On Sept. 25, Taylor Swift dropped her new album “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore.” This extended version of her 2025 album featured four songs, each relating to her past relationships.
| Instagram, @Taylorswift |
Swift is known for her surprise announcements of new music through clues posted on social media and fan speculation.
Susan Mazer, an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University who teaches a class on “Women in Music,” said the reason that Swift is able to do these events and keep her fanbase, Swifties, engaged is because it doesn’t feel like a one-sided relationship.
“It’s not one-sided, and I think that is why they do stay engaged and they do want to stay with her, because it feels like they are having an interaction with her,” said Mazer.
This strategy engages fans in a way that lets them connect with her personally. AP News stated that Swift made an Instagram post when announcing “The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore,” expressing her gratitude for the Swifties’ overwhelming excitement and celebration of her last release.
Mazer said Swift has been in the spotlight a lot and has always gotten pretty good press. She doesn’t have to use her body or sexuality, and that ties in a lot with her online presence.
Junior Kate Whalen said another reason that the general population knows about her and listens to her music is that she is not just an artist, she is also a businesswoman. Even those who are not considered Swifties or even fans at all know of her, and her recent marriage to Travis Kelce has only broadened her audience.
“She’s a very smart businesswoman, in my opinion, and I think people appreciate that,” said Whalen.
Social media has also had a large effect on people and how they are exposed to and influenced by new music, old music, and staying engaged with people. People want to feel included and stay up to date on what is going on around them, while others want to explore and be exposed to new things.
Junior Paige Gutheil said she feels social media has a big influence because it introduces her to new music through short clips, which then makes her want to find the full versions.
She said that people become naturally curious when they see others around them excited for something. It influences them to check out the music and the artist themselves to see what the enthusiasm is.
Mazer said Swift’s strategy on social media is effective for her, specifically over other artists, because of her fanbase, according to Mazer. While other artists have set release dates and release a single as a teaser, Swift uses her social media platforms and the attention of her fans to make it a game.
“I think people pay attention to Taylor Swift because she has such a big presence in the music industry and has had a very successful career. Her influence reaches into culture and media, which makes people interested in her even if they don’t listen to her music,” said Gutheil.
