Mystery is the mantra for businesses as more companies entice customers through the element of surprise. Hipstery and ShoeDazzle are two recent examples, and now Fourth Estate -- a UK imprint of HarperCollins -- is doing the mystery dance in the publishing arena.
According to Springwise, Fourth Estate engages customer interest by challenging its readers to guess which authors wrote anonymous stories in a new collection called Anonthology, which is available in print and online. Fourth Estate’s Anonthology includes nine short stories written by a variety of Fourth Estate authors including Joyce Carol Oates, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Patrick Gale.
It’s up to readers to guess which Fourth Estate author wrote which story (the names of the authors are on the cover of the collection). Get in on the guessing fun by visiting the Anonthology site.
Author Guessing Games
Fourth Estate Challenges Readers with Anonymous Stories
Trend Themes
1. Mystery Marketing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Businesses can engage customers by adding an element of surprise and mystery to their products or services.
2. Anonymous Content - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Companies can challenge readers by presenting anonymous content and encouraging them to guess the creator, increasing customer engagement.
3. Interactive Storytelling - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Brands can create interactive experiences for consumers by allowing them to participate in the storytelling process and guess the author of a story.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Publishers can create buzz and intrigue by releasing anonymous stories and inviting readers to guess the authors.
2. Fashion E-commerce - Disruptive innovation opportunity: E-commerce platforms can incorporate mystery marketing techniques by offering surprise items or collections, adding excitement to the shopping experience.
3. Online Literature Communities - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Online platforms can foster engagement by creating spaces for readers to guess and discuss the authors of anonymous stories, building a community around their content.