Creative Ways To Attract Customers FAST

In this article, we explore 15 innovative ways to attract customers. As consumerism grows and more businesses emerge daily, distinguishing your brand becomes increasingly challenging. The marketing landscape constantly evolves, with new trends emerging frequently. In 2022, the US digital marketing industry was valued at around $223.2 billion. It is projected to grow at a 13.9% CAGR from 2022 to 2030, reaching over $1 trillion by 2030. This growth isn’t confined to the US. For instance, China’s digital marketing sector is expected to hit $372.6 billion by 2030. Other leading countries include Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, India, and South Korea

With about 4.89 billion social media users in 2023, who typically use seven different platforms, digital marketing offers significant potential at relatively low costs. However, this accessibility has increased the demand for creative marketing. Research by Kantar shows that creative quality is crucial, accounting for nearly 50% of a campaign’s success. Ipsos goes further, suggesting that creative quality could influence up to 75% of ad impact. Additionally, The Case for Creativity notes that award-winning creative campaigns perform 27% better.

In today’s digital and traditional marketing environment, creativity must align with data-driven strategies. McKinsey describes data-driven marketing as the ‘next normal,’ noting that such approaches yield an ROI five to eight times higher than standard methods. Post-pandemic shifts in consumer behaviour have heightened the need for precise data to enhance marketing effectiveness. Consequently, McKinsey emphasizes the importance of investing in technology to upgrade marketing practices. Innovative tech solutions can offer many creative methods to attract customers in 2023 through agile technology investment.

Creative and data-driven marketing integrates insights from performance, content, audience, competitors, and channels to develop effective strategies tailored to your business. Major brands have embraced this approach, creating distinctive advertising campaigns that resonate uniquely with their brand. These campaigns not only achieve excellent results but also gain popularity for their uniqueness. The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity highlights the significance of creativity in advertising, with specific awards for outstanding campaigns.

In 2016, Airbnb launched the ‘Live There’ campaign, featuring videos showcasing local culture and tourist spots for potential visitors. Real Airbnb hosts highlighted the platform as more than just a short-term rental service, promoting it as a way to experience destinations like locals. Airbnb reported a 32% increase in website traffic and a 27% rise in bookings due to this campaign. Additionally, home listings grew by 50% thanks to the positive media attention. This campaign, running across digital and out-of-home channels, exemplifies an effective cross-channel marketing strategy.

In 2018, Nike celebrated the 30th anniversary of its ‘Just Do It’ slogan with the ‘Dream Crazy’ campaign, led by former NFL player Colin Kaepernick. The campaign encouraged individuals to pursue their dreams despite challenges. The Kaepernick video garnered over 65 million views in just five days, demonstrating its impact. Despite some controversy, the campaign boosted Nike’s sales by 31% and added $6 billion to the brand’s value. Nike’s focus on YouTube, instead of its usual reliance on Facebook, showed a strategic choice of platforms to reach the target audience effectively.

Choosing the right channels to reach the audience is crucial for successful brand campaigns. While Facebook remains a primary content distribution channel according to HubSpot, other platforms like Instagram have become key for targeting younger demographics, especially Gen Z. Instagram’s ad audience for Reels alone can reach up to 758.5 million, with total ad revenue projected to hit $50.58 billion in 2023. Meta’s new platform, Threads, quickly attracted 100 million users within five days of its launch, offering another avenue for marketers despite its recent slowdown.

In 2023, businesses have numerous creative marketing strategies available to attract customers. Success depends on a company’s ability to adapt to the evolving technological landscape while maintaining a focus on innovative advertising. Here, we present 20 creative ways to attract customers, reflecting the latest trends in the advertising world.

 

Methodology

To develop this list of creative ways to attract customers, we have ranked various strategies based on sources including Forbes, HubSpot, and Indeed, incorporating expert opinions from marketing and advertising professionals in diverse corporations. Based on this analysis, here are 15 innovative strategies to draw more customers to your business.

 

15. Use Buy Now, Pay Later Schemes

The Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) scheme has gained popularity for several years, but it deserves more recognition as a creative way to attract customers. BNPL appeals to consumers’ desire for instant gratification, allowing them to acquire products immediately without paying the full amount upfront. This payment option reduces the perceived cost of purchases, making customers more inclined to spend.

 

14. Capitalize on Emotions

Emotional connection can significantly boost customer engagement. Nike’s (NYSE:NKE) campaign succeeded by aligning with its values of healthy living and inspiration, fostering an emotional bond with customers. Similarly, Unilever’s (NYSE:UL) Dove brand launched the ‘Real Beauty’ campaign, promoting self-love and body acceptance, resonating deeply with consumers. Unilever’s emphasis on creativity earned it 19 awards at the 2022 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

 

13. Add a Cinematic Lens to Your Video Content

Video content dominates brand communication due to its effectiveness in capturing attention. To stand out, brands can enhance their videos with a cinematic approach. Spongellé, a bath products brand, saw a 3.21x increase in Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) through a cinematic video campaign. In 2023, over 90% of consumers prefer to see brand videos, and a cinematic format can make products more relatable, strengthening the consumer-brand connection.

