Our senses have a big impact on what becomes popular and fizzles out. THE word “cool” has been cool for a long time. Originally associated with temperature, by the 16th century the term had evolved to describe not just the atmosphere, but also an internal state of calm, almost icy composure. And by the late […]
Why Clickbait Fails
Optimizing headlines for attention can be a good thing. But when that starts to become the only thing people think about, it’s time for some new content metrics.
Want To Make Real Connections This Holiday Season? Put Down The Technology
Now that we’re in the thick of the holiday season, a lot of us are reflecting on our year and our relationships with our closest friends and family. We frequently rely on digital forms of communication to connect with people – whether it be text, email or social media. But how do these technologies shape […]
Viral 2.0
There’s a lot of excitement around viral. But it’s time to move past the hype and focus on how it can really benefit business. It’s time for Viral 2.0.
The Tiny Adjustment That Could Change The Course Of Your Next Interview
Ever heard the phrase fake it till you make it? Turns out there’s some truth to it. Here’s a simple tip to make your next job interview, speech, or negotiation more successful.
How to Sell Ideas Like Gladwell
Whether you agree with him or not, Malcolm Gladwell does an amazing job of communicating ideas. Here are three tips we can learn about selling our own ideas.
Is Little Data The Next Big Data?
Is personal quantification the next evolution of the Big Data revolution? And is our addiction to analytics leading us astray?
Miley Cyrus’ Best Career Move. Ever.
Everyone said that Miley Cyrus’ performance a week and a half ago was terrible. Distasteful, crass, and a potential career ruiner. But could it be the best thing that ever happened to her?
Fuzzy Math: What Makes Something Seem Like A Good Deal?
What makes something seem like a good deal? Subtle ways of framing the same information can make consumers more compelled to purchase.
Is Controversy Good For Business?
From Anthony Weiner to Mountain Dew, controversial stories have flooded the news. But does controversy hurt or help?
Controversy has been in the news a lot lately. While thousands of New Yorkers stand behind Anthony Weiner’s run for Mayor, his sexting scandal has threatened to overwhelm his politics. Rolling Stone magazine sparked a heated debate and fame after it put Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on its cover. Mountain Dew pulled an ad after people complained it was racist and JC Penney took down a billboard after a social media firestorm suggested the kettle on it looked like Hitler.
But can controversy be good for business? Does it boost buzz? Might it increase sales? As I discuss in Contagious: Why Things Catch On, the answers may not be as simple as they seem.
The secret science behind word of mouth and how you can use it to get more people talking about your product or idea.
