Why creating content is just like being in Jurassic Park
Do you remember the scene in Jurassic Park when they’re first driving around looking at all the dinosaurs? It’s the epitome of awe. Dr Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) runs out of the jeep and says, “My dear boy, look at this! This is incredible!” The whole scene is filled with wonder and possibility.
But then comes the cruel twist: it turns out that not all dinosaurs should come back to life. Some content marketing dinosaurs should have never been cloned in the first place.
Like most people, I’ve always been fascinated by dinosaurs.
So, when I started writing content for my clients, I thought about them a lot. Sometimes, I feel like the entire process of creating content is just like being in Jurassic Park.
First off, there’s the whole “being around dinosaurs” thing. You’d think that would be enough for me, but it’s not! The many similarities between creating content and being in Jurassic Park, makes it hard to keep track of them.
For example: when you’re writing your content, you have to ensure you don’t go extinct (aka get fired). And while writing is often more dangerous than being at work or home, you can’t afford any mistakes, at least not if you want to stay alive (and employed).
And then there are all those dang dinosaurs! Every time you write something new, there are dinosaurs everywhere. On your keyboard (if using JavaScript), in your inbox (because everyone wants something written right away), when in Las Vegas (enjoying your time), on your client’s site, and even in your ideas (because they keep getting eaten by larger companies).
The basic premise of Jurassic Park is this: a billionaire CEO named John Hammond has been interested in cloning dinosaurs since he saw his first dinosaur book as a child. He found investors who wanted to help him create an entire theme park where guests could come face-to-face with these amazing animals. Perhaps even ride them or pet them (which would be adorable).
Unfortunately for him, things go awry when one of his scientists inadvertently creates a genetically modified hybrid Dino that escapes its enclosure and starts wreaking havoc on everyone who gets in its way.
While this sounds like the plotline for an exciting sci-fi adventure film, what happens next? Well, nothing much! The T-rex chases some people around before being defeated by our hero. And then everything goes back to normal.
And then, when you think it’s all over, they bring in a new dinosaur: Social Media Marketing. It doesn’t matter how hard you work or how many promotions you get; the fate of your career will always rest on whether or not people are sharing your content on Twitter or liking it on Facebook.