Master Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Word-of-mouth marketing can be one of the most impactful strategies a company uses to increase business. Consumers trust the people they know to recommend services or products. As a result, these conversations about personal experiences with a company often bring in new consumers. When companies master word-of-mouth marketing, they expand their reach beyond a single campaign or event. So how can you take your business to the next level using this strategy?

Understanding Word of Mouth Advertising

The most successful word-of-mouth advertising comes from great customer experiences. This could be a person who owns a product and shares it with a friend or an event they attended sponsored by a company. Memorable experiences and interactions with a business increase the likelihood that a consumer will talk about this with a peer. Because people trust their friends’ and family’s experiences, they are more likely to try what those close to them recommend.

This helps to fill the gap when commercials or other advertisements fail to reach a target audience. For example, some young adults may be skeptical of a celebrity recommending a product because they know this person is getting compensated for their review. However, the same review from a friend is often effective because of their personal relationship.

Experiential and Word of Mouth Marketing

Word-of-mouth marketing doesn’t only come from people who use a product or service regularly. In fact, some of the best advertising for businesses comes from conversations during and after an experiential marketing campaign. Here are a few examples of how these two strategies can work together:

1. Tangible Takeaways: One of our most recent projects featured a collaboration between Crocs and Jellysmack at VidCon ‘22. Here, attendees could customize a pair of Crocs with Jellysmack jibbitz. This is something they could wear throughout the conference and take home with them. The brightly colored shoes and charms encourage word-of-mouth marketing as people talk about their unique footwear, expanding the reach of Jellysmack’s popup. 

2. Memorable Moments: VidCon ‘22 was definitely the place to be for memorable moments. We worked with Spotify to create an Audio Aura immersive experience. Participants had the opportunity to get their picture taken and aura read. Different aura colors were displayed on the wall with a description and Spotify code to scan. This code connected to a playlist for conference-goers to add their favorite song. The use of colors and personal connections to the product certainly prompted conversations about this experience.

3. Perfect Photo Ops: Stunning backdrops and theming encourage customers to take pictures at events. Intentional marketing experiences create a fun environment that people want to remember. We partnered with The Hampton Social in Nashville, Tennessee as they hosted The Pink Party at the beginning of the summer. Known for their Rose All Day room, this campaign featured 99 rose bottles in an ombre pink design. Attendees took pictures in front of the cascading flower wall to share with friends on social media. Well-designed photo opportunities often lead to conversations about the person’s experience, expanding the market reach.

MadeFirst Experiential Marketing Campaigns

At MadeFirst, our goal is to bring your vision to life. We work with your business to create a design plan that best fits your target audience and desired budget. Our campaigns reach far beyond the experience itself. We ensure your consumers have something they can take away from your popup to expand your impact. Your satisfaction is our priority, so you are an integral part of each stage of our design and building process. This means you can rest assured that nothing will be a surprise. If you’re ready to take your marketing to the next level, contact us today.

Launch Party Ideas

You’ve spent the money and effort to come up with a viable product or strategy to take your business to new heights, and now it’s time to announce it to the world. A launch party is one of the best ways to generate buzz about your company and showcase your accomplishments. 

Today, we’ll share our guide to hosting an unforgettable business or product party, with creative ideas and tips to make it even more successful.

1. Be Strategic About the Venue

Veteran event attendees have seen dozens of hotel ballrooms, banquet halls and convention centers. At some point, all these venues will start to blur together. If you want to make a splash, break the mold and choose a unique location such as a winery, botanical garden, golf club, art gallery or museum. Here are some additional considerations for booking a venue.

• To keep the focus on your business, ensure the location does not outshine the event agenda. You want the spotlight to be on you the whole time. 

• Choose a venue based on the ambiance and amenities it offers. Pay attention to details like the décor and overall mood – you want everything to be consistent with the atmosphere you’re trying to create. 

• If your event feels inaccessible because it’s hard to find, far away, in a high-traffic area or has limited parking, people will be less likely to attend, no matter how creatively you market and promote the launch party.  

• Even if you don’t plan to serve a full, plated meal, most people expect to have some refreshments available. Check if the venue has a staff who can help you tidy everything up when the event ends. 

2. Be Selective With Your Invitations

When organizing a launch party, consider your target audience and invite only the most influential people or valuable customers. The goal is to narrow down your invitation list to people who are genuinely interested in your product or service. Creating a sense of exclusivity makes any event feel more special and lays the groundwork for ample networking opportunities among your guests. 

3. Be Social to Promote the Event

Besides more traditional marketing approaches like emails and printed invitations, you can use your social media accounts to start generating positive word of mouth about your launch party. Post regular updates to remind your followers you’ve got something exciting coming up. You can play things a little bit close to the vest if you want to save the big reveal for the event itself. 

Also, don’t forget to create a unique hashtag for the party and use it on every post and platform. Though hashtags started on Twitter, you can now use them on Facebook, Instagram and even LinkedIn, so take advantage of the ability to turn your company’s tagline or brand name into a clickable link in every post. To keep all the event-related content consistent on social media, encourage your attendees to use the same hashtag when they post. After the event, people who want to learn more about your launch party can learn all about it by clicking on the hashtag.

Why Work With Us? 

Even in today’s climate of virtual experiences and anonymous online transactions, in-person events like launch parties are among the best opportunities for your business to build brand awareness and meet potential customers face to face. As a full-service fabrication company, MadeFirst specializes in custom displays for events of all sizes, using our extensive industry expertise to make our clients’ visions a reality with budget-friendly planning and execution.

Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you. 

Sports Marketing

Sporting events are more than just games and matches. National organizations use off-season fundraisers, permanent installations, and behind-the-scenes interviews to keep fans engaged all year round. We have been fortunate enough to partner with multiple organizations to promote and encourage athletes and fans alike. Our experiential marketing campaigns have included professional hockey, football, soccer, and disc golf organizations. These events engage fans and keep them passionate about their team through direct access to unique, memory-making activities. 

1. 2022 Boston Marathon: Adidas

For this branded pop-up shop, we worked with Adidas to create a convenient store for runners to purchase and test products before the race. Everything in this shop was aimed at supporting and featuring participants in the Boston Marathon. The walls featured former runners throughout the history of the Boston Marathon as well as models for Adidas gear. Consumers also had the opportunity to test shoes and other gear on the provided treadmill in this pop-up store. No detail went unnoticed with consistent color branding and featured products that made this immersive marketing experience one runners wouldn’t forget. 

2. