Lights, camera, action! Crafting award-worthy marketing on a budget

In this Article:

• Tell your story like a best picture winner
• Make it feel like an award-winning drama
• Visuals matter like a cinematic masterpiece
• Build anticipation as movie trailers do
• Engage your audience like an award-winning performance
• Roll out the red carpet for our big premiere
• Standing ovations for small business marketing moments
• That’s a wrap – now it’s your turn to shine

Ever dreamt of your small business shining like a Hollywood blockbuster? While we might not have Tinseltown budgets, we can still create marketing campaigns that dazzle. Let’s explore how to make your brand sparkle without breaking the bank.

🏆 Tell your story like a best picture winner

Every great movie starts with a compelling story, and so does your business. When you let your customers in on your unique story, it helps them relate to you and your brand.  

Whether you use the 70/20/10 rule as described below, or other marketing methods, share why you started, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the passion behind your products or services. This narrative helps customers connect with you on a personal level.  

The 70/20/10 rule suggests that 70% of your marketing budget be allocated to proven strategies, 20% to innovative tactics, and 10% to high-risk ventures. This approach ensures stability and encourages experimentation and creativity, allowing for both reliable results and potential breakthroughs.

🎬  Action step: Craft a brief "About Us" video or blog post detailing your journey. Share it on your website and social media to let customers hear your story.

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🎭 Make it feel like an award-winning drama

Think about the movies that made you laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of your seat. They all have one thing in common: they evoke strong emotions. Your marketing should do the same. Whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or excitement, tapping into feelings can make your brand memorable.

🎬  Action step: Use customer testimonials or success stories in your marketing. Real stories from real people can tug at heartstrings and build trust.

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🎞️ Visuals matter like a cinematic masterpiece

A film’s visuals captivate audiences, and your marketing materials should do the same. Clean, professional-looking designs can make a significant impact, whether they are on your website, in emails or social media posts, or even on the signage at your retail location.  

🎬  Action step: Use free design tools like Canva to create eye-catching graphics for your promotions. Consistent colors and fonts can help establish your brand’s visual identity.

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👀 Build anticipation as movie trailers do

Just as movie trailers build excitement, tease your upcoming products or events to generate buzz. A ‘Coming Soon’ social media post or an email that teases an upcoming promotion will get your customers talking about your business ahead of a new product launch or service offering announcement.

🎬  Action step: Share sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes looks at new offerings. Countdown posts or mysterious hints can keep your audience engaged and eager for more.

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🍿 Engage your audience like an award-winning performance

Great films often spark discussions. Encourage your customers to interact with your brand and each other. This doesn’t need to be complicated – sometimes asking people to comment on your social media posts is all it takes.

🎬  Action Step: Host a contest or challenge on social media. For example, ask customers to share creative uses of your product, with a prize for the best entry.

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🎟️ Roll out the red carpet for our big premiere

Cue the drumroll, because we’re about to unveil something truly special! Just like Hollywood’s biggest night honors the best in film, we’re celebrating our latest marketing campaign—one that brings our brand to life in an exciting new way. If you’re watching the On the Red Carpet special on ABC this weekend, you may catch our new TV spot.

🎬  Action step: Get ready for the big debut! Watch the ad, explore behind the scenes moments, and share the excitement with fellow business owners who will agree, There’s No Business Like Small Business. Don't miss this exclusive first look!

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👏 Standing ovations for small business marketing moments

Not every blockbuster comes from a Hollywood studio. Some of the most memorable marketing campaigns have come from small businesses that thought outside the box.

The viral content sensation – Dollar Shave Club

In 2012, Dollar Shave Club disrupted the men’s grooming market with a hilarious, low-budget video titled “Our Blades Are F*ing Great.” The $4,500 video went viral, earning over 12,000 orders in just two days. Proof that a great idea beats a big budget.

A story that stole the show – Airbnb’s “Belong Anywhere”

Airbnb started with air mattresses in 2008. By 2014, they launched the “Belong Anywhere” campaign, focusing on a sense of community and unique travel experiences. This heartwarming message helped Airbnb become a global brand.

An unlikely rebel – Liquid Death’s edgy branding

A water brand marketed like a punk rock band? Liquid Death took a basic product—canned water—and used rebellious, edgy branding to stand out. The result? Over $250 million in sales in just six years.

Grassroots greatness – NOOMA’s community engagement

Instead of traditional ads, NOOMA built its brand by engaging with fitness communities. Sponsoring local events and working with micro-influencers helped them grow without massive ad spend.

Feel-good marketing – Good! Snacks’ mission-driven campaign

Good! Snacks focused on health and sustainability, creating a campaign that resonated with their values-driven audience. Their success shows that aligning your marketing with what matters to customers can make all the difference.

These businesses prove that creativity, authenticity, and a strong message can be more powerful than big budgets. How will you craft attention-grabbing marketing on a budget?

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🤩 That’s a wrap – now it’s your turn to shine

Not every business needs a Hollywood-sized budget to create a blockbuster marketing campaign. What matters most is the story you tell, the emotions you inspire, and the connections you build with your audience - regardless of what industry you're in.

So, what’s your big idea? Whether it’s a clever video, an emotional story, or an unforgettable visual campaign, your business has the potential to make a lasting impact. Now’s time to step into the spotlight and let your business shine bright.

Lights, camera… sell!

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