Living in Seattle, I love many things, Coffee (obviously), Seahawks (12th man for life), my umbrella collection (just kidding, true Seattleites don’t use umbrellas) and Grey’s Anatomy! This medical drama is set in Seattle and has some of the most innovative albeit unrealistic, but entertaining content in all of television, and is undoubtedly one of my guilty pleasures. As a publicist, I see opportunities for marketing, social media and PR just about everywhere and Grey’s Anatomy is no exception. In this blog post, I uncover three key marketing practices that are sure to keep your next campaign interesting from start to finish.
What can Seattle Grace teach you?
1. Generating buzz always keeps people interested: In the winter finale of Grey’s Anatomy, we were left wondering whether April would leave Matthew at the alter and choose Jackson or if the beautiful blue-eyed Jackson would be left awkward and alone in the middle of someone else’s wedding aisle. Some call this a cliff hanger, and while it drives us viewers absolutely nuts, it actually serves as a great fan retention tool. Keep this idea in mind when planning your own content marketing campaign and consider putting the practices into action by generating buzz for your own events. Try creating a countdown, showing teasers through various apps and always doing just enough to keep your fans on the edge of their seats waiting for the big reveal.
2. Create a signature look or phrase: Creating something that is consistent and easily associated with you and your brand is a priceless content marketing move. Years ago when Grey’s Anatomy burst onto the scene, nicknames and phrases from the show created a full-blown movement of sorts. Terms like McDreamy and McSteamy became household synonyms for attractiveness and the phrase, “she’s my person,” became the way to describe your closest friend. It’s nearly a decade later and these Grey’s Anatomy specific terms still ring true and exclusive to fans as they are used from time to time on the show. Consider creating a catch phrase or term that you can use in your social media or blog content that is memorable and can be used in a handful of content opportunities. This will promote continuity among your fans and followers and will keep you in their minds for the long-term.
3. Always keep it interesting: Grey’s Anatomy fans have been drooling over the plot lines and love triangles of the show for nearly a decade, and while most TV dramas would have faded out, this one keeps thriving under a very loyal and increasingly interested fan base. The trick here is to keep it fresh, mix it up and take those chances without sacrificing the ideas that you know already work. Grey’s works because the story lines are always changing but the strong points of the show remain the same. When creating your own content for social media or marketing purposes, remember that for retention and loyalty purposes, your fans will need to be entertained by new content while knowing that they can still find the resources they have come to expect.
While I like to dream that I am living in the Seattle where McDreamy resides, it is all but a fantasy. My Seattle includes ferry boats, coffee cups and lifelong Grey’s Anatomy loyalty. If you or anyone you know if looking for quality social media and content marketing solutions, we urge you to contact Three Girls Media today; we can’t wait to help you become the McDreamy of your industry!
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Photo Credit: MeddyGarnet