Being basic, color-coding,
& Taylor Swift 👀 |
|
Dear Reader,
Today we're talking about the same thing as every marketer in the WORLD right now — Taylor Swift's new album announcement — in a TS-themed newsletter edition.
(We're also talking about a huge mistake I see on a lot of websites, another book rec, and my new favorite free brand quiz on the internet!)
So, grab your drink of choice (recommending a double espresso, ofc) and get ready for some hot copy over ice ☺️
(The newsletter may also sometimes include affiliate links for products I personally use or believe in — because that's just smart business.) |
|
The gossip this week?
Taylor Swift broke the internet (again).
On Tuesday, Taylor Swift announced her new album, and right now, the whole internet is down bad.
Now, I don't think I need to tell anyone how much of a marketing mastermind Taylor Swift is (but if you didn't know, she's basically the OG of using community to build a hyper-successful brand).
However, there are a couple of things about this launch specifically that are super interesting (and great marketing takeaways!):
1. The announcement was on a podcast 🎙️
This continues the trend of moving away from old-school advertising and connecting with people on their level.
Back in the day, Taylor used to go on talk shows or featured segments to drop albums.
Now? It’s casually on a podcast.
Because people want to consume content that feels human, and that feels like a conversation (and not like advertising).
2. Her use of colors, specifically, is helping other brands do her marketing FOR her…🧡
This is not just something Taylor does (see: Olivia Rodrigo’s extremely strategic use of purple, or BRAT green)
But — by color-coding each one of her Eras with a very clear palette, it makes it easy for brands to use it in their marketing.
And every single brand right now is creating orange and green themed posts, content, or campaigns so they can cash in on Taylor’s hype.
What’s cool is that it's not only (free) advertising for Taylor, but it’s ALSO really beneficial for the brands.
Symbiotic marketing, if you will. ☺️
The takeaway here is how valuable recognizable and consistent branding (like design or brand voice) is for building a successful brand or campaign — and even the big shots like Taylor know this. |
|
A basic website is better than an overly complicated website.
As someone who does website audits, something I see ALL the time is overcomplicated websites.
This can either be too much information, copy that's too clever — or, sometimes, design that's too clever. I can't stress this enough — clear over clever.
It's so tempting to over-explain on your site or try and prove to your audience how talented you are by having really clever design…
…But what your audience really wants when they come on your site is to know whether or not you can help them.
They don't care that your design is clever if they can't navigate it.
They don't care that your headline has style if it doesn't speak to them.
They do care about whether or not you can fix their problems, make their life better, and whether or not they can find what they need.
I'm not saying your site should be boring, but if it's soooo sexy that people can't find anything or understand what tf you're talking about?
Your site might just be an ego boost that's costing you money. |
|
Your weekly intro to a women-owned business that's changing the world… |
|
I'm always obsessed with something, but this week specifically, I can't get enough of: ✨ Everybody Writes by Ann Handley (This was recommended to me when I asked for a great marketing book by a woman (to use my second Audible credit lol), and so far, I love how easy it is to read and her humor! This is a really helpful book for writing ANYTHING, not just website copy — social posts, emails, Hinge DMs (jk) — that your audience will be enchanted by 💅) ✨ The Last Great American Dynasty by Taylor Swift (Ofc I'm including a song recommendation in our TS newsletter — I actually have loved this song for a long time, but if you want to study some storytelling and top-tier writing, this is a copywriter-approved example of that, in a really exceptionally well-written song.) |
|
Add an affiliate disclaimer to your emails.
On every email, you'll see this:
(The newsletter may also sometimes include affiliate links for products I personally use or believe in — because that's just smart business.)
So — for full disclosure, I actually don't have affiliate links in every single newsletter — but I do keep this line in the template to make it easier.
But, by having it there when I DO share links, I am protecting myself from getting in BIG trouble.
Just like with blog posts, any affiliate links you share NEED a disclaimer. Otherwise, you could end up getting your email account banned (or worse, getting fined 👀).
On the flip side — when you DO include the correct disclaimer, including affiliate links is an easy, smart way for you to potentially add some extra income to your emails (without having to sell your offers ALL the time and annoy your subscribers!).
Just make sure when you add links, you put a little #afflink next to the actual link, just to be extra extra safe and sound 😎 |
|
11 Chevening Road,
London, SE193TE, United Kingdom |
|
|
|
