How long have you been using the same outdated marketing techniques to reach your audience?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 mixers and activations, these innovative techniques will help you maximize every touchpoint. Ready to learn how to think outside the box and reach your audience more effectively? Let’s get started!
1. Micro-events
Micro events are short, personalized experiences that provide value to target audiences. Hosting a micro event is a great way to stand out and make an impact in event marketing. There are two common methods for hosting a micro event: you can host a single experience or a series of experiences.
For a unique experience, you can host an intimate gathering like a private dinner or cocktail reception. This type of event allows you to focus your time and resources on one group at a time, building meaningful relationships with each attendee. You can also offer a speaker series, start a book club, or create another type of ongoing event.
2. Off-site activities
A great way to make an event a success is to create unique and memorable events! Get out there, enter a new space and it will also engage your audience with your brand in new ways! Small event ideas and offsite examples include virtual happy hours, rooftop yoga classes, plant giveaways and book clubs.
By hosting these events, you build trust with your target audience and increase engagement with your brand. They’re a low-cost, high-impact way to reach your target market while generating more word-of-mouth advertising! Best of all, off-site events give you the opportunity to get creative and showcase the unique elements of your business.
3. Virtual/hybrid mixing
Hybrid conferences and events require additional planning and the right event technology to make them engaging for both in-person and remote attendees. Streaming content alone isn’t enough to keep virtual attendees engaged; they need access to content on a computer or smartphone, constant connection and updates, polling, instant feedback, and more. Hybrid events can make a lasting impression because virtual content can be accessed and viewed for longer periods of time, providing 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 valuable insights into your customers’ behavior.
4. Pop-ups and activations
Pop-up events are a great way to create an exciting and unique in-person experience that will leave a lasting impression. Pop-up events can be anything from a small booth or shop in a mall to a large-scale interactive event. These types of events are typically temporary, allowing you to reach a wider audience without having to commit to a long-term lease.
Creative examples of pop-up activations include traveling photo booths, custom art installations, charity fundraisers, and themed scavenger hunts. Companies like Nike and Apple have used these tactics to bring their brand to life and engage with their 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 brand values
- 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, build brand recognition, and ultimately increase your sales!
5. Think outside the box
Reaching your audience in a relevant way requires creativity and flexibility. It’s essential to think outside the box and find innovative solutions that make an impact. According to recent studies, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual, and our brains process images 60,000 times faster than text.
Are you familiar with the different learning styles: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile? Consider creating an environment that caters to all four, but the focus should be on the visual, which can include bright colors, flexible furniture arrangements, writing walls, high-tech idea sharing, and adjustable lighting. Taking the time to create an immersive space can ensure that everyone can benefit from the experience, no matter their learning style.
These creative strategies help break the mold and ensure a more meaningful connection with your audience. By understanding their preferences and designing experiences accordingly, you can ensure your message comes across in a unique and memorable way.
6. Treat marketing as a priority
Digital marketing requires ongoing attention, effort, and resources to produce results. Considering that people spend an average of 6 hours and 42 minutes online each day, it’s easy to see why digital marketing should be a top priority!
People are perceptive and can quickly identify when brands are being deceptive or dishonest. To truly reach your audience and engage them in a meaningful way, you need to make marketing a priority. Investing in digital marketing will keep you 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. Optimize every touchpoint
If you want to reach your customers in new and innovative ways, it’s important to start by looking inward and doing an honest analysis of existing customer touchpoints before adding new ones. Make sure your customer service is strong so customers get the most out of every interaction.
Always try to ask or survey customers to find out 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 about what’s working well and what you can improve!