fan base Why is Taylor Swift so massive?

[Smilers]

When you combine the best discography of all time with marketing genius.
 

Then there’s also her insane drive and work ethic. Most MPGs already gave up at this stage of their career but she’s still giving 110%.

Edited March 21, 2023 by Smilers

[LittleStarmen]

because se appeals to kids and her parents

[toxicgenie]

Fans love her song writing. I think her strength is that she releases music soon after she's done making it, so it always sounds relevant and relatable.

[Velvet Night]

Taylor Swift's massive success in the music industry can be attributed to a combination of factors. 

One of the primary factors for Taylor's success are her songwriting skills. Unlike many pop artists who rely on a team of songwriters and producers to create their music, she has always been involved in every aspect of her music, from writing the lyrics to producing the final product. Her ability to write relatable, emotionally resonant songs has won her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase who see themselves reflected in her music. Also, she is a talented musician who can play multiple instruments, which adds depth and variety to her music.

Another reason for her success is definitely her work ethic. She spends a lot of time writing and perfecting her songs, producing music videos, as well as rehearsing and performing live. Her dedication to her music has earned her not only respect from her fans but also other people in music industry who appreciate her effort and hard work.

Taylor's marketing strategy has also been an important factor in her success. She has always been savvy when it comes to promoting her music and building her brand, from surprise album releases and clever Easter eggs to partnerships with brands and sponsorships. This strategy has helped her maintain her relevance and popularity over the years.

In comparison to other female pop artists, Taylor's success can also be attributed to her ability to reinvent herself. She has evolved musically over the years, experimenting with different genres and styles, from country to pop to folk/alt pop. This flexibility has helped her to stay relevant and appeal to a wider audience, from teenage girls, gay men to middle-aged parents, and keep her music fresh and exciting.

Lastly, she has a unique ability to connect with her fans. From her relatable and down-to-earth personality to her social media savviness and philanthropic efforts, Her fans see her not just as a pop star but also as a role model and friend. Her fans feel a deep personal connection to her. This has helped her build a strong and loyal fanbase that not only supports her music and attends her concerts, but stays by side even in controversy.

 

Tl;dr: Taylor Swift's massive success can be attributed to a combination of factors, like her songwriting skills, work ethic, marketing strategy, ability to connect with her fans, and to reinvent herself. While other female pop artists have come and gone over the years, Taylor has managed to maintain her relevance and stay on top.

[Forevermore.]

We have this discussion several times a month and each time some members like to boil it down to "she's white, pretty and inoffensive", and while that has undeniably been a factor in a part of her success (which is something all white musicians have benefited from).. not once has any of them been able to properly answered why, although America isn't in any shortage of pretty white blonde women, Taylor is currently the only one having this level of success. 
 

"She's white!" yes, and chances are so are your faves, and yet they're constantly fighting on the lower half of the Top 40.. if they even chart at all. So what now? Because clearly something isn't adding up  It's also funny to me that some like to angle having music that appeal to the masses as being a bad thing, considering this site literally revolves around pop stars. Like y'all do know what pop means, right? 
 

You know, you can dislike someone and still be objective about their qualities and achievements instead of constantly spitting shallow, insular, bad faith reasonings. You don't have to like someone to be fair. I can only hope that's a quality some of you will learn and pick up as you grow as a person. 

[Klein]

- talented lyricist that depicts feelings most humans go through, i.e. relatable music

- master at melody crafting

- she's a musician and can play multiple instruments (which add to the respect she's gathering)

- making massive pop spectacle on tour

- fantastic work ethic

- evolving her sound gradually but surely (Debut -> 1989 -> evermore)

- master at image control (see the "coup de maître" of the Reputation or folklore era)

- driven to be successful 

- strong bond between her and her fanbase that she cultivated from day 1

- luck, like anyone that gets this kind of success

 

Of course she also benefits from being white, but that's the case for every other white artists and therefore that does not explain why she's massive while the others are not. 

[wesleywalrus]

Folklore and evermore really cemented her as someone who could do it all. I was pretty skeptical during her "pop" era from 1989 to Lover, because I thought it was quite the sell-out move and those albums are pretty mediocre, but she's really proven herself during these genre flips. I wouldn't call them "risks" but they were completely unexpected and a great change of course into her songwriter era. She can really craft music quite effectively. 

 

If you're a girl, you either listen to pop, country, or indie and guess what Taylor has all of those. Her social media presence is fascinating because in 2008-2012 social media was on the rise and people like Gaga really crafted a unique experience with her fans, but now social media is pretty bleak and Taylor's found a way to "lurk" but not over-saturate herself. 

 

Her image is pretty contrived but the way she has secret sessions/meet and greets is quite a remarkable feat for someone of her stature. Everyone thinks they have a chance one day, which is a way to keep people engaged. And of course having plenty of money helps. 

