Bloggie Wednesdays: Writing Controversial Posts

Bloggie Wednesdays: Writing Controversial Posts

A couple of months ago, I blogged on a topic that stepped on quite a few toes. If you haven’t read it, do check it out and let me know what you think. It took me quite a long time to write, and I deliberated even longer before even hitting that “Publish” button.

It drew mixed response from the readers, and particularly so for one.

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that comment, which was why I consulted LeGeeque and Paris B on what I did, how I should write my reply, etc. In the end, all comments were replied, but it got me thinking. Was writing a controversial piece like this worth it? Was it valuable to the blog?

Take a walk around the blogosphere and you’ll notice that controversial posts often drive a lot of comments. They can be positive ones if they support the blogger, but a lot of them can also be negative. Sometimes the negative comments can be downright nasty. I’ve often seen bloggers taking a swipe at each other on controversial topics; one blogger slams the writer of the article, and then the friends of the writer come in and defend the writer by cyber-bashing that blogger. More people come in and take sides. Lo and behold, it becomes a cat fight on the blog.

If you want to drive traffic to your blog, one of the ways to do so is to write controversial posts. You will either receive positive or negative reactions to your article. Something to always be aware of is this: you must be prepared for any form of reaction that comes right after you hit that “Publish” button.

What do I mean by controversial pieces? They would be subjects that people don’t normally talk about. It could be something that’s in their mind, but do not mention in polite company. It could be criticism on current affairs, taboo issues, etc.

There are two topics that I always steer clear of on the blog. Controversial post or not, these are the subjects that I never talk or discuss about, and they are politics and religion. I’m sure you know why. Why open a can of worms on a beauty blog when you don’t have to?

Personally, controversial pieces force me to think very carefully on what I write. The words have to be reread, every sentence has to be analysed to ensure I’m getting my point across so that they cannot be misconstrued in any way. They then have to be read some more.

Often, when we blog, especially in the heat of the moment on something that we’re upset about, we fire away at the keyboard and click that “Publish” button without thinking. I know, because I’ve done this many times, only to realise 5 minutes later “Ooops I think I probably shouldn’t have said that”. Believe it or not, by stepping back and slowing down, it can make us better writers.

Me, I like reading a good controversial topic every now and then. It gives me an insight to the writer, and allows me to think hard on the subject. The best part of a controversial blog post is the comments it draws. They can sometimes be very good ones, sometimes negative, some so ludicrous that as you read, you shake your head and wonder if the reader even understood the article in the first place.

If you’re thinking of writing an article that has a controversial subject, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Slow down and think hard

There are times when you just want to blast a topic that has been bothering you. So you fire away at your keyboard. STOP! Slow down. Write what’s in your mind on Notepad or similar, but not on the blog. That’s raw emotions right there. Let it out of your system, and then sleep on it. Next morning, look at what you wrote again. Do it again the next day. If, after a week, it still hasn’t remove that raw edge from you and that piece you wrote, then take another week.

What I’m trying to say is, don’t blog when you have smoke coming out of your ears. Let your emotions settle down first. After some time, you might find that what you’ve drafted originally may no longer make sense. If it still does, you may want to remove all the foul words you’ve added in (I know I did). You might want to add more facts to the story. Read it over many times, and once you’re finally satisfied with it, then only hit “Publish”. That way, you’ll have no regrets.

Develop a very thick skin

There’s no doubt about it. If you are going to open a can of worms, you have to be mentally prepared for the onslaught of comments and reaction on the blog. Be ready for unsavoury comments, especially if they get personal and hit a raw nerve. Try not to take every single comment personally if possible.

Moderate the comments

I usually read comments to my regular blog posts at the end of the day, but for controversial pieces, I watch the comments that come in like a hawk. You have to be the one holding the reins to the words that are exchanged between your readers on your blog, especially when they start to get nasty with each other. If they begin to fight (it can happen), step in immediately and say “woaaahhhh!”. If your article is attracting too many nasty reactions, you might want to moderate your comments or even close them altogether. The latter is a drastic move, but I’ve seen blogs whose server crashed because they couldn’t handle the amount of bandwidth coming in at once.

Be neutral and polite when replying the comments

Unsubstantional troll comments with heaps of swearing are the ones I normally just delete, especially if they don’t add to the value of the comment and blog. However, a lot of comments you might get may be legitimate ones, that come from the reaction to the piece that did not sit right with the reader. I do not delete these comments, but try to reply them as politely as possible. Be neutral in your reply. Don’t attack them with your replies; it bears no value to you or your blog. If the comment doesn’t really make much sense to you, feel free to request the reader to elaborate his/her point in their comments.

