# The 139 Marketing Ideas
Complete list of proven marketing approaches organized by category.

- Contents
- Content & SEO (1-10)
- Competitor & Comparison (11-13)
- Free Tools & Engineering (14-22)
- Paid Advertising (23-34)
- Social Media & Community (35-44)
- Email Marketing (45-53)
- Partnerships & Programs (54-64)
- Events & Speaking (65-72)
- PR & Media (73-76)
- Launches & Promotions (77-86)
- Product-Led Growth (87-96)
- Content Formats (97-109)
- Unconventional & Creative (110-122)
- Platforms & Marketplaces (123-130)
- International & Localization (131-132)
- Developer & Technical (133-136)
- Audience-Specific (137-139)
- Content & SEO (1-10)

Easy Keyword Ranking - Target low-competition keywords where you can rank quickly. Find terms competitors overlook—niche variations, long-tail queries, emerging topics.

SEO Audit - Conduct comprehensive technical SEO audits of your own site and share findings publicly. Document fixes and improvements to build authority.

Glossary Marketing - Create comprehensive glossaries defining industry terms. Each term becomes an SEO-optimized page targeting "what is X" searches.

Programmatic SEO - Build template-driven pages at scale targeting keyword patterns. Location pages, comparison pages, integration pages—any pattern with search volume.

Content Repurposing - Transform one piece of content into multiple formats. Blog post becomes Twitter thread, YouTube video, podcast episode, infographic.

Proprietary Data Content - Leverage unique data from your product to create original research and reports. Data competitors can't replicate creates linkable assets.

Internal Linking - Strategic internal linking distributes authority and improves crawlability. Build topical clusters connecting related content.

Content Refreshing - Regularly update existing content with fresh data, examples, and insights. Refreshed content often outperforms new content.

Knowledge Base SEO - Optimize help documentation for search. Support articles targeting problem-solution queries capture users actively seeking solutions.

Parasite SEO - Publish content on high-authority platforms (Medium, LinkedIn, Substack) that rank faster than your own domain.

## Competitor & Comparison (11-13)

Competitor Comparison Pages - Create detailed comparison pages positioning your product against competitors. "[Your Product] vs [Competitor]" pages capture high-intent searchers.

Marketing Jiu-Jitsu - Turn competitor weaknesses into your strengths. When competitors raise prices, launch affordability campaigns.

Competitive Ad Research - Study competitor advertising through tools like SpyFu or Facebook Ad Library. Learn what messaging resonates.

## Free Tools & Engineering (14-22)

Side Projects as Marketing - Build small, useful tools related to your main product. Side projects attract users who may later convert.

Engineering as Marketing - Build free tools that solve real problems. Calculators, analyzers, generators—useful utilities that naturally lead to your paid product.

Importers as Marketing - Build import tools for competitor data. "Import from [Competitor]" reduces switching friction.

Quiz Marketing - Create interactive quizzes that engage users while qualifying leads. Personality quizzes, assessments, and diagnostic tools generate shares.

Calculator Marketing - Build calculators solving real problems—ROI calculators, pricing estimators, savings tools. Calculators attract links and rank well.

Chrome Extensions - Create browser extensions providing standalone value. Chrome Web Store becomes another distribution channel.

Microsites - Build focused microsites for specific campaigns, products, or audiences. Dedicated domains can rank faster.

Scanners - Build free scanning tools that audit or analyze something. Website scanners, security checkers, performance analyzers.

Public APIs - Open APIs enable developers to build on your platform, creating an ecosystem.

## Paid Advertising (23-34)

Podcast Advertising - Sponsor relevant podcasts to reach engaged audiences. Host-read ads perform especially well.

Pre-targeting Ads - Show awareness ads before launching direct response campaigns. Warm audiences convert better.

Facebook Ads - Meta's detailed targeting reaches specific audiences. Test creative variations and leverage retargeting.

Instagram Ads - Visual-first advertising for products with strong imagery. Stories and Reels ads capture attention.

Twitter Ads - Reach engaged professionals discussing industry topics. Promoted tweets and follower campaigns.

LinkedIn Ads - Target by job title, company size, and industry. Premium CPMs justified by B2B purchase intent.

