From big stunts to smart promotions: how you can also apply guerrilla marketing in your boat rental company

Guerrilla marketing revolves around surprising, creative, and often low-budget marketing campaigns that generate maximum impact. For smaller businesses, like boat rental companies, it's a perfect way to stand out in a competitive market. It doesn't require a large advertising budget, but it does require a healthy dose of ingenuity. Whether you want to attract more customers, strengthen your brand, or simply create a buzz, guerrilla marketing can take your business to the next level. Ready to discover how you can make a difference in your industry with smart and affordable campaigns?

What is guerrilla marketing?

But before we dive into creative tips, a quick note: what exactly is guerrilla marketing and what's its purpose? Guerrilla marketing is a form of promotion that revolves around creativity, surprise, and impact, without requiring a large budget. It's marketing that often thinks outside the box and deviates from the traditional path of advertising and campaigns. While traditional marketing focuses on repetition and large-scale visibility through channels like TV, radio, or online ads, guerrilla marketing opts for unexpected, original actions that surprise and excite people. The goal? Not just to stand out, but also to leave a lasting impression. For businesses in the rental sector, such as boat rental companies, guerrilla marketing can be the ideal way to forge a stronger connection with your target audience and put your business in the spotlight in a unique way, even on a limited budget.

How do you use guerrilla marketing?

Now that you know what guerrilla marketing is and why it can be so powerful, it's time to discover how you can use it yourself. A successful guerrilla marketing campaign starts with defining your objectives. Do you want to attract more customers, increase brand awareness, or highlight a specific product? Once you have this clear, determine your target audience. Who exactly do you want to reach, and what excites them? This insight will help you generate effective ideas that truly resonate.

Then the creative process begins. Brainstorm with your team about original concepts that can position your brand in a unique way. Consider using eye-catching visuals or unexpected activities that spark curiosity. Location and timing play a crucial role. Choose a location where your target audience is often present and plan your activity at a time that attracts maximum attention.

With guerrilla marketing, creativity is more important than a large budget, but that doesn't mean you can't get started without preparation. For example, always check the regulations and permits in your municipality to avoid problems. Minimizing risks is essential, so ensure your campaign is safe and respectful. By working smartly and strategically, guerrilla marketing allows you to make a powerful impression without the costs of a traditional campaign.

Creative ideas specifically for boat rental companies

Now that you know how to create a guerrilla marketing campaign, it's time to get inspired with practical ideas that fit your boat rental business. Guerrilla marketing is all about standing out, having fun, and forging unexpected connections with your customers. So why not transform one of your boats into a work of art? Have a local artist paint your boat with eye-catching visuals and cruise through busy waters. It'll not only become a floating billboard but also attract attention on social media.

Another original idea is to set up a "live" pirate island during a city festival or a crowded event. Hire some actors, create a mini-theater, and let visitors participate in interactive, fun mini-adventures. This kind of activity stays with people and makes your brand unforgettable.

Even spontaneous initiatives can be powerful. Consider handing out inflatable boats with a humorous message on beaches or at water sports festivals. Visitors will not only pick up these fun gadgets but will likely also post them on Instagram. This is a playful way to increase your visibility.

Finally, you can use playful guerrilla campaigns to promote incredible deals. Imagine you're out for a walk and find a mysterious treasure map somewhere randomly in the city, perhaps on a park bench or pinned to a tree. The map simply displays the challenging message, "Begin your adventure here." Enthusiastically, you follow the directions and are drawn into a thrilling escape-room-style treasure hunt. You decipher codes, solve puzzles, and follow cryptic clues that lead you through narrow alleys and hidden nooks. Each solved riddle brings you closer to the ultimate goal. At the end of this journey, a secret destination awaits you, perhaps a cozy local café or a hidden garden in the city. There, you'll receive a prize full of fun surprises and a free boat ride when you post a photo on social media. The sense of discovery, adventure, and reward makes it all an unforgettable experience.

Another fun option is a "wet race": organize a competition during a city event where participants perform challenges with water pistols. Make this an event that attracts families, and again, link it to a fun reward like a free boat ride. These kinds of interactive activities not only create fun but also strengthen the bond with your customers.
With these creative ideas, you can stand out without a huge budget, while positioning your company as original and customer-focused. Unleash your creativity and discover how guerrilla marketing can give your boat rental business a unique and playful boost.

Inspiring examples of other companies that have successfully applied guerrilla marketing

As discussed in the previous paragraph, guerrilla marketing is all about creativity, fun, and the unexpected. This is well illustrated by several successful campaigns from companies that surprised everyone with their original approach. These budgets are certainly much higher, but they're too good to pass up.