Be ready to apologise if you have made a mistake

Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, you may have written something that has been unresearched and you did not get your facts right. If the comments have struck a chord in you, making you realise that you’ve gone the wrong way in viewing and writing the subject, be ready to eat humble pie and apologise. It’s not a cop-out or compromising your principles when you’ve actually realised you’re written something wrongly.

These are just a few points to take into consideration when writing controversial posts. It’s a lot to think about, but personally, it’s not going to stop me from writing more if I can. We are all adults, and have our own minds. I’d love to know your thoughts on some issues, and sometimes those issues might strike a chord. Surely we can agree to disagree at some of those issues 🙂

Have you written controversial posts before? How did you react to the negative comments? Has overwhelming negative reaction stopped you from writing them altogther?

Bloggie Wednesdays is a series of articles just on blogging. They contain tips, how-tos, discussions about anything and everything you need to know about blogging and how we can be better bloggers. If you have any suggestions, tips and tricks about blogging you would like to share with us, or if you have any questions you would like me to address, please let us know in the comments.

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23 comments… add one
  1. Ling

    Totally feel you regarding politics and religion. a) I don’t get politics and b) yeah…religion…can open soooo many worms…

    I think it’s hard to write a controversial post…I don’t even think I’ve written one…
    Ling recently posted..Wordless Wednesday : Totally Wordless Except For This TitleMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Ling: My sentiments exactly. I’m apathetic when it comes to politics, plus I’m not really interested so there isn’t much I can even say on that topic. Religion…well, that’s even more sensitive and it can blow wide open with just the littlest mention. I admire those who can openly write about these topics and cop the flak that comes with it, because I don’t think I can, not with these.

  2. Celeste @ Becoming Beautiful

    Haven’t written a controversial piece before and don’t think I will! I’m not thick skin enough to handle the fire and it will just end in lots of sleepless nights. Also, don’t really have that many things I argue heatedly about or make a stand about other than why I do not like a certain country and why I would never return there to work. Heh.

    Good on you on having the balls to do so – even better for being able to stay calm through the firing!

    1. Tine

      Celeste: It helps with friends to turn to for help. I did exactly that because I wasn’t sure if I should blast the comment, leave it be, or reply properly. Advice given to me was to sleep on it 🙂

  3. Paris B

    I can’t remember if I’ve written a controversial post. Maybe not. But a rant about a spa did attract a lot of nasty comments so I opted to close comments on that post. I will definitely agree with you on your tips here. The best thing to do when writing a controversial or rant post is to write it, then leave it in draft, check it, double check it, wait till you no longer are mad then publish it. Some of my rant/controversy inducing posts never get published 🙂
    Paris B recently posted..How To: Work-Friendly Makeup and How I Apply My EyeshadowMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Paris B: Hmmm I’m not sure if you have either. I think I remembered that post about the spa. Was it the one that Xin had a lot of issues with?
      I think the best way to handle a controversial post is to sleep on it. Many many times. I have at least 2 drafts full of rants and anger still sitting in my Notepad 😛

  4. Melly

    Great blog entry! It is very hard sometimes to stay diplomatic but get your poimt across eslecially if you are responding to nadty comments but if done in the right way it can bring cudos to you amd your blog and people will respect you and what you write anout

    1. Tine

      Melly: Thanks Melly. It really is hard to stay diplomatic at times when all you want to do is scream bloody murder at some people 😛

  5. Renee | Beauty Fool

    Tine, this is an excellent post! I really love your Bloggie Wednesday series. 🙂

    I’ve been thinking of a certain topic to write on my blog; sort of a rant, but also a “belief” I have on a topic, but I just *know* it’s one of those topics that just one wrong word or phrasing can turn the whole thing around and be a big mess. Scary business! Thank you for your tips and your insights from your experience… I’ll still be thinking if I wanna post mine up; I’m kinda scared to start writing about it! Haha.

    x Renee
    Renee | Beauty Fool recently posted..Blogging TipsMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Renee: Thanks Renee 🙂
      I think it becomes a lot more difficult for a blogger to write negative, ranty posts especially when he/she has reached a level where he/she has a significant number of readers and am quite well-known in the blogging circle. Suddenly you’ve become one of THOSE bloggers. It really isn’t fair when at the end of the day, it’s still your blog, your voice.
      Writing about it helps, whether you finally publish it or not. At least you’ve gotten the words out of the head 😛

  6. gio

    I don’t think I’ve ever written a controversial post, although some of my posts about cosmetic ingredients have attracted some nasty comments from people who believe that anything synthetic is dangerous. I just try and reply in a polite and diplomatic way, unless the comments are insulting, in which case I delete them. There are actually a couple of topics I’d like to discuss on the blog, but they’re very controversial and I’m not sure I’m willing to put up with the fuss they may create. You have to be so careful and it can be quite scary! And thanks for these great useful tips. 🙂
    gio recently posted..Product Review: Essence Express Dry DropsMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Gio: Aww that’s just nonsense. You’re writing to let other people know about the ingredients, what it’s about and what it does. It’s not as though you’re advocating it.

