Guerrilla marketing is a term used to define low-to-no cost — unconventional — yet highly effective marketing tactics. It’s a method popularized by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book “Guerrilla Marketing.“ These techniques rely much more on time, imagination and energy rather than big marketing budgets. As a result, guerrilla marketing ideas are ideal for small businesses looking to create an engaging, unique, and memorable brand experience.
Here are a few ideas…
Comment below to tell us about your successful guerilla marketing techniques.*
- Library Business Cards
Leaving business cards in each book within a section of the local library related to your business is a great way to gain exposure. If people are researching a service in the library and they find your business card, it’s a great way to put your business front and center as a viable option. - Co-operative Advertising
Start a challenge or competition to win free marketing space on your website or on your flyers. The contest doesn’t cost you anything, and will result in increasing your own brand reach. This guerrilla marketing tactic is free for you, valuable for others, and bolsters the exposure of your business.
Cooperative advertising shares the cost between you and a complementary business. It could be newspaper, radio, or online advertising that is more powerful and less costly because two or more companies are involved. - Reinvent Your Signature
Add the URL of your website to each email account you use in the signature function. Whether you are sending a personal or business email, your URL-laced signature will always be featured. Better yet, make that link a call to action, like “Click for today’s special!” - Doctor’s Call
More business card opportunities. Any time that you or a colleague visits a doctor or dentist’s office, leave business cards in every magazine in the waiting room. - Give Free Swag
When you visit your barber shop, hairdresser, or stylist, make sure you leave free swag, (which is free company-branded merchandise). In turn, they’ll surely tell all of their clients about this crazy person who keeps on giving them free stuff, which is guerrilla marketing for small businesses at its best. Show Seniority bottle opener. - Utilize Fish Bowls
Whenever bar, restaurant, or other establishment is collecting business cards in a fish bowl to win some type of competition, ask the owner about collecting the losing cards. This guerrilla marketing tactic for small businesses represents an awesome opportunity to gain dozens of new contacts. I’d add join a referral group and get to know as much as you can about everyone’s business. - Write an Op-ed for the newspaper
If you can tie a current affairs issue into your business, it’s a perfect opportunity to get an op-ed in the paper. The by-line will almost always say who you are and the name of your business. Give you visibility beyond your current customers and credibility too. - Free Demonstration
At the next local event, offer to provide free demonstrations of your service or product. By simply showing up, you will instantly get your brand and product or service in front of potential customers. - Capture Consumer Attention
Publicity stunts not only capture the attention of those who are present for them, they get shared on social media, reported in traditional media, and can crate surprising results. For example, get a group of students to enact a demonstration outside of your business with signs reading “Their Prices Are Too Low – They Must Go.” In the end, you’ll have your audience’s attention, warrant a chuckle, and position your brand in a favorable position in your potential customers’ mind. - It’s a Stick-Up
Carry a pad of vibrantly colored Post-it notes with your business information printed or handwritten on it everywhere you go. Then, place the Post-it notes in the most unexpected and unusual places.
Yes, guerrilla marketing tactics can really work. While they may seem strange and out of the box, sometimes you must go there to compete successfully in today’s business world. For more creative marketing tactics for small businesses, look into outsourcing your efforts to BGAmedia.
*You are responsible for determining whether any of these ideas are outside the laws and regulations where you live and work. BGAmedia does not advocate breaking any laws or local ordinances.