In the world of PR, there’s a lot to be learned from the one and only Taylor Swift. Yep, you read that right—T-Swift, the queen of catchy tunes and even catchier headlines. But what does she have to teach us about content marketing and staffing?
In this article, let’s dive into Taylor Swift’s PR prowess and how you can apply her strategies to boost your brand-building game.
Beyond the Stage: A Billion-Dollar Phenomenon
Taylor Swift isn’t just a music icon but a marketing force, consistently delivering new brand experiences with each record and tour. In the past year, she dropped a new album alongside 53 shows, capping off a 17-year music journey and even outperforming Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame in presales with her movie release.¹
In the past year, she dropped a new album with 53 shows, outperforming Avengers: Endgame in presales for her movie release. The Eras Tour, projected to gross $1 billion, dubbed “Taylornomics” by The Wall Street Journal, can potentially boost the global economy by $5 billion.²
Swift’s tour even caused Ticketmaster’s website to crash, set attendance records, and achieved unprecedented advance ticket sales for her concert film. Her record-setting career includes 11 albums simultaneously on the Billboard 200 chart, with “Midnights” holding strong at No. 5.
Creating this experience goes beyond traditional marketing tactics. It’s about making different groups of people feel like they’re really understood. That’s the secret sauce that keeps Swifties coming back for more. Taylor and her marketing team connect with various people and situations, ensuring they’ll stick around.
Related Reading: Exploring Beast-Mode Marketing: Barbie vs. Oppenheimer
Cracking the Code: Taylor Swift’s PR Strategies
Taylor Swift’s achievements didn’t just happen overnight; she made brilliant marketing and branding strategies. That’s how she built one of the most extensive and loyal fan bases in the music industry. Fan or not, there’s a lot to learn from her team’s solid and effective marketing strategies that any brand can use.
Here’s the ultimate guide on how you can learn to craft a brand experience that’s as captivating as her songs. Are you Ready For It?
Shake It Off, Shake It Off, and Control the Narrative
Swift, a narrative maestro, reclaimed her music ownership and engaged fans by re-recording her first six albums as “Taylor’s Version” since 2019. This strategic move prompted fans to stream the re-recordings, surpassing the originals in popularity.
For instance, when she released “Red (Taylor’s Version)” in 2021, featuring a 10-minute rendition of the fan favorite “All Too Well,” fans eagerly analyzed the extended version filled with personal stories and creative metaphors about past love. Her silent stance amid rumors allowed fans to develop intricate narratives and theories, showcasing her exceptional ability to steer the narrative even when she isn’t actively involved.
Swift Takeaway
Take a cue from Taylor’s narrative mastery to control your brand story. Let’s say your staffing firm is undergoing a rebrand or introducing a new service—make it an event. Release revamped content, showcase success stories, and create suspense around the unveiling.
When engaging your audience, channel your inner Swift by staying silent strategically. If you’re launching a new initiative, drop hints, and share teasers, but keep the big reveal under wraps. Let the buzz build, and let your audience speculate.
This keeps them engaged and turns your brand evolution into a captivating story. It’s not just about the service; it’s about the experience, and the mystery adds a touch of excitement that keeps your audience hooked.
Foster Personal Connections: Yes, You Belong With Me
Swift is really good at selling directly to her fans. She does special meet-and-greets and intimate listening sessions (Secret Sessions) during album releases and has an active presence on social media. She always considers what her fans want in every decision she makes. This loyalty pays off when her fans support and defend her during tough times, becoming a powerful PR tactic.
For example, before releasing “Midnights” last October, Swift thrilled her fans by revealing each track through videos using a bingo machine. This intense and exciting approach made it her most successful album release. Recently, for her concert film, “TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR,” Swift skipped Hollywood and went straight to AMC theaters. This smart move got the film to theaters faster and boosted her revenue.
Swift Takeaway
Dive deep into understanding your audience—the job seekers, potential hires, and employers. Know their professional dreams, industry interests, and challenges in their career journeys. Just like Taylor connects with her fans, empathize with your audience. Show them what happens behind the scenes in your firm, humanize the hiring process, and let them know the moments that make your company unique.
