“The cleverly expressed opposite of any generally accepted idea is worth a fortune to somebody,” said F. Scott Fitzgerald.
But how can you use this principle in your PR to get media attention? My colleague, marketing expert Marcia Yudkin, says you can do it by:
1. Taking issue with a survey result.
2. Disagreeing with a common belief or counteract a stereotype.
3. Championing an underdog.
4. Revealing common misconceptions.
5. Making surprising predictions.
6. Exposing flaws in something assumed to be beneficial.
7. Describing the underside of something popular.
Example: Bob Baker and 3 colleagues in the music business collaborated on a press release titled “What’s Wrong with American Idol?”
Their press release criticized the popular U.S. talent show for misleading aspiring musicians and the public about what it takes to succeed in music. Baker’s reward for stirring up controversy: 5 radio interviews that highlighted his status as an expert on careers in music.
