I just watched the 4-part documentary “The Defiant Ones,” which profiles the lives of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine — two giants in the music industry.
The duo’s drive, creativity and business knowledge left me insanely inspired.
What especially struck me was the almost formulaic approach both guys use to produce hit songs (even though they focus on different musical genres).
Surprisingly, the process shares similarities with creating strong marketing messages.
For instance, you quickly notice that the songs they produce often start with a unique sound. So even if you never heard the song before, you immediately know it’s something different.
Then, after you listen once, you forever recognize the music the moment it starts playing.
This initial sound acts as a pattern interrupt in a similar way to how an effective headline or lead sentence works in marketing. It grabs your interest and creates excitement for what’s coming next.
If you’re familiar with 2Pac’s “California Love” (produced by Dr. Dre) or Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” (produced by Iovine), you’ve heard this technique.
The songs are instantly recognizable. And, like many produced by Dr. Dre and Iovine, are still popular decades after their release.
Another characteristic worth noting is how fast their songs get to a chorus. They don’t keep listeners waiting around.
As you know, this is key in marketing too. Short attention spans mean you must get to the point fast or risk losing your audience forever.
The last bit is the emotional appeal. Whether through instrumentals or lyrics, Dr. Dre and Iovine’s songs have a strong emotional impact.
They cause you to feel something. So much so that you often can help but sing along.
Of course, this is another must in marketing. Because buying decisions are based on emotions.
So you must make sure your audience recognizes the need for what you offer and feels urgency until after making a purchase.
From a marketing perspective, you'll pick up many lessons from “The Defiant Ones” (how the duo launched Beats by Dre headphones is a masterclass in influencer marketing).
So if you haven’t already, give it a watch. You won't be disappointed.
Talk soon,
Tom Trush
Direct-Response Copywriter/Marketing Strategist
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are a couple ways I can help you:
1. Work one-on-one with you.
If you'd like to work directly with me to develop some marketing initiatives for your business, you have a few options. Just reply back and tell me a little about your business and what you'd like to work on together. I'll follow up with additional details.
2. Join my Marketing Multiplier case study group.
During this case study program, we go after specific marketing goals in your business over a 90-day period. We work together to implement strategies and test concepts to reach these goals. Along the way, we also look to uncover overlooked revenue within your existing outreach.