Reddit Ads - Reach passionate communities with authentic messaging. Transparency wins on Reddit.

Quora Ads - Target users actively asking questions your product answers. Intent-rich environment.

Google Ads - Capture high-intent search queries. Brand terms, competitor terms, and category terms.

YouTube Ads - Video ads with detailed targeting. Pre-roll and discovery ads reach users consuming related content.

Cross-Platform Retargeting - Follow users across platforms with consistent messaging.

Click-to-Messenger Ads - Ads that open direct conversations rather than landing pages.

## Social Media & Community (35-44)

Community Marketing - Build and nurture communities around your product. Slack groups, Discord servers, Facebook groups.

Quora Marketing - Answer relevant questions with genuine expertise. Include product mentions where naturally appropriate.

Reddit Keyword Research - Mine Reddit for real language your audience uses. Discover pain points and desires.

Reddit Marketing - Participate authentically in relevant subreddits. Provide value first.

LinkedIn Audience - Build personal brands on LinkedIn for B2B reach. Thought leadership builds authority.

Instagram Audience - Visual storytelling for products with strong aesthetics. Behind-the-scenes and user stories.

X Audience - Build presence on X/Twitter through consistent value. Threads and insights grow followings.

Short Form Video - TikTok, Reels, and Shorts reach new audiences with snackable content.

Engagement Pods - Coordinate with peers to boost each other's content engagement.

Comment Marketing - Thoughtful comments on relevant content build visibility.

## Email Marketing (45-53)

Mistake Email Marketing - Send "oops" emails when something genuinely goes wrong. Authenticity generates engagement.

Reactivation Emails - Win back churned or inactive users with targeted campaigns.

Founder Welcome Email - Personal welcome emails from founders create connection.

Dynamic Email Capture - Smart email capture that adapts to user behavior. Exit intent, scroll depth triggers.

Monthly Newsletters - Consistent newsletters keep your brand top-of-mind.

Inbox Placement - Technical email optimization for deliverability. Authentication and list hygiene.

Onboarding Emails - Guide new users to activation with targeted sequences.

Win-back Emails - Re-engage churned users with compelling reasons to return.

Trial Reactivation - Expired trials aren't lost causes. Targeted campaigns can recover them.

## Partnerships & Programs (54-64)

Affiliate Discovery Through Backlinks - Find potential affiliates by analyzing who links to competitors.

Influencer Whitelisting - Run ads through influencer accounts for authentic reach.

Reseller Programs - Enable agencies to resell your product. White-label options create distribution partners.

Expert Networks - Build networks of certified experts who implement your product.

Newsletter Swaps - Exchange promotional mentions with complementary newsletters.

Article Quotes - Contribute expert quotes to journalists. HARO connects experts with writers.

Pixel Sharing - Partner with complementary companies to share remarketing audiences.

Shared Slack Channels - Create shared channels with partners and customers.

Affiliate Program - Structured commission programs for referrers.

Integration Marketing - Joint marketing with integration partners.

Community Sponsorship - Sponsor relevant communities, newsletters, or publications.

## Events & Speaking (65-72)

Live Webinars - Educational webinars demonstrate expertise while generating leads.

Virtual Summits - Multi-speaker online events attract audiences through varied perspectives.

Roadshows - Take your product on the road to meet customers directly.

Local Meetups - Host or attend local meetups in key markets.

Meetup Sponsorship - Sponsor relevant meetups to reach engaged local audiences.

Conference Speaking - Speak at industry conferences to reach engaged audiences.

Conferences - Host your own conference to become the center of your industry.

Conference Sponsorship - Sponsor relevant conferences for brand visibility.

## PR & Media (73-76)

Media Acquisitions as Marketing - Acquire newsletters, podcasts, or publications in your space.

Press Coverage - Pitch newsworthy stories to relevant publications.

Fundraising PR - Leverage funding announcements for press coverage.

Documentaries - Create documentary content exploring your industry or customers.

## Launches & Promotions (77-86)

Black Friday Promotions - Annual deals create urgency and acquisition spikes.

Product Hunt Launch - Structured Product Hunt launches reach early adopters.

