With so many brands fighting for attention and with the internet opening business up the whole of the world, instead of just their tiny corner of it, it is fair to say that marketing has become more important than ever for companies everywhere. We all need to do whatever we can to ensure that it is our brand, not the competitors’ that stands out from the crowd.
Unfortunately many of us are not doing as well in this department as we could, missing so many marketing tricks that could give us the edge, and sticking to the basics that we know and understand well. It’s time to change that by increasing awareness of those marketing tricks you might be missing right now, so that you can start using them to attract more positive attention for your brand.
1. The Power of Micro-Content (Tiny but Mighty)
Everyone obsesses over long videos, elaborate campaigns, or massive blog posts (ironic, since you’re currently reading one). But the real MVP of modern marketing? Micro-content. Think 10-second tips, snappy quotes, quick “before and after” shots, mini product demos, or those cheeky behind-the-scenes moments that make your brand feel human. They’re easy to produce, great for engagement, and even better for keeping your feed active without burning through your entire marketing budget.
If you’re not posting short-form content regularly, you’re leaving attention on the table, and someone else will grab it while you’re busy doing something else.
2. Community Building
Many people think that community building is just something that influencers need to do to keep their audience interested, but actually it is for everyone who needs to build an audience and gain attention, not just people on TikTok and YouTube.
Create a Facebook group, run a members’ club, host a monthly webinar, or offer early access perks to loyal fans, and you will build a community which means that people will feel like they belong as part of your brand or business, and that will keep them coming back for more. It’s that simple.
3. User-Generated Content
Seriously, why work harder when your audience can work with you? sk customers to share photos, videos, or testimonials using your product or service. Use hashtags to organise content, offer incentives, or run contests if you want to fire things up. Authentic content beats polished perfection every single time because people trust people, right?
And bonus: it gives you a mountain of marketing material without having to organise a full production shoot.
4. Email Isn’t Dead, You’re Just Using It Wrong
People love to announce that email is outdated… then spend ages crafting the perfect newsletter. Here’s the thing: the problem isn’t email. It’s how you’re using it! You’re being boring with it, and that’s why it’s not working for you.
If your subject lines sound like admin reminders and your content reads like a tax manual, open rates will plummet. So, try to write emails like you’re talking to an actual human. Add stories. Add personality. Add GIFs if you’re feeling dangerous. Make your emails something people look forward to, not something they mentally file under “I’ll read that later (never).”
5. Personalisation That Goes Beyond “Hi {First Name}”
We’ve reached a point where personalising emails with someone’s first name isn’t impressive, it’s basically the bare minimum that you should be doing. Want to stand out? Tailor your content based on behaviour, interests, or history.
If someone browses your outdoor gear page every week, send them hiking tips. If a customer buys from you regularly, give them perks. Make people feel understood, not just categorised.
That’s the real magic.
6. The Offline Comeback
Remember the days of flyers, posters, billboards, and general “real world” marketing? While digital is brilliant, offline media is having an underrated comeback. There’s something refreshing about seeing a message that isn’t sandwiched between ads for shoes you Googled once in 2021.
Working with an out of home advertising agency can help you reach audiences in ways digital simply can’t – commuters, shoppers, travellers, event-goers. Physical ads cut through the noise precisely because people aren’t expecting them. Plus, let’s be honest: it feels way more impressive to point at a giant poster and say, “That’s mine.”
7. Remarketing
Remarketing is kind of like stalking, but in the nicest possible, non-illegal way, and if you aren’t already using it, then you are basically waving goodbye to lots of lovely warm leads, which is never a good thing for any business to be doing, right?
People rarely buy the first time they land on your website. They get distracted, forget, wander off, or fall victim to a sudden need to reorganise their kitchen cupboards. Remarketing basically, gently nudges them back. Not in a creepy “we’re watching you” way, but in a helpful “hey, you forgot something” way. When done well, it feels like good customer service, not digital stalking.
8. Emotional Marketing
Logic is useful. Emotion sells. People buy things because they want to feel something – confident, happy, relieved, luxurious, understood. Even B2B companies can tap into emotional storytelling.
Why does your product make life easier? Why should someone care? What story can you tell that makes people feel something?
If your marketing doesn’t tug on a heartstring, spark curiosity, or make someone laugh, it might be missing emotional punch.
9. Consistency (The Boring Trick That Actually Works)
Consistency isn’t glamorous. It’s not a secret. It doesn’t require an MBA or a six-figure budget. But it does work.
Posting once a month won’t build momentum. Running ads sporadically won’t build trust. Publishing content whenever you remember won’t build authority. Marketing rewards the brands that show up consistently, not just occasionally.
Think tortoise, not hare… but with better social media skills.
10. Live Video and Real-Time Interaction
Live Q&As. Product demos. “Ask me anything” sessions. Behind-the-scenes tours. Live content creates connection, builds trust, and removes the overly polished feel that sometimes scares people off.
Plus, if something awkward happens – a pet walks in, a light falls over, you accidentally knock your camera – people usually love it. It’s relatable. You might even go viral!
Time to stop missing these marketing tricks and start converting customers!
