First off, I like Kanye, he was probably right, I’m not sure Taylor Swifts video topped Beyonce’s, but what he did at the VMA’s was wrong, and Pres Obama was probably right in calling him a jackass.

That being said, he has a way of being the most talked about individual at any award ceremony he turns up to. He gets slammed by the media then turns around and sells a few million albums.

Is there something we can learn from this unpredictable superstar?

“At Least Ya’ll Feel Something”

Whether it’s “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”, storming out of awards ceremonies or this latest stunt with Swift, it seems like he has a way of making you feel something, a way of pulling on your heart strings and getting a response.. from the masses.

Here’s the three step strategy to going viral like Kanye West

1. Be Bold

Talk about the thing that everyone is thinking. Don’t let the crowd sit there and think.. “hmm I thought Beyonce was better.. oh we’ll we can talk about that at the after party.. *clap and smile*”. Say something, pick a side and put it out there. The closer to the moment the more people who will talk about you, (also the more likely you are to offend someone).

Imagine if Kanye had waited till the end of the show to make his “announcement”, what about at the after show to reporters? How about On the Jay Leno 2 days later (would there have even been a Jay Leno?), what about if 6 months down the track he mentions it on his blog.

Be the first, be bold, risk it all.

2. Shoot First, Apologise Later

He has a way of apologising which almost helps him recover, if not to the world, at least his loyal, album buying, supporters. Kanye’s next album launch is going to be more high profile because of this event, built on a reputation as someone who just speaks his mind, (sometimes when he shouldn’t). If every statement needed to be okayed by a publicist he would never be such a spectacle.

Don’t censor yourself (too much), and apologise once you realise you’ve stepped over the line.

3. Release An Album

Even better, release it on a stupid date.. (sept 11) people will talk and people will buy. The story of Kanye VS 50 Cent spread like peanut butter and “Graduation” (Kanye’s 3rd album) sold just shy of 1 million copies in it’s first week.

Once everyone knows who you are sell something, sell a lot of something.

Outro

In the song “Bring Me Down” from his second album “Late Registration” (2.5 million sales..) there’s a line that goes “Everybody feels a way about K but at least y’all feel something” which seems to be at the heart of Kanye’s controversy. He’s attracted to making bold statements about things that will make us feel something, good or bad.

Keep an eye out for the uncertain topics of your niche, make a bold statement, even if its lame, just make them feel something.

Was Kanye right?

Can being offensive help your blog? Or is it a poor long term strategy?

What’s your approach?

Leave your comments below