I
re-watched Rocky VI recently. My son, about to turn 12, joined me. He was around the age I was when I saw my
first Rocky movie in the theater. It
is arguably the best series ever. Of
course, that’s a matter of taste, age, and values, but Rocky is brilliant on a number of levels and it has several
lasting, timeless messages about the underdog, courage, willpower and fighting
for what you believe in. Authors and
book promoters can learn a lot from watching all of the Rocky movies (yes, even No. 5).
Here
are 12 valuable lessons we can apply, as book marketers, from Rocky:
1. The
underdog can win. The odds are against you – to be published,
to get media coverage, to be a best-seller.
But, if you believe in yourself, you can persevere and succeed.
2. You
are successful once you try.
Too many are too afraid or insecure to go after their writing
dream. Once you take a big step forward
and try to become a somebody, you will have won.
3. You
have to keep proving yourself.
Even when you are victorious or famous, it doesn’t last forever. There will be new battles that you’ll have to
fight. You don’t win once and live off
of it forever.
4. There
will be some punishing days of defeat But you can comeback from any deficit
or setback if you prepare hard and stick with the game plan.
5. There
will be naysayers close by Tune them out and use their lack of faith in you
and their fears of failure to your advantage.
Let it motivate you.
6. Success
isn’t handed to you. Even when an amazing opportunity presents
itself, you need to seize it and make the most of it. You must work hard to just stay where you are
– and harder to advance further.
7. Be
driven by strong values. Start with believing in yourself and know that life
can be challenging. No one owes you
anything and no one is responsible for your success and happiness but you.
8. Lean
on a good coach or trainer to help push you further. Rely on your supportive friends or family. It
may fall in your hands to steer your life, but it helps if someone can be a
passenger on your journey. Find a good editor.
9. Pour
your life into your craft. Express every
anger, fear, or passion through the filter of your writing. Take all of your life experiences and
knowledge and apply it to what’s really important to you.
10. Respond
to your environment without complaining.
You need to sometimes operate under hostile or less than ideal
circumstances. Adapt and overcome.
11. Even
when you win, you lose something.
Make sure what you give up or sacrifice is worth it. Rocky
risked his health, pain, and life in the ring.
Are you prepared to give something up in exchange for what you want?
12. Stay
true to your roots. Rocky came
out of Philadelphia and never left. He gained inspiration from his
hometown. He once said: “The longer you
live somewhere, the more you become that place.” Gain strength from where you come from.
Rocky passes the test of time. Every viewing of every one of the films still
makes me feel something. I still relate
to him, perhaps more than ever. The
40-year franchise has aged well. Sure
No. 1 and 2 are the best, but each one reprises some strong feelings and
inspiration. Sly Stallone may not be the
best actor, although I think the world of him, but he plays this role perfectly
and consistently.
It
may seem it’s a film series about boxing and sports, but it’s really about life
itself. Do you have what it takes to be
a great writer? Can you get a chance for
the big time – and turn it into something spectacular? Do you have the eye of
the tiger?
Rock-ee,
Rock-ee, Rock-ee.
All-New 2017 Book Marketing & PR Toolkit
Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2016 ©. Born and raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs 
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