What is the secret of the Glastonbury Festival's unrivalled success?
Some would say it's the acts.
Others would say the organisers.
Still others the festival goers themselves.
In truth all three answers are wrong.
The real answer is less obvious but could revolutionise your approach to marketing.
According to the organisers "Everyone is here to have a wild time in their own way." (glastonburyfestivals.co.uk) over 200,000 per year would agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment.
Glastonbury have clearly hit the nail on the head. But how do they cater for an ever growing number of individuals wanting to be....well, individual?
Rather than trying to mould their customers into manageable groups, the festival organisers work hard to cater for the needs of different people. Think about the line up. Yes you've got the likes of Coldplay and the Keane for those rock fans out there. But what about parents who just want to chill out to some acoustic rhythms with their kids? The site plan is carefully laid out to allow each festival goer to tailor their own experience.
What can we take away? One size doesn't fit all. Tailor your offering to your customers needs and expectations, take into account their circumstances, motivations, goals and challenges and then modify your product or service accordingly.
THE TAKE AWAY: Know your audience, and give them what they want.
What happens though when your customers face a challenge?
Traffic Jams. Nobody enjoys them. In fact the thought of being stuck inside a car for hours on end is enough to put people off traveling all together. So how have Glastonbury managed to cushion the blow of this inevitable challenge for their customers?
Quite simply, they open their car parks the night before when traffic is low. They even suggest that people may want to travel through the night and arrive in the early hours.
This simple gesture shows not only an understanding of the challenges faced by their customers, but also a genuine willingness to do something about it.
Let's look at another example. What's the point in going to Glastonbury if you can't film the action and show off to all your mates back home? For festival fans the ability to charge their smartphones is a imperative as Ed Sheeran remembering to turn his loop pedal on.
Rather than ignoring this vital part of their customer's experience, the organisers at Glastonbury set up charging tents and power bank swapping services to make sure no one misses the action.
The lesson? Don't ignore the challenges your customers face, give them a helping hand. If your customers need to contact you regularly don't make them call a premium rate phone number. If your customers struggle to get to your business, can you go to them? Making simple changes that benefit your customers will enhance their experience and motivate them to become advocates of your business.
THE TAKE AWAY: Don't ignore the challenges your customers face, give them a helping hand.
So that's enough surely? You've created a finely tailored experience and helped your customers solve their problems, that is the hallmark of a good business, but how will people know you are a good business unless they are told?
Before, during and after the festival the organizers of Glastonbury maintain an active presence on social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. They run 3 official X accounts to provide updates and support to individuals.
@Glastonbury - Main news account. Provides general information on event
@GlastoInfo - Information service for those at the event, providing q&a support.
@GlastoLive - Live news and updates during the event
These accounts aren't just there to tout the headline acts and notify people of bottlenecks in the crowd. They enhance the customer experience. The organisers engage in an active dialogue with their customers answering questions and providing live assistance.
Huge thanks to everyone who’s been making such an effort to pack everything away and leave no trace. pic.twitter.com/cLBSOY5Bad
— Glastonbury Live (@GlastoLive) June 27, 2022
The Glastonbury Festival Facebook account is littered (pun intended) with video clips and images that capture the essence of the festival.
What can we learn from these points? There is a difference between being on social media and being active on social media. Having a presence on social networks is no good if that presence is months, or in some cases, years out of date. Customers will directly associate your online presence with your offline presence so be sure to communicate just as you would if they were standing across the till from you. Make good use of images and video, if you have a wonderful new product don't just tell people about it show them it! Encourage them to respond with photos and stories of their own.
THE TAKE AWAY: There is a difference between being on social media and being active on social media.
In reality we're just scratching the surfacing with these thoughts, there are many useful lessons that can be gleaned from the green fields of Glastonbury. Feel free to get in touch and let me know what lessons you would like to apply in your business.
