8 Bold Marketing Moves That Went Viral—and Delivered Real Results

Voice Notes to Micro-Influencers Boost UGC

One of the weirdest but most effective things we did was sending voice notes to micro-influencers. Not emails. Not DMs. Actual short voice memos. It felt real--like someone behind the brand cared. We kept it casual, like, "Hey, love your vibe. Want to collab?" A bunch of creators replied instantly. It kicked off a ton of UGC without a huge budget.

People are used to copy-paste outreach. So doing something slightly different stands out. We've even had creators share the voice notes in their stories because it felt fun and personal. That's free PR right there, plus content that didn't feel like an ad.

Escape Room Event Drives Product Launch Success

We once partnered with a local escape room to create a live, in-person "brand puzzle" experience for our product launch, and it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly successful PR moves we've made.

Instead of the usual press release or digital ads, we hid product features and easter eggs throughout the escape room's storyline. We then invited local influencers and media to "solve" their way through the launch. The challenge was that they had to literally collaborate to unlock the core benefits of the product we were unveiling.

I think the thing that made it work was how immersive and shareable it became. People weren't just hearing about our product, but they were physically interacting with it, taking selfies, and posting live updates. 

One TikTok clip from an attendee went viral, earning over 113,000 views in 48 hours, and we saw a 34% spike in signups within a week.

For others looking to do something similar, think about how your brand can show rather than tell. This rings especially true in unexpected real-world spaces. 

Brainstorm ideas around into experiences people already enjoy like escape rooms, pop-ups, or art shows. This creates a bridge between your message and their memory.

Fitness Challenge Gamifies E-Commerce Engagement

Gamification is an effective marketing tactic that engages audiences and drives conversions through interactive experiences. A notable example involved an e-commerce platform selling fitness products, which launched a fitness challenge inviting users to log workouts and share progress on social media. Participants were rewarded with discounts, exclusive product releases, and entries into prize draws, effectively fostering competition and enhancing engagement.

Personalized Loom Videos Convert Cold Leads

One of the most unconventional--and surprisingly high-converting--marketing tactics I've ever used was sending personalized Loom videos as cold intros, with zero pitch.

Instead of blasting generic DMs or templated emails, I'd spend a few minutes looking at a potential client's website or socials, then record a quick 60-90 second Loom video. No script, no fluff--just me screen-sharing, pointing out one thing I genuinely loved about what they were doing, and one simple change they could make to boost engagement, visibility, or conversions.

I never asked for a call. Never linked to a sales page. I just showed up with value, context, and proof that I was paying attention.

Here's what happened:

Open rates were nearly 100%.

Replies came within hours--some even within minutes.

And more than a few said something like, "I've never had anyone do this before--how do we work together?"

Several of my longest-running clients came from those videos. And the best part? They converted not because of a pitch, but because the trust was already built before we even had a sales conversation.

Why did it work? Because it broke the scroll. It didn't feel like marketing--it felt like a human reaching out with insight. In a digital world full of automation and noise, real attention is rare--and wildly effective.

Big lesson: People don't respond to perfect. They respond to personal. And when you lead with relevance, generosity, and real human connection, that is the strategy.

Walking Tours Increase Home Renovation Conversions

One unconventional marketing tactic that worked wonderfully for our client in the home renovation industry was what we call the "Before & After Walking Tour."

Instead of just posting renovation photos online like everyone else, we organized monthly walking tours of our client's completed projects for prospective customers. With homeowner permission, potential clients could physically walk through completed renovation spaces while our client explained the challenges, solutions, and transformation process.

This approach completely transformed their business. The tactile experience of seeing renovations in person created an emotional connection that digital marketing simply couldn't match. Prospects could touch surfaces, see lighting effects at different times of day, and speak directly with satisfied customers.

The results were remarkable. Their conversion rate from prospect to client jumped from 18% to 67% for those who attended tours. The approach also generated significant word-of-mouth as tour attendees would share their experience with friends.

What made this tactic powerful was its authenticity. In a world where everyone questions whether photos are edited or enhanced, this provided undeniable proof of quality while building trust through transparency. Sometimes the most effective marketing isn't about reaching more people--it's about creating deeper connections with the right ones.

Founder Story Lands Major Media Features

One unconventional PR tactic that worked incredibly well for me was pitching my own personal story as a founder navigating motherhood, reinvention, and burnout while building multiple brands. Instead of leading with traditional "here's my business" angles, I leaned into the human side--and the media responded. It landed me featured in Harper's Bazaar, Forbes, and even podcast interviews that opened up new client pipelines.

It worked because of how relatable and real the angle felt--especially to editors looking for fresh, emotionally compelling content. At Marquet Media, we now use this same approach with clients: we find the unexpected personal truth behind the brand and frame it in a way that creates instant resonance. Sometimes your most powerful PR asset isn't your offer--it's your journey.

Reverse Psychology Campaign Sparks Buzz

A creative approach that worked remarkably for a client involved leveraging an unconventional "reverse psychology" campaign. They were launching a product designed to encourage healthier lifestyles, and instead of using the typical aspirational marketing tactics, they opted for a campaign that featured all the "bad" things people should start doing if they didn't use their product. This tongue-in-cheek approach created a buzz and made people talk about the product more because it broke from the norm and evoked curiosity and amusement.

The campaign cleverly used social media platforms where they knew their audience spent most of their time, particularly leveraging memes and humorous videos. The strategy not only positioned the product in a memorable way but also sparked organic shares and discussions online, contributing to a significantly wider reach. This approach illustrates how flipping the script—telling an audience what not to do—can not only capture attention but also drive engagement in a saturated market, making the message stand out in an era where traditional marketing methods often get overlooked.

Fake Product Launch Generates Media Attention

One unconventional PR tactic that delivered strong results was hosting a fake product launch as a social experiment. In addition to generating buzz, the campaign sparked curiosity and media attention by teasing a fictional "silent alarm clock." Once revealed as a creative awareness campaign for better sleep habits, it earned features in lifestyle media and triggered thousands of organic shares. Furthermore, the brand's transparency post-reveal built trust. By blending humor, storytelling, and surprise, the tactic created memorable engagement and long-term brand lift without a traditional ad spend.