You might have heard of the 2007 watershed book on making ideas memorable, Made to Stick by the brothers Heath.  I’ve been listening to the book on my iPhone-stomping AT&T 8525 while jogging recently.

There are 6 principles to making ideas sticky according to Chip and Dan (or should I say “according to their research” (ala #4 on the list below) ? ) . . .

1. Simple
2. Unexpected
3. Concrete
4. Credible
5. Emotional
6. Stories

You should, of course, buy the book from amazon or download the audio from audible, but if you want a very brief expansion of those six principles, click here.

Great book.

You’ll know you’ve floated your idea well when you overhear someone you’ve presented it to turn around and infect someone else with your idea in their own words.  I’ve overheard my ideas being spread well and not-so-well at times and it has helped me hone my pitch.

Following those 6 principles will go a looooooong way toward making your idea both memorable (sticky) and infectious.  Maybe we should start using a new word . . . floatatious.

Tags: chip heath, dan heath, ideas, made to stick, presentation, sticky

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