      Oooh I’d love to read those topics! Drats, you’re not going to post them 😛

  7. dom

    Great post as always Tine. I reread your ‘controversial’ post and sure, it may have sat well/not so well with different readers, but it was/is a topic relevant to your blog (beauty blogging isn’t just about skincare and makeup, amirite? Fashion is also beauty! Or something like that :)). Plus it was well-written and it generated a lot of debate/discussion, which is what a writer would always want

    I agree with your tips and in my case, I have a lovely co-writer and the advice of other friends on how to approach certain topics and write out blog pieces.
    dom recently posted..Quickie Review: Zoya Charla and IvankaMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Dom: My sentiments exactly. The point is to generate discussion, and I believe we’re all adults, we can agree to disagree 🙂

      I think it’s cool that you have someone to share the blog with, that you can discuss certain topics first, and see if you should do it or not. An objective point-of-view is needed for “angry writing” 😛

  8. Swati

    yes, I do believe in taking a breathing time before writing down a post and any emotions should be kept far away when writing on the blog. for one thing, its not really appreciable to become too personal when writing such posts because there always a difference between opinions and personal beliefs. and, it takes a huge experience to convey what we think in neutral tone without hurting anyone’s sentiments. I have never tried anything like that but I am contemplating a post which has been on my mind since I went thourgh a particular blog post on someone else’s blog and its not bashing up or anything but a practical matter which probably is being misrepresented.
    Swati recently posted..Moisturizer with or without spf? {Your Opinion}My Profile

    1. Tine

      Swati: I agree with you, Swati. When angry, things get personal, and the whole topic no longer becomes a discussion, but a personal attack. It doesn’t add value to the blog, and it hurts the blogger’s credibility and judgment.

  9. Poohkie

    I had once written a post about plagiarism. I used to work in advertising so I had a bit of insider’s knowledge about the issue. I was extremely skeptical about it because a few Indian bloggers had faced the issue around that point of time. But I took my time to write it, and once it was done, I didn’t post it for ages. I just sat on it for a while & posted it only after I was comfortable with it. I got a grand total of 3 comments on that post, which is lesser than what I usually get for regular posts. I guess people preferred to stay away from the topic. On hindsight, even though the topic usually elicited strong emotions, the post wasn’t controversial.
    I do have a great amount of respect for anyone who voices their opinion on ‘controversial’ topics in a respectful manner. By doing so you’re opening up yourself for criticism & that’s really brave.
    Poohkie recently posted..Proud as a Peacock…sort ofMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Poohkie: Ooooh, I’m going to search your blog for the post now 😛

      At the end of the day, you were comfortable with what you’ve written. You wrote it with a clear mind. That’s all that matters 🙂

      1. Poohkie

        It’s on plagiarism, btw.
        Poohkie recently posted..NOTD – GRAUSMy Profile

  10. coco

    i don’t think i’ve ever written a controversial post. in order to stay as neutral as possible and to upset as few people as possible (and this seems impossible!) you need to cover as much aspects as possible, to cover your ass. it’s too hard. i don’t want to deal with negative comments and criticisms. after all i blog for fun. i’ll just leave about those issues in my head or discuss with friends privately. perhaps it’s the way i’ve brought up, avoid conflicts and stay out of trouble! but on the other hand, i like reading those posts, and sometimes happy to find someone having the same view as mine.
    coco recently posted..magic, coma, and heartstopperMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Coco: Yeah I know what you mean. Many a time, the fuss, the negativity, all that noise, aren’t worth it if you have to spend a significant amount of time putting out fires. After all, we hope everyone can be adults about it and agree to disagree, but you and I both know that that’s not always the case 🙁

  11. Maria V @CrashingRed

    I do write every now and then controversial posts… simply because if I feel the need to express my opinion. You may remember the post i did on post-ABBW discussion… and yes, thick skin is required. Though, I’m trying not to judge anyone. You know? Simply and calmly expressing my opinion on a hot topic… don’t judge and you wont be judged (read: no bloggie cat fights)

    xx
    Maria V @CrashingRed recently posted..Behind the scenes in contrastMy Profile

    1. Tine

      Maria: I definitely remember that post, and I highly enjoyed it! Nah, there wasn’t any judgment, just an expression of opinion and an open discussion. We are all adults; we can certainly agree to disagree in a courteous manner without having to sharpen one’s claws 😛

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