Hey buddy…Next time someone offers you an asteroid…Say no.
photo by mayize at sxc.hu
Before I get into this post, there’s something you should know: I just got a profile on Goodreads – the social network for readers. Want to know what I’m reading, and share some great book finds of your own? Connect with me on Goodreads. Every time someone does, I do a moonwalk in my kitchen. Now to the good stuff…
—
I’m going to tell you how to make a high impact idea that will spread by word of mouth. But first, you’ll have to be patient and listen to me talk about dinosaurs…
T-Rex is not the scariest dinosaur around.
Here are at least 4 that are bigger and badder.
So why didn’t Spinosaurus make it into our nightmares?
When Jurassic Park came out, my parents didn’t let me watch it. My uncle discovered this, and on my next visit to his home, promptly bought the VHS and popped it in.
There was one scene in Jurassic Park that I never forgot – and most of you are probably thinking of it now.
For those with conservative parents and no uncle, I present that moment to you here:
That pulse in the water signals the footsteps of an oncoming T-Rex.
In our daily lives, we don’t see T-Rex, but we deal with glasses of water all the time. Say you watched Jurassic Park last week, and are having breakfast with friends at a restaurant. An angry patron stomps by and you see the pulse of the water in your glass. Part of you is thinking about that T-Rex moment. If you point to the glass and mention it, everyone who saw that movie will know what you’re talking about.
The Much Needed Tremor Moment in Your Message
Most ads don’t have a Tremor Moment.
Most screenplays and films don’t have a Tremor Moment.
But to be effective in word-of-mouth advertising, they might need one.
Emotional Imagery
So how do you make a T-Rex moment? By studying how ideas spread and utilizing those same principles into your message.
In Made To Stick (affiliate link), Chip and Dan Heath talk about the spread of ideas. Part of their methodology focuses on using sensory images that create an emotional response.
What will instill a strong emotion? Positive or negative, it is the strength of the emotion that makes it impactful.
Triggers
Next, what will trigger the memory of what they saw in your message? The water glass triggered the fear and terror of a prehistoric predator. It also cemented T-Rex’s place as the coolest dinosaur around, even though she didn’t have the physical characteristics worthy of the title.
From Milton Erickson back in the 50’s up to today with Stanford professors, psychotherapy and psychology has long known and used triggers. It is also used in sales. One expert in the subject has his own fan page among marketers.
Some triggers work better than others. Ideally, these triggers should be shaped to match the situation. If you want someone talking about your idea to others, it’s best if an individual is triggered while around others, while being aware of the trigger. Obviously positive attention to your idea is better if you’re selling something, while negative attention is better if you’re trying to dissuade someone from doing something.
It is possible to go too far. Some of the stop smoking ads have been so exaggerated in their imagery that they spread as ideas, but they are so removed from the average person’s experience that they discount it.
If you want to see the battlefield around you – with all parties vying for your dollar, your vote, your life – pay attention to the triggers. If you want to win the battle, keep in mind that your cause must have an image associated with it that instills great emotion, yet also passes through our filters of confirmation bias, denial, normalcy, and all sorts of internal defense mechanisms.
Association
What do you want the trigger to cause a person to do (or not do)? Chip and Dan Heath mention simplicity as a key part of a spreadable idea. If an action is simple, people are more likely to do it.
What do you do when you see the flash? says the turtle.
If you’re in the blast radius of an atomic bomb, this advice is nearly useless. It does, however, provide an action that nearly anyone can do. Maybe it increases your chance of survival by one hundredth of one percent. Maybe.
More useful: Tornado warnings that tell you to seek shelter in a secure, underground cellar.
Implementation:
Trying to get to the gym? How about a picture of Fat Bastard from Austin Powers next to your bathroom mirror, with a note underneath telling you to go to the gym so you won’t end up looking like Mike Myers in a fatsuit? Put this next to your front door as well, where your gym clothes are already laid out in front of the door, and you may even get better results.
Emotion reaction: Disgust.
Trigger: Mirror or Front Door (I should be going somewhere)
Associated Action: Put on some gym clothes and work out.
You can take charge of changing your own life, or influencing others by using these powerful principles.
If you’re telling a story, following these rules will create an environment where people talk about your film, or your novel.