Embrace Authenticity: Blank Space? Nah, Be Real
Swift’s authenticity is a game-changer. Despite her iconic status, she feels relatable, thanks to her self-deprecating humor, sincere lyrics, and genuine connection with fans.
She’s also incredibly generous. Recently, as a thank-you to everyone on the Eras Tour, Swift gave $5 million in bonuses to truckers, $500,000 to crew members, and thousands of dollars to local food banks. You’ll admire her kindness even if you’re not a Swiftie.
Swift Takeaway
Stick to what you believe in, invest in the people who matter for your success, and communicate authentically and honestly. Authenticity builds trust, and trust is the secret sauce for a strong brand. Be genuine, and your audience will follow you wherever you go.
Read More: How To Reach Top Talent Without Giving Up Your Authenticity
No Bad Blood, Just Incorporate Suspense
Taylor is the queen of dropping Easter eggs—hidden clues and surprises in her lyrics, music videos, performances, public appearances, and promotions that keep her fans on the edge of their seats. Her latest tour continues this tradition; from costumes and props to intricate stage designs, she keeps fans guessing about future projects, sparking lively discussions on platforms like TikTok or #SwiftTok.
During the Eras Tour, Swift elevates suspense by performing unreleased songs, incorporating a fan’s TikTok dance into her show, and announcing “1989”‘s re-release.
Swift Takeaway
Create anticipation, build suspense, and keep your audience guessing. Involve them in creating an experience, sprinkle in surprises to delight them, and keep them eager to return for more. Whether it’s a product launch or a new staffing initiative, sprinkle a few metaphorical Easter eggs to keep the excitement alive.
Pivot for Success: Out With the Old, In With the Bold
Taylor Swift is the master of reinvention. Her career has been like a storybook of change and growth. From country sweetheart crooning about Tim McGraw to global pop sensation, she’s not afraid to pivot and try something new.
Each chapter of her career, marked by albums, shows a different side of her—from fancy and cool to thoughtful and fun and even from traditional to futuristic. She teaches us that change is a good thing.
Swift Takeaway
Don’t be scared to switch things up and change your communication plans for a more significant impact. If a strategy isn’t working, don’t cling to it like an ex-boyfriend—swiftly pivot, adapt, and conquer.
Say your firm is introducing a cutting-edge tech recruitment service, but the initial marketing buzz isn’t translating into applications. Instead of sticking to a plan that’s falling flat, swiftly pivot. Maybe launch a series of behind-the-scenes videos showcasing your tech team’s expertise or host a live webinar with industry influencers.
Keep experimenting, stay flexible, and conquer the recruitment landscape by being as adaptable as a Swift album’s genre evolution.
Related Reading: Who Needs a Rebrand These Days? You Do!
Your Own PR Playbook
So, there you have it—your very own PR playbook ready to capture your audience. Whether you’re initiating a new business venture, seeking avenues to refresh your marketing efforts, or aiming to elevate your staffing firm’s brand, the key to growing your audience and achieving success is learning how to market your brand genuinely.
Integrating these tactics into your marketing strategy allows you to create a brand experience that deeply connects personally, fostering a lasting Love Story with your audience.
Read More: Content Marketing: Pioneering the Future – Why Staffing Firms Need to Get Ahead Now
Partner with Allied Insight to Transform Your PR Game
Just as Taylor Swift understands the pulse of her audience, Allied Insight also understands the unique needs and dynamics of content marketing and staffing firms. By carefully crafting and implementing these strategies, we’ll boost your brand’s visibility and make it a standout chart-topper in your industry. Ready to pen your success’ narrative? Contact us today, and let’s take your PR game to the next level.
References
1 Nebens, Richard. “Taylor Swift’s Eras Movie Smashes Avengers: Endgame Tickets Record.” The Direct, 1 Sept. 2023, thedirect.com/article/taylor-swifts-eras-movie-smashes-avengers-endgame-tickets-record. Accessed 17 Nov. 2023.
2 Pisani, Joseph. “It’s Taylor Swift’s Economy, and We’re All Living in It.” WSJ, 23 July 2023, www.wsj.com/arts-culture/taylor-swift-taylornomics-concert-eras-tour-local-economy-9fa1d492.
