7 Reality TV Marketing Lessons That Aren’t About Going Viral
Look, I didn’t mean to become an expert in reality TV. It just… happened. One minute, I was folding laundry to the soothing chaos of Real Housewives of New Jersey, and the next, I was mentally taking notes on how Teresa’s personal brand somehow survived flipping a table. And prison. Yes! She survived flipping a table and federal prison. And somehow came back with a book deal and a glow-up.
And that’s when it hit me: reality TV is an absolute goldmine of marketing lessons. I know, I know, it sounds ridiculous. But if you squint past the drama, sequins, and aggressively edited dinner parties (or the survival challenges, renovation meltdowns, and blind-date proposals), there’s a lot that small businesses and marketers can learn from the world of reality TV.
So go ahead, pour a glass of wine or a LaCroix (your call), and let’s break down what binge-watching Love is Blind, Shark Tank, Survivor, and literally every cooking competition show has taught me about marketing.
Let’s dig in.
1. Tell a Great Story or Get Voted Off
I feel like I say this a lot, but I have to say it one more time: if you don’t have a story people can connect to? Nobody cares. Even Worst Cooks in America makes sure you know the sob story behind the person who just burned toast. The shows that hook us always have a narrative: someone’s chasing a dream, getting redemption, or trying to reinvent themselves (again) with a pop-up vegan bakery in Brooklyn.
This is why your brand needs a story, too. Not a fake one. Not a “we empower synergy-driven innovators to revolutionize disruption” type thing. Just a real, human story that people can connect with. Tell us what you’re about, and make it good.
2. Own Your Vibe Like a Housewife with a Catchphrase
Love them or really love them, the Real Housewives are walking case studies in branding. Every Housewife is a brand (some more memorable than others!). You can identify them by their catchphrases, style, and signature brand of chaos. (Ramona’s Pinot Grigio, Bethenny’s Skinnygirl empire… and does anyone know if Sonja ever got her branded toaster oven??) Love them or hate them, you remember them.
In business, the same thing applies. Your brand voice should be so clear that people recognize it even if your logo’s not on it. Are you spicy and opinionated? Calm and cozy? Do you use too many parentheses (hi, it’s me)? That’s the good stuff. Lean in.
3. First Impressions = Everything
Think about Love is Blind. These people are proposing to each other after, like, five conversations. Through a wall. You better believe how you present yourself up front matters.
Every word counts. Every tone, every reaction, every pause.
It’s the same with your marketing. If your website, social bio, or email sounds like a generic robot (or worse, like you don’t know what you do) people are peacing out. Quickly.
Be clear. Be specific. And be you. No walls necessary.
4. Viral Isn’t the Goal, Memorable Is
Sure, there are viral moments on reality TV shows. Think about Shark Tank (remember the guys who branded flushable wipes for dudes and built a multimillion-dollar biz out of it?). But they stuck because there was something unique and useful behind the spectacle.
You don’t have to do a TikTok dance or launch a firestorm to get noticed. Remembered beats viral every time. That’s way more sustainable than hoping for 15 minutes of internet fame.
5. Be Consistent (Even if It’s Slightly Unhinged)
Survivor has followed the same structure for 48 seasons. Marooned strangers. Alliance drama. Jeff Probst narrating immunity challenges like his life depends on it. Tribal Council. One torch snuffed. Rinse, repeat.
It’s consistent. And it works.
You don’t have to be boring, but you do need to show up in a way people recognize. Whether it’s how you write, what you post, or even your weekly newsletter cadence, consistency builds trust. People need to know what they’re getting when they interact with you.
6. You Don’t Need to Be Everything to Everyone (Please Don’t)
Sure, I’d love to see a cook-off between Robert Irvine and Gordon Ramsay. Chaos in the kitchen, knives flying (literally?), egos searing hotter than the grills? Incredible. But that’s not how these shows work. Ramsay’s barking through high-stakes dinner services, and Irvine was fixing failing restaurants with a stopwatch and a death glare (RIP Restaurant: Impossible… and don’t worry, I’ve been binging all 22 seasons in my “free” time).
So no, you won’t see Gordon Ramsay suddenly jumping in to host Love Is Blind. And no one’s asking the cast of Selling Sunset to survive on an island for 26 days (I’d watch that, too, though!). Everyone has their lane. And they stick to it.
Same goes for your business. Define who your people are and build for them. You’ll have way more success than trying to appeal to everyone and their cousin.
7. Imperfection Is Weirdly Endearing
We don’t fall in love with the flawless Top Chef contestant who plates everything with tweezers. We root for the one who panics halfway through the challenge, drops their risotto, then somehow pulls it together and nails it anyway.
People connect with real. When you show the behind-the-scenes mess or share a moment where something flopped, it makes your brand more relatable. Don’t be afraid to drop the curtain once in a while.
So… Streaming Is Actually Strategic
Reality TV might not be the place you’d expect to find marketing wisdom, but it’s all there if you’re paying attention. Storytelling, connection, personal branding, consistency, the occasional meltdown… it’s honestly not that different from running a business.
So the next time someone gives you side-eye for binge-watching Married at First Sight, just tell them it’s part of your marketing education.
They don’t need to know you also teared up when your favorite contestant got blindsided on Survivor.
P.S. Right now, I am going to rewatch RHOBH season 14 reunion (part 1!), and no, I don’t need help. I just need popcorn. And some wine.