Any big ads or story scenes that made a big impact on you? I’d like to know because your feedback matters! Comment below.
I just want to mention I am very new to blogging and seriously enjoyed your page. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You amazingly come with remarkable articles. Kudos for revealing your blog.
When the danger is past God is cheated.
I simply want to say I’m very new to blogging and actually liked this web-site. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your website . You certainly have amazing articles and reviews. Bless you for sharing your web-site.
I simply want to mention I am all new to blogs and seriously savored you’re web site. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You definitely have really good articles. Many thanks for revealing your website.
I simply want to say I am beginner to blogging and site-building and seriously liked your website. Almost certainly I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You definitely come with fantastic posts. Cheers for sharing with us your web page.
I just want to mention I am newbie to blogs and seriously enjoyed your web page. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You absolutely come with wonderful stories. Thanks for sharing your website page.
I just want to say I’m very new to blogging and truly liked you’re website. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You definitely have beneficial articles and reviews. Thanks for sharing with us your blog.
I just want to say I am newbie to blogs and actually loved this blog site. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You certainly have superb article content. Many thanks for sharing with us your website page.
I just want to mention I’m very new to blogging and really loved this page. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your site . You amazingly have outstanding well written articles. Kudos for sharing your web site.
I simply want to say I am new to weblog and certainly savored you’re web page. Almost certainly I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You really have impressive posts. With thanks for revealing your web site.
I simply want to tell you that I’m very new to blogs and really savored you’re web page. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You amazingly have amazing posts. Thanks a bunch for revealing your web page.
I just want to tell you that I am just very new to blogging and absolutely enjoyed this web site. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You absolutely have beneficial stories. Kudos for sharing your blog site.
I just want to mention I am just all new to blogging and site-building and truly loved this website. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You certainly come with very good article content. Kudos for sharing with us your website.
I simply want to say I’m very new to blogging and definitely enjoyed this web-site. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You amazingly come with fabulous article content. Many thanks for sharing with us your blog.
I simply want to say I’m new to blogging and absolutely savored you’re web page. Probably I’m going to bookmark your website . You absolutely have fantastic articles and reviews. Many thanks for revealing your web site.
I simply want to tell you that I am very new to weblog and absolutely liked this blog site. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly have perfect posts. Many thanks for sharing with us your website page.
I simply want to mention I’m very new to weblog and really liked this web-site. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You definitely come with perfect articles. Thank you for sharing your web site.
I just want to say I’m all new to blogging and honestly loved this web site. Probably I’m want to bookmark your site . You actually have beneficial posts. Thank you for revealing your web page.
I just want to say I am just new to blogs and certainly liked you’re blog site. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You actually have amazing posts. Many thanks for sharing your website.
I just want to say I’m new to blogs and honestly loved your blog. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You surely come with perfect writings. Thanks for sharing with us your web-site.
I simply want to tell you that I am just very new to blogging and actually liked you’re web blog. Likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You surely come with great posts. Thanks a lot for sharing your website page.
I just want to mention I’m all new to blogging and site-building and definitely savored this blog. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You definitely have remarkable articles. Bless you for sharing with us your blog.
I simply want to say I’m new to blogging and site-building and seriously savored this page. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your site . You really have exceptional well written articles. Appreciate it for sharing your blog site.
I just want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and definitely enjoyed your web-site. Probably I’m want to bookmark your website . You absolutely come with great stories. Many thanks for revealing your blog site.
I just want to tell you that I am just new to weblog and really liked you’re blog. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You certainly have good articles. Thanks for revealing your webpage.
I simply want to say I’m newbie to blogging and actually enjoyed this page. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You definitely have incredible stories. Regards for sharing with us your blog site.
I just want to mention I’m new to blogging and site-building and actually savored your web blog. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You surely come with fantastic writings. Kudos for sharing your web-site.
I simply want to say I am very new to weblog and absolutely enjoyed your website. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You amazingly have very good posts. Regards for sharing with us your web site.
I just want to tell you that I am just beginner to blogging and site-building and absolutely liked your web page. More than likely I’m going to bookmark your site . You certainly come with wonderful article content. Thank you for sharing with us your website page.