Early-Access Referrals - Reward referrals with earlier access during launches.

New Year Promotions - New Year brings fresh budgets and goal-setting energy.

Early Access Pricing - Launch with discounted early access tiers.

Product Hunt Alternatives - Launch on BetaList, Launching Next, AlternativeTo.

Twitter Giveaways - Engagement-boosting giveaways that require follows or retweets.

Giveaways - Strategic giveaways attract attention and capture leads.

Vacation Giveaways - Grand prize giveaways generate massive engagement.

Lifetime Deals - One-time payment deals generate cash and users.

## Product-Led Growth (87-96)

Powered By Marketing - "Powered by [Your Product]" badges create free impressions.

Free Migrations - Offer free migration services from competitors.

Contract Buyouts - Pay to exit competitor contracts.

One-Click Registration - Minimize signup friction with OAuth options.

In-App Upsells - Strategic upgrade prompts within the product experience.

Newsletter Referrals - Built-in referral programs for newsletters.

Viral Loops - Product mechanics that naturally encourage sharing.

Offboarding Flows - Optimize cancellation flows to retain or learn.

Concierge Setup - White-glove onboarding for high-value accounts.

Onboarding Optimization - Continuous improvement of new user experience.

## Content Formats (97-109)

Playlists as Marketing - Create Spotify playlists for your audience.

Template Marketing - Offer free templates users can immediately use.

Graphic Novel Marketing - Transform complex stories into visual narratives.

Promo Videos - High-quality promotional videos showcase your product.

Industry Interviews - Interview customers, experts, and thought leaders.

Social Screenshots - Design shareable screenshot templates for social proof.

Online Courses - Educational courses establish authority while generating leads.

Book Marketing - Author a book establishing expertise in your domain.

Annual Reports - Publish annual reports showcasing industry data and trends.

End of Year Wraps - Personalized year-end summaries users want to share.

Podcasts - Launch a podcast reaching audiences during commutes.

Changelogs - Public changelogs showcase product momentum.

Public Demos - Live product demonstrations showing real usage.

## Unconventional & Creative (110-122)

Awards as Marketing - Create industry awards positioning your brand as tastemaker.

Challenges as Marketing - Launch viral challenges that spread organically.

Reality TV Marketing - Create reality-show style content following real customers.

Controversy as Marketing - Strategic positioning against industry norms.

Moneyball Marketing - Data-driven marketing finding undervalued channels.

Curation as Marketing - Curate valuable resources for your audience.

Grants as Marketing - Offer grants to customers or community members.

Product Competitions - Sponsor competitions using your product.

Cameo Marketing - Use Cameo celebrities for personalized messages.

OOH Advertising - Out-of-home advertising—billboards, transit ads.

Marketing Stunts - Bold, attention-grabbing marketing moments.

Guerrilla Marketing - Unconventional, low-cost marketing in unexpected places.

Humor Marketing - Use humor to stand out and create memorability.

## Platforms & Marketplaces (123-130)

Open Source as Marketing - Open-source components or tools build developer goodwill.

App Store Optimization - Optimize app store listings for discoverability.

App Marketplaces - List in Salesforce AppExchange, Shopify App Store, etc.

YouTube Reviews - Get YouTubers to review your product.

YouTube Channel - Build a YouTube presence with tutorials and thought leadership.

Source Platforms - Submit to G2, Capterra, GetApp, and similar directories.

Review Sites - Actively manage presence on review platforms.

Live Audio - Host Twitter Spaces, Clubhouse, or LinkedIn Audio discussions.

## International & Localization (131-132)

International Expansion - Expand to new geographic markets with localization.

Price Localization - Adjust pricing for local purchasing power.

## Developer & Technical (133-136)

Investor Marketing - Market to investors for portfolio introductions.

Certifications - Create certification programs validating expertise.

Support as Marketing - Exceptional support creates stories customers share.

Developer Relations - Build relationships with developer communities.

## Audience-Specific (137-139)

Two-Sided Referrals - Reward both referrer and referred.

Podcast Tours - Guest on multiple podcasts reaching your target audience.

Customer Language - Use the exact words your customers use in marketing.
