03.28.22
By Lisa Major
Spring is in the air, and with that said, brands should be seeking ways to connect with consumers in the great outdoors. The warmer months offer brands the prime opportunity to use street team marketing tactics to reach consumers while they are out enjoying the longer days and beautiful weather. And while street team events have long been a go-to experiential strategy for companies, in the past, they consisted roughly of one agenda– sampling and flyering. But that’s not the case anymore. Street team marketing has evolved in a big way with the rise in innovative and interactive out-of-home advertising options and technology advances.
Street team events allows brands to deliver a personal and human touch to their marketing efforts through face-to-face engagement. Moreover, this form of marketing is cost-effective compared to other forms of experiential and event marketing, but it yields similar results.
Branded bicycles, three-wheel cycles, and even pedicabs are a great way to get your brand moving on the streets. Not to mention, they get people talking. There is no need to chase down consumers with branded cycles because people are naturally drawn to them. Branded cycles are super versatile and can be used as mobile billboards, sampling vehicles, or for ridesharing. Because of their mobility, your street team can zip from one high foot traffic area to another in no time while gaining impressions along the way.
Just as the name implies, brands can literally create a walking advertisement using a brand ambassador and a billboard backpack, wearable balloon, or even a Segway. Walking billboards can garner thousands of consumer impressions, making them a valuable tool in street team marketing. Like branded cycles, walking billboards attract attention because people are innately drawn to them out of curiosity.
Brands can reach thousands of consumers quickly by piggybacking a street team onto a large event like a tradeshow or festival. Consider positioning a street team to canvas areas outside a convention hall, festival gates, or even in hotel zones that accommodate event attendees. Another option for piggybacking is to target popular tourist spots if you’re activating in a larger city.
Additionally, you can attach a street team to another live marketing event that you are hosting. Examples include food trucks, trade show exhibits, and brand experiences. You can then use the street team to promote and drive traffic to the other activation.
Lead capture is vital in keeping your brand connected with potential customers and learning more about them. Thanks to mobile technology, street teams can capture leads on the spot in seconds. You can equip your street team brand ambassadors with iPads or opt for a lead generation landing page that they can access from their smartphones. Offer incentives like digital discounts, a free trial, or a physical giveaway in exchange for contact information.
User-generated content can reach a much larger audience than what’s right in front of you. Encourage consumers to share their brand experience with their social networks. This could include photos with product samples, giveaways, or street team staff. If there is not much time for photos, opt for a simple hashtag campaign or encourage brand mentions. As soon as they share content, provide them with some type of incentive for participating. You’ll gain followers, reach a larger audience, and will have a way to engage with consumers after the event.
Deploying a street team of costumed brand ambassadors will attract the attention of passers-by and earn you a lot of social impressions through consumer-generated content. Arm your costumed street team with fun costumes and giveaways, unique brand messaging, and a hashtag for maximum exposure.
This proven strategy is always a crowd pleaser and is easy to execute. Because people love free samples, sampling events offer brands a great opportunity to get new products in the hands of consumers. Thus, creating awareness and driving sales. Your street team brand ambassadors should be able to quickly engage busy consumers with short, yet memorable brand messaging.
By implementing these ideas and tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful street team campaign.
Like with any live marketing campaign, your staff plays a critical role in helping you to achieve your goals. They are on the front lines, making that oh-so-important first impression on consumers. To ensure that you have the right people representing your brand, you will want to partner with an experienced event staffing agency that can handle all the nitty-gritty details that go into street team marketing. From securing professional brand ambassadors to plotting locations to logistics, a staffing agency can take on those tasks, allowing you to focus on the bigger picture and your goals.
ATN Event Staffing is an expert in street team staffing, providing brand ambassadors for street team campaigns since 2002. Because of our vast experience in this space, we understand the variables and challenges of street team marketing. As a result, we can offer quick solutions to any issues that may arise. If you are planning a street team activation and need staff, or if you have questions about street team marketing, we’re here to assist.
