Top 10 Least Known Marketing Strategies

What comes to your mind when I say MARKETING 🤔

Maybe it's those endless social media ads interrupting your scrolling or promotional emails flooding your inbox, or those flashy TV commercials trying to sell you something.

It's easy to think marketing is just about pushing products through ads. But here's the interesting part - marketing is like a massive toolbox, and those annoying ads?

They are just one tool in it. Think about how Nike creates inspiring stories that make you want to get up and run, or how Apple makes people camp outside stores for days before a new launch, or even how your local café keeps you coming back with that loyalty card.

That's all marketing too! In today's competitive business world, knowing just one type of marketing is like trying to build a house with only a hammer.

You need the right tool for the right job. Here are the top 10 marketing strategies that can change how you connect with your customers.

1. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is using online platforms and tools to promote products or services. It includes strategies like search engine optimization (SEO) to improve website visibility, pay-per-click (PPC) ads for targeted traffic, and email marketing to nurture leads.

Digital marketing is data-driven, meaning you can track clicks, conversions, and return on investment (ROI) in real-time. It is powerful because it allows you to reach people globally and customize campaigns for different audiences.

For example, Amazon uses Google Ads to stay visible for product-related searches like wireless headphones. This allows them to reach millions of potential customers daily.

Digital marketing is crucial when businesses want measurable results quickly. It works well for e-commerce platforms, technology companies, and even small local businesses looking to increase their online presence.

2. Content Marketing

Content marketing is about creating valuable and engaging content, such as blogs, videos, and infographics, to attract and retain customers.

Instead of directly selling a product, the focus is on solving customer problems or providing helpful information. Doing so builds trust with the audience over time, making them more likely to choose your brand.

For instance, HubSpot’s marketing blog offers more actionable tips about lead generation and CRM tools. This valuable content educates readers and encourages them to use HubSpot’s products.

Content marketing is best for industries like education, software, or healthcare, where nurturing relationships with potential customers is crucial.

3. Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing uses platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to connect with audiences. It involves creating posts, ads, and videos personalized to the interests of your followers.

The goal is to engage people in conversations, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to your website. A great example is Wendy’s Twitter account, known for its humorous tweets. For instance, check out this:

By creating relatable and entertaining content, they have built a strong fan base and boosted their brand’s visibility. Social media marketing works best when a business wants to engage directly with its customers or use trending topics to go viral.

4. Moment Marketing

Moment marketing involves creating campaigns around current events or trending topics. It’s about being timely and relevant and often requires quick decisions and creativity.

This type of marketing makes a brand feel relatable to its audience by showing that it’s in touch with what’s happening worldwide. A classic example is Oreo’s “You Can Still Dunk in the Dark” tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl blackout.

This witty response became an instant hit and showed how moment marketing can boost brand visibility. Moment marketing is most effective during major events, trending news, or cultural moments that resonate with your audience.

5. Experiential Marketing

Experiential marketing focuses on creating real-world, memorable experiences where customers can interact with a brand. This approach helps forge emotional connections by immersing people in the brand's story or product.

IKEA’s pop-up apartments in Paris subway stations are a prime example. Commuters explored fully furnished spaces, showing how IKEA’s furniture fits effortlessly into everyday life.

Experiential marketing is best for lifestyle or home-related brands that want to show customers the value of their products in real-life settings.

6. Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is collaborating with people who have a following on platforms like Instagram or YouTube. These influencers share honest reviews or recommendations, helping brands reach a niche audience authentically.

Daniel Wellington, for example, gained massive popularity by gifting watches to Instagram influencers and encouraging them to share posts. This strategy turned their brand into a global success.

This type of marketing is particularly effective for lifestyle, fashion, and tech products, aiming to reach younger, trend-savvy audiences.

7. Guerrilla Marketing

Guerrilla marketing uses unconventional and creative tactics to grab people’s attention, often on a limited budget. It’s about surprising the audience and leaving a lasting impression without expensive campaigns.

Coca-Cola’s Happiness Machines campaign is the best example. Vending machines gave out free Cokes and surprises like pizzas to delighted customers, which created a viral buzz.

This approach is best for small businesses or brands wanting to stand out in a crowded market with a bold and memorable idea.

8. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing pays partners (affiliates) a commission for driving traffic or sales. Affiliates promote products through blogs, social media, or email campaigns, earning a percentage of every sale they help generate.

For instance, travel bloggers like Nomadic Matt earn commissions by recommending booking platforms like Booking[dot]com. This benefits both the affiliates and the brands they promote.

Affiliate marketing works well for e-commerce, SaaS, or any business looking to increase sales without upfront advertising costs.

9. Performance Marketing

Performance marketing focuses on paying only for measurable results, such as clicks, leads, or sales. Unlike traditional advertising, you only pay when specific actions occur.

It’s highly data-driven and allows marketers to optimize campaigns based on real-time performance metrics for maximum ROI.

A great example is Shopify’s use of Facebook Ads. They create ads targeting small businesses and entrepreneurs, paying only for clicks or signups to their free trial. This measurable approach helps Shopify scale effectively.

Performance marketing is best when businesses want trackable results and high ROI. It’s particularly effective for e-commerce, subscription services, or lead-generation campaigns.

10. Relationship Marketing

Relationship marketing focuses on building long-term relationships with customers rather than short-term sales. It involves loyalty programs, personalized communications, and customer service to retain customers and encourage repeat purchases.

For example, Sephora’s Beauty Insider rewards program offers members points, discounts, and exclusive access to events. This keeps customers engaged and loyal to the brand.

This strategy works best when customer retention is crucial in beauty, hospitality, or SaaS industries.

Conclusion

Each type of marketing we have discussed has its special way of helping businesses succeed. Some work quickly, like posting about trending topics, while others build lasting relationships with customers over time.

The best approach isn't picking just one type of marketing - it's about mixing different types based on what your business needs and who you want to reach.

When you understand these different marketing types and use them at the right time, you can build better brands and keep your customers coming back for more.