10 Marketing Hacks To Increase Brand Awareness

10 Marketing Hacks To Increase Brand Awareness

Brand awareness is different from being known. It refers to being recognised for something of value.

How can your brand become visible and memorable in a world where attention is the rarest commodity due to information overload?

The traditional approach of using louder ads and more giant billboards has become outdated because people today seek more imaginative solutions rather than larger ones; they want connection, not interruption.

So what if you could precisely cut through all that noise instead of relying on brute force, which involves spending more money on advertising, hoping someone will stick somewhere among all those messages competing for space in people’s minds?

And what if, without resorting to tricks or manipulation, you could make it stick into their heads about what you stand for long after other things have been forgotten?

These ten marketing hacks do not aim at getting someone’s attention by fooling them into thinking they should pay attention. 

They are designed to resonate with real needs while offering actual value – yours must be a lighthouse amidst stormy seas when others are mere candles flickering vainly against gales they cannot hope to withstand.

Ready to shake up everything we think we know about what it takes to get noticed? Well, then, let us get started!

1 – The Power of Storytelling

Storytelling In Advertising Design

Have you ever noticed that a good tale can keep your attention like a cat is fascinated by a laser pointer? Well, that is storytelling for you; it’s magic! And it is your secret weapon in the business of creating brand awareness.

Frame Your Brand’s Story

A brand is not just a logo or product–it’s an untold story. Trust me on this: people love stories. What’s yours?

Every great story has to have a hero. In your brand's narrative, who could represent the main character? It could be your founder(s), customers or even products themselves.

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Focus on more than where you are now. Share the challenges faced along with the solutions that were arrived at, such as sleepless nights and light bulb moments. Nobody minds reading an underdog story, so let them see your weak side sometimes.

Never restrict your narration to that dusty About Us page alone.

Dust those stories off! Social media platforms like Facebook or X can work wonders when telling tales about brands, and blog posts, videos, or even podcasts have been known to do miracles here, too. 

You never know where someone might stumble upon what they were always meant to fall in love with–your company

2 – Leverage User-Generated Content

User Generated Content Social Media Ugc

Do you want to know something secret? They are the best marketers of a business. User-generated content (UGC) is viral marketing on overdrive, and it’s an awareness bonanza.

Get Customers Sharing

Make creating brand-related content easy and enjoyable for your customers. Try hosting contests, initiating the use of branded hashtags, or simply requesting that they share their experiences with you.

Don’t let that valuable content collect dust! If applicable, feature it prominently throughout your website, social media channels, and in-store.

Engage & Respond

When customers begin generating content about your brand, don’t just let it happen without acknowledging anything; engage with them, too! Thank them publicly while sharing some piece(s) from what they’ve written, which will make them feel valued and encourage others who might be tempted to join in, too.

3 – Collaborate with Influencers

Adidas Originals Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing is not just any name we hear around – it is an effective way to increase brand recognition. But wait for it: you don’t need to pay vast amounts for celebrity endorsements.

Look for influencers whose values match your brand and who have active followers. Sometimes, those called micro-influencers with small but loyal followings can be more impactful than big names.

Do not use these people like billboards. Have real connections with them. Ask them to attend functions, give them products to test and keep and share what they share.

Generic posts on influencers’ pages are as interesting as watching paint dry. Collaborate with your chosen influencers to develop exclusive campaigns to grab their audience’s attention together.

4 – Harness the Power of SEO

Ecommerce Seo Marketing

The term Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) can be tedious, but let me tell you, it’s a game changer when it comes to brand awareness.

What do your potential customers enter in Google search? Those are your keywords. Use tools such as Google Keyword Planner to identify them for your brand.

Just sprinkle those keywords throughout your website like a fairy sprinkles dust. But remember that keyword stuffing went out of style in 2005, so use them naturally within content, headers, and meta descriptions.

Google loves fresh and valuable content. So does your audience. You can kill two birds with one stone by regularly publishing blog posts, articles or videos that are helpful to your target market.

