When you need marketing inspiration, watching a great movie is just the ticket. #RayEdwards

Who doesn’t love a great underdog story? Spoiler alert! In case you haven’t yet watched Eddie the Eagle — you may want to pause here and go watch the movie first. There’s some inspiration for all ages here.

So what I did find for marketers? Let’s jump off a cliff together with some Eddie pointers.

• Eddie set a firm goal. He wanted to be an Olympian. Clearly-defined goals remind me of the acronym FOCUS: Follow One Course Until Success. 

• When Eddie narrowly missed qualifying for downhill skiing, he pivoted his focus. Successful businesses will find themselves pivoting their marketing strategies. 

• Eddie found an untapped niche. Britain in the 1980’s had no one competing in ski-jumping.  Focus on an unmet need and dominate your market.

• Eddie was refused funding by the British Ski Federation. He resourcefully found a way to fund his dreams with an old camper van, used equipment, and whatever he could cobble together to make things work until success! Resourcefulness is key to success.

• Inertia did not hold Eddie back! I cringed as I watched him take the 40m jump with NO proper training. Bruised and battered, he was not beaten. But he did get a mentor. Sometimes the most valuable lessons are learned by jumping in with both feet and getting out of the comfort zone. 

• His celebrated his personal success. Never mind that he came in last. He did his personal best. Everyone around was attracted to his joy! Celebrate the business stepping stones! Positive client? Highlight that.

• Eddie called a press conference. He knew how to leverage his moment of success. Seize the opportunities. No regrets, right?

Which marketing cliff should you attempt  today?