Infiniqe Marketing

Marketing Lessons to Learn from Bollywood

“Without promotion, something terrible happens…nothing!” – P.T. Barnum

The name alone stirs up one’s curiosity and sparks the imagination. Barnum, the ultimate showman knew how to make a crowd go wild. Only a fool would ignore his insights when it comes to marketing and connecting with the audience. His word is, for the lack of a better word, gospel.

P.T. Barnum believed that the key to good marketing and publicity was to get people talking. No matter what. He pressed that any attention was better than none. And to get people’s attention, he thought ads should sound newsworthy and intriguing so as to pique people’s interest and make them pay attention. That’s pretty slick… Right?

Let’s move a litter closer to home. Bollywood.  Cue in the explosion of color, the music, and the drama. A whirlwind of romance and larger-than-life characters, where anything is possible.  To put it simply, Bollywood is a sensory feast. The stunning visuals and catchy songs stick with you for days.

This.. is.. starting.. to.. sound.. familiar… Isn’t it?

Let’s cut to the chase. Marketing is at the core of every Bollywood film’s success. From buzzing trailers to catchy dance numbers and innovative social media campaigns, Bollywood filmmakers leave no stone unturned to create hype and promote their movies. But what can digital marketers learn from these marketing strategies of Bollywood? 

In a nutshell, Bollywood films are all about the sensory experience, just like digital marketing and branding.  Both go about creating a world that their audience can’t help but fall in love with, with elements that transport them to a dreamy universe. Bollywood films are famous for their entertaining and engaging storylines that are appealing to a wide audience. Romantic comedies, family dramas, a larger-than-life action-packed thriller. Whatever your preference, there’s something for everyone.

A digital marketer can learn a lot from Bollywood’s approach to engaging with their audience. Just like Bollywood movies, a brand should be inclusive and cater to a diverse group of customers. Use your marketing campaigns to create a buzz and generate excitement for your product or service. Keep your messaging simple and relatable so that your target audience can easily connect with it. Here are a few ways in which we can mimic Bollywood to boost your brand presence. 

1. Create a story that resonates with your audience

Just like Bollywood movies, your brand’s story should resonate with your target audience. One of the best examples of this is the Indian skincare brand, Mamaearth. They have created a unique story that resonates with their audience – Natural ingredients and Safe for babies. They have built a loyal customer base by tapping into the emotions of new parents who want to use safe and natural products for their babies.

2. Be creative with your marketing campaigns

Bollywood is renowned for its innovative and creative marketing campaigns. One example of this is the movie ‘Raazi,’ which had an innovative social media campaign where they created a Facebook Messenger bot that interacted with users and provided them with movie-related content. This campaign was a huge success, generating buzz and creating excitement for the movie.

3. Collaborate and leverage influencer marketing

Influencer marketing is a popular strategy in Bollywood. Like filmmakers leverage the popularity of actors to promote their movies, as a digital marketer, you can leverage the popularity of social media influencers to promote your brand. One of the best examples of this is the Indian fashion brand, Myntra. They have partnered with popular social media influencers to promote their brand and create a buzz around their products.

4. Engage with your audience

Bollywood filmmakers interact with their audience by hosting fan events and live chats with the cast and crew. You can take a leaf out of Bollywood’s book and engage with your audience on social media by responding to comments and messages promptly. Addressing queries and resolving doubts also goes miles in boosting popularity and loyalty among customers. One of the best examples of this is the Indian food delivery app, Zomato. They engage with their customers on social media by responding to their queries and complaints, creating a positive image for their brand.

5. Adapt  to changing trends

Bollywood is nuanced at adapting to changing trends. Bollywood has evolved over the years, adapting to changing trends and audience preferences. Digital marketers should also stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies and adapt their strategies so as to stay relevant and get ahead. For example, Dream11’s #SabKhelenge campaign during IPL 2023 has been a hit among viewers, blending India’s two biggest obsessions – Bollywood and cricket. The multi-starrer ads from the gaming platform Dream11 have won several accolades this season and are a great example of how ads following current trends can benefit brands.

Bollywood movies are not just for entertainment, they are a treasure trove of marketing lessons waiting to be discovered. From creating hype and buzz to connecting with diverse audiences, the industry has it all. By taking inspiration from these movies and adapting them to digital marketing strategies, brands can achieve their goals while staying true to their target audience. So, let’s raise a glass to Bollywood and the amazing marketing lessons it offers us. And who knows, maybe the next big marketing campaign will be inspired by a Bollywood movie. Cheers to that! 

Explore
Drag