We all know that marketing is important for any business. But sometimes, conventional marketing methods just don’t cut it. If you’re looking for some unconventional marketing ideas that have actually worked, read on.
1. Hire a clown
In 2009, Volkswagen wanted to increase test drives of its Polo car in Germany. Their unconventional solution? Hiring a clown to stand next to the car with a sign that said “test drive me”. The clown attracted attention and got people talking, which led to an increase in test drives.
2. Get people talking with “talking” urinals
In 2004, a Dutch brewery installed “talking” urinals in bars across the Netherlands. The urinals had a sensor that would play a recorded message whenever someone went to use them. The message encouraged men to drink responsibly. While it may seem like a silly stunt, it was an effective way to get people talking about the issue of drunk driving.
3. Give away free stuff
In 2007, Red Bull gave away free cans of energy drink in London. They set up a vending machine that dispensed the cans for free. The only catch was that you had to do a “challenge” to get the can, such as answer a trivia question or do a physical task. This unconventional marketing tactic generated a lot of buzz and got people talking about the product.
4. Create a “human” billboard
In 2009, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) set up a “human” billboard in Times Square. The billboard featured a woman in a bikini with the message “I’d rather go naked than wear fur”. This eye-catching stunt got people talking about the issue of animal cruelty and helped to raise awareness for PETA’s cause.
5. Use unconventional spaces for marketing
In 2006, Nike set up a pop-up store in an abandoned power plant in Berlin. The store was only open for three days, but it generated a lot of buzz and got people talking about the brand. Nike was able to take advantage of an unconventional space and turn it into a successful marketing campaign.
6. Create a “fake” holiday
In 2000, Burger King created a “fake” holiday called “National Chicken Tender Day”. They sent out press releases and even had a website dedicated to the holiday. While it may have been a marketing stunt, it was effective in getting people talking about the brand.
7. Get celebrity endorsements
In 2010, KFC hired Lady Gaga to be the spokesperson for their “Gaga Bucket”. The bucket was designed to look like the singer and came with a pair of sunglasses and a wig. This unconventional marketing tactic generated a lot of buzz and got people talking about the brand.
8. Use interactive marketing
In 2009, Pepsi set up a “Pepsi Max” vending machine in London that dispensed free cans of soda to people who did a “challenge”. The challenges were things like singing or dancing. This unconventional marketing tactic was a great way to get people interacting with the brand.
9. Create a viral video
In 2013, Old Spice created a series of viral videos featuring the character “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”. The videos were funny and creative, and they helped to increase sales of the product by 107%.
10. Make a splash with guerilla marketing
In 2008, Ikea set up a “guerilla” store in the middle of a busy street in London. The store was only open for one day, but it generated a lot of buzzes and got people talking about the brand. This unconventional marketing tactic was a great way to get people to interact with the product.
These are just a few unconventional marketing ideas that have worked well for businesses in the past. So if you’re looking for a way to generate buzz for your product or service, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. unconventional marketing can be a great way to get attention and increase sales.
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