Have you been working hard to promote your business and feel like you’re not having much luck? Most of you already know:
Guerrilla marketing involves unusual approaches such as intercept encounters in public places, street giveaways of products, crazy PR stunts, and any unconventional marketing intended to get maximum results from minimal resources. (source: wikipedia)
It seems to me that a lot of people are expending a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money attempting to create the next VIRAL whatever that’s going to help spread the word about their business.
However, before you attempt a guerrilla campaign, have a look at this promotional stunt that Jerry Seinfeld did for his Bee Movie a couple of years ago.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bop5ltnWp4&feature=related
Absolutely nothing against Mr. Seinfeld, but this guerrilla marketing effort, which was supposed to create some buzz for his movie, went horribly wrong.
Instead of me wanting to go see the movie, I just thought that it looked like a ridiculous stunt done by a Cirque du Soleil performer on acid.
Unfortunately, the video does not include the interview Jerry did just prior to heading down the zip line. In all seriousness, when I saw him talking in that costume I actually felt sorry for the guy.
You had the feeling like you knew (that he knew) he looked ridiculous and I hope that he strongly reprimanded the publicist that thought this would be a way to gain viral attention for his (then) new flick.
As a small business owner, I know that we have to get “feet in the door” in order to survive. When it comes to customer service, marketing, social media, and promotion I am quite fond of trying to consistently do the basics well.
But what about you? How are you spending your time?
Y’know, if Seinfeld had brought back George, Elaine, and Kramer to do a bonus episode about him doing this same stunt (and then aired it / leaked it), I bet it would’ve been just fine.
i.e. It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.
Stunts like this leave me tired at the end. Definitely the opposite of getting me fired up to see a movie like that.
Btw, Rachel is absolutely right – looks like all four will be back with Curbed Your Enthusiasm this year. Can’t wait!
Yes. Our team here have proposed that we do some edgy guerrilla markeign activity for the next trampoline season next summer. They are all young and very fired up. I can see expensive activity that gets nowhere. Or am I just old?