't all evil and selfish" - and, voila, you've poked a hole in several inflated egos and have yourself some controversy. :) I've joked with a friend about how angry people can get when one points out why one group or another isn't as "horrible" as so many people seem to believe; and my friend will always joke back about how "people don't like to be enlightened". :)
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