If you are one of the 15 million people enthralled by “Game of Thrones” you’ll be pleased to know that your obsession is also imparting valuable marketing tips that you can adapt for your business. Read on for counsel from the best schemers of Westeros on how to be kings and queens of Website Marketing.
While assuming the Iron Throne to be Lord of the Seven Kingdoms may not be one of your business objectives, you can still learn much about marketing strategy from the players of the Game of Thrones. So pick up your quill and take notes.
Differentiating Yourself
Game of Thrones: The sigil of House Baratheon is a stag. After King Robert Baratheon dies, claimants to the throne include his son Joffrey, his brother Renly and his brother Stannis. Imagine the confusion if all their armies were to meet on the battlefield under the same banner. So Stannis devised a new sigil that represents his alliance with the priestess Melisandre: A burning heart.
Game of Marketing: Standing out in the world wide web isn’t easy. Ways to differentiate your site from the competition include creative design, fresh content, trustmarks, testimonials and support from both traditional and social media. Starting with a clear vision of your message helps focus all of your marketing efforts.
Building Your Brand
Game of Thrones: When Tyrion Lannister is imprisoned at the Eyrie, he promises the jailor gold in exchange for an audience with Lady Arryn. The jailor agrees. He believes Tyrion’s promise because everyone knows that a Lannister always pays his debts.
Game of Marketing: Reputation is built on repetition. A lot of good reviews on Yelp, regular emails to clients and frequent press releases help keep your business top-of-mind and reinforce your brand. More than just recognition of your name or logo, you want folks to have the right feeling about you, like “trustworthy,” “chic” or “knowledgeable.”
Making Good Connections
Game of Thrones: A few episodes ago Tywin Lannister decided his daughter will marry into the Tyrell clan and his son into the Stark family, forming a couple of additional alignments for his Baratheon grandson. Tywin knows the importance of plentiful, powerful and far-reaching connections.
Game of Marketing: Build your business empire by supporting your website with links back from online directories, news articles and other high-quality referrers. One of the ways Google rates the value of your website is by how good and how relevant your content is. Backlinks from significant referring sites help demonstrate your importance.
Many players of the Game of Thrones are rather unpleasant people but they’re not stupid. They make the most of the tools available to them to best promote their interests, which is the number one marketing lesson we all should learn.
You know your business interests. Web developers know the tools. Together, you can launch the marketing battle plan that will win you glory!
