Brand activation is all about connecting your brand with your consumers. It’s about bringing your brand to life in a way that resonates with people and drives meaningful engagement.
There are many different ways to go about brand activation, but at its heart, it’s all about creating an emotional connection that excites people about your brand. And that can be done in lots of different ways.
Some brands focus on creating experiences that immerse their consumers in the brand world. Others create brand activations that are all about generating word-of-mouth buzz. Still, others use brand activations as a way to build deeper relationships with their most loyal customers.
However you approach it, the goal of successful brand activation is always the same: to forge lasting emotional connections that get people talking about your brand. Here are 19 ways to activate without breaking the bank:
Social media takeovers
Letting someone else take control of your social media platforms for a day can be a fun way to reach new audiences and keep your existing customer base. This can be done through influencer partnerships or by working with the social media platform itself.
Virtual events and webinars
Host virtual events or webinars that offer something unique and valuable to your target audience. These can be used to launch new products, announce significant news or simply to provide educational content. For those that are tech savvy you could try a virtual or augmented reality for your next brand activation campaign.
Sponsored content and influencer partnerships
Work with influencers or create sponsored content to get your brand in front of a new audience. This is a great way to reach people interested in what you offer but may still need to become familiar wth your brand.
Collaborations and cause marketing
Find a complementary brand or organisation to partner with on a project or campaign. This can help you reach a new audience while also supporting a good cause.
Guerrilla marketing campaigns
Get creative with your brand activation campaigns and try something unexpected to get people talking about your brand. This could involve anything from street art to flash mobs.
Product launches
Make a big splash when launching a new product by hosting an event, creating an innovative experience or partnering with an influencer.
Grand openings
Hold a grand opening event for your business, store, or office to generate excitement and draw attention to your brand. This could either be open to the public to drum up new customers and get your brand out there or held as an exclusive event where the who’s who generates buzz and sets your brand up as a leading player in your industry.
Sampling and demo programs
Give people a taste of your product or service by offering free samples or demonstrations. This is a great way to get people hooked on your offer.
Set up a pop-up store
If you’re looking for a fun and effective way to promote your brand, pop up stores are a great way to get people talking about you. Choose an area with high foot fall or a new area where your target consumer might be.
Outdoor advertising campaigns
One of the most tried and tested brand activation ideas is to take your marketing efforts outdoors with billboards, street art, bus shelter ads and more.
Trade show booths & activations
Trade shows are a great way to get your brand in front of a large number of people related to your industry or target market. This will help you get some valuable exposure and connect with potential customers.
Social media challenge
Running a competition or game that is played out on social media is a fantastic way to generate excitement about your product or service.
Vehicle wraps and mobile tours
Take your brand on the road – a great way to reach people in different areas or at events
Corporate hospitality programs
Show your appreciation for clients and customers with corporate hospitality programs that offer VIP treatment and exclusive experiences.
Sponsor a charity event
You could sponsor a charity event that is related to your industry or target market. This will help you get some valuable exposure and connect with potential customers as well as demonstrate your brand values.
Merch
Your customers are your best cheerleaders and cool merch means that they become your walking advertisement.
Interactive experiences
This could be anything from a digital game to a physical installation. Either way, allowing your audience to interact with your brand directly is an excellent way of giving them a taste of what your brand is about.
Giveaways and contests
Host a giveaway or competition that allows people to win prizes related to your brand. This is a great way to generate interest, excitement and ultimately more customers.
Live streaming
Go live on social media to give people a behind-the-scenes look at your brand to announce major news. A great way to connect with your audience in real time.