The base for success is in most cases an interesting idea. However, the
internet is overcrowded with interesting, useful things and services. There
is so much noise and competition, that it is harder then ever to grab the
attention of a single viewer. Even if you only focus on material that is
tailored to your unique desires, there is still more than you can consume.
Because of the abundance of ideas, the bar has been raised for artistic
creations. It is no longer enough to be only useful or interesting. Great
content is the minimum!
To create a lasting impression, a remarkable work has to maintain the
attention of the audience over a long period of time. It has to be worth
talking about; it is something only YOU can do or it uses a new technology.
It may be just weird, unbelievably helpful, outstandingly truthful or brilliantly
new. An idea spreads the best, if it fills a vacuum and is embedded into a
medium, that allows a fast distribution.
A reason for the success of the internet series "Happy Tree Friends" is -
besides the radical concept - its medium, the internet video (in form of a
flash animation). In 2002, three years before Youtube was founded, the
makers of "Happy tree friends" were pioneers in that area. Thus it pays off
to not only look for a great idea, but to find new media for animation.
The debut album "For Emma, forever ago" by Bon Iver was so successful,
partly because he crafted a compelling story around its origins. After
breaking up with his girl friend, he went to Wisconsin to record his music in
a remote hunting cabin.
He published the songs on his MySpace page, burned 500 CDs, printed
the story on the covers and sent them to some music bloggers. Soon,
influential blogs spread his music, he appeared on TV, signed with a record
label and played concerts in front of crowds of fans.
