The Secrets of One-Hit Wonders

I’m fascinated by one-hit wonders.

It’s creativity that explodes once like a supernova.

Do writers of one-hit wonders know beforehand that they are writing a smash hit?

Do their record companies recognize the commercial potential?

Is anyone anticipating the global success of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”?

As much as people focused on creative work want their efforts to succeed, it’s hard to know when someone will make a massive impact.

You can embrace data and tap into red-hot topics and the zeitgeist, but creative success frequently happens by accident.

You never know what you’ve got until you hit the “publish” button.

As a marketer, have you ever had a one-hit wonder? Looking back, can you explain how it happened and why?

Check out the Freakonomics podcast (link below) for a great episode on one-hit wonders (books and music).