Game of Thrones, the HBO fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin’s books, captured the hearts and minds of millions of fans worldwide during its eight-year run. But how did the show become a cultural phenomenon?
One reason is the masterful use of digital marketing tactics that helped to promote and sustain the show’s popularity over the years.
Surprised, huh? Well, thousands of people are… but don’t worry, today I’ll let you know how they used social media campaigns to create a strong buzz about the show.
Digital Marketing Tactics They Used to Popularize GOT
Have a look at a few important digital marketing tactics they used to popularize GOT:
- Social Media Marketing:
Social media played a vital role in the success of Game of Thrones. The show’s social media accounts on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were used to promote new episodes, engage with fans, and share behind-the-scenes content.
One example of this was the show’s Facebook Live videos, which allowed fans to interact with the cast and crew in real time. Additionally, the show’s social media accounts shared memes, fan art, and other user-generated content, which helped to build a strong sense of community around the show.
- Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing was another critical element of Game of Thrones’ digital marketing strategy. The show worked with popular YouTube and social media influencers to create sponsored content and promote the show to their followers.
One example of this was a collaboration with beauty YouTuber, NikkieTutorials, who created a makeup tutorial inspired by the show’s characters. By tapping into the influencer’s existing audience, the show was able to reach new fans and generate buzz around new episodes and events.
- Email Marketing
Email marketing was another effective tactic used by Game of Thrones. The show’s email newsletter was used to keep fans engaged between episodes and seasons by providing exclusive content, behind-the-scenes insights, and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes. Additionally, the show’s email campaigns were used to promote merchandise, events, and other branded content.
- Content Marketing
Content marketing was also a crucial part of Game of Thrones’s digital marketing strategy. The show created a wealth of additional content, including webisodes, behind-the-scenes videos, and interactive experiences such as the “Game of Thrones: The Exhibition” and the “Game of Thrones” touring concert. By creating additional content that extended the fan experience beyond the show itself, the show was able to build a loyal fan base that was highly engaged with the brand.
- Merchandising
Merchandising was a crucial component of Game of Thrones’ digital marketing strategy. The show’s merchandise, which included everything from t-shirts and action figures to beer and wine, helped to create a sense of fandom and community around the show.
By leveraging the show’s popularity and creating high-quality merchandise that fans wanted to own, Game of Thrones was able to generate significant revenue while also promoting the show.
- Video Marketing
Video marketing was another key element of Game of Thrones’ digital marketing strategy. The show created a wide range of videos, including trailers, behind-the-scenes footage, and promotional videos, to build anticipation for new episodes and engage with fans.
One of the most memorable examples of this was the “Long Walk” teaser trailer for season seven, which featured the show’s main characters walking to the beat of “Sit Down” by James. The trailer generated significant buzz and excitement for the upcoming season, demonstrating the power of video marketing.
- Data Analytics
Data analytics played a crucial role in Game of Thrones digital marketing strategy. The show’s marketing team used data to track engagement, identify trends, and make strategic decisions about promoting the show. For example, the team analyzed social media data to understand which types of content were resonating with fans and which were not. This information was used to guide the show’s social media strategy and ensure that the team was creating content that would engage with fans.
- Teaser Campaigns
Teaser campaigns were another key element of Game of Thrones’ digital marketing strategy. The show created a series of teaser campaigns leading up to the premiere of each season, which generated excitement and anticipation among fans.
One of the most memorable examples of this was the “Hall of Faces” teaser for season six, which featured the faces of the show’s deceased characters displayed in the Hall of Faces. The teaser generated significant buzz and speculation among fans, helping to build anticipation for the upcoming season.
- Influencer Takeovers
In addition to influencer marketing, Game of Thrones also utilized influencer takeovers as part of its digital marketing strategy. The show invited popular social media influencers to take over the show’s social media accounts for a day, allowing them to share their own content and engage with the show’s fans.
This helped to create a sense of community around the show and generate buzz among the influencer’s followers.
So, Should You Rely on a Digital Marketing Company for Exceptional Boost?
Yes. Digital marketing companies like Nova and More can help provide a notable boost. How? The tactics we just mentioned above are a clear example of how companies launch marketing campaigns and implement the techniques successfully to offer incredible results. The way the series got name and fame in the industry is clear evidence of how digital marketing can bring results that exceed your expectations.
Conclusion:
Game of Thrones’ digital marketing strategy was a masterclass on how to build a successful brand in the age of social media. By leveraging the power of social media, influencer marketing, email marketing, content marketing, video marketing, merchandising, data analytics, teaser campaigns, and influencer takeovers, the show was able to build a highly engaged fan base that helped to propel the show to the top of the pop culture pantheon.
Moreover, Game of Thrones demonstrated how effective digital marketing can be in creating and sustaining a cultural phenomenon. The show’s legacy as one of the most successful and beloved television shows of all time is a testament to the power of a well-executed digital marketing strategy.
Taimour is an entrepreneur. Started his career in digital marketing when he was just 16 years old. At the start of his journey as a digital marketer, he used to write blogs and was very active on many digital discussion forums. He is a top-rated seller on many platforms such as Upwork ( odesk ), Fiverr, Freelancer, Guru, and Warrior Forum to name a few.
He has quite a substantial grip on the topics he has written and tries to give people awareness about the latest happenings in the industry with a unique approach to enable people to understand digital marketing and possibly do it themselves.
