4 Tips to Help You Unlock Fun Marketing Ideas
Inspiration for marketing can often come from the most unexpected sources. Here’s how to discover fresh ideas and stay ahead of the curve.
When Michele Bailey, a broker-associate with Compass in Santa Rosa Beach, encountered an “old-school” fold-out map marketing piece featuring real estate agent photos, inspiration struck.
She wanted to highlight that she’s lived in Santa Rosa Beach for 30 years. So, she decided to use the same format but instead feature “local tips and tricks people might not learn from a Google search.”
Enter her popular “Beach Dweller’s Guide,” which includes her favorite local restaurants for takeout, the best urgent care facilities and even her own “Beachy Jam” playlist (with a QR Code readers can scan to download the songs).
Here are her tips:
Find inspiration everywhere
“Have all your senses open all the time and jot down any idea that grabs you,” she suggests. Whether it’s a catchy drink name at a restaurant, billboard, social media post or article title in a print magazine, record it in your phone. “Take that article title, and now it’s your email subject line or caption,” she says.
Put your stamp on it
When you’re reflecting on your next marketing idea, look at your list and figure out how to duplicate an idea, adding a twist to personalize it. “I have a rule that if everybody else is doing it, you shouldn’t because you need to differentiate,” she says.
Don’t be afraid to try
“One of the biggest hurdles in creative marketing is the fear of imperfection,” she notes. “We often get stuck in analysis paralysis, waiting for the perfect moment or idea. But done is better than perfect. I spent nine months tweaking my Beach Dweller’s Guide but could have launched much earlier and made improvements along the way. Accept your first attempt may not be flawless. Embrace the process of learning and improving. Your audience will appreciate your authenticity and effort, even if everything isn’t perfect.”
Let your voice come through
Being authentic will help people connect with you, Bailey reflects. “If you do what resonates with you, you’ll pull in people who are like you and appreciate your sense of humor.”
By staying curious, putting a personal spin on ideas and embracing imperfection, you can craft marketing strategies that are both authentic and impactful. As Bailey has shown, the most effective marketing is often not about perfection but about creating genuine connections with your audience through creativity and a unique voice.