One of the most iconic guerrilla marketing campaigns is TNT's " Push the Button to Add Drama ." In a busy square in Belgium, TNT placed a red button with a simple sign next to it. As soon as a passerby had the courage to press it, an unexpected series of dramatic events followed, including ambulances, actors fighting, and motorcycle riders. The result? Pure sensation and an impressive wave of publicity that demonstrated the power of a well-executed guerrilla campaign.
Click here to watch the video.

Heineken employed a playful and daring approach with its " Departure Roulette " campaign. At an airport, travelers could swap their scheduled flight for an unknown destination by spinning a roulette wheel. This not only generated a lot of excitement and attention on-site, but also generated viral buzz through shared video clips, successfully reinforcing Heineken's image of adventure and fun.
Click here to watch the video.

The rental sector has also seen some striking guerrilla campaigns. For example, KLM organized its annual backpack ticket campaign . They placed backpacks with free airline tickets in strategic locations throughout cities to literally give people the gift of a travel experience. This campaign perfectly aligned with KLM's brand values ​​and received a lot of attention, both online and offline.
Click here to watch the video.

Another creative example came from Grolsch with its " Cool Hotline ." People could call to exchange their lukewarm beer for an ice-cold can of Grolsch, and a refrigerated truck would deliver their product immediately. This original campaign not only boosted the brand's visibility but also put them in direct contact with their customers, generating many positive reactions.
Click here to watch the video.

A notable example of a creative yet budget-friendly campaign comes from the series " Prison Break ." To generate attention for a new season, they created an original way to create cakes with small objects hidden inside them, symbolizing how one might escape from prison. This brilliant idea, created on a shoestring budget, was a huge success because it perfectly matched the series' theme while simultaneously surprising people. This proves that impactful guerrilla marketing doesn't have to be expensive.
Click here to watch the video.

How much does guerrilla marketing cost?

Guerrilla marketing might bring to mind big budgets. But it's not about deep pockets, but about a healthy dose of creativity. While major brands like Heineken and TNT have executed impressive campaigns with substantial budgets, campaigns like "Prison Break" prove that you can make a huge impact even with limited resources. The secret lies in an original idea that stands out and surprises people.

What could you spend money on?

While guerrilla marketing is often more affordable than traditional advertising, there are some costs to consider. These include:
Props and materials: Items or decorative elements that enhance your campaign, such as personalized giveaways or decorative items.
Permits: For activities in public spaces, you may need to obtain permission, which can incur costs.
Production: If you're shooting videos or photos of your campaign for online distribution, there will be production costs involved.
Manpower: Hiring actors, promotional teams, or freelancers to carry out your campaign.

Tips for a realistic budget

For small and medium-sized businesses, it's wise to have a clear idea of ​​what you want to achieve beforehand. Here are a few simple steps to determine your budget:
Start small: Begin with a campaign that focuses locally and doesn't require extensive logistics.
Reuse materials: First, see what you already have or what you can purchase inexpensively.
Leverage social media: Make sure your campaign is shared so you get more results with less expense.
Collaborate: Involve other local businesses or artists who can enhance your idea, for example, an artist for a striking mural.
Don't be discouraged by the sheer size of some examples. While global brands can launch large-scale campaigns, it's creativity that makes a guerrilla campaign successful. A clever idea will always stand out more than a large advertising budget. The most important thing? Set something in motion that people don't expect and that they'll easily remember!

Get creative too

Guerrilla marketing shows that making an impact isn't dependent on a large budget, but on a creative idea that moves and surprises people. Whether you choose eye-catching campaigns like TNT's "Push the Button to Add Drama" or an accessible, budget-friendly promotion like Prison Break cakes, it's all about strategy, originality, and connecting with your target audience. This makes guerrilla marketing accessible to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

A successful campaign can lead to a significant increase in interest and bookings. This is where a reservation system like i-Reserve comes in handy. It provides businesses with the tools to efficiently manage reservations, ensuring peak demand after your campaign runs smoothly. Whether you're renting boats, offering tickets, or have devised a creative promotion, i-Reserve helps maintain your customer experience at the highest level. Prepare for the enthusiastic response from potential customers and maximize the momentum of your guerrilla marketing campaign.

• https://creatingheroes.nl/5-fantastic-examples-of-guerrilla-marketing/
• https://finom.co/nl-nl/blog/guerrilla-marketing/
• https://promodukties.nl/voorbeelden-guerrilla-marketing-acties/
• https://heldenmerk.be/guerilla-marketing-big-impact-with-few-resources-and-lots-of-creativity/