[1989]

4 hours ago, Cruel Summer said:

She is first and foremost a songwriter recognized for her skill and talent in that field since she was still a child. Her catalog is full of albums and songs recognized for not just their songwriting quality, but especially for their ability to speak to the universal experiences of millions of young people throughout the world. Through that confessional songwriting, she forged an incredibly strong bond with her fanbase that I would argue is different from some of the other artist-fanbase relationships we see in the modern music market. Throughout all of this, she has demonstrated exceptional skill as a businesswoman and it's clear that she is to at least some extent more motivated by success than some other music stars. She wants it, and she works hard for it, and she's really not ashamed to admit those things (I'm sure many people have heard the story about doing 1989 in part because Red lost AOTY, or seen the clip of how she felt about Reputation's lack of nominations). When you have skill and talent, create excellent material, cultivate a loyal fanbase, and deftly maintain the status of your brand as a business - that's the perfect recipe for success.

 

There are, of course, areas where some might think she falls short: certain elements of live performance and not being born with the same vocal talents as some other incredible women in music. Those perceived shortcomings simply fall by the wayside and no longer matter when you have the other things. And we should mention that of course it's no small thing that she has intentionally kept her brand relatively modest, or that she benefits from white privilege and from other societal structures that not everyone has in life - these are all ingredients in the recipe, some that she can control and some that she can't. But the dismissal of her success by attributing it solely to her being a "safe" white American girl is shortsighted; there are thousands of such artists who never make it a tenth as far as Taylor has. Some element of that must be attributed to her abilities and to her ambition and work ethic.

Spill 

[Helios]

bland boring music? Nobody is intimidated by her presence and she doesn't push the boundaries sexually so the soccer moms and Republicans love her too.  

[Iaintsorry]

People say she’s calculated and strategic in a bad way, but it’s clearly served her well

[Iaintsorry]

I’m also she has crossover appeal starting in country, venturing into pop and then mixing in some alternative/indie 

[Japan]

Zero riscs, basic calculated music for the masses, huge payola

Edited March 21, 2023 by Japan

[Badgalbriel]

People love her music more than anything else cause they can connect with it to a personal level. There's a reason why her albums get bigger and bigger: cause we know whenever the next one comes, there will be a whole new point of view to the way I might be feeling when it's released.

 

There's a reason why deep, personal and sincere albums are very successful. No one cares if you're going to be dancing when you sing the song live. They want to experience what they felt when they first hear the music they love. 

 

It's all about the feelings she conveys through her music. And she does it better than anyone. 

[istan4badgalriri]

3 hours ago, Forevermore. said:

We have this discussion several times a month and each time some members like to boil it down to "she's white, pretty and inoffensive", and while that has undeniably been a factor in a part of her success (which is something all white musicians have benefited from).. not once has any of them been able to properly answered why, although America isn't in any shortage of pretty white blonde women, Taylor is currently the only one having this level of success. 
 

"She's white!" yes, and chances are so are your faves, and yet they're constantly fighting on the lower half of the Top 40.. if they even chart at all. So what now? Because clearly something isn't adding up  It's also funny to me that some like to angle having music that appeal to the masses as being a bad thing, considering this site literally revolves around pop stars. Like y'all do know what pop means, right? 
 

You know, you can dislike someone and still be objective about their qualities and achievements instead of constantly spitting shallow, insular, bad faith reasonings. You don't have to like someone to be fair. I can only hope that's a quality some of you will learn and pick up as you grow as a person. 

Yes but Taylor's music has always been family-friendly and her image pretty bland and inoffensive, as opposed to Gaga, Ariana, Britney, etc.

[Kiel D-01]

She knew exactly how to market herself and couple that with inoffensive music, you get Taylor Swift. 1989 and folklore are perfect eras too during the time of their release. Other girls wish. 

[Solaria]

Because when she released reputation people realized the Bible was no longer necessary and people had found its replacement!

Edited March 21, 2023 by Love Again

[Taylor fanboy]

9 minutes ago, Love Again said:

Because when she released reputation people realized the Bible was no longer necessary and people had found its replacement!

Correct!

[vale9001]

Right now absolute classic albums (fearless- red/ 1989/ folklmore) for really different targets of music listeners. 

Your faves can change producers but they can reach only always the same kind of audience.

 

this  kind of broadness is what makes the biggest touring force what they are...only the biggest have achieved this from elvis to dylan to springsteen.

Seems pretty normal she IS the touring force of this century.

Edited March 21, 2023 by vale9001

[zuper]

22 minutes ago, Love Again said:

Because when she released reputation people realized the Bible was no longer necessary and people had found its replacement!

This.

 

3 hours ago, Velvet Night said:

Taylor Swift's massive success in the music industry can be attributed to a combination of factors. 

