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The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies. As Peter Faulk’s Grandpa says, it’s got it all: fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles . . .
And what fan of the movie doesn’t utter the best revenge line of all now and then (Preferably said with a horrible Spanish accent.)
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
I originally thought I would just do a quick rundown of some of my favorite movies, including The Princess Bride. Then I thought to myself: self, I think I can make some inbound and content marketing hay out of this.
Then I actually started thinking about it and my self was right. So, content marketing tips and thoughts, inspired by Princess Bride quotes, stream of consciousness-style.
Anybody Want a Peanut? — Fezzik
Everybody has hidden talents. Fezzik’s is the ability to rhyme anything – and to be a huge giant of course. What are your hidden talents and interests? Can you think of ways to translate them to add a personal twist on your marketing efforts? Talk to members of your team, sometimes it’s those random bits of serendipity (and the randomness that’s in all of us) than can kick an interesting piece of content up a notch (to momentarily channel Emeril).
Your brains, my steel, Fezzik’s strength – Inigo Montoya
A good team has complementary strengths. You can do content marketing by yourself – but it’s really friggin’ hard. Working as part of team is much better. Some of the capabilities you need: imagination, ability to get points across in long form content, the ability to copy edit (subject lines and CTA wording is HARD!), design sensibility (what can this look like), design ability (translating for the person with ideas, but no ability to design – tools like Canva and even Prezi are great for dabblers like me), and project management – somebody has to keep the trains running on time.
Even bigger things can be accomplished with a Holocaust Cloak. So invest in special equipment if you have the time and budget.
The Dread Pirate Robert’s real name is Cumberbund — Westley
Reputation and branding is important. As Wesley says, no one would surrender to the Dread Pirate Cumberbund. Getting your brand right and developing a reputation that people respond to will ease the path to getting your word out. Trust over time is cumulative. Just don’t development a reputation as a ruthless plundering pirate!
I admit it. You’re better than I am. — Inigo, fighting the Man in Black (Westley)
While it’s human nature to compare yourself and your efforts to others, there is always someone better. Partner with them, work with them, emulate them, or just admire those people from afar. Just make sure you don’t get into a swordfight with them.
Nonsense. You’re only saying that because no one ever has – Westley, talking to Buttercup about no one ever living through the Fire Swamp
There’s a first time for everything. Just because no one’s ever done it before, doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Be first – just watch out for Rodents Of Unusual Size, they exist everywhere.
Inigo Montoya – You seem a decent fellow . . . I hate to kill you.
Man in Black – You seem a decent fellow . . . I hate to die.
Regardless of the situation, it never hurts to be polite. This doesn’t really have much to do with content marketing other than the fact that, whether in business or personal life, be polite.
Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line! – Vizzini
Well. Duh.
Unless, of course, you’ve spent the last three years building up a resistance to iocane powder.
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. – Inigo Montoya
You can accomplish a lot in life with single-minded purpose, but there’s “also not a lot of money in revenge.” Set goals. Develop the skills (swordplay if necessary) required to achieve the goal. Then accomplish your goals. Just because you have to take side jobs on the side to pay the bills doesn’t mean you’ve given up on your ultimate goal.
This one was kinda fun. I might have to give it another go and put some further thought into it.
And now, a few of my other favorite movies, because I had already started writing these, so why not. In no particular order:
- Jungle Book – Bare Necessities, all the knowledge you need for life
- Pulp Fiction
- Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
- Glory
- McClintock
- Saving Private Ryan
- Bull Durham (which I’m also going to turn into an article . . . one day)
- The Little Mermaid
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