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Ayden Peele

From Local to National: Small Business Marketing Campaigns That Made a Big Impact

Updated: Oct 14

Marketing in today’s saturated marketplace can be a daunting task for small businesses. However, as some brands have proven, even with limited resources, that the right marketing strategy can catapult a small business to fame. In today’s blog, we highlight some of the most successful marketing campaigns by small businesses and discuss how K Cradley & Co. can help you replicate these successes.

a group of marketers working on small business marketing

Objective: To introduce a subscription-based razor delivery service.


Strategy: A humorous and direct-to-the-point viral video campaign.


Execution: Dollar Shave Club made a splash with a viral video featuring its CEO, Michael Dubin, in a casual and humorous discussion about the benefits of their razors. Unlike typical razor commercials that often focus on technical features, brand prestige, or celebrity endorsements, Dollar Shave Club took a refreshingly different approach. Dubin, dressed in casual attire, confidently delivers his message in a single, uninterrupted shot, walking through the company's warehouse. His delivery is a mix of deadpan humor and bold statements that challenge the status quo of the shaving industry.


Outcome: The video went viral, racking up millions of views within days. This initial success led to significant media coverage and a rapid increase in subscribers, solidifying Dollar Shave Club as a formidable competitor to company’s like Gillette who have dominated the shaving industry.


Objective: To promote their health-oriented toilet stool.


Strategy: A quirky and memorable video campaign leveraging humor and visual appeal.


Execution: Squatty Potty created a viral sensation with a video featuring a unicorn pooping rainbow-colored ice cream while explaining the health benefits of proper toilet posture. The creative and humorous approach made the content highly shareable. The marketing team also had an interesting hill to climb: how do you sell the solution to a problem that people don’t know they have? But what they knew was that the experience of an uncomfortable time on the toilet was already universal. That’s what made the silly, yet scientific approach of the campaign so effective.


Outcome: The video achieved over 100 million views, significantly increasing sales and widespread media attention. The campaign successfully elevated Squatty Potty from a niche product to a well-known brand.


Objective: To demonstrate the power and durability of their blenders.


Strategy: A series of viral videos blending unusual items.


Execution: Blendtec’s founder, Tom Dickson, starred in videos blending various items, from iPhones to marbles, showcasing the strength of their blenders. The tagline "Will It Blend?" became synonymous with the brand. There aren’t a lot of qualities people really worry about with a blender, so the few that people do care about have to really stand out. Blade strength and durability are really the most important things to consider when looking for a good blender, and actively demonstrating not only the power of the blades in this way, but doing it with such confidence is a fantastic way to stand out from the crowd.


Outcome: The campaign generated millions of views and became a cultural phenomenon, significantly boosting Blendtec’s brand awareness and sales, establishing them as a leading blender manufacturer.


Objective: To promote their action cameras by showcasing real user experiences.


Strategy: Encouraging customers to share their GoPro footage on social media.


Execution: GoPro incentivized users to share their adventure videos, which were then featured on GoPro’s official channels. This community-driven content strategy highlighted authentic user experiences. In an increasingly digital world, that authenticity can be really hard to come by, so when GoPro is up front about their marketing strategy in such a way that the users become the marketing themselves, you find yourself with a campaign that shows the effectiveness and practicality of this product for capturing life’s most incredible moments.


Outcome: The user-generated content strategy led to massive social media engagement and brand loyalty. GoPro became synonymous with adventure and action sports, receiving extensive media coverage.


Objective: To introduce their toilet spray memorably.


Strategy: A humorous and slightly risqué video campaign.


Execution: Poo-Pourri launched a viral video featuring a woman humorously discussing bathroom odors and how Poo-Pourri can prevent them. The quirky and candid approach made the video highly shareable. The video also sets an example of possible competitors like a typical aerosol spray, but they do a great job of explaining why they’re less effective while using humorous anecdotes to reinforce the confidence in their product.


Outcome: The video received millions of views, propelling Poo-Pourri into the national spotlight. The campaign led to a significant increase in sales and widespread media coverage, making Poo-Pourri a household name.


Challenges Small Businesses Face in Marketing

While these stories are inspiring, small businesses often face unique challenges in marketing. Here are a few:


  1. Limited Resources: Small businesses often have smaller marketing budgets compared to larger competitors. This can limit their ability to execute large-scale campaigns.


  1. Brand Awareness: Establishing brand recognition in a crowded market is tough, especially when competing with well-established brands.


  1. Targeting the Right Audience: With limited resources, it's crucial for small businesses to target the right audience to maximize ROI. However, identifying and reaching this audience can be challenging.


  1. Keeping Up with Trends: Marketing trends and consumer behaviors change rapidly. Small businesses must stay agile and adapt quickly to remain relevant.

a group of marketers working on small business marketing

How K Cradley & Co. Can Help Your Small Business


  1. At K Cradley & Co., we believe that with the right approach, any business can make a significant impact. Here’s how we can help:


  1. Tailored Marketing Strategies: We work closely with you to develop customized marketing strategies that align with your business goals and budget. Our team ensures your message resonates with your target audience and sets you apart from competitors.


  1. Innovative Campaigns: Inspired by successful campaigns like Dollar Shave Club and Squatty Potty, we create innovative campaigns that capture attention and drive engagement.


  1. Expertise and Insights: Our team of marketing experts stays on top of the latest trends and technologies, ensuring your marketing strategy is always relevant and effective.


  1. Data-Driven Decisions: We utilize data analytics to track campaign performance and make informed decisions, maximizing your ROI and helping you reach your goals faster.



These examples demonstrate how small businesses can achieve national recognition through innovative and well-executed marketing campaigns. At K Cradley & Co., we are dedicated to helping your small business reach new heights by marketing to the right people with the right message. So if you’re ready to take your business to the next level, Contact K. Cradley and Company today to discuss how we can create a custom marketing strategy that puts your brand on the national stage.

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