How much of a Pie Chart Looks Like Pac-Man per Matt Cutts?

 

A lesson in Repurposing Content –

I heard an English teacher once say that “Every modern love story is a copy of Shakespeare.” She used Westside Story as an extreme example, stolen from Romeo and Juliet. She went on to challenge us to find a theme that Shakespeare did not cover. But there are those who argue that Shakespeare himself stole content. Who did Shakespeare steal stories from? Well, no one really knows at this point. But if he did borrow some ideas, does that constitute stealing? He took stories and themes and reworked them so eloquently that they became his own. Taking a peak at what people have done in the past and building upon their thoughts and ideas can be a healthy exercise. Adding to the conversation is a good thing. Further, those that we can identify with and build better thoughts with may even thank us. …or not. Matt Cutts may just consider me more of a pest than a pest control guy. I concede. But thanks Matt Cutts for the original Pac-Man Pie Chart idea.

Making Viral Pieces

Do your homework first. Successful viral marketing campaigns don’t just “happen”.  Search out things that have already been done in your vertical. People send the same chain letters over, and over again. In fact, I was shocked just recently to get an email about some scandal 5 years after the first bogus email came through. Yet, the same sensationalism exists, and that email was forwarded and will continue to be forwarded for who knows how long. The point being, if it worked once then it will likely work again. If people liked it before then they will like it again. Weighing human nature into business is part of a winning strategy. Love songs are still sung, and new songs still come. So find something that worked well in the past and do it again. Do it better. You may not be able to judge a viral piece correctly every time, but if you do your homework then you can certainly increase your percentages.  
But Don’t mind me, Just a pest control guy… Make it a great day!
Pest Control Guy - Thomas Ballantyne

-Thomas Ballantyne III Director of Marketing for Bulwark Exterminating Follow me on Twitter —> @Thos003

4 thoughts on “How much of a Pie Chart Looks Like Pac-Man per Matt Cutts?

  1. Tevya says:

    “Well, no one really knows at this point.”

    We actually do know a lot of the source material: history for many of his historical plays, and traditional stories, mythology, etc for others. For example Tristan and Isolde for Romeo and Juliet.

  2. Thos003 says:

    @Tevya
    Uh… I’m just a pest control guy. DOH!

    Thanks for adding that. I agree that Shakespeare did use other works for inspiration. But I still feel that he added so much as to make it his own. Alan K’necht on the other hand would argue that there are no more Original Ideas. “The Last Original Idea.”

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