Tuesday, August 7, 2012

How Brands Can Make Money in a Social World - Here's A Story For You

(Vampires, Indie Bands, Social Media, and an Ounce of Insomnia)

Last night, I was watching HBO's True Blood.  This was Monday night. The show actually aired on Sunday night, but I had DVRed it. During the closing credits, I heard a cover of Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Care Bears on Fire. I'd never heard of Care Bears on Fire, but I dug the cover. So I took out my Shazaam mobile app, found the track and the band, clicked the iTunes link, previewed a few other tracks, and purchased the entire album onto my iPhone.

At the gym the next morning, I told my trainer, Jake, about them while we listened to their beats during my workout. He was kinda digging their sound, too. After my workout, all amped up and endorphins a-flowin, I also gave them props on Facebook and Twitter to all my friends and contacts.

All of this happened within a span of 12 hours, much of it in the dark of night since I couldn't sleep. I was in complete control of every choice and transaction. And, with exception of an annoying pre-roll before the Barbie Eat A Sandwich video on YouTube, I didn't encounter a single advertisement during the whole thing.

Yet, someone, in the middle of all this, made a buck.

The moral of the story:

  1. It all starts with content that's relevant to a particular audience (in this instance, indie music fans).
  2. The right content needs to be put in front of the right people at the right time.
  3. When they're ready, access to more info and purchase should be quick, simple, and super idiot proof.
  4. Allow them to shout from the rooftops their groovy experience with your content and brand.

Ahmed Yearwood
Owner & Founder
Y INTERACT

Credits and Props
True Blood on HBO, Care Bears on Fire, Shazaam, my trainer Jake (he's awesome!), Barbie Eat A Sandwich video on YouTube

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