Ever wondered why some things catch on and become popular while others falter? Do you want to know how to generate more word of mouth for a product or initiative you’re working on? Based on the international bestseller, Contagious: Why Things Catch On, these resources reveal the secret science behind word-of-mouth and social transmission. Discover how six basic principles drive all sorts of things to become popular. If you’ve ever wondered why certain stories get shared, brands get more word of mouth, or videos go viral, these resources explain why, and show how to leverage these ideas to craft contagious content.
How to Make Anything Catch On
This section explains the difference between paid and earned media and why word of mouth is 10 times more effective than advertising.
You might think it's random why some products or ideas get talked about more, or that going viral depends on luck. Well, there’s actually a science behind it. These resources introduce the six key factors that drive conversation and how you can use them to craft contagious content.
Social currency is the idea that an individual’s social status is tied to the information he or she controls. Information that increases a person’s uniqueness, especially in conversation, is highly sought after and readily transmitted. This article gives an example of how social currency helps things catch on.
Triggers are words, phrases, or images closely tied to a message. These triggers can cause people to think of other things that they'll then share with others. But how do you develop these triggers? Read on to find out.
At the end of the day, people share things they care about. Why? How can you tap into emotions to create viral content? These articles will help you figure that out.
People are more likely to share content that is useful, and you can increase your likelihood of going viral by creating practical value with your product or content.
When your brand exists in a story, it takes on a life of its own. What story is your brand telling? What sets it apart? Berger uses the example of ice as a differentiator in this next article.
How do you measure if something has gone "viral"? What does that really mean? And how does it affect your business? This article explores the impact of viral videos on the bottom line.