One of the primary factors for Taylor's success are her songwriting skills. Unlike many pop artists who rely on a team of songwriters and producers to create their music, she has always been involved in every aspect of her music, from writing the lyrics to producing the final product. Her ability to write relatable, emotionally resonant songs has won her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase who see themselves reflected in her music. Also, she is a talented musician who can play multiple instruments, which adds depth and variety to her music.

Another reason for her success is definitely her work ethic. She spends a lot of time writing and perfecting her songs, producing music videos, as well as rehearsing and performing live. Her dedication to her music has earned her not only respect from her fans but also other people in music industry who appreciate her effort and hard work.

Taylor's marketing strategy has also been an important factor in her success. She has always been savvy when it comes to promoting her music and building her brand, from surprise album releases and clever Easter eggs to partnerships with brands and sponsorships. This strategy has helped her maintain her relevance and popularity over the years.

In comparison to other female pop artists, Taylor's success can also be attributed to her ability to reinvent herself. She has evolved musically over the years, experimenting with different genres and styles, from country to pop to folk/alt pop. This flexibility has helped her to stay relevant and appeal to a wider audience, from teenage girls, gay men to middle-aged parents, and keep her music fresh and exciting.

Lastly, she has a unique ability to connect with her fans. From her relatable and down-to-earth personality to her social media savviness and philanthropic efforts, Her fans see her not just as a pop star but also as a role model and friend. Her fans feel a deep personal connection to her. This has helped her build a strong and loyal fanbase that not only supports her music and attends her concerts, but stays by side even in controversy.

 

Tl;dr: Taylor Swift's massive success can be attributed to a combination of factors, like her songwriting skills, work ethic, marketing strategy, ability to connect with her fans, and to reinvent herself. While other female pop artists have come and gone over the years, Taylor has managed to maintain her relevance and stay on top.

And this.

[OnlyManInTheWorld]

The thing is, we, her fans, know she’s strategic and calculated at times but we don’t mind it. Her work ethic and dedication are incredible

[BODERLINE]

52 minutes ago, istan4badgalriri said:

Yes but Taylor's music has always been family-friendly and her image pretty bland and inoffensive, as opposed to Gaga, Ariana, Britney, etc.

This is such a useless critique though. Not every artist needs to be over the top and edgy. And there's plenty of other artists that release family-friendly music and are inoffensive, yet don't come anywhere near Taylor's success. The whole reason people love Taylor has never been her image or expectations of edgy, controversial music. So idk why that's being used against her.  

[Margaux]

payola and forced autoplaylisting

[Theluckyone]

Talent. Able to write songs with meaningful words that are also catchy and memorable 

[Badgalbriel]

17 minutes ago, Margaux said:

payola and forced autoplaylisting

Not even you believe that

[Dear Reader]

7 hours ago, Cruel Summer said:

She is first and foremost a songwriter recognized for her skill and talent in that field since she was still a child. Her catalog is full of albums and songs recognized for not just their songwriting quality, but especially for their ability to speak to the universal experiences of millions of young people throughout the world. Through that confessional songwriting, she forged an incredibly strong bond with her fanbase that I would argue is different from some of the other artist-fanbase relationships we see in the modern music market. Throughout all of this, she has demonstrated exceptional skill as a businesswoman and it's clear that she is to at least some extent more motivated by success than some other music stars. She wants it, and she works hard for it, and she's really not ashamed to admit those things (I'm sure many people have heard the story about doing 1989 in part because Red lost AOTY, or seen the clip of how she felt about Reputation's lack of nominations). When you have skill and talent, create excellent material, cultivate a loyal fanbase, and deftly maintain the status of your brand as a business - that's the perfect recipe for success.

 

There are, of course, areas where some might think she falls short: certain elements of live performance and not being born with the same vocal talents as some other incredible women in music. Those perceived shortcomings simply fall by the wayside and no longer matter when you have the other things. And we should mention that of course it's no small thing that she has intentionally kept her brand relatively modest, or that she benefits from white privilege and from other societal structures that not everyone has in life - these are all ingredients in the recipe, some that she can control and some that she can't. But the dismissal of her success by attributing it solely to her being a "safe" white American girl is shortsighted; there are thousands of such artists who never make it a tenth as far as Taylor has. Some element of that must be attributed to her abilities and to her ambition and work ethic.

 

3 hours ago, Klein said:

- talented lyricist that depicts feelings most humans go through, i.e. relatable music

- master at melody crafting

- she's a musician and can play multiple instruments (which add to the respect she's gathering)

- making massive pop spectacle on tour

- fantastic work ethic

- evolving her sound gradually but surely (Debut -> 1989 -> evermore)

- master at image control (see the "coup de maître" of the Reputation or folklore era)

- driven to be successful 

- strong bond between her and her fanbase that she cultivated from day 1

- luck, like anyone that gets this kind of success

 

Of course she also benefits from being white, but that's the case for every other white artists and therefore that does not explain why she's massive while the others are not. 

/endthread