5 – Get Creative with Guerrilla Marketing

Ikea Guerrilla Advertising Example

Sometimes, you need to think outside the box – way outside. Guerrilla marketing means using unconventional methods to attract attention, which can create wonders for brand recognition.

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The main principle of guerrilla marketing is astonishment. Do something that nobody expects so that they stop and pay attention.

What can you do with what’s around? How could your surroundings help create a memorable experience with a brand? It might be an exciting sticker placed strategically, eye-catching installations, or even flash mobs in crowded squares.

In guerrilla marketing, the ultimate goal is to make something clever enough and surprising enough that people just have to share it. Think big; think brave –a little controversy never hurt anyone!

6 – Embrace Video Marketing

Video Marketing Platforms Vimeo

If an image equals 1000 words, a video is worth a million. In the TikTok and Instagram Reels era, video content can significantly improve brand recognition.

People’s attention spans are shorter than ever before. Your videos should tell a joke – snappy and amusing, leaving them yearning for more.

Use video to illustrate your products or services, exhibit your company culture, show how things are done within the organisation, etc. Whatever you do, ensure that visually engaging storytelling is always employed.

Mobile devices account for most of the viewership when it comes to videos. Therefore, ensure they look appealing on small screens and are understandable without sound.

7 – Leverage Podcasts

Best Video Podcast Setup At Home In 2021

Podcasts are radio shows of the modern age. They have become trendy, and an excellent way to get a wider audience for your brand is by being featured on one.

Guest on relevant shows

Look for podcasts in your industry or niche and pitch yourself as a guest. Share your expertise and drop your brand name here and there.

Start your podcast

Starting your podcast could be good if you have the time and resources. This will help you become an authority figure in the industry while also building up loyal followers who listen every week.

Sponsor popular shows

If you can’t get on any of them, at least sponsor some popular ones within similar industries as yours; they usually offer ad spots or even full-on sponsorship opportunities

8 – Harness the Power of Partnerships

Local Business Partnerships

Two brands are better than one. Joint ventures can help you expand into new markets and increase your brand recognition exponentially.

Look for businesses in the same industry but not your direct competitors. For instance, if your company sells sneakers, you could partner with a fitness application or sports nutrition brand.

Collaborate on designing an original product or service that combines elements from each brand. This way, both parties benefit – they gain exposure to each other’s customer bases.

Share content produced by either party; conduct joint social media advertising campaigns; include information about one organisation within another’s email newsletters, etc. There are many options available!

9 – Get Involved in Your Community

Marketing An Experience Community

Occasionally, the most effective way to increase familiarity with a brand is to leave the computer and go outside. One’s involvement in their local community can foster brand loyalty for years to come and generate buzz through word-of-mouth.

Sponsor Events in Your Area

From little league teams to charity fun runs, there are plenty of opportunities to get your name out there while giving back.

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Volunteer

Organise a company volunteer day or support a local cause. It's good for your community, team morale, and brand image.

Host Events in Your Community

Whether it's a workshop, a networking event or a fun gathering — hosting events shows people what you’re all about.

10 – Leverage Email Marketing

Ngo Email Marketing Example

It may be old-fashioned, but an email is still a top priority for direct audience reach. And as for brand recognition, keeping up with regularity is the key.

Propose something useful – like a free ebook or exclusive content – in return for people signing up with their email addresses.

All subscribers are not made equally. Create groups on your list according to interests, behaviour or demographics and send them more focused posts.

Tell people about who you are through these email letters; share stories of growth within the company and behind-scenes snapshots. Make them feel like being part of something special they could never have otherwise known about!

Conclusion

Building a brand is about something other than having a huge budget or the most flashy ads. It is about being creative, genuine and consistent. It involves telling your story in a way that connects with people and makes them want to join you.

Remember that it took more than one day for Rome to be built. So, too, with awareness of brands, it takes time, energy and willingness to experiment. But armed with these ten marketing shortcuts, you are closer to turning your product into a household name than ever.

