Have you stumbled across the marketing power of custom stickers and labels, but are unsure how to make them work for you? Or do you need some help figuring out if sticker marketing is really for you?
In this article, you will find hands-on advice and everything you need to implement sticker marketing strategies that fit your business. All of our tips are easy, low-cost and can be customized to match your needs and help you hit your growth targets.
But before we jump into the nitty-gritty, we must talk basics. When you first venture into the sticker universe, the number of new terms you are confronted with can be confusing. The most important distinction to be made is between stickers and labels.
There is no inherent difference between the two. They are both adhesive-backed pieces of paper or plastic that can be printed on. Sticker printing companies usually refer to stickers as individually cut, whereas labels arrive on sheets. This makes labels 65% faster to peel and apply than stickers, which can be a real lifesaver when you have to apply hundreds of them.
Now that we have this covered, let’s have a look at the ways you can make stickers and labels work for your business.
Table of Contents
Product packaging
Stickers offer an easy, low-cost way to brand your product and packaging. One sticker usually comes down to a few cents, making them an ideal option for small- and medium-sized businesses that want to apply their logo to their product and packaging.
Since unboxing videos have become a social media trend, the customer’s experience when opening a product has become an essential step in their purchase journey. Confronting your customer with your brand at every step of the unboxing process is incredibly effective and not only generates exposure for your brand, but ensures a positive association being forged in your customer’s mind.
If you are already using compostable cardboard packaging, we recommend choosing a matching sticker. Biodegradable paper stickers are a perfect option that can be disposed of with your packaging without harming the environment.
Limited edition seals
Limited edition seals and labels have long been a part of advertising. Through something as simple as adding a limited edition sticker, you can manually create scarcity around your product. This creates the impression that your product will only be available for a short amount of time, making it immediately more desirable.
Through this, you not only limit the time customers have to make a purchase decision, but you also demand immediate action as the product can potentially be unavailable when they next visit your store. This makes your brand stand out from your competition, as their products will continue to be available for weeks to come.
This effect can be recreated by adding a simple sticker to your product. Premium materials like glitter or holographic vinyl are amazing for this. They look luxurious and will turn your product into an eye-catcher.
Giveaways
Since stickers are so low-cost, they can easily be added to every order, handed out during events or sent to influencers within your niche. This is where you can tap into the real superpower of stickers and labels.
Given in the right moment, they will not be perceived as a means of advertising. Instead, they will be seen as a gift. This evokes the rule of reciprocity, a concept coined in social psychology: the receiver subconsciously feels the need to return the favor. This can take the shape of a purchase, a social media post or even a recommendation.
Vinyl-based stickers are ideal for this. They are incredibly versatile and can be applied to thousands of different surfaces. This gives your customer the freedom to use your stickers exactly how they want to. Stickers can help you leave a great impression with your customers, making repeat purchases and positive word of mouth advertising more likely.
Guerrilla Marketing
You probably have heard this term in a different context before: warfare. It describes the advantages smaller irregular groups have over the traditional military. Due to their smaller size they are more agile, faster and can make use of the element of surprise.
These elements translate into guerrilla marketing, which center on unconventional advertising strategies that create a brand interaction and ignite emotions within the customers. Instead of huge advertising budgets, guerrilla tactics depend on time, creativity and energy, making them a great option for startups and small businesses.
Stickers offer an easy way to give guerrilla marketing a try. They are easy to source and apply in multiple locations, ensuring that they will be seen by potential customers. If you are looking for inspiration, take a look at Google, there are many great examples out there.
The below one uses stickers in a fun way, forcing customers to interact with the brand, likely making them chuckle and tell their friends to check out the bathroom.
And that’s it, four hands-on ideas you can put into action straight away to give sticker marketing a try. Do you have any questions? Or are you already a sticker expert and would like to share some of your ideas? We would love to hear from you either way. Feel free to leave a comment down below!
