When You Think Tim McGraw…

Did you picture the country music sensation performing in front of a sold-out stadium? Did you immediately think of the man who has been dominating charts for over eleven years and produced 23 number one hits, all of which resulted in over 25 million units sold?

Tim McGraw is the epitome of a country star.

Lucky for one young artist, “I hope you think of me” has become the phrase that follows our headline.

For those of you who are not country music fans, let me tell you about this phenomenon we now know as Taylor Swift.

Swift, a 16 year old singer/songwriter new to Nashville, watched her career catapult with one song. Sounds too simple right?

In 21 Keys to Link Bait Success, we stress the importance of mentioning people with celebrity status in your field. When you do, your target audience will want to know what’s going on – and so might the celebrity that you mentioned.

Swift had a grasp on this strategy before she could legally drive, and she will never forget the formula that instantly shot her to the top.

The unknown artist took a look around herself and decided that if she was going to compete with the heavyweights of country music, she was going to have to do a little more than write songs near and dear to her heart – sentimental songs can always come after the fame.

Instead, Swift recognized the undying fame and following of one of her heroes (a country music giant), Tim McGraw. She then borrowed that fame and made it her own.

By writing a song about what Tim McGraw songs meant in her life, she wrote a song that every country music fan could relate to.

Fans were instantaneously on board.

Taylor Swift. This virtual unknown in the music industry is now watching her first single “Tim McGraw,” dominate the top ten countdown on the fan-voted GAC Country Countdown. She appeared on Good Morning America the morning of her album release, performed on the Megan Mullally Show, and is scheduled to make several more television appearances.

Still not impressed?

Five years ago, this young girl was performing for whoever would listen. Karaoke contests, festivals, and county fairs have now transformed into something Swift could have never imagined.

She is currently the opening act for the Rascal Flatts tour, and that’s just the beginning. Last week, country music legend George Strait (aka King George) invited Swift to open for his 2007 tour. It’s impossible to dream of a bigger opportunity.

This story about an unknown girl maturing into a superstar – literally overnight – is a prime example (and the best I’ve seen yet) of using a well-known in your field to gain yourself some recognition.

Start talking about those superstars that everyone in your niche knows and follows, and see what kind of traffic your site gains.

Now, when you think Tim McGraw… Taylor Swift hopes knows you’ll think of her.