Episode 195: Derek Thompson - What Makes Something A Hit? (Hit Makers)

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"Think of speechwriting like a music composer. Use repetition and choruses."

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

What makes something a hit?
- Is there a formula? No, there is not a formula... People think there is and that's a mistake
- Bottom line: "Distribution beats content" -- "This is an unsentimental book"
There is power in distribution
How did Simon Sinek's TED Talk go viral?
- It was shared by people with millions of followers on multiple platforms like Reddit
Think: Who is my audience? Broadcast your content to the right audience
Why do we always watch Dumber and Dumber and Shawshank Redemption?
- There is nostalgia in art
- We are always trying to recover existential love
How did Bumble spread?
- Injected into mainstream consciousness through celebrity -- Start with one very attractive sorority and continue to repeat
How did Facebook spread?
- Piggy backed off of other networks (Harvard)
How Jon Favreau and President Barack Obama write speeches:
- They think like musicians
  - Using choruses and repetition
The best speeches connect with people where they are -- "The power of repetition in song is remarkable"
How has Derek made his book a best-seller?
- Familiarity and repartition followed by surprise
  - Familiar surprises throughout
  - Great distribution

"We don't like pure originality that much. We like familiarity."

Continue Learning:

Follow Derek on Twitter: @DKThomp
Read: Hit Makers: The Science of Popularity in an Age of Distraction
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Join our Facebook Group: The Learning Leader Community
To Follow Me on Twitter: @RyanHawk12

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Episode 107: Simon Sinek – Leadership: It Starts With Why

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Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

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