Therefore, try out these strategies now. Mix them up; blend different ones if need be until you find what suits best for your particular brand. And above all else – enjoy yourself! Why should anyone else be if you’re not passionate about what you’re selling?

Our Marketing Hacks FAQs

How much time should pass to notice the effects of these strategies?

What time is necessary to see results in brand awareness through these strategies? The answer depends on factors such as industry, target audience and methods applied. Some techniques, like viral content or guerrilla marketing, can instantly create awareness, while others may take months to produce significant outcomes: search engine optimisation (SEO) or community engagement. It is vital to remain consistent!

Do I require substantial financial resources to execute these marketing hacks?

Not at all! Many of these techniques can be employed with little money, like user-generated content or involvement in your community. What matters most is creativity and effort, not cash.

How do I know if my brand’s visibility attempts have been successful?

What indicators suggest success concerning creating consciousness about one’s products/services among potential buyers/users? You can use different metrics: social media mentions, website traffic, search volume on Google for your company name, etc. You may also conduct surveys to determine if people remember having seen an advertisement somewhere in the recent past; this is known as the recall rate. Tools like Google Analytics, social media insights and brand tracking software will be helpful here.

Should I concentrate all efforts on one method or try multiple approaches simultaneously?

How often should I post content to increase my brand’s visibility?

Regularity matters more than frequency when enhancing familiarity with a particular product line/brand among consumers, mainly if done through quality pieces, even if less often, say weekly instead of daily, using mediocre materials.

Can these principles benefit B2B enterprises just as much as B2C companies?

Absolutely! There is a need for some modifications in specific tactics, but storytelling, value provision, and relationship building apply to different types of businesses.

What if my goods/services fall under ‘boring’ industries? Can these methods still be helpful?

No industry is boring – only marketing can become monotonous! Every brand or sector has unique stories to share and the benefits they provide. All you need to do is find those exciting angles concerning your products/services and then interweave them with human elements within the context of your offer.

How can I engage staff members in activities to create awareness about our organisation's image?

You should encourage them to share company posts on their personal social media accounts; involve workers in community work events related either directly/ indirectly through brand affiliations, among other things; also let every employee become part and parcel of your organisation narrative since this will significantly contribute towards increasing knowledge levels among broader populations thus leading into greater understanding. Employee advocacy is crucial in establishing a strong presence across various channels to promote recognition.

Is investing in paid advertising while using these organic approaches good?

Paid ads can act as perfect supplements for natural techniques, especially if an enterprise has just been launched or when targeting specific audience segments within short periods. However, total reliance should never be placed on paid-for forms alone.

How can I ensure that different channels and strategies don’t dilute or contradict my brand’s identity?

Establish comprehensive brand guidelines which cover voice tone visual identity aspects such as logo design, etc.; core messages must remain consistent regardless of where they appear across various platforms used during communication efforts associated with promoting awareness regarding products/offers being made available by your firm; anyone engaged in marketing tasks ought to adhere strictly to such instructions so that everything remains aligned consistently without any deviation whatsoever from what needs representation.

What if one strategy seems inadequate, given our specific situation/context?

Feel free to change direction! Some strategies may not necessarily work well for some brands. Keep track of results, be ready to experiment, and concentrate on promising tactics based on outcomes recorded in your particular circumstances.

How do I keep myself updated concerning current trends plus the latest techniques employed in brand-building exercises?

Subscribe to various marketing blogs and podcasts, attend conferences within your industry or sector, and interact with other professionals with similar interests. The marketing world keeps changing; thus, continuous learning becomes essential if one wants their approaches towards creating awareness around products/services offered by an organisation to remain relevant at all times.

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Stuart Crawford

Stuart Crawford is an award-winning creative director and brand strategist with over 15 years of experience building memorable and influential brands. As Creative Director at Inkbot Design, a leading branding agency, Stuart oversees all creative projects and ensures each client receives a customised brand strategy and visual identity.

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