Taylor Swift performed 6 sold-out concerts that were attended by 300,000 fans that flew in from across the world, primarily Southeast Asia, in order to see the star. Reports showed that during the 1 week period of Swift’s performances, Singapore saw a significant hike in inbound flights, with bookings increasing by 186%. With accommodation bookings, increased spend in F&B and more, the reported cumulative spending in the city was approximately $370 million, boosting the Singapore economy in a short period of time.
While Singapore’s government was over the moon with the results, other governments in Southeast Asia saw it as an unfriendly move. Many fans were disappointed that the musician didn’t tour other countries, and were unable to get tickets to the show because of multiple factors. Despite the difference in opinions and chaos around these events, there is a lot we can learn about marketing services and strategies from Taylor Swift. Let’s step into the shoes of this global icon, and see how she does it:
Leverage Your Exclusivity: And Cash It In
As an already established artist, Taylor Swift has amassed a huge following. When you have an avid fan base like she does, you can be sure they will follow you to the ends of the earth. That’s exactly what happened in Singapore too! People flew in from all corners of the world to see her in concert for a couple of hours. With the exclusivity contract she signed with Singapore, Swift probably had little hesitation to sign it because she knew it would not deter her fans.
If other countries want to take a leaf from Swift’s book on creative marketing services, they should leverage their ability to create exclusivity and cash it in for profits too. As a business, exclusivity is created through artificially constructed scarcity. Releasing small numbers of a product and promoting it extensively will lead customers to covet this product. Usually, this is the norm for luxury brands. However, this can easily go wrong and leave a customer feeling left out or neglected, so make sure to use it only in the appropriate context.
The Art of Branding: A Lesson in Resonance & Relatability
Beyond the visually delightful, hyper-sensorial concerts, it’s Taylor Swift’s own brand management that’s the real showstopper. Her PR team has crafted an image that resonates with millions. From relatable storyteller to girl next door to empowered business woman, her brand speaks to a broad audience. Swift’s brand emphasizes her naturally grounded personality. This makes her audience feel as though they can identify with her because hey, we dress similar and our lives are really quite alike!
Businesses should be taking detailed notes here because building a strong and relatable brand identity is key to connecting with consumers on a deeper level. This might be through visual branding, social media presence or even something as foundational as a website. How do you do this? The first step is through thoroughly understanding your target audience. Learn more about what they like and dislike, and create a brand idea around these values to show relatability. If you’re an agency, align your marketing services and offerings with the industries you want to target. Make sure your branding, core values and social media marketing aligns with this goal.
Storytelling Drives Strategy, Not The Other Way
Taylor Swift’s music is a masterclass in storytelling, and the marketing world could take some serious notes. Our whole world runs on shared belief in certain stories, and T-Swift has hacked this to her advantage. The heart of Swift’s success is her relatable storytelling, and this passion for narratives translates into her marketing strategy too. Her songs are more than just catchy tunes; they also tell stories that resonate deeply with listeners. She has tapped into a universal language of emotions and experiences, leaving her fans feeling seen, heard and understood.
This unique ability brings people together, and creates a tightly knit community of Swifties. A community like Swift’s motivates people to come together, enjoy a shared experience, and connect with one another. When this happens, the fanbase really becomes bigger than the artist herself. Swift has successfully catalyzed the growth of a worldwide community that finds joy, love and friendship by bonding with one another. Here, the Swifties teach us that effective marketing services are built on the foundation of powerful storytelling and inspiring narratives.
Transform Your Brand Through Our Marketing Services
If you’re interested in learning more about how to shape your marketing strategy, reach out to our team of experts at 444 Media and discover our range of marketing services, from social media, search engine optimization, UX/UI website design to performance marketing and more. At 444 Media, we stand on a foundation of data-driven strategies, led by the creative prowess of storytelling.