I just want to mention I’m very new to blogs and definitely savored you’re website. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly have great articles and reviews. Bless you for sharing your website.
I just want to tell you that I am all new to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed your website. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You really come with perfect article content. Bless you for revealing your webpage.
I just want to mention I’m newbie to weblog and actually savored your blog. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You really have beneficial articles and reviews. Appreciate it for revealing your web-site.
I simply want to tell you that I am all new to blogging and honestly loved this page. More than likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog . You surely come with terrific well written articles. Regards for sharing with us your webpage.
I simply want to say I am beginner to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed your website. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You actually have really good articles and reviews. Bless you for sharing with us your website.
I just want to tell you that I’m very new to blogs and absolutely enjoyed you’re web-site. Probably I’m going to bookmark your site . You really come with remarkable writings. Thanks a lot for sharing your webpage.
Thanks For Your Valuable Share. Waiting For Your Next Article….
He bites his tongue who speaks in haste.
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; many of us have created some nice procedures and we are looking to exchange techniques with others, please shoot me an email if interested.
There is no one who became rich because he broke a holiday no one became fat because he broke a fast. Ethiopia
Thank You OP For Your Valuabe Share & Definitely It Will Be Help My Next Project. I am Waiting For Your Next Share. Thanks A Lot Again
all the time i used to read smaller content which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading now.|
Useful information. Fortunate me I found your website unintentionally, and I’m stunned why this twist of fate didn’t took place earlier! I bookmarked it.|
Hi superb website! Does running a blog like this take a large amount of work? I’ve virtually no understanding of programming but I was hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyways, if you have any ideas or tips for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject however I simply wanted to ask. Appreciate it!|
Very good information. Lucky me I came across your website by chance (stumbleupon). I’ve bookmarked it for later!|
You actually make it appear so easy along with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually one thing that I think I might never understand. It kind of feels too complex and very broad for me. I’m having a look ahead on your subsequent post, I will attempt to get the hang of it!|
Hello there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this web site.|
I visited many web sites except the audio quality for audio songs current at this website is really superb.|
I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours as of late, but I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth sufficient for me. In my view, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did, the net might be much more useful than ever before.|
It’s awesome to go to see this site and reading the views of all mates about this paragraph, while I am also keen of getting familiarity.|
This is a really good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere. Brief but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read post!|
I am curious to find out what blog platform you’re working with? I’m experiencing some small security issues with my latest site and I would like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?|
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say great blog!|
Every weekend i used to pay a visit this site, as i want enjoyment, since this this site conations really good funny data too.|
I do agree with all the ideas you have offered on your post. They’re really convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for beginners. May you please extend them a little from subsequent time? Thank you for the post.|
Right now it seems like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?|
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks|
I pay a quick visit daily some websites and sites to read posts, however this weblog provides feature based posts.|
Hey! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing many months of hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions to stop hackers?|
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.|
I am genuinely happy to glance at this webpage posts which consists of plenty of valuable information, thanks for providing these statistics.|
These are truly enormous ideas in on the topic of blogging. You have touched some fastidious points here. Any way keep up wrinting.|
Hi outstanding website! Does running a blog such as this require a massive amount work? I’ve no expertise in computer programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyway, should you have any ideas or techniques for new blog owners please share. I understand this is off subject nevertheless I simply wanted to ask. Thanks a lot!|
Excellent site you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed here? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get comments from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Cheers!|
obviously like your web-site however you have to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I to find it very troublesome to inform the truth on the other hand I’ll certainly come back again.|
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard fantastic things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!|
It’s awesome to pay a visit this site and reading the views of all friends on the topic of this paragraph, while I am also eager of getting experience.|
Great article, just what I needed.|
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at this website is genuinely nice.|
WOW just what I was looking for. Came here by searching for %keyword%|
obviously like your web site however you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very bothersome to tell the truth nevertheless I will surely come again again.|
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i’m glad to show that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I so much indisputably will make certain to do not put out of your mind this website and provides it a glance regularly.|
I have been browsing online more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s pretty price enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content as you did, the internet might be a lot more helpful than ever before.|
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be exciting to read through articles from other authors and practice something from their sites. |
Hi there, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this blog post. It was practical. Keep on posting!|