Music is a definite source of inspiration. Seeing as it is a creative outlet within itself, it only further fuels creativity. My personal taste in music could be described as quite eclectic – from Indie, Alternative, old school Rock, Pop, Electronic to Rap – I have a spotify playlist for nearly every genre. Music is engrained so much in my everyday life that I originally thought I would make a career out of it (writing lyrics that is, not singing).
The LinkedIn Marketing Solutions team is no stranger to utilizing music as a catalyst to ignite brilliant marketing ideas. After all, it was the driving force behind LinkedIn’s Senior Global Content Marketer, Jason Miller’s ‘Sophisticated Marker’s Guide to LinkedIn’ and ‘Behind the Content’.
Among countless other avenues, I constantly pull inspiration from music. Therefore, I thought it appropriate to share 5 song quotes that inspire me to be a better content marketer. It’s not necessarily applicable to the entire song itself, but rather a line or two that resonate with me when I’m searching for enlightenment along the path to content marketing success.
1. “Confidence is a stain they can’t wipe off.”– Lil Wayne, ‘Drop the World’
Confidence, or ‘swagger’ as some like to call it, is key; in the workplace and in life. The truth is, you already know so much more than you think you do. Learn to trust your instincts and take calculated risks. Some of the most brilliant marketing campaigns ever conceptualized may have never been executed due to a couple of doubting onlookers. For example, Ann Handley’s first SlideShare infomercial featured in our Behind the Content eBook.
And if your idea does in fact fail, at least you learned and can adjust your next campaign with your newfound knowledge in tow. As the wise Irish avant-garde novelist & poet Samuel Beckett wrote, “Ever try. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
2. “Take your time. Think a lot. Why, think of everything you’ve got.” – Cat Stevens, ‘Father and Son’
Be thoughtful in your work. Be appreciative of your team members. Be present in the moment. We all have massive daily to-do lists. But I guarantee if you try to focus on doing less things better, you’ll feel more accomplished at the end of each week. And let’s be honest, no one wants to consume content that feels rushed and incomplete. This brings me to another important point: be thoughtful of your audience. Empathizing with your target audience is the #1 thing you should be focusing on when creating content. Plus, if people feel like they can relate to your content, they are more likely to share it.
3. “Change the game, don’t let the game change you.” – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, ‘Make the Money’
In the ever-changing world of content marketing, if you stop learning, you die. That’s why it’s so important to continue to read, to learn and to be curious. If you’re hungry for knowledge or just looking for a good read, check out this list of 33 Digital Marketing Blogs.
Unexpectedly innovative campaigns that change the way we think about communicating content set a precedent for what will be successful in the future. Pay attention. And innovative doesn’t always equate to complex by the way. Case in point, Dollar Shave Club’s ‘Our blades are F-ing great’ campaign featured in our Behind the Content eBook. It was simple, entertaining and effective.
4. “If you never leave home, never let go, you’ll never make it to the great unknown.” – Needtobreathe, ‘Keep Your Eyes Open’
Despite my seemingly outgoing personality, I can be a bit of an introvert when it comes to mingling within large groups at conferences or even striking up a conversation with someone from a different department. But there are a multitude of benefits that await when you step outside of your comfort zone. Like Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said, “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”
Go listen to a speaker who is discussing a topic you aren’t as familiar with. Meet with people from totally unrelated departments and learn more about what they do. Break down the internal silos and establish a greater appreciation for the holistic process. Inspiration is sometimes hiding in the most unlikely places.
5. “Don't wait for an invitation. No need for reservation. This life is an exploration. And you gotta see what I see in you.” – Captial Cities, ‘One Minute More’
When asked what inspires me to be a better marketer in a recent meeting, I replied, ‘my colleagues”. Of course, everyone ‘awww’d and it is corny, I know. But it’s true. I have the privilege of working with some of the brightest in the industry and I continue to learn from them every day. The creative process is collaborative in nature. What’s the point of working with all these great people if you can’t bounce ideas off of them? Developing and executing campaigns together is one of the most fulfilling parts of the job.
As Tom Fishburne said, “The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.” Focus on creating a fun experience for the consumer. Positive interactions with your content can only lead to positive sentiment about your products, loyalty and ultimately brand advocacy. Enjoy the process and you’ll produce something that’s enjoyable to consume.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our Behind the Content eBook to hear the stories behind the stories as we enter the minds of some of the web’s coolest content creators and explore how (and why) some of the most innovative pieces of content came into existence.
*Image Source: kool1079fm.com