To develop this list of creative ways to attract customers, we’ve based our rankings on insights from sources like Forbes, HubSpot, and Indeed, incorporating expert opinions from professionals in marketing and advertising. Here are 20 innovative strategies to draw more customers to your business.

 

12. Embrace Filter-less Posts for Authenticity

Brand authenticity significantly enhances consumer experience, loyalty, and trust. Research shows that 70% of consumers spend more on brands they perceive as authentic. Authenticity isn’t just about representing core values; it also reflects how a brand operates digitally. Jenny Li Fowler, Director of Social Media Strategy at MIT, highlights that unpolished feeds and filter-less pictures are becoming the future of Instagram. This trend makes them one of the most creative ways to attract customers in 2023.

 

11. Support a Social Cause

Supporting social causes that align with brand values can positively impact customer perception. A 2017 Cone Communications study found that 63% of Americans expect brands to engage in social change, and 87% are likely to purchase from a brand that promotes causes they care about. Nike’s (NYSE:NKE) campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick demonstrated support for the BLM movement, while Ben & Jerry’s, a Unilever brand, has consistently supported causes like labor rights and BLM. These actions have bolstered customer loyalty and brand image.

 

10. Use Guest Posting to Your Advantage

Guest posting can significantly boost traffic to your website, with some case studies showing a 20% increase. Popular guest post formats include listicles and how-to guides. The key is selecting the right websites to ensure your content reaches the intended audience, leveraging their platform’s reach to draw visitors to your own site.

 

9. Tap into Social Commerce

Social commerce generated $53.10 billion in revenue in 2022, a 34.4% increase from 2021, according to Insider Intelligence. TikTok has seen substantial growth in this area, with US buyers increasing by 72.3% in 2023. Given that 64% of internet users in the US use social media to discover brands (GWI), social commerce has significant potential to boost sales.

 

8. Unconventional Platforms Present Massive Potential

While most businesses focus on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn, unconventional platforms like Pinterest (NYSE:PINS) offer unique opportunities. Pinterest saw an 8% year-on-year revenue increase in Q3 2022, largely due to its commerce initiatives. It has become a key platform for trend discovery and product exploration, making it a valuable resource for brands.

 

7. Unique Experiences for Top Customers

Retaining satisfied repeat customers is crucial as they have a high lifetime value. Beyond offering occasional discounts, providing early access to sales or products, incorporating their feedback, organizing exclusive events, and maintaining regular touchpoints can keep them engaged and invested in your brand.

 

6. Offer Genuine Free-of-Cost Resources

Offering genuine, no-strings-attached resources can build strong customer relationships. Experts from Sprout Social and Post Modern Marketing suggest that this approach fosters loyalty and trust, positioning your brand as helpful and customer-centric, beyond mere sales tactics.

 

5. Branch Out to Video Testimonials

Video testimonials are highly effective in influencing purchase decisions, with 77% of viewers finding them motivating (Wyzowl). In a video-driven content landscape, video testimonials feel more personal and authentic, making them a powerful tool for customer engagement and conversion.

To develop this list of creative ways to attract customers, we have ranked these strategies based on insights from sources like Forbes, HubSpot, and Indeed, as well as opinions from marketing experts. Here are 20 innovative methods to attract more customers to your business.

 

4. Offer Customer Milestone Discounts

Around 65% of a business’s revenue comes from repeat customers. Building a lasting relationship with them is crucial. Offering discounts for milestones, such as a customer’s birthday or the anniversary of their first purchase, can strengthen this bond and encourage continued loyalty.

 

3. Use Consumer Personas for Personalization

Personalization plays a significant role in customer relationships, with 78% of marketers noting its substantial impact (HubSpot). Creating detailed buyer personas and using them to personalize communication, especially in email marketing, is a highly effective strategy for attracting more customers who appreciate tailored interactions over generic messages.

 

2. Do Shared Promotions with Complementary Businesses

Collaborating with complementary businesses for shared promotions can be a cost-effective way to expand your reach. For example, buying a book at Barnes & Noble might come with a free coffee from Starbucks. These partnerships can leverage social media for broader visibility, saving costs while making your business stand out.

 

1. Use VR/AR to Bring Your Audience Closer

Augmented Reality (AR) tools, like those used by Pinterest Inc (NYSE:PINS) for visualizing makeup or furniture in real-life settings, allow customers to experience products virtually. Implementing VR/AR can be a highly creative way to attract customers by letting them engage with your product from the comfort of their homes.