Creative Marketing Strategies You Can Use to Think Outside-the-Box π¦
It is an understatement to say that the competition for your audienceβs attention is fierce π₯. Marketers are constantly competing with forces of procrastination for audience eyeballs ποΈποΈ. Following the beaten path will not be enough. To truly succeed in marketing, you need to put your brand out there. Unusual marketing has the potential to be amazing π€© marketing.
Unusual Marketing: Why Does it Work?
People see π the same old stuff. Day in and day out, they seem similar advertisements, tweets, and articles. They are so inundated with information that it is hard to be inspired.
But if you add something unusual into the mix, something surprising and unexpected, you will get people's attention π². Do not second guess yourself or say 'that's way too crazy!'. Some of the best ideas π‘ come from a crazy seed that blossoms into a perfectly unusual flower πΈπΌ. Venture where no marketer has gone before.
Your website and your branding are a great place to try some creative marketing. If you really want to stand out, consider the following π
π Brand yourself differently
Be different. This is so important. If you are going to be like all your competitors, then there is nothing differentiating you from them. Showcase your personality on your site.
π Put a twist on a cliche
Cliches are instantly recognisable and if you use them in a unique way and to your benefit on your site or in your tagline, you are sure to stand out.
π Place User-generated content on your site
User-generated content (UGC) is one of the best π selling tools you can have. Place it everywhere on your site, including a UGC feed on your landing page or reviews on your product pages.
π Place social feeds on your site
Social feeds show that your business is active and getting plenty of social proof. Feature them on your site, either on a dedicated social page or in sidebar widgets on the pages of your choice.
π Make your testimonials immediately visible π
A lot of sites have reviews on their product pages, which is a big asset. Since they are in a competitive field and at a high price point, this is what sets them apart and helps keep user interest long enough to explain why you should purchase ποΈ.
π Get creative with hashtags #οΈβ£
Hashtags will help you increase your reach and find your target audience, but they can also help you develop your brand voice π, too. Create a diverse mix of hashtags on every post for best results.
π Feature what your audience loves π most
Do you know that cute kids πΆπ»π§π» eating pasta π at your restaurant is going to get a million more likes (and potentially drive traffic) than just a single picture of the menu? Know that your audience loves Game of Thrones, so you want to add a spin to your campaign? This will get you a ton of likes and help establish your brand identity.
π Create GIFS & Memes
GIFS and memes can be widely shared, which can help you, but they can also be used to gain traction on your social media posts or ads.
π Incorporate βNational Daysβ into your campaign
National Icecream π¦ Day. National Sister π Day. National Dog πΆ Day. Whatever it is, pounce on it if it is at all relevant to you. Use it to garner UGC and make sure that you attach the relevant hashtag to your post.
π Create content with popular comparisons or metaphors
Either one can be powerful πͺ tool, especially when they are entertaining.
π Parody/joke videos πΉ
Just because you are in business does not mean you need to take yourself so seriously all the time. Parody videos are fodder for viral sharing and big brand awareness campaigns.
π Use Stories to send more traffic π¦ to news feed posts
Facebook and Instagram Stories do not have the same issues with organic reach as their newsfeed content, so use Stories to tease updates or encourage them to check out a full-length post.
π Get controversial
It is good to get controversial on social media because you have more room to explain yourself and people are more likely to read first and attack second. Just make sure that your argument is well-supported, because people will be coming.
πWrite βοΈ more case studies
A lot of content marketers do not dive π€Ώ deep into case studies because they take a lot of time β±οΈ and research to compile. That being said, they can not be copied by your competitors and they are incredibly valuable to your readers.
π Photo πΈ caption contests
Photo caption contests are a guaranteed way to get more engagement. They encourage users to try to be creative and funny, which is something everyone loves to feel about themselves. Offer a prize π for the winner, and you are good to go.
π Use Googleβs related search π feature
Brainstorming π§ keywords and need some ideas? Googleβs related search feature will fill in the blanks and give you insight into what large volumes people are searching for.
π Use testimonials to sell more
Feature customer testimonials in your social media platforms when selling products to increase the likelihood that they click and purchase πΈ. Do not just wait for them to get to the product page and see them there.
Sometimes the very best and most creative campaigns come from a simple idea, as we have seen time and time again. You can take each of the simple strategies above and add your own unique branding and twist to them to create something truly exceptional that will resonate with your audience. While relying on classic, tried-and-true strategies for your marketing campaign can help you build results slowly and steadily, by doing something different that will really help you to stand out.
If you are not sure where to start, that is okay. We AK47β’οΈ are here to come up with creative marketing campaigns that get you results! Talk to us today π€©π!
References:
Ritika Puri, February 03, 2014, Grasshopper
Ana Gotter, September 7, 2018, Disruptive Advertising