How much does an experiential marketing program cost? $1,000? $10,000? $1,000,000? The answer? Yes. Experiential marketing programs can range anywhere from $1,000 to over $1,000,000.. For those at the higher end of the range, this blog probably isn’t for you. You can pull off many of your wildest dreams (and we’d love to help you!). But for those at the lower end of the budget, you’ve got to make every dollar count if you’re going to make an impact (for the record, we’d also love to help you!).  

How can you make a big impact with a small budget? Here are a few ideas to get your brain churning!

1. Eye-Catching Uniforms 

Is there an atypical brand-building uniform that would help you get noticed? Rainbow unitards? Matching mustaches? Green cowboy hats? You want to be thoughtful on this, but if you dig deep, you will likely be able to find a unique idea that helps you stand out in the sea of activations competing for your target consumers’ interest. 

2. Bold Signage 

 Avoid defaulting to your tagline or basic marketing copy. The goal here is to get engagement. Ask a question or make a bold statement that makes people do a double take. “What do unicorns drink?” or “Your mom was onto something…”  If the messaging is specific to the event, even better!   

3. Higher Elevation 

We mean this in the most literal way. In what ways can you add a vertical aspect to your space? This could mean building the activation on a deck, with stairs leading to it. Maybe it’s adding a tall swing for photo ops. Perhaps it’s a 40’ tall banner behind the booth. When you add height to your activation, event participants can see your activation from farther away and it creates a larger brand presence, even in the physical dimensions of the space.  

4. Deeper Meaning 

We believe there’s no better option for building a branded relationship with a consumer than face to face. So, when building out your experiential marketing plan, focus on establishing a deeper bond with your consumer. Tell your story! Why did you create the brand? Did you share a cultural recipe that was inspired by your grandmother’s cooking? Did you turn your health around by focusing on macros and then create a product line with foods that have a good balance? Stories like these will create an emotional connection that will last beyond the activation day. 

5. Thoughtful Commitment 

The start-up costs for many experiential marketing programs are the same if you do one event or a dozen. So, most activations are more cost-effective when done as part of a series. Strategically choose a series of experiential marketing opportunities to reduce the cost of individual events.    

 6. Selective Customization 

The second you customize an item, it’s going to jump in price, often doubling the cost of the item. Add branding and customization where it makes the most impact. You may want branded shirts, but do you need branded shirts, hats, cups, spoons, napkins, tent toppers, and banners?  

7. Excess Logistics 

In some cases you will have extra supplies. Make sure to instruct your team ahead of time what to do with these items. It won’t always make sense to return items if the cost of returning the goods costs more than the order itself or if the branding makes them ineligible to return.  But have a plan for leftover supplies—sometimes returns can put real dollars back in your budget. 

We love experiential marketing activations of all sizes and types. We hope these tips help you craft an innovative idea that can work within your budget! 

Need help coming up with the perfect plan? Reach out to our team – we’d love to brainstorm with you!