“Every knock is a boost”

Some businesses and politicians believe the old adage that “every knock is a boost”—that is, if they’re talking about you, then that’s free publicity and you’re ahead. The worst case is when they don’t knock you and completely ignore you.
 
“A knock is a boost some times” was cited in 1897. “It’s the fellow of action that the knockers go after. In their case every knock is a boost” was cited in 1901.
 
 
1 December 1897, Evening World-Herald (Omaha, NE), pg. 3, col. 6 ad:
“A knock is a boost some times.”
(W. H. Bradley.—ed.)
 
23 October 1899, Denver (CO) Evening Post, “Sports” by Otto C. Floto, pg. 7, col. 1:
I find it’s as you always told me, a knock is a boost, and the best advertisement a fellow can get.
 
13 July 1901, Rockford (IL) Daily Republic, “They Roast Ald.Dunn,” pg. 1, col. 5:
“It’s the fellow of action that the knockers go after. In their case every knock is a boost.”
 
1 August 1901, Emporia (KS) Gazette, pg. 3, col. 1:
When you kick a man it help him at your expense. Every knock is a boost.”
 
Chronicling America
6 August 1901, Topeka (KS) State Journal, pg. 2, col. 6 ad:
Every knock is a boost.
(Booster 5 ct. cigar.—ed.)
 
Chronicling America
11 April 1902, The Commoner (Lincoln, NE), pg. 4, col. 1:
H. Clay Evans is doubtless a convert to the proverb that “every knock is a boost.”
 
OCLC WorldCat record
Every knock is a boost to go higher
Author: Tiny Davis; Victor J Smith
Publisher: Oakland, Calif : E. Davis, ©1955.
Edition/Format:   Musical score : English
 
YouTube
Louis Jordan - Every Knock Is a Boost
DutchBluesfan
Uploaded on Jun 22, 2010
 
YouTube
Georgie Fame - Every Knock Is A Boost
psychedelicpucho
Published on Feb 26, 2014
 
Boston (MA) Herald
Carr: Nobody wants to see Jeb win the nomination
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
By:Howie Carr
(...)
For Trump, the old saying is true: Every knock a boost. At least so far.