Do you love Taylor Swift and marketing? If so, this blog is right up your alley. You may remember my first blog on this topic: 3 Reasons Taylor Swift Is a Marketing Genius. However, after she released her newest album, Reputation (which sold more than one million copies in a week), I knew a follow-up post was necessary. In this age of streaming music through sites like Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music, selling that many albums is pretty unheard of. There hasn’t been this big of an album release in nearly two years, since Adele released 25.
So here are three more reasons why I believe Taylor Swift is a marketing genius.
- Her Social Media Game Is On Point
On August 18, Taylor wiped all of her social media accounts completely clean. All of the content on her Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr and her official website was gone. Then, three days later, she returned by tweeting a short video of a slithering snake. After letting people talk about that for a few days, she finally tweeted about the upcoming release of Reputation. From then, leading up to the release, it was nothing but strategic posts that promoted the album as well as got people talking. - Her Unique Interaction with Fans
Taylor has been praised for her great way of interacting with her fans. Besides “stalking” them on Instagram by liking their photos, joining their live events and watching and commenting on their Snapchat stories, she is also known for inviting fans to her home. That’s right: select Swifties get invited to hear Taylor play her entire album before it is released. (By the way, I am STILL waiting for my invite) - Her Way to Create a New Brand and ‘Start Over”
“The old Taylor can’t come to phone right now. Why? Oh, cuz she’s dead”. This is the biggest reason why I am so impressed with how Swift markets herself. She has the unique ability to turn the narrative around and tell her story the way she wants it told. It is a skill that she has mastered. The media calls her boy-crazy but she just makes fun of herself and is sure to point out the double standards and sexism of the music industry. Say she’s not talented? She will produce an entire album to prove you wrong. I’ve never doubted her talent, but listen to Reputation and you will see exactly what I mean.
Taylor, you are going to rule the world.