The Tipping Point Review

The Tipping Point was powerful, informative, interesting and eye opening. I think it did an amazing job of explaining what it takes for your idea to become a hit. There were a ton of takeaways from reading this but I think some of the most important included three specific ideas. The first idea was that once an idea reaches the tipping point, it spreads like fire. The second idea was that three kinds of people are responsible for getting ideas to tip. Last but certainly not least was the idea that without stickiness, no idea will ever tip. 

Going off the first idea was that fire spreads like crazy once it starts, which is kind of like an idea that takes off. All it takes is for one person to be interested and then they tell their friends and so on and you idea is the next big thing. It is crazy how word of mouth works these days, especially with the significance of social media. Almost any idea has the ability to take off if you do it the right way and talk to the right people. The tipping point essentially is the point at which your idea goes from interesting to some to a must have for everyone. For example, Snapchat and Instagram both had tipping points. Yes, when they were both introduced everyone was like whats that or do you have one, but today it is no question that almost anyone and everyone has both apps. Once the idea took off there was no turning back. 

The second idea is based off the fact that it takes three kinds of people to get an idea to tip. These people include connectors, salesmen and mavens. Connectors are people that have mass social networks. They allow an idea to spread from one social group to the next because of their connections. Salesmen sell your idea to others. They’re positive and enthusiastic and great at “selling” someone on a product. Mavens know all information and because of this they are a source for great tips. They are able to influence people with their advice because they are well versed and know what they are talking about. If you are able to get your idea in the hands of one of these three influencers they you already increase your chance of your idea going viral. 

The third tip is how sticky is your idea? In other words, will be remember this and will people think it’s worth their time. No matter who you get to talk about your idea, and how many people you show this idea off to, if it is not worth their time and something that stands out then it will never take off. It is crucial for people to feel that they need this in their life. That they could not live without this idea after hearing about it. It is not about something going viral but rather someone taking enough interest in your idea to make it go viral by their desire to have it. 

I had so many take aways from reading this and really enjoyed it. The tips that were given are things that seem so simple and like common knowledge but when you really listen to them and understand them you realize exactly what you have been doing wrong in the past. It seems simple for an idea to take off, and it really could be if you let these tips influence how you market yourself and your idea.