It’s safe to say that every Omaha marketing agency in town has been thunderstruck by the total dumpster fire that was Fyre Festival. Thanks to two separate Hulu and Netflix documentaries released this winter, this botched “music festival” has every Omaha advertising agency speaking out about the true power of social media marketing.

What is social media marketing?

Social media marketing is a relatively simple concept on the surface level. This marketing strategy utilizes social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to gain website and media traffic. Social media marketing is a cost-effective strategy that keeps a business engaged with their audience, boosts brand awareness, and aids in maintaining customer satisfaction.

All good things, right?

Until Fyre Festival.

What was Fyre Festival?

Fyre Festival was supposed to be an epic experience; a Spring 2017 music festival and exotic getaway all wrapped into one. It was, as many say, “the greatest party that never happened.” To be honest, it’s even hard to describe what Fyre Festival was when it never, in fact, really happened.

As an Omaha marketing agency, what we can tell you is that Fyre Festival, overall, was just a social media marketing strategy that went barbarically well.

The organizers of Fyre Festival hired a popular marketing firm and 400 handpicked social influencers to begin promoting the festival on social media. It’s rumored that Kendall Jenner was even paid $250,000 for one single Instagram post promoting the launch of ticket sales and a discount code for her followers.

Approximately 5,000 people purchased tickets to Fyre Festival ranging from $500 - $2,000 a pop, all depending on the type of “experience” the attendee wanted to have. Naturally, the power of social influence had many consumers paying over $4,000 to experience “the next Coachella”.

What went wrong? Everything.

Fyre Festival and social media marketing

We won’t spoil the documentaries for you, because they’re an absolute must-see, but as an Omaha marketing agency, we can tell you that Fyre Festival is a testament to the power of social media. The good and the bad.

Fyre Festival, admittedly, was great because of social media. It might be (ok, ok, ok - it is) the only thing that went well for them. If you look past the lack of lodging, food, transportation, water, and musical acts in general, Fyre Festival was a success because of social media.

Fyre Festival proved that with the right social media marketing strategy, people will do just about anything. The benefits of social media and hiring the right marketing agency can turn any idea into a wildly brilliant one.

The marketing agency behind Fyre Festival is under scrutiny of their own, however, they did know the power of understanding an audience. Which, for every marketing guru, even a Midwestern Omaha marketing agency, is crucial to success.

The Fyre Festival agency utilized a millennials fear of missing out, pop culture influencers, and high-quality content on social media to have festival-enthusiasts flocking to The Bahamas.

For that, we will say, well done.

However…

Just as quickly as social media brought thousands to a tiny island in The Bahamas, social media put out the fire (well - Fyre).

Once the reality of Fyre Festival slapped attendees in the face, they obviously took to social media. Fyre Festival went viral, yet again, because of user-generated content. And this time, not in a good way.

Festival-goers used the power of social media to show the world the total flop that was Fyre Festival. From live Tweeting their entire experience to live Instagram videos, the demise of the “music festival” spread, well, like wildfire.

Two things Omaha marketing agencies want you to know about Fyre Festival:

Social media marketing is awesome.
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter can truly influence the product, service, or event your business wants to promote.

Social media marketing is powerful.
Social media holds enough power to bring in consumers, but has just as much, if not more power to rip them away. It’s important to have the credibility behind the products, services, and events you promote first.

Social media marketing is an amazing advertising resource for your business. Whether you’re looking to simply promote your brand or bring in thousands of people to an event, the right strategy can make all the difference.