4 Marketing Lessons From The Trump Campaign

*Warning*

This is not a post on his policies. Or how I feel ’bout the man. Just a look at the marketin’ techniques he used over the last year…

… So, Trump won the election… Holy smokes! What an exciting time!

The campaign was a wild time. Mixed with a whole lotta emotion.

As a marketin’ and business student, I was really excited to witness the campaign that came outta Trump’s team. It really was a thing of beauty. And I think he’s a better marketer than Steve Jobs.

Why?

Cause the man was everywhere – online, TV, magazines.

He engulfed everyone. Created a reality distortion field. Where you couldn’t go anywhere without hearin’ his name. Even when you said his name, people would shudder and shake. Or get super pumped. That’s powerful marketin’.

So, I just wanted to take a look at the marketin’ techniques used over and over by him. That maybe you haven’t noticed. And also why he’s using them. Cause there’s a method to the Trump madness.

 LESSON ONE –  Simple Language Is Best

When I first looked up Trump, it wasn’t for anything politics related. It was for a character I created in one of my screenwriting stories for class. The character was obsessed with money and business. And for my research, I would walk over to Barnes Noble to read books on business.

Eventually, I stopped at Trump. Read some books. And used Youtube as a resource.

The first ever interview I watched with Trump really opened my eyes. When I heard him talk, he was usin’ simple language. Like in a Cormac Mccarthy novel. It was amazin’! I flipped out. I’ve never heard of anyone do this in real time. It was so darn blatant too.

Who do you know that talks like Trump? That’s right – no one.

After I found more interviews, I’ve noticed he keep doin’ the same darn thing. And you wanna know what this is? Persuasion. Blatant persuasion.

Advertisers and marketers know that simple language is more powerful than complex words.

Think ’bout music – pop music, for example. The songs use simple words, and catchy hooks to get the people in a trance – liking and remembering the song.

That’s all Trump.

He wants to get his words stuck in your head. And he does it well.

Hell, my grandma isn’t a Trump supporter. And can remember the words he says. Word for word too.

He’s like a walkin’, talkin’ copywritin’ ad, man.

Super powerful technique, crazy powerful.

One Of My Favorite Books!

LESSON TWO – Repetition Is Key

Trump repeats his words – a lot.

This, too, is a technique taken from advertising that no one seems to understand.

Why is he repeating himself?

He’s stupid!

No, he’s not stupid – he’s persuasive. He’s wants you to remember his ideas, by repeating it over and over again.

How did this start?

As soon as human started sellin’ people products and service in newspapers. This was the technique they used. And Trump does this live. In person.

Remember he’s a character. And we’re the audience.

LESSON THREE – Social Media Is The Way

Earlier in the Fall, Trump trended on Twitter for 48 hours! 48 darn hours! Pretty much whole weekend in October – crazy, right?

And he’s been trending a lot lately too. Over and over again. It’s actually kinda tiring.

What’s going on here?

Well, his marketing campaign was focused totally online. Filled with hashtags, fiery tweets, and doing rallies and posting them on Facebook Live.

Clinton? Spent loads and loads of cash on TV ads. But it didn’t help her.

Why?

TV is not a popular media anymore. Social media is. And she didn’t know her to use social media. But he did.

See the above tweet?

This tweet has gone viral. Like his others.

Why?

Not cause they make sense, but they force the news media to cover it. And fact – check him. It creates news. Trump creates news by using Twitter.

And what does this do? Bring him more attention.

And remember marketin’ is  attention, right?

So, this is how he won the election. Attention, attention, attention. All attention pointed at who?

Him. No one else.

This attention helped millions wanna get involved in his campaign. Then go to his rallies. And then to the voting booths. Leading to a Trump win.

LESSON FOUR- Go, Go, Go!

The night before election night. The man did 6 rallies in a row. Hitting a good amount of  much needed swing states. He ended the day at 1 A.M. Geez. That’s crazy…

…This strategy is a interestin’ one.

Basically, the Trump team played offense. Like General Patton in WW 2.

And all he did was attack, attack, attack! 

This was his ground game.

And he did this when everybody said he was gonna lose. Using a bunch of energy – keeping his base always energized. Till the major the upset of 2016 happened – winning the election!  When people said he’s gonna lose! Damn.

Now, there’s whole lotta other stuff to study from Trump’s marketin’. But then, this post will be super long. To me, these are the key ones.

Hopefully you can take away your political bias. And agree with me – that Trump is the a master marketer and salesman. And you can use this to help yourself out. Like grow your business. Or make more sales. Or a job. Or whatever you want.

Cause if Trump became President – Elect off Twitter, then he must be doin’ something, right, right?

Still doin’ Rallies. Crazy.

P.S. I’m on Twitter. Talkin’ marketin’ stuff. It’s fun. Join me!

— Jamual