How long have you been relying on the same stale marketing techniques to reach your audience? In this blog post, we’ll cover 7 creative strategies that can help you reach your audience in new and engaging ways. From micro events and off-site activities to virtual/hybrid mixing and activations, these innovative techniques will help you maximize every touch point. Ready to find out how to break the mold and reach your audience more effectively? Let’s go!
1. Micro Events
Micro events are short, custom-tailored experiences that provide value to target audiences. Hosting a micro-event is an amazing way to stand out and make an impact in event marketing. There are two common methods for hosting a micro-event: you can either host a single experience or a series of experiences.
For a single experience, you can host an intimate gathering such as a private dinner or cocktail hour. This type of event allows you to focus your time and resources on one group at a time, creating meaningful relationships with individual attendees. You can also offer a series of conferences, start a book club, or create another kind of ongoing event.
2. Off-Site Activities
A great way to have a successful event is to create events that are unique and memorable! Get outside, get into a new space, and it will engage your audience with your brand in new ways too! Some small event ideas and offsite examples include virtual happy hours, rooftop yoga classes, plant giveaways, and book clubs.
By hosting these events, you gain the trust of your target audience and drive further engagement with your brand. They provide a low-cost and high-impact way to reach your target market while generating more word-of-mouth publicity! Best of all, off-site activities give you the chance to get creative and showcase the unique elements of your business.
3. Virtual/Hybrid Mixing
Hybrid conferences and events require extra planning and the right event technology to make them engaging for both in-person and remote attendees. Streaming content alone is not enough to keep virtual attendees engaged; they need access to content on a computer or smartphone, constant connection and updates, polls, instant feedback, and more! Hybrid events can make a lasting impression because virtual content can be accessed and viewed for longer, offering an even greater opportunity for event marketing.
Our favorite part? Hybrid events allow for data collection and tracking of user interactions that can be used to gain invaluable insights into your customer’s behavior.
4. Pop-Ups and Activations
Pop-up activations are a great way to create an exciting and unique in-person experience that will leave a lasting impression. Pop-ups can be anything from a small booth or store in a shopping center to a large-scale interactive event. These types of events are typically temporary, allowing you to reach a larger audience without having to commit to a long-term lease.
Creative examples of pop-up activations include traveling photo booths, custom art installations, charity drives, and themed scavenger hunts. Companies like Nike and Apple have used these tactics to bring their brand to life and engage with customers on a more personal level.
Successful pop-ups often have the following characteristics:
- Implements safe interaction measures between customers and staff
- Supports charitable causes that reflect the values of the brand
- Replicates activities found in the community such as fitness classes, competitions, and workshops
- Encourages and rewards online or app use
Creating engaging pop-up activations allows you to reach more customers, boost brand recognition, and ultimately increase sales!
5. Thinking Outside the Box
Reaching your audience in a meaningful way requires creativity and flexibility. It’s essential to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions that make an impact. According to recent studies, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text.
Do you know about the different learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, and Tactile? Consider creating an environment that suits all four styles, but the #1 focus should be visual which can include bright colors, flexible furniture layouts, walls to write on, high-tech idea sharing, and adjustable lighting. Taking the time to create an immersive space can ensure that everyone can benefit from the experience, regardless of their learning style.
These creative strategies help to break the mold and ensure a more meaningful connection with your audience. By understanding their preferences and designing experiences accordingly, you can make sure your message gets through in a unique and memorable way.
6. Treating Marketing as a Priority
Digital marketing requires ongoing attention, effort, and resources to produce results. With people spending an average of 6 hours and 42 minutes online each day, it’s easy to see why digital marketing should be a huge focus!
People are savvy and can quickly identify when brands are being untruthful or disingenuous. To truly reach your audience and engage them in meaningful ways, you have to make marketing a priority. Investing in digital marketing will ensure that you remain visible, relevant, and connected to your target audience. Your digital presence is just as important as your physical presence, so make sure you prioritize both!
7. Maximizing Every Touch Point
If you want to reach customers in new and innovative ways, it is important to first look inward and do an honest review of existing customer touchpoints before adding new ones. Make sure that customer service is solidified to ensure customers get the most out of every interaction.
Always try to ask or survey customers for their opinions and preferences. Consider the medium of the message when communicating with customers. For example, event marketing can be a great way to reach customers on a deeper level and create memorable experiences that they won’t soon forget. By taking the time to evaluate customer touchpoints, you can be more confident in what you have going well and where you can improve!