Offering You "The Tipping Point" book review

byFKelso

3.5K followers

5 years ago

I remembered this book last night after going to bed. That's often the time when I get my best ideas, so I keep a notebook close at hand to write them down. My son gave me this book to read some time ago. It is quite pertinent to our businesses here at WA, and I think some of you might enjoy reading it.

"The Tipping Point" was written by Malcolm Gladwell. I'd like to start by sharing with you one of Mr. Gladwell's favorite quotes from the book: "The key to good decision-making is not knowledge. It is understanding. We are swimming in the former. We are definitely lacking in the latter."

Here are three lessons from the book:

1) When an idea reaches the tipping point, it spreads like fire.

2) There are three kinds of people who know how to get ideas to tip.

3) Without stickiness, your idea won't tip.

Now let's look at each of these. First, for an idea to spread like fire, it must get to the point of critical mass. Then your ideas go from interesting to a few to a must-have for everyone.

There are three kinds of people who turn ideas into epidemics:

a) Connectors -- These are folks with a massive social network. This person has many acquaintances and allow ideas to spread from one social group to the next.

Here we have a good reason to work hot and heavy on social media.

b) Salesmen -- People who boast about ideas that they have. Their very positive energy is contagious.

c) Mavens -- This group hoards information. They do so to collect good tips for their network, who are folks who are greatly influenced by their advice.

If it isn't sticky, it won't tip. According to Mr. Gladwell, if the content is bad, it'll never reach a larger audience. Gladwell says, "It answers the question: Is your idea memorable enough for people to take action?"

Gladwell gives this advice: If you want something to go viral, you can't think about making something viral. Just make something so great that when one person sees it, they have to share it. Then, and only then, do you care about the tipping point.

Do you have original ideas lined out in entertaining, enjoyable posts? Do you think you are producing something great enough to reach the tipping point?

This book is one that could inspire any of us to improve. If you are interested in getting a copy, it is available on Amazon.

Let's create something great and watch while it to go viral. We can do this if we just keep working at it! Let's start a few viral fires.