Following trends – or “trend surfing” (which instantly means I’ve got my metaphors mixed!) as it’s now called – is a proven way to make money. It’s also the number one “creative” model used by the majority of mainstream publishers. Whether this is a worthy artistic approach or not – is for another discussion. But as commercial approaches to writing a book go it’s worth trying out. So, how do you benefit from trends – even if the thought of joining the “me-too” brigade makes you sick? Here are two approaches…

Jump on The Bandwagon

This is the “creative” model used by most big publishers. Their researchers and analysts look at what’s selling well and encourage the publisher to cash-in on the trend while it’s still hot!

The good thing about jumping on a Bandwagon is that readers usually have an insatiable appetite for their chosen subject. If they’ve read all the Stephenie Meyer books they’ll be hungry for more – so your vampire book – if pitched well can find its way in. You can bet if readers devour one book on a subject they’ll want more – just fit in and get ready for sales.

Just look at any mainstream publisher’s lists and you’ll see the same sort of stuff – the more of it there is – the more they’re making money from it.

Lampoon (Jump Off) The Bandwagon

Again, you can use the “Go Against The Grain” approach (see earlier about mis-matching) with trends too – a book entitled “The Danger of Low GI Diets!” or “It’s Not A Secret Stupid!” or “The Law of Attraction Requires Action” are all ways to tap into an audience who is sick of the mainstream pulp and popular books while also getting the “true believers” interested enough in reading it too.

Copy Cat Books Abound - pic by -Sel

Currently Popular trends as I write this…

• Vampires
• Witches and Wizards
• Pirates
• Law of Attraction – The Secret
• Finance and Debt
• Low Carb Diets (How low many GI books do you need?)
• Twitter and Social Media

Universally Popular trends …

• Spirituality and Religion
• Relationships
• Health and Diets
• Celebrity
• Romance
• Travel

An example of a direct Parody of a popular series in its own right would be the “Barry Trotter” books by Michael Gerber (and not the guy who wrote The E-Myth – an excellent book – I might add). Plus, the best-selling book of all time – “The Bible” – was parodied (to much commercial success) by Richard Dawkins – with “The God Delusion”.