Guerilla marketing is all about thinking outside the box and doing it in a way that helps your brand get noticed.
Using a guerrilla marketing strategy requires businesses to not just be creative with marketing campaigns, but to find creative ways to spend money. Most business owners do not want to spend money on marketing but want to spend money to make money.
It's also about thinking like a marketer and not just anyone. For instance, if you're going to do a marketing campaign, then you need to do it in such a way that it has an impact, and gets your message across.
Read on for five examples of successful guerrilla marketing campaigns that made a big impact without breaking the bank.
What is guerilla marketing?
Guerrilla marketing is a marketing strategy that uses low-cost or unconventional means to promote a product or service.
The goal of guerilla marketing is to generate buzz and create an impactful message that will be remembered long after the campaign is over.
Guerrilla marketing campaigns are often unique, creative, and interactive, and they are often conducted in public places such as parks, beaches, or downtown areas.
Characteristics of guerrilla marketing.
Some common characteristics of guerrilla marketing campaigns include:
● Use of unconventional methods or unexpected tactics
● Use of creative thinking and imagination
● Use of low-cost or no-cost methods
● Use of humor or shock value
● Use of word-of-mouth or viral marketing
● Use of interactive or participatory marketing
Some examples of guerrilla marketing tactics include:
● Flash mobs
● Product sampling or demonstrations
● Street performances or busking
● Pranks or hoaxes
● Guerrilla art or graffiti
● Human billboards
When you need guerrilla marketing
Guerrilla marketing is a good option when you need to:
● Generate buzz
● Create an impactful message
● Reach a large audience on a small budget
● Stand out from the competition
Importance of guerrilla marketing
Guerrilla marketing is a good option for small businesses or startups because it is a low-cost way to generate buzz and create an impactful message. It levels the playing field and allows them to compete with larger businesses.
Guerrilla marketing can also be a good way to reach a large audience on a small budget. It can also help you stand out from the competition.
Guerrilla marketing is also a good option for businesses that are launching a new product or service, or for businesses that are trying to break into a new market.
It is important to note that guerrilla marketing is not a replacement for traditional marketing, but it can be used in addition to traditional marketing tactics.
7 successful guerilla marketing strategy examples
Over the years, there have been some truly creative and successful guerrilla marketing campaigns. Here are seven inspiring examples of guerilla marketing at its best:
Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” Campaign
In 2010, Old Spice created a series of humorous YouTube videos featuring the character “The man your man could smell like.”
The videos were a hit and the campaign went viral, According to visiochart the original video garnered over 50 million views. The goal of the campaign was to jumpstart body wash sales by 15%. But surprisingly they surpassed that and achieved an increase of a whopping 60% by May and by July they had doubled.
Takeaway: Be creative, have fun with your marketing, and be prepared for the unexpected.
BBC’s “Dracula” Billboard
To promote the premiere of the BBC show “Dracula,” the network created a giant billboard featuring the show’s star, Claes Bang.
The billboard was placed in a very strategic location in New York City’s Times Square and featured Bang with his arms outstretched and eyes glowing red.
The billboard generated a lot of attention and curiosity, leading many people to tune in to the show.
Takeaway: Sometimes simplicity is key. A well-placed and well-designed billboard can be very effective.
Ikea’s “Sleepover” Event
Ikea is no stranger to creative marketing, and their “sleepover” event is a perfect example.
The company invited winners to spend the night in their store, and the event was complete with a pajama party, bedtime stories, and breakfast in bed.
The event was a huge success and generated a lot of positive buzz for Ikea.
Takeaway: Events are a great way to connect with your customers and create a memorable experience.
Volkswagen’s “Piano Staircase”
In an effort to promote the new VW Polo, Volkswagen created a staircase that played music when people walked on it.
The “piano staircase” was placed in a busy subway station in Stockholm, and it was a hit with commuters.
The campaign generated a lot of positive publicity for the brand, especially its new, environmentally friendly Blue Motion Technologies brand.
Takeaway: If you can find a way to make your product or service more fun or convenient, you’ll be sure to win over customers.
Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” Campaign
Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches” campaign was created to show women that they are more beautiful than they think.
The campaign featured a sketch artist who drew two pictures of the same woman, one based on her own description and one based on someone else’s description.
The sketches were then shown to the women, and the results were eye-opening. The sketches based on other people’s descriptions were always more flattering than the ones the women did of themselves.
Takeaway: We are often our own worst critics. Helping others see the beauty in themselves is a noble pursuit.
Bounty’s Giant Popsicle
To promote their new line of fruit-flavored paper towels, Bounty created a giant popsicle made out of paper towels.
The popsicle was placed in a park in New York City, and it quickly became a popular photo-op for passersby.
The campaign generated a lot of positive buzz for the brand and helped increase sales.
Takeaway: If you can find a way to make your product stand out, you’ll be sure to get noticed.
Airbnb’s “Night At” Campaign
In an effort to promote their brand and get people to try Airbnb, the company created a campaign called “Night At.”
As part of the campaign, Airbnb gave away free nights at unique properties around the world, including a treehouse in Sweden and a castle in France.
The campaign was a huge success, generating a lot of positive publicity for the brand.
Takeaway: Everyone loves a freebie. If you can find a way to give your product or service away for free, you’ll be sure to generate some buzz.
Conclusion:
Guerrilla is an ingenious and effective marketing strategy that can be used to promote products, services, and causes. If you’re looking to break through the clutter and get noticed, consider using one of these five successful guerrilla marketing strategy examples.
The strategy will not only help you achieve your marketing goals but also leave a lasting impression on your target audience. All you need in your marketing arsenal is a bit of creativity and some out-of-the-box thinking. The above-mentioned examples are proof that guerrilla marketing can be very successful if executed properly.