Be more Swift ???????

I sat down with the kid at at the weekend and we watched (all 2 hours, 49 minutes of it) the Eras tour.

She is a HUGE Swifty and I have to confess I’m also a fan. Her music manages to fuse country, folk, pop, rock and RnB in a musical soup that’s uniquely her.?

She is unafraid to explore themes around herself and her relationships with others and also manages (for someone that is a megastar) a sense of familiarity and intimacy that’s not often found in other pop stars (especially those in the digital age).?

She can certainly teach us a few lessons about running a business and building a presence in the age of social.

So here’s my breakdown on some of her best qualities.

Be true to yourself

Taylor has never had ANY problem in clearly defining who she is (and that’s not to say she hasn't changed over the years. Her albums are a reflection of that change).

But she has a VERY clear sense of self. Which is reflected in her music. She also has a timeless quality and even at an early age her music has always sounded more mature for someone of her age. Her ability to express herself clearly through her music is a gift.

Think about how you can do that with your content. An understanding of self (and don’t worry, you’ll learn a heck of a lot about yourself by producing content too) helps. ?

Be Fearless ?

From her sexual assault case to the dispute of her masters for her records. Taylor is no stranger to danger.

When her record company was acquired and the rights for her records sold out from underneath her.?

She threatended to re-record the albums under her own name. Her record company thought she was bluffing.

Turns out she wasn't. You don’t mess with the Taylor.

Her sexual assault court trial went down in history, she decode to sue for a historic $1 in damages. Her legacy, giving others permission to step forward.

She revealed her reasoning for counter-suing was to empower other victims of sexual assault. In the statement, she also pledged to donate to organisations that help fund legal costs of sexual assault victims who choose to defend themselves. That’s empowering others through fearlessness.

She even wrote a letter to Apple Music in 2015 demanding that artists get paid for their work. ?And she got what she asked for. Making requests of one of the biggest tech giants on the planet and actually enacting change. That takes courage.

"I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.”

Apple conceded and within hours Taylor changed the entire music streaming industry forever.

When your customers believe in you. They will always buy from you.

She reminds us to go after what we believe in and have courage and conviction to pursue things through to the end. That creates a sense of loyalty you can’t buy. Give more and be contextual at scale

Taylor is the queen of creating an intimate connection with each and every one of her fans at an unprecedented scale.

Remember that each touchpoint with a customer or fan is an opportunity for you to deepen that relationship.

She doesn't use her social media for talking about her. She makes it ALL about her fans. Making it all abut your customers and not you creates a sense of depth that no amount of marketing or PR can buy.?

That way your customers become fans and feel more invested in you and your brand. Becoming ambassadors at scale.

Surprise?

?Leading up to her blockbuster "1989" album - you know, the one that's now shining with multi-platinum vibes. She turned into a social media ninja, sneaking around Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter. Why? To get the real-deal scoop from her fans.?

Swift isn't just about likes and retweets. She's handing out golden tickets to her die-hard fans for a "once-in-a-lifetime Taylor Swift experience."?

These lucky Swifties get to roll up to one of her homes ?- for a "Secret Session.”?

It's like a VIP backstage pass but in her living room!

The result? Social media explodes! Fans are losing it online, and bam! Her album sales soar past a million on day one.?

Mr. Britton nailed it when he said Swift's got this superpower to divide herself into a million little Taylors, reaching out and touching hearts everywhere. It's like she's created an army of mini-Swifts, all hyped and spreading the word.?

This isn't just marketing; it's Taylor-magic. No ad, no matter how flashy, can match this level of fan frenzy.

Be open Alright, picture this: It's the end of 2014, and Taylor Swift is about to drop her new abum. ?She's in her crib, wrapping gifts like a boss for her die-hard Swifties.?

This isn't your average celeb move; she actually hand wrapped the gifts herself in her living room.?

Now, imagine the fans - they're unwrapping these surprises, and it's pure emotion overload. Tears, shock, the works! And just when you think it can't get any more heartfelt, Swift goes full Santa mode.?

Zipping from New York to Connecticut. She chills, plays, and genuinely hangs out with a lucky fan and her kid.?

But here's the real magic trick: the whole thing probably cost less than the presents themselves. Swift basically turned Christmas into "Swiftmas" and the internet lost it! This low-budget, high-impact stunt snowballed right up the media hill, scoring prime spots in news feeds and TV spots everywhere.?

And the best part? Zero dollars on ads or traditional marketing. Just pure, unfiltered Swift charm turning into a PR extravaganza.?

So when you think social, look to Taylor.

She pretty much owns the internet for her niche and we could all learn a thing or two from her.

And guess what? You can too!?

See you next week for more and welcome to 2024 (hey that rhyme's).