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What Radio Can Learn from Taylor Swift

By David Kidd, BPR

In an era where streaming, social media and personalized playlists dominate how people consume music, traditional radio faces the challenge of staying relevant. Yet amidst all this disruption, one artist has not only remained culturally dominant but has thrived across every platform: Taylor Swift.

So what can radio…often seen as old-school…learn from one of the most adaptive and influential artists of the modern age?

1. Storytelling is Everything

Taylor Swift doesn’t just release songs—she tells stories. Whether through lyrics, liner notes or social media breadcrumbs, she builds a narrative that fans can follow and emotionally invest in. Radio at its most powerful is all about storytelling.

People don’t just want content—they want context.

2. Evolve, But Stay Recognizable

From country roots to synth-pop to indie-folk and back to re-recorded classics, Taylor Swift constantly reinvents herself. But no matter the sound, her core voice and identity remain intact. Radio can learn from this balance: evolve formats, update clocks, try new hosts or segments; but never lose the personality and consistency that listeners rely on.

Authenticity plus evolution = long-term loyalty.

3. Engage Like a Human, Not a Brand

Taylor’s relationship with her fans feels personal. She likes posts, responds to comments, and even sends surprise gifts. It’s not just marketing…it’s connection. Radio often sounds like it’s talking at people. Instead, stations should talk with them. Use social media as more than a bulletin board. Bring listeners into the studio through polls, texts and real-time feedback. Make them feel seen and heard.

4. Own Your Archive

Swift’s re-recording project (Taylor’s Versions) wasn’t just a legal move: it was a masterclass in reclaiming and repackaging legacy content. Radio has decades of amazing archives….interviews, live sessions, moments in music history. Why not repurpose these gems for today’s listeners? Nostalgia, when done right, is powerful.

5. Create Moments, Not Just Plays

When Swift drops an album, it’s an event: full of Easter eggs, fan theories, countdowns and cultural connection. Radio can do the same. Don’t just play new tracks…build anticipation. Turn passive listening into an experience.

One Final Thought:

Taylor Swift’s success isn’t just about music—it’s about how she connects, evolves, and invites people into a world. Here’s how Wikipedia describes her fans/Swifties: Swifties are the fandom of the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. Regarded by journalists as one of the largest and most devoted fanbases in music, Swifties are known for their high levels of participation, community, and cultural impact on the music industry and popular culture. They are a subject of widespread coverage in the mainstream media.

Radio, at its best, does the same. It’s not too late for radio to take a page from Swift’s playbook: get personal, get intentional and never underestimate the power of a good story.