5 Storytelling Secrets from Taylor Swift’s Playbook.
Why do Taylor Swift's songs stick in our minds? Explore the storytelling techniques that can make your products just as memorable.
Taylor Swift stands out not just for her catchy tunes but for her incredible ability to connect with millions on a deeply personal level. Her secret? Masterful storytelling that turns everyday experiences into universal truths. But this isn't just about songwriting. There's a powerful lesson here for product marketing professionals: the magic of storytelling can transform how audiences perceive and engage with your products.
🌈 Simple Pictures with Words
Taylor Swift crafts vivid imagery using everyday language to convey complex emotions. For instance, "Blank Space" portrays starting anew in love as having a blank page. This approach isn't limited to music. In product marketing, using relatable metaphors can demystify complex ideas. Describing a cloud storage service as an "infinite library in the sky" makes it instantly more approachable and memorable.
Fun Fact: Benjamin Carethers sued Red Bull in the US for not literally giving him "wings" or improving his abilities after a decade of consumption. The New York Federal Court ruled in favor of Carethers, leading to a $13 million settlement for affected consumers. Despite the lawsuit, Red Bull kept its iconic slogan with a minor tweak, now reading “wiiings” to prevent misunderstandings.
📖 Real Stories
Taylor’s not shy about sharing her own ups and downs, and it makes her songs hit home. It’s all about connecting on a human level.
Similarly, brands like Halo Top succeed by sharing their story in a human, engaging way. They're not just selling low-calorie ice cream; they're sharing a passion for enjoying ice cream guilt-free. This storytelling approach builds a genuine connection with the audience, turning customers into part of the brand's story.
🔄 Catchy Repetition
Taylor’s got this knack for phrases that stick in your head. Like the "Shake It Off" chorus: “players gonna play, play, play… haters gonna hate, hate, hate.”
Apple is such a master of this trick, it has become part of its tone of voice.
🌟Hero Transformation
A lot of Taylor’s songwriting is about experiences, things you learn, and the transformational effect of them, like in her “All Too Well” short film.
In marketing, positioning your customer as the hero and your product as the magical helper can be incredibly powerful. For example, Zuora's narrative guides companies through a new way of doing business by shifting the focus to deliver recurring, people-centric services instead of a one-time sale of products.. This storytelling framework not only captivates but also aligns with our innate desire to overcome challenges and emerge victorious.
You can download Zuora’s full sales deck here, regarded as “the greatest sales deck ever” by Andy Raskin.
😁 Keep it Light
Swift knows how to lighten the mood, connecting with her audience through humor even in less-than-ideal situations. Like when she told cat jokes to entertain her audience during technical difficulties at a concert which she personally described as “a dad joke from hell.”
Could you do that as a business? Well, Wendy’s cheeky post in Threads feel like a friend joking around. It’s all about making a connection through a smile.
Storytelling isn't just about telling tales; it's an art that, when done right, can transform how we perceive ideas, products, and even each other.