Most industries are boring. The websites all look the same. The ads use the same safe lines. And the offers? Same old, same old. If you want your marketing to stand out, you don’t need a bigger budget. You need a different way of thinking. Here are 5 simple methods you can use to create fresh approaches that work in any industry.
1. Look Outside Your Industry
Stop copying your direct competitors. They’re staring at each other, so the ideas just go in circles. Instead, borrow from other industries. Examples: – Starbucks took the “third place” idea from Italian cafés. – Red Bull built their brand from extreme sports, not soft drinks. – An accountant could copy Netflix with a “done-for-you monthly plan.”
2. Flip the Norm
Write down what “everyone” does. Then do the opposite. Examples: – Dollar Shave Club used humor while Gillette stayed serious. – Avis turned being #2 into “We try harder.” – Chipotle stood out with hand-drawn art while restaurants chased glossy food shots.
3. Focus on Emotion, Not Logic
People buy feelings first, facts second. Examples: – Apple’s “Think Different” spoke to creativity, not hard drives. – Nike’s “Just Do It” tapped courage, not shoe features. – A plumber could promise “peace of mind” instead of “fast call-outs.”
4. Tap Into Culture
Tie your brand to what people are already talking about. Examples: – Oreo won the Super Bowl blackout with “You can still dunk in the dark.” – Spotify Wrapped turned into a cultural ritual. – A café could name a special after the latest Taylor Swift song.
5. Create Contrast
People notice what breaks patterns. Examples: – Apple’s “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” made the choice feel personal. – Dove showed “real women” instead of models. – A gym could say, “We’re not for bodybuilders. We’re for busy parents.”
The Wrap Up
Unique marketing doesn’t mean pulling ideas from thin air. It means: – Borrowing from other industries – Flipping the script – Speaking to emotions – Riding culture – Creating contrast Do this and you’ll never run out of ways to cut through the noise.
Your turn: Which of these five do you use most in your business? And which one do you think you could try next week?