Why Being Remarkable Makes You Unavoidable in Conversations
You may think that only celebrities or the latest tech gadgets get people talking, but sometimes the most ordinary things spark the biggest buzz. Picture a quiet weeknight dinner where a friend brings over cookies in a box shaped like a book, or consider a local yoga class that ends with homemade lemonade instead of the usual herbal tea. Suddenly, these unexpected details aren’t just nice—they’re talked about for days or even weeks.
For years, people thought only the naturally exciting or outrageous could go viral. But behavioral science shows that what truly fuels sharing is what’s remarkable—things that break expectations, challenge routines, or prompt a double take. When the steakhouse Barclay Prime put a $100 cheesesteak on the menu, it wasn’t just the ingredients; it was the absurd remixing of a Philly classic that made people tell the story again and again. Even objects as dull as blenders or toilet paper become the life of the conversation when presented in a surprising way.
Remarkability isn’t just for products. It works for experiences, talents, and even small acts. The key is to deliberately find what’s unusual, outrageous, or uniquely valuable, and then make that attribute visible and memorable. Remember the Snapple caps with wild trivia? Odd facts became contagious currency, traded like collectibles because they made people feel in-the-know and a bit more interesting.
By learning to identify the stand-out element in everyday things and highlighting it in the right context, anyone can spark word of mouth. The best part? The more remarkable the story or experience, the more people want to share it, often embellishing along the way to make it even grander. That’s not a marketing gimmick—it’s human nature.
Today, look at your daily life through a new lens. Think about your hobby project, recent accomplishment, or even the way you solve problems—what's a detail others might find surprising or unusual? Once you've found that quirky or impressive trait, share it with a small story—maybe how you came up with that idea after a chance event or why it's different from what others offer. Turn that detail into a conversation opener or a narrative you can tell others. By showing off your inner remarkability, you make yourself, your work, or your idea simply too interesting to ignore. Why not share your story at your next gathering or post it online tonight?
What You'll Achieve
Increase your ability to capture attention, boost confidence in sharing your work, and see measurable improvement in how often people talk about or remember your ideas or contributions.
Find and Showcase Your Inner Remarkability
Identify what makes you or your idea different.
Reflect on your product, accomplishment, or experience. Look for something surprising, extreme, or unique—something no one else is offering or talking about. For example, a talent, a signature dish, or an unusual achievement.
Break an expectation or pattern.
Think about what people typically expect in your field or context. Consider how you can offer the opposite, a twist, or something that stands out. This could be as obvious as a black toilet paper roll at a dinner party or as subtle as a creative project delivered in a new format.
Tell a story, not just a fact.
Frame your remarkability in a narrative, highlighting the journey or context behind it. People remember and share stories more than isolated facts or features.
Reflection Questions
- What unique skills or experiences do I have that others might find surprising?
- When was the last time someone talked about something I did or created? What was noteworthy?
- How can I frame my achievements or ideas as stories to make them memorable?
Personalization Tips
- A student starts a study group with unique themed sessions, like 'math and muffins.'
- A local cafe offers a secret menu item only for customers who solve a riddle.
- A hobbyist shares photos of their enormous homegrown vegetables online, turning it into a neighborhood legend.
Contagious: Why Things Catch On
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