Content Marketing World Ends on a Sweaty, Profanity-Laced High Note

I have a new celebrity crush: Kevin Smith.

Before Content Marketing World, I knew of him, but I can’t say that I knew much about him. Sure, I knew that he made movies and that he had a little conversation on Twitter once about an experience with a certain airline. But today I learned that he is a passionate storyteller, he curses just a bit and he loves every minute of what he does.

During the closing keynote of CMWorld, Smith spoke without taking a breath for about an hour under hot spotlights, looking into a dark room. I could have listened to him for three hours more. He said so much in his time with us.

He told us that Ben Affleck likes to ad lib during filming. He told us about words that Harvey Weinstein said to him years and years ago that still stick with and guide him today. And he told us to surround ourselves with “why not?” people.

Yep, “why not?” people. Those are the people who encourage us, who listen to our ideas and no matter how off-the-wall and wacky those ideas might be, they say “why not?” and stick by our side and offer support as we go for it. So what if you fail or fall short when you try it! So what if it doesn’t work at all! At least you can say you tried, learn a lesson and move on.

His words were so encouraging and inspiring. And he urged us to be encouraging and inspiring to others, to be “why not?” people for those around us. His words — the clean ones at least — have me thinking and dreaming about doing bigger in my own life. Not only in my personal life, but my work life as well. Can I do more with my photography? Why not? Can I think bigger for clients and offer great ideas to them, even if they don’t implement those ideas? Why not? Can I lose another 20 pounds? Why not?

There were so many take-aways in his Q&A with us, I can’t wait to watch it again when the session videos are published to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

Plus, he’s so cute in person!