One digital marketing tactic that has gained significant popularity recently but was considered unconventional just a few years ago is the use of TikTok for brand marketing. Initially seen primarily as a platform for teens to share short, entertaining videos, TikTok has evolved into a powerful marketing tool for businesses across various industries, including real estate. A few years ago, the idea of using a platform like TikTok to market real estate services or rental properties might have seemed out of place. It was commonly associated with viral dance challenges and meme culture rather than serious business promotion. However, as the platform’s user base has expanded and matured, businesses have started to recognize the potential of TikTok’s unique format to reach and engage with a large, highly active audience in creative ways. At Blue Diamond Sales & Rentals, we’ve embraced this trend by creating short, engaging videos that showcase properties, share real estate tips, and highlight local communities in a fun and visually appealing manner. For example, we’ve produced quick property tours set to trending music, behind-the-scenes looks at our daily operations, and tips for first-time renters or buyers—all tailored to fit the platform’s fast-paced, visually-driven style. The key to success on TikTok is creating content that feels authentic and engaging rather than overtly promotional. This shift in approach allows us to connect with a younger demographic that’s increasingly interested in home ownership and investment, while also staying relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape. TikTok’s rise as a marketing tool reflects a broader trend towards more informal, creative, and community-driven content in digital marketing, showing that even platforms once considered unconventional can become essential parts of a modern marketing strategy.
Meme marketing is now a popular way to advertise online. A few years ago, memes were just funny posts on social media. Now, companies use memes to sell their products & services. This change happened because memes strongly impact and connect well with people. They are easy to understand and quick to read, which makes them ideal for our fast online world. Meme marketing is excellent because it doesn't cost much. You don't have to spend a lot of money to create something enjoyable for people. Memes engage people because they connect with what they observe. People tend to respond more to things that make them laugh or feel emotions. Brands using memes can follow trends and reach their audience in a fun way. This keeps them memorable. Also, meme marketing allows brands to aim at specific groups, making their content more appealing to various individuals.
One digital marketing tactic that has gained popularity recently is the use of **micro-influencer marketing**. A few years ago, many brands focused on partnering with high-profile influencers or celebrities to reach larger audiences. However, the landscape has shifted, and marketers have realized the effectiveness of collaborating with micro-influencers—individuals with smaller but highly engaged followings. Micro-influencers often have a more authentic connection with their audience, leading to higher engagement rates and trust. Brands are increasingly turning to these influencers to promote their products or services, as they can achieve more targeted reach and cost-effective campaigns. This shift highlights the growing importance of authenticity and community in digital marketing strategies.
User-generated content (UGC). Back in the day, brands mostly relied on traditional ads and slick, company-made content. But now, UGC is in the spotlight because it brings a level of authenticity that traditional marketing often misses. User-generated content is all about showcasing stuff created by your customers—like their reviews, photos, or videos featuring your product. It’s become popular because it taps into something powerful: social proof. When potential customers see real people using and loving a product, it feels much more genuine than a polished ad. These days, many brands actively encourage their customers to share their experiences and even feature this content in their marketing efforts. It’s a great way to boost engagement and build a community around your brand. Plus, it makes customers feel valued and involved. So, UGC is a game-changer. It’s not just about getting fresh content; it’s about creating real connections and driving conversions in a way that feels authentic and relatable.
One digital marketing strategy that has become quite popular recently but was considered offbeat a few years ago is for companies to partake in goofy, viral trends. What was once seen as "cringe" is now commonplace, with many brands jumping on the latest social media trends to engage with audiences. While there's a lot of room for error, when executed well, these trends can lead to impressive engagement and visibility on platforms like TikTok. Brands that successfully tap into these trends can create memorable, shareable content that resonates with a wide audience, driving both brand awareness and customer loyalty.
A digital marketing tactic that has recently gained popularity is the use of hyper-personalized email marketing through AI and machine learning. A few years ago, email campaigns were often generic, with one-size-fits-all messaging that lacked personal relevance. However, at RecurPost, we’ve embraced AI-driven tools that analyze customer behavior and preferences to create highly personalized email content. These emails are tailored to individual interests, purchasing history, and even real-time behaviors, making them far more effective in driving engagement and conversions. This approach has transformed email marketing from a broad, impersonal strategy into a precise and dynamic tool for customer retention and acquisition. The ability to deliver the right message to the right person at the right time has not only improved open and click-through rates but has also deepened customer relationships, turning what was once a conventional tactic into a powerful driver of business growth.
