Adding Uncommon Value: What Best-Selling Authors Do That Others Don't
Article 5 of The World Famous Author Series
Every author writes books. Most authors post on social media. Many send newsletters.
These are expected behaviors—table stakes for being an author in today's publishing landscape.
But world famous authors do something that keeps readers coming back between book releases, long after they've finished reading.
They add uncommon value.
In his book “World Famous: How to Create a Kick-Ass Brand,” David Tyreman shows that the brands that become legendary aren't the ones doing what everyone else does slightly better. They're the ones doing things no one else thought to do.
Uncommon value is what transforms readers into evangelists who can't stop talking about you.
What Uncommon Value Actually Means
Uncommon value isn't about doing more. It's about doing different.
It's not about posting more frequently than other authors. It's about offering something your readers never expected but always hoped for.
Uncommon value lives at the intersection of your unique abilities and your readers' unspoken needs.
Tyreman worked with brands to identify what he called "unexpected delights"—the things that exceed customer expectations in memorable ways.
For authors, uncommon value means going beyond writing good books to creating experiences, resources, or connections that readers didn't know they needed.
The key is that uncommon value must feel natural to who you are—not forced or performative.
If you're an introvert who hates video, hosting live webinars isn't uncommon value for you—it's torture that readers will sense is inauthentic.
But maybe you create beautifully designed reading guides for book clubs. Or write thoughtful essays exploring themes from your books. Or curate playlists that capture your stories' emotional landscapes.
Uncommon value comes from your strengths, not from copying what works for others.
Why Most Authors Never Add Uncommon Value
Most authors stick to expected behaviors because they're already overwhelmed. Writing books, maintaining social media, sending newsletters—it feels like enough.
And truthfully, for many authors, it is enough to build a modest readership.
But world-famous authors understand that uncommon value is what separates good careers from legendary ones.
The hesitation usually comes from three places.
Fear that anything beyond books is "wasting writing time." But uncommon value isn't separate from your writing career—it amplifies it by deepening reader connection.
Uncertainty about what readers actually want. This is why understanding your readers deeply matters so much. Uncommon value only works when it genuinely serves them.
Waiting for permission or the "right time" to try something different. But world famous authors don't wait—they experiment, learn, and refine.
The authors who add uncommon value early in their careers build momentum that compounds over time.
Real Examples of Uncommon Value in Action
Let's examine how successful authors add uncommon value in ways that feel authentic to their DNA.
Neil Gaiman doesn't just write books. He shares writing advice, encourages aspiring authors, and responds thoughtfully to fan questions in ways that make readers feel seen.
His uncommon value: He treats his platform as a space to nurture other storytellers, not just promote himself.
Atomic Habits author James Clear doesn't just write about habits. He sends a weekly newsletter with carefully curated ideas, quotes, and questions that help readers implement better systems.
His uncommon value: He provides ongoing implementation support, not just one-time information.
Historical fiction author Marie Benedict doesn't just research her books. She shares detailed historical context through blog posts, social media, and book club guides that enrich readers' understanding.
Her uncommon value: She extends the reading experience by satisfying readers' curiosity about the real history behind her stories.
Fantasy author Brandon Sanderson doesn't just write epic series. He shares extensive world-building details, maps, character backstories, and behind-the-scenes content that lets superfans dive deeper.
His uncommon value: He creates an entire universe of supplementary content for readers who want to live in his worlds between book releases.
Notice that each author's uncommon value aligns perfectly with their strengths and their readers' desires.
The Uncommon Value Framework
Tyreman developed a framework for identifying uncommon value opportunities. Let's adapt it for authors.
Step 1: Identify what readers expect from authors in your genre.
Expected value in romance: well-written books, engaging social media presence, regular releases.
Expected value in nonfiction: expert knowledge, practical advice, credible research.
Expected value in thriller: page-turning plots, consistent series characters, atmospheric settings.
Uncommon value lives just beyond these expectations.
Step 2: Discover what your readers wish they had but aren't getting.
This requires actually asking your readers, not assuming. Send surveys. Host Q&A sessions. Read between the lines of their comments and reviews.
Maybe your fantasy readers wish they had detailed maps and pronunciation guides. Maybe your romance readers wish they knew what happened to characters after the books ended. Maybe your memoir readers wish they had discussion questions for their book clubs.
The gaps between what readers have and what they wish for are uncommon value opportunities.
Step 3: Match opportunities to your unique strengths.
If you're a visual person, uncommon value might look like creating beautiful Pinterest boards or illustrations.
If you're a teacher at heart, uncommon value might look like hosting craft workshops or creating educational content.
If you're a connector, uncommon value might look like building community spaces where readers can interact with each other.
Uncommon value should energize you, not drain you.
Step 4: Start small and learn.
You don't need to launch something massive. Test one small, uncommon value offering and see how readers respond.
Maybe you create a single detailed reading guide for your latest book. Maybe you host one virtual book club meeting. Maybe you share one behind-the-scenes video about your research process.
World-famous brands experiment constantly—they don't wait for perfect execution.
Uncommon Value Ideas by Author Type
Let's get specific with ideas for different types of authors. Use these as inspiration, not prescriptions.
For Fiction Authors:
Create character playlists that capture each character's essence or your book's emotional arc.
Design detailed maps, family trees, or timelines that help readers understand your story world.
Write bonus scenes, character backstories, or "what happened next" epilogues.
Develop book club discussion guides with thought-provoking questions about themes.
Share deleted scenes with commentary about why you cut them and what you learned.
For Nonfiction Authors:
Create actionable worksheets, templates, or tools that help readers implement your ideas.
Host quarterly group coaching calls where readers can ask questions and get support.
