The Marketing Book Podcast 029 Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead by David Meerman Scott
Jul 31, 2015
David Meerman Scott, an internationally acclaimed marketing strategist and author, explores the unconventional lessons from the Grateful Dead. He discusses how the band built a devoted fan network through innovative, community-driven practices. The shift from album sales to concert revenue is highlighted, showcasing an effective business model. Scott emphasizes the power of allowing fans to record shows for virality, and he argues that giving away content fosters trust and loyalty among audiences. Ultimately, he stresses that sharing valuable resources can cultivate a dedicated following.
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Pre-Social Network Playbook
- The Grateful Dead built a fan network decades before social media existed by doing things differently than the music industry.
- David Meerman Scott argues those same techniques underpin modern social marketing and HubSpot's growth.
No-Repeat Setlists Drove Repeat Attendance
- The band never repeated songs across shows, creating urgency and reason to attend multiple concerts.
- Fans followed tours for months and treated Dead shows as a lifestyle, boosting ticket sales.
Free Distribution Fueled Discovery
- Allowing fans to record and trade concert tapes spread the Grateful Dead's music organically.
- This permission acted like free content marketing that attracted new fans and drove concert demand.
