The #1 Mental Model For Writers Who Want To Write High-Quality, Viral Content: The Blockbuster Approach

The 1 Mental Model For Writers Who Want To Write High-Quality, Viral Content: The Blockbuster Approach

"The 1 Mental Model For Writers Who Want To Write High-Quality, Viral Content". That was the 1 question going through my mind as I pressed ‘Publish’ on my first Forbes article in April of 2013. The results of doing this over and over for each article have surprised me. It all comes down to one mental model, which I will dissect in this article.

In my experience and from my research, collecting and learning the most valuable mental models in the world is a key strategy of world-class entrepreneurs and leaders. Because, the better our mental model of any domain is, the more likely we are to be successful in that domain. A longform article is the culmination of thousands of little decisions, and almost all of the decisions I make can be traced back to this mental model.

The long tail theory is wrong because most of the overall attention is being concentrated in the blockbusters in every medium. This is the central reason that the blockbuster model is so powerful. The higher quality something is in terms of the underlying ideas and how it is packaged, the more likely it is to be shared over and over. Finally, we humans are fundamentally designed to consume things that are popular. In other words, the Internet is just one giant positive feedback loop…

By understanding this phenomenon, I made the decision to focus on quality over quantity. With each article, my aim is to write the best article that has ever been written on the subject.

There is a lot of competition for mediocre articles. In the world of online content creation, the blockbuster approach has not yet become a standard practice. Therefore, the barrier to creating blockbuster content is very low. This means that there is much less competition from people creating blockbusters.

Research shows that with any given academic article, the reputation of the authors have a big impact on the article’s initial success. Just saw that Malcolm Gladwell’s latest article came out, and I’m really excited to read it. On the other hand, if I see an article from someone I’ve never heard of, I’m probably not going to click over, unless there is a really compelling headline or it was shared by multiple people in my network. Blockbuster articles build your reputation.

It’s a whole other thing when a blockbuster article completely flips someone’s reality on its head and changes the way they see and interact with the world. One true fan is worth 1,000 social media followers. Blockbuster articles create true fans.

By following the blockbuster approach, you will develop an amazing body of work. Each article you write will contribute to your overall portfolio and reputation as a writer.

“I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.” ― Flannery O’Connor By having a blockbuster strategy where you invest time in research and deliberate practice, each article makes you smarter. It also makes you a better writer. The blockbuster model makes you a better writer and thinker.

No matter how obvious or proven the blockbuster mental model is, following it is hard. Almost everyone I tell the approach to nods as if they get it. But very few people actually do the hard work. Early in his career, Buffett discovered the power of the blockbuster mental model and adopted the strategy of only making 1–2 investments per year. In other words, Buffett only swings at pitches when he thinks he can hit a homerun. We live in a media world with winner-take-all dynamics. In this world, a strategy that doesn’t maximize your chances for a home run is the most risky.

In conclusion, the blockbuster approach is the 1 mental model for writers who want to write high-quality, viral content. It focuses on creating high-quality, impactful articles that have the potential to go viral. By following this approach, writers can build their reputation, create true fans, and develop an amazing body of work. Here are three actionable pieces of advice for writers looking to implement the blockbuster approach:

1. Focus on quality over quantity: Instead of churning out mediocre articles, invest time and effort into creating the best article on a particular subject.

2. Build your reputation: Establish yourself as an authority in your field by consistently producing high-quality content and leveraging your existing network.

3. Aim to create true fans: Go beyond surface-level engagement and strive to create content that challenges and changes readers' perspectives, leaving a lasting impact.

By adopting the blockbuster approach, writers can enhance their writing skills, attract more attention to their work, and ultimately increase their chances of creating high-quality, viral content that resonates with readers.