Develop resource libraries with curated articles, podcasts, and tools related to your topic.
Share case studies showing real people who applied your methods successfully.
Offer personalized advice through office hours or Ask Me Anything sessions.
For Memoir/Essay Authors:
Curate reading lists of books that influenced your thinking or complement your themes.
Create discussion prompts that help readers reflect on their own experiences.
Share the full research, interviews, or primary sources behind your stories.
Develop guided journaling exercises related to your book's themes.
Host storytelling workshops teaching readers to craft their own narratives.
The best uncommon value comes from asking: "What can I uniquely offer that my readers would genuinely value?"
The Psychology Behind Uncommon Value
Understanding why uncommon value works helps you implement it strategically.
When you exceed expectations, you trigger reciprocity. Readers feel grateful and want to support you in return.
Uncommon value turns readers into advocates because they feel like you've given them something special.
When you provide ongoing value between books, you stay top-of-mind. Readers don't forget you exist during the years between releases.
When you create experiences beyond reading, you deepen the relationship. Readers aren't just consuming your content—they're engaging with you as a person.
These deeper relationships create the devoted followings that world-famous authors build.
Tyreman found that customers who experience uncommon value from brands become emotionally invested in those brands' success. They recommend them enthusiastically. They defend them publicly. They buy everything they release.
The same phenomenon happens with authors who consistently add uncommon value.
Common Uncommon Value Mistakes
Authors often stumble when trying to add uncommon value. Avoid these pitfalls.
Mistake #1: Offering "uncommon value" that's actually just more promotion.
Uncommon value isn't "exclusive sneak peeks at covers" or "first chance to preorder." That's still transactional marketing.
Real uncommon value serves readers' interests, not just your book sales.
Mistake #2: Creating uncommon value that doesn't align with your DNA.
If you're adding value because you think you "should" rather than because it excites you, it won't be sustainable or authentic.
Mistake #3: Making uncommon value so complicated that you can't maintain it.
Start simple. One uncommon value offering done consistently beats ten ambitious projects you abandon.
Mistake #4: Not promoting the uncommon value you're offering.
If you create incredible resources but never tell readers about them, they can't benefit. Share your uncommon value offerings proudly.
Mistake #5: Expecting immediate returns.
Uncommon value builds trust and goodwill over time. Don't measure success by next week's sales—measure it by deepening relationships.
How Uncommon Value Compounds Over Time
Here's the beautiful thing about uncommon value: it compounds.
The reading guide you create for your first book can be repurposed and improved for future books. The workshop you develop once can be offered repeatedly. The community you build continues growing.
Each uncommon value offering becomes an asset that works for you indefinitely.
Authors who've been adding uncommon value for years have entire libraries of resources, years of helpful content, and deep reader relationships that newer authors can't replicate overnight.
This is how you build a career that lasts decades instead of flaming out after a few books.
The World Famous Author approach treats every reader interaction as an opportunity to add uncommon value.
Over time, this approach creates authors who readers feel personally connected to—authors they recommend to everyone, buy from immediately, and support enthusiastically.
Your Uncommon Value Action Plan
You don't need to implement everything at once. Start with one uncommon value experiment this quarter.
Choose one thing that:
Aligns with your unique strengths and interests.
Serves a genuine need your readers have expressed.
Feels sustainable for your energy and schedule.
Excites you enough that you'll actually follow through.
Then commit to trying it for three months before evaluating results.
Uncommon value isn't about perfection—it's about consistent generosity that builds trust over time.
Some experiments will resonate deeply with readers. Others will fall flat. That's okay. World famous brands became legendary through experimentation, not through getting everything right the first time.
The willingness to try uncommon approaches is what separates leaders from followers.
You're Ready to Become a World-Famous Author
You've journeyed through David Tyreman's complete methodology for building world-famous brands, adapted specifically for authors.
You've learned why copying trends keeps you invisible and why authenticity creates devotion.
You've discovered your unique Author DNA—the core beliefs that make you impossible to replicate.
You've understood how to inspire rather than just sell, building devoted readerships instead of transactional followers.
You've shifted from competition obsession to reader focus, finding confidence in serving your specific audience.
And now you know that adding uncommon value transforms good author careers into legendary ones.
These aren't just theories—they're battle-tested principles that built billion-dollar brands.
The question isn't whether this methodology works. The question is whether you'll have the courage to implement it.
World-famous authors aren't born—they're built through consistent, authentic, reader-focused choices.
Every decision you make from this point forward either moves you toward world-famous status or keeps you stuck in invisibility.
Every book cover either expresses your DNA or copies genre formulas. Every social media post either inspires transformation or begs for sales. Every choice either adds uncommon value or meets minimum expectations.
The authors who change their genres—who become household names—are the ones who trust this process completely.
They stop trying to fit in. They embrace their unique DNA. They inspire rather than sell. They focus on readers instead of competitors. They consistently exceed expectations.
These aren't extraordinary people with special advantages. They're authors who made different strategic choices.
You can make those same choices starting today.
The world needs the stories and perspectives that only you can provide. Your readers are searching for exactly what you offer.
But they can't find you if you're hiding behind generic branding, transactional marketing, and copycat strategies.
It's time to stop playing small and start building your world-famous author brand.
Your journey to becoming unforgettable begins with the first brave choice to be authentically, unapologetically yourself.
Is your website meeting expectations or exceeding them?
You've just learned that world-famous authors go beyond table stakes to offer uncommon value. Your website is often a reader's first encounter with your brand—and "good enough" keeps you invisible. This 24-page audit reveals the five critical mistakes that make debut author websites feel amateur, so you can exceed expectations from the very first click.
