What I Learnt From Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the President-elect of the United States of America and on 20 January 2017 will be officially sworn in as the 45th President.
This post is not about the decision on how the majority of electoral college votes went. I am not a US citizen and therefore offer no comment on how the USA should be run. The people have decided.
In one of the most fiercest battles for the top job, possibly ever, the are some significant lessons to be learnt from this campaign not only for writers but for all mankind. Here’s what I have taken away from Donald Trump’s victory.
- Anything Is Possible
“If you believe, you can achieve.” Trump has always been a big thinker. If you have to think, think big is one of his catch cries. Nobody gave him a chance. The media wrote him off from day one. But there was one person above all others who did believe he could win, and that was Donald Trump.
- Know What You Want
Donald Trump knew what he wanted. He had a plan and he went after it. As a writer you need to determine what you want. Do you want to be a fiction or non-fiction author? Do you want to write novels or short stories. What genre will you write in?
- Know Your Audience
Who are you speaking to? What is the make-up of your audience? Is your audience predominantly make of female? How old are they and where do they live. Donald Trump knew exactly who he was speaking to.
- Connect With Your Audience
Deliver your message that speaks to your audience. Address their concerns and show them that you are on their side and that you have a plan to deliver what they want. As a writer I try to engage with my readers by offering decent content on this blog, discussing important issues via my regular emails and having a genuine interest in their lives. Donald Trump spoke to the heart of his audience. They were not billionaire business people but rather working Americans who felt they had been forgotten. He told them that he would make America great again.
- Market Yourself, Market Your Message
Trump is the consummate marketer. Every building, plane or casino bears his name. He’s big, bold and brassy. While that may not be to everybody’s taste it let’s the world know who Donald Trump is. As a writer you need to be constantly promoting yourself, your brand and what you stand for.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Be Different
Vanilla ice cream is nice but the choc mint flavour is more easily recognisable and remembered. Again it may not be to everybody’s taste, but you will attract a tribe that resonates with you. There are probably many closet Donald Trump supporters who initially didn’t want to be associated in his tribe, but on election day they certainly came out. With Trump you know who you are getting. He speaks his mind. You either love him or hate him.
There are many lessons to be learnt but in general if you believe in something, then you really can achieve it. In my books, Detective Jack Creed believes he is the best copper on the force. He’s got a successful career from which he can draw from but in my latest book, Breaking Point, that tenure is definitely put to the test.
With five unsolved murders over eighteen months, an over budget investigation and no leads, Creed is facing a humiliating defeat. He has to battle many demons but ultimately his belief that he is Australia’s best detective is severely tested. Breaking Point is an acclaimed read – you won’t pick the ending!
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