Want to make your brand sing? Well, a traditional or even a conventional marketing strategy won’t get you there. You need to “Shake it off” an “Begin Again”, just like Taylor Swift did. A singer, songwriter turned entrepreneur, Taylor Swift is a marketing genius who has evolved to create unforgettable customer experiences. This makes her a beacon of marketing brilliance and brands can definitely take away some lessons from her playbook.

Create emotionally resonant content – Taylor Swift is known to intertwine personal anecdotes and raw feelings in her songs. This has her audience saying, “Us Taylor, us!” given they feel the same. Brands and marketers too must learn to be real and create content for real audiences instead of fictitious personas. Let your content talk to a person instead of a group of people in order for them to relate with your content and values.

Create mystery – Taylor and surprises go hand in hand. She knows how to keep the audience on the edge of their seat by creating intrigue around her song releases. Brands can do the same. From teasers to gamification to launching VIP groups or keeping a closed account (read CRED), brands can hook audiences to their content for a long time to come.

Evolve and reinvent – From country to pop to indie music, Taylor Swift has never shied away from experimenting with different styles. She has been constantly embracing change while staying true to her roots. Her authenticity combined with her fierce approach has kept her fans supporting her throughout. Just the same, brands should keep evolving with the dynamic digital world by trying new trends and strategies. You can also repurpose old content by giving a new spin to it. Make your own version of trends or pick up your top-performing content and redo it to reach different audiences.

Foster authenticity – Taylor Swift has been an extremely relatable pop icon. From goofing up lyrics at her concerts or tours or having a mini fashion emergency, she is what all of us are like. Her social media posts are incredibly personal too and she comes across as one of us rather than a celebrity. Brands too need to portray the human side of the brand to increase relatability with consumers. From employee podcasts with a dose of humor in them to behind-the-scenes footage, brands need to adopt these as part of their social media marketing strategy to lend themselves a personal touch.

Advocate for change – Taylor Swift boldly champions various social issues, speaks about and contributes to causes she believes in. Just the same, brands can be more heart and a little less business to show their customers that they care. Brands must be willing to go the extra mile to align themselves with causes that their audiences care about. This doesn’t just humanize the brand but also enforces the audience’s trust in it.

Build strategic partnerships – Taylor Swift’s journey through the music industry provides valuable insights into the power of synergistic collaborations, which brands can leverage to achieve their business goals and enhance their brand image. Brands that align with culturally influential figures, influencers or emerging trends can ensure that their image remains fresh and aligned with evolving consumer tastes. Apart from this, sharing audiences with another brand can lead to a significant boost in visibility and customer engagement. Co-marketing efforts can amplify the reach of both partners.

Invest in storytelling – Just like Taylor Swift, brands should recognize the immense potential of storytelling as a means to connect with their audience, evoke emotions, and build lasting relationships. A well-told brand story can transcend cultural, geographic, and demographic boundaries, expanding the brand’s reach and impact.

As Taylor Swift continues to shake things up in the world of music, her marketing genius remains an inspiration for brands and marketers alike. From crafting compelling narratives to embracing change, engaging with fans, mastering the art of teasing, and owning a unique brand identity, Taylor Swift’s journey offers a wealth of lessons. By taking a page from Swift’s playbook, you can shake off the competition and rise to the top in your industry.