Top 10 Things I learned about business and digital marketing from Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino is known for his films Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Jackie Brown, Inglorious Basterds, and Django Unchained. His movie Reservoir Dogs even became part of the Sundance Film Festival, which became legendary in Hollywood.

Though the movies had a lot of viewers and fans and garnered positive reviews from film critics, it cannot be denied that Tarantino also taught me a lot about business and digital marketing. These valuable tips include:

1. Acknowledge and develop your own voice.

Tarantino makes sure that his films have a certain voice. They are unique. Just like in Tarantino’s movies, marketing specialists have a certain voice, in such a way that they can be different from other products and services. This voice can help clients identify you and set you apart from other companies. Digital marketing and creating a brand and a unique service is what would win people over, despite the number of companies that fight for their attention. People would want to see a new voice, a new product, or a new service.

To be more specific, Tarantino seems to have a penchant for feet in his movies. In Pulp Fiction, Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega discussed foot massage. Esmeralda, the cab driver, does not have any shoes on. Tarantino also played a role in From Dusk Till Dawn, where he drinks Tequila from Salma Hayek’s feet. When you see a lot of feet, no doubt it’s Tarantino. That is his brand, his chosen voice.

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2. Succeed in whatever you do.

Marketing isn’t about having a Masters degree, nor having an impressive educational attainment. A real social media marketing genius knows how to get creative with content and create advertisements and strategies that would attract clients. In every technique and project you undertake, try your best to succeed in it. Tarantino never went to film school. Instead, he focused on his work experience. That was how he grew as a film maker.

There are a lot of things and resources available online for marketing newbies. You don’t have to study per se, but you only have to know how to research. How to succeed? Study a lot. Know how other people are doing it. Try and try until you get the right formula. Follow the examples of people who have been there. You can always find a mentor to help you.

3. Believe in your product or service.

Tarantino believed that when you want to do something, you just do it. Never wait for an opportunity. Instead, create the opportunity. Likewise, he did not really do a lot of movies. He had ten, but these were always the best ones and the ones he felt strongly about. It is important that you believe in your product because if you don’t, who will? It is your own work, so be proud of it

4. Use your experiences and be confident about your work.

Tarantino knew that his films would work. Prior to Kill Bill, there was no movie about an assassin getting back at other assassins. During the 90s, there was nothing like Pulp Fiction, but when it was finally released, it received really great reviews. Even when the movies receive negative reviews, Tarantino is nonplussed. He is never shy about anything. He would always try new things to keep his viewers and fans interested.

5. Listen to critics, and use failures to improve your brand.

When Tarantino wrote True Romance, he knew it would not sell that much. But this fact did not hinder the filmmaker from trying. He was rejected, but he kept on going. Similarly, businessmen and digital marketing specialists know when to back down, retreat, and when to go further. They don’t let criticisms ruin their mojo. They know that they can use whatever criticisms they receive to become better entrepreneurs. They don’t doubt themselves, but focus on their efforts to strive harder.

At the same time, don’t take criticisms too seriously. Have fun when you are introducing your brand. Tarantino does know the meaning of fun. Just take a look at the dancing scenes in his films Jackie Brown, Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs.

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6. Steal ideas, but make them your own.

There is no original story. Or maybe there is an original plotline, but there would be variations of it. Tarantino was honest enough to admit that he did steal his ideas from other movies. For instance, Reservoir Dogs resembles City of Fire. But Tarantino isn’t ashamed of this. In digital marketing, it is normal to steal an idea as long as you can create your own twist to it. It is okay to steal a brand’s mission and vision, or a product’s features. The real magic there, however, is in transforming them into your own and making clients flock to you.

7. Sell your idea.

The movie Reservoir Dogs is the epitome to this. In a particular scene there, the main character wanted to double cross. The truth was in a seven-and-a-half-minute love letter to storytelling. While the movie is about robbery that has failed, Tarantino taught us to show, not tell, when selling products and services. Demonstrate. Use a lot of examples. Think about money. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to think of the artistic side of things. Your brand, product, or service has to gather a lot of believers. If you don’t know how to sell your idea, who would even invest in you?

8. Master the details.

Tarantino banks on the details of his movies. He makes his characters unique. Remember Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill? Her character is so iconic that we can only recall Thurman whenever the word “pulp” or “Bill” comes to mind. Moreover, Tarantino gives both characters unique traits. Pulp Fiction’s Uma had cropped black hair, while Kill Bill’s Uma had long blonde hair. Companies who market their products and services have to create unique brands and are into details. What makes your product different from the other? What features will people like? When you create your own product, you should know your details.

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9. Own your brand.

Tarantino owns every story and film he has made. When you watch Tarantino’s films, you would immediately see what makes it a Tarantino film. This is because he owns his films. He knows how to make his films sell. It’s like Tarantino patented his films. In marketing, you have to know your brand well. Be familiar with it like the back of your hand.

10. Practice makes perfect.

Tarantino started way back, but his efforts only came into fruition years later. He was patient and understanding enough to know that real success banks on perfect timing. It is the same thing with business.

Tarantino is also known for the “Don’t be such a square” sign in his movies, particularly in Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill. This means Tarantino cannot be contained in a box. Don’t let that happen to your ideas, too. Expand. Go out of the box, try a lot of ideas, and experiment. That is how you get to know what you are really trying to sell.

What makes Tarantino’s movies lovable? It’s the characters he makes. It’s the plotlines he writes. It’s in the style, the cinematography, the directorship. All of his films are meant to be remembered. All of his films are meant to win awards. Tarantino is meant to win and stay above everybody. Use these tips to become a digital marketing genius. Learn how to take risks, and never be afraid to compromise.