Live streaming has quickly transformed from a niche tactic to a core digital marketing tool. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram have made it easier for brands to connect with audiences in real-time. Whether it's showcasing behind-the-scenes moments, launching new products, or hosting interactive Q&A sessions, live streaming allows for a more authentic and engaging connection with viewers. It creates immediacy and transparency, helping brands foster trust and build stronger relationships with their audiences.
Recently, Guerrilla Marketing has surged in popularity as a digital tactic, transitioning from an unconventional approach to a mainstream strategy. Unlike traditional advertising methods that rely on broad media channels like print or TV, guerrilla marketing emphasizes creativity and surprise to engage audiences in novel ways. This tactic often integrates digital elements, such as viral campaigns on social media or interactive online experiences. For example, a brand might create a buzz-worthy social media challenge or a compelling video that encourages users to participate and share. Additionally, projection advertising—projecting large, eye-catching ads onto building surfaces—has become a trendy guerrilla method, leveraging digital technology to transform public spaces into advertising platforms. One striking example of this marketing tactic is the marketing of the film Deadpool. The film's marketing team crafted an inventive guerrilla campaign by giving the Marvel character his own Tinder profile. This unconventional approach leveraged Tinder, a dating app, to engage users in a humorous and unexpected way, sparking conversations and buzz about the film. What sets guerrilla marketing apart is its focus on creating memorable and emotionally resonant experiences, often with a smaller budget. By targeting specific, high-impact locations and times, it fosters organic word-of-mouth and viral sharing, making it a powerful, low-cost alternative to traditional advertising.
The rise of voice search optimization is a tactic that was unconventional not too long ago. The idea of optimizing content for voice search seemed niche and unnecessary when traditional search dominated. But with the explosion of smart speakers and virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri, optimizing for voice queries has become essential. Brands are now tailoring their SEO strategies to include conversational keywords and natural language, ensuring they remain competitive in this growing search segment.
One digital marketing tactic that has gained significant popularity recently but was considered unconventional just a few years ago is the use of TikTok and short-form video content for brand marketing, particularly in industries that are traditionally seen as more formal or conservative, such as real estate, finance, or even B2B services. Initially, TikTok was primarily viewed as a platform for younger audiences to share dance challenges, memes, and lighthearted content. Many businesses, especially those in industries that didn't naturally align with this type of content, were hesitant to adopt the platform as a serious marketing channel. However, as TikTok's user base grew and diversified, businesses began to see the potential of using short, creative videos to engage with audiences in a new and dynamic way. What was once unconventional has now become a mainstream strategy. Companies have started creating short, engaging videos that are not only entertaining but also informative and relevant to their target audience. For example, a self-storage company might create quick tips on how to organize a storage unit or showcase a time-lapse of a cluttered garage being transformed into a well-organized space using their services. These videos are designed to be visually appealing, concise, and shareable, tapping into the platform's strengths. The success of this tactic lies in its ability to humanize brands and make them more relatable to a broader audience. TikTok's algorithm also plays a role by pushing content to users who are likely to be interested in it, regardless of whether they follow the brand. This has allowed even niche businesses to reach a wide audience without the need for significant advertising budgets. The shift towards using TikTok and similar platforms for marketing shows how the landscape of digital marketing is evolving. What was once seen as unconventional or even risky is now recognized as an effective way to connect with audiences, build brand awareness, and drive engagement in a fast-paced, content-rich environment.
Cold direct messages on major social media platforms were considered unconventional a few years ago, but are now commonplace
One tactic that has gained traction is leveraging TikTok for brand storytelling. Just a few years ago, TikTok was seen primarily as a platform for Gen Z’s playful content, but today, it’s a powerhouse for digital marketing. Brands are using TikTok to create short, engaging videos that resonate with younger audiences, driving significant organic reach and engagement. This shift has shown how brands can effectively meet their audience where they spend their time, making TikTok a critical component of many marketing strategies.
Short-form video content has exploded onto the scene, captivating audiences with its bite-sized, engaging format. Just a few years ago, it was seen as a bit of a novelty, but now it's a driving force in the digital marketing world. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels have taken center stage, offering brands a unique opportunity to showcase their personality, connect with their audience, and go viral in a matter of seconds.
One digital marketing tactic that’s gained popularity recently but was once considered unconventional is leveraging TikTok for brand marketing. Just a few years ago, TikTok was seen primarily as a platform for younger audiences and viral dance challenges, with many brands hesitant to embrace it for serious marketing. I think many marketers viewed it as too niche or unpredictable for substantial ROI. However, in my experience, TikTok has now become a powerful tool for brands to reach a vast, engaged audience through creative, short-form content. The platform’s algorithm, which promotes content based on engagement rather than follower count, allows even small businesses to go viral and connect with potential customers in a more authentic and organic way. I’ve seen brands using TikTok to showcase behind-the-scenes content, launch challenges, or collaborate with influencers, resulting in significant increases in brand awareness and engagement. This shift in perception shows how digital marketing is always evolving, and what might seem unconventional today could be the next big trend tomorrow.
One digital marketing tactic that has recently gained popularity but was considered unconventional a few years ago is the use of micro-influencers. A few years back, brands primarily focused on partnering with macro-influencers or celebrities with massive followings. However, micro-influencers—those with smaller, niche audiences—have proven to be more effective in building authentic connections and driving engagement. Their followers often see them as more relatable and trustworthy, leading to higher conversion rates. In my experience, I've seen brands achieve significant results by tapping into micro-influencers who genuinely align with their products. For example, a local fashion brand I worked with shifted from targeting large influencers to collaborating with fashion enthusiasts who had a smaller yet dedicated following. The brand saw a noticeable increase in both engagement and sales, proving that quality of followers often trumps quantity. This shift has become a go-to strategy for many digital marketers today.
One digital marketing tactic that has gained significant popularity recently, but was considered unconventional a few years ago, is the use of TikTok for brand promotion. TikTok started as a platform primarily for Gen Z users to share short, fun, and often quirky videos. However, its massive user base and high engagement rates have turned it into a powerful marketing tool for brands across various industries. A few years ago, most businesses were hesitant to invest in TikTok because it was seen as a platform for entertainment rather than serious marketing. The idea of creating short, often informal videos as a way to promote products or services seemed out of place for many brands, especially those outside the consumer goods space. However, as the platform grew, forward-thinking marketers recognized its potential for reaching a younger, highly engaged audience in a creative and authentic way. Brands that jumped on the TikTok bandwagon early have been able to leverage trends, challenges, and user-generated content to create viral marketing campaigns. The platform's algorithm, which promotes content based on engagement rather than follower count, allows even small brands to achieve significant visibility. This democratization of content promotion has made TikTok a highly effective tool for brand awareness and customer engagement. For example, brands like Chipotle and Ocean Spray have seen massive success by embracing TikTok's unique content style, creating fun and relatable videos that resonate with users. The #ChipotleLidFlip challenge and the viral Ocean Spray cranberry juice video featuring a man skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac are prime examples of how unconventional content can lead to massive brand exposure. The key takeaway is that what was once considered unconventional—using a platform known for its entertainment value rather than traditional marketing—is now a mainstream strategy that can deliver impressive results when done right. Brands are increasingly recognizing the importance of adapting to new platforms and trends to stay relevant in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.
A digital marketing tactic that has gained traction recently is community-driven content marketing. In my work at TradingFXVPS, I've seen how building a sense of community around a brand can foster deep engagement. By creating platforms where customers can share their experiences, ask questions, and collaborate on content, we've transformed user-generated content into valuable marketing assets. For instance, we launched a series of webinars where active users presented their trading experiences. This not only provided authentic insights to prospective customers but also solidified our brand's credibility within the trading community. Emphasising community involvement over traditional advertising has proven to resonate well and yield substantial returns.
Marketing saw a surprising yet powerful trend in recent times: podcast advertising. Even I, as a CEO, initially found it unconventional. But look at us, embracing it now because we understood podcasts offer a unique mix – a focused audience and a captive environment. Let's face it, when we're engrossed in a podcast episode, even the ads don't irritate us, do they? We ensured our message matched the tone and content of the podcast, never disrupting the user experience. It's novel, non-intrusive, and shows how evolving audience behavior shapes marketing tactics.
Micro-influencer marketing has gained traction as a popular strategy, even though it was considered unconventional compared to working with celebrities or mega-influencers in the past. Brands now recognize that micro-influencers, who typically have smaller but highly engaged audiences, can offer more authentic and targeted promotions. This approach allows brands to tap into niche markets and build trust with specific segments of their audience, often resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates compared to traditional influencer marketing.
Influencer marketing on TikTok was extremely unconventional until a few years ago. The platform was initially laughed at because TikTok was often associated with dance challenges and funny, sometimes childish videos. Added to this is the fact that the content on TikTok is extremely unpredictable. Trends, memes and UCG were too risky for many big brands and they did not want to get involved with this. But TikTok's explosive growth brought numerous new demographics to the platform, making TikTok attractive to most brands and industries. At the same time, the platform is known for its ability to make content go extremely viral and for its very high engagement rates. TikTok is therefore an indispensable advertising platform these days.