Marketing Lessons From the Grateful Dead

So exciting to get unexpected lumpy mail. Today’s haul included 3 marketing books (one of the benefits of being a blogger–Thanks Todd And for dragging me to blogging…and thanks to Wiley & Entrepreneur Press).

The one I opened first (while waiting outside the donut shop for my kid finishing her shift) was David Meerman Scott’s latest, Marketing Lessons From The Grateful Dead. I loved Bill Gammell’s Seinfeld on Marketing, I loved writing Step Into The Spotlight! ‘Cause ALL Business is Show Business! (what’s not to love?) and I’ve very excited to read David’s latest book (a collaboration with Brian Halligan of Hubspot) ’cause it reinforces what I’ve been preaching for years, there’s SO much that business can learn from show business.

The Grateful Dead were one of the few (only?) bands that not only allowed audience members to record their concerts, but they even encouraged it by setting up specific areas so the fans (who would at other concerts be ejected from the stadium) would have room for their recording equipment. It’s a lot easier to share stuff without the friction of charging (as Seth Godin would describe it) for the recordings.

Brilliant of David and Brian to piggyback on a phenomenon, a band that has had raving fans/evangelists since 1965, Deadheads who will buy anything with the words Grateful Dead on the cover. Built in audience before they even scratch the surface of the business market.

Off to read more…
Tsufit