The Kardashian family has built an empire on their ability to market themselves and their businesses. With their hit reality TV show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the family has created some of the most memorable and iconic moments in pop culture history. But beyond the drama and entertainment, there are valuable marketing lessons to be learned from the Kardashians’ most famous episodes.
Lesson #1: The Value of Authenticity
Firstly, one of the most important marketing lessons we can learn from the Kardashians is the value of authenticity. The Kardashians have built their brand on their willingness to be open and honest with their fans, even when it is not easy.
Starting with the first season of the show, Season 1 of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (KUWTK) premiered in 2007 and introduced viewers to the Kardashian-Jenner family, who at the time were relatively unknown. The family’s day-to-day lives were captured on camera, including their relationships and businesses.
Prior to the show’s premiere, Kim was primarily known for her association with Paris Hilton and her leaked sex tape. However, KUWTK presented a different side of Kim, one that was focused on her family and her personal life. The show didn’t feel manufactured, and Kim was shown as a loving sister, daughter, and aunt, with a strong sense of family loyalty. Her relationship with her mother, Kris, sisters Kylie, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Step paren Caitlyn gave Kim a much more rounded and relatable image, which in turn attracted her a large audience of people invested in her every move.
Another example of this can be seen years later. In the episode “Kim’s Journey to the Altar,” which aired in Season 9, we see Kim Kardashian West struggling with the fallout from her divorce from Kris Humphries. She is open and honest about her feelings, which helps to humanize her and make her more relatable to her fans.
The lesson that brands and businesses can learn from the Kardashians’ emphasis on authenticity is to be genuine and transparent with their customers. Customers appreciate honesty and transparency from brands, and it can go a long way in building trust and loyalty.
In the age of social media, it is easier than ever for brands to use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to showcase their products and services. However, customers are increasingly savvy about recognising when content is staged or inauthentic. Instead of trying to manufacture a certain image or persona, brands should focus on showcasing their values, mission, and personality in a genuine and authentic way.
Similarly, brands can also focus on humanising themselves, like the Kardashians did with their family dynamic. Highlighting the personal stories and struggles of the people behind the brand can help create a deeper connection with customers. It can also help to differentiate a brand from competitors, as customers are more likely to remember a brand with a human touch.
Finally, brands can learn from Kim’s journey to the altar by being open about their challenges and setbacks. By admitting to their mistakes and showing vulnerability, brands can build a more personal connection with their customers. This can also help to build credibility and trust, as customers appreciate brands that are willing to take responsibility for their actions.
Lesson #2: The Power of Influence
One of the most significant marketing lessons we can learn from the Kardashians is the power of influence. The Kardashians are social media icons, with millions of followers on Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms. They use their influence to promote their own brands, as well as products and services they believe in.
In the episode “The Aftermath,” which aired in Season 12, we see Kim Kardashian West promoting her new fragrance line on social media. She shares pictures of herself with the fragrances and encourages her followers to try them out. This type of influencer marketing can be incredibly effective, as fans are often eager to emulate their favorite celebrities and try out the products they use.
Another example of this is in Season 12, when Kylie Jenner used her massive following on social media, as well as her platform on KUWTK, to promote and launch her cosmetic line.
Lesson #3: The Art of Branding
Another marketing lesson we can learn from the Kardashians is the art of branding. The Kardashians are masters at creating a strong personal brand that resonates with their fans. They use their personal style, interests, and even their relationships to create a brand that is uniquely their own.
In the episode “Kardashian Family Vacation,” which aired in Season 6, we see the Kardashians collaborating on a photoshoot for their new family fragrance. They work together to create a cohesive look and feel for the campaign, using their individual styles to create a unified brand identity.
Lesson #4: The Importance of Storytelling
Storytelling is a crucial element of effective marketing, and the Kardashians understand this well. They have used their reality TV show to tell their own story and connect with their fans on a deeper level.
In the episode “The Family That Plays Together,” which aired in Season 8, we see the Kardashians on vacation in Greece. Throughout the episode, we see them bonding as a family, sharing stories and creating memories. This type of storytelling helps to humanize the Kardashians and make them more relatable to their fans.
Lesson #5: Leveraging Controversy
Controversy can be a powerful tool in marketing, and the Kardashians know how to use it to their advantage. They are not afraid to court controversy and use it to generate buzz for their brand.
In the episode “Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event,” which aired in Season 6, we see Kim Kardashian West getting married to Kris Humphries. The wedding was highly controversial, with many critics claiming that it was a publicity stunt. However, the controversy only served to generate more interest in the Kardashians and their brand.