Contagious: Why Things Catch on

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People like helping and feeling useful to others. Practical value is all about sharing useful information that will help others save time, energy and resources. When there is is a product, services, cause or article that provides practical applicability for someone you know, you will likely share with them. Moreover, products and ideas with practical value is passed along to help others despite geographic distances. That’s why parents often send useful articles, coupons, as well as cooking & cleaning advice to their kids – it strengthens social bonds, even when distance makes things difficult. Contagious was a decent look into the science behind social contagions. The book is my second from the author, after his 2016 book Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior, which I really enjoyed. Lastly, if a memorable story can be spun around it, then it has the added benefit of having a 'Story'. Human minds are hardwired to remember only about 20% of what we see and roughly 65% of what we hear. In terms of virality, this means that the easiest way to get people to remember your product is to find a clever way to incorporate it into a real-world experience. Contagious provides…interesting insights into factors that can help make an idea, a video, a commercial or a product become infectious ” — New York Times

Word-of-mouth is what makes it happen. And word-of-mouth is the reason why social media and advertising will never be efficient in creating movements and gaining sales. The content that we post on social media is marketing. We’re trying to get users to engage with the brand, and our efforts are marketing tactics designed to increase brand awareness, follower count, and shares. These are all triggers that go beyond just seeing your logo on something. They’re a part of or connected to the person’s daily routine, so the likelihood of them thinking of your product increases naturally. Triggers and cues lead people to talk, choose, and use. Social currency gets people talking, but Triggers keep them talking. Top of mind means tip of the tongue. 3. EmotionJonah Berger is as creative and thoughtful as he is spunky and playful. Looking at his research, much like studying a masterpiece in a museum, provides the observer with new insights about life and also makes one aware of the creator’s ingenuity and creativity. It is hard to come up with a better example of using social science to illuminate the ordinary and extraordinary in our daily lives.” — Dan Ariely, James B. Duke professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University and bestselling author of Predictably Irrational

What makes things popular? Why do people talk about certain products and ideas more than others? Why are some stories and rumors more infectious? And what makes online content go viral? The key to finding inner remarkability, says Berger, is to consider what makes something interesting, surprising, or novel. Jonah has spent over 15 years studying how to get more word of mouth, how social influence works and how it drives products and makes ideas catch on.Why do certain products and ideas go viral? Dynamic young Wharton professor Jonah Berger draws on his research to explain the six steps that make products or ideas contagious.Why do some products get more word of mouth than others? Why does some online content go viral? Word of mouth makes products, ideas, and behaviors catch on. It’s more influential than advertising and far more effective. Can you create word of mouth for your product or idea? According to Berger, you can. Whether you operate a neighborhood restaurant, a corporation with hundreds of employees, or are running for a local office for the first time, the steps that can help your product or idea become viral are the same. Contagious is filled with fascinating information drawn from Berger’s research. You will be surprised to learn, for example, just how little word of mouth is generated online versus elsewhere. Already praised by Dan Ariely and Dan Gilbert, and sold in nine countries, this book is a must-read for people who want their projects and ideas to succeed. Contagious: Why Things Catch On by Jonah Berger – eBook Details Berger also discovered that people were more likely to share articles that evoked anger or anxiety. Why? Because anger and anxiety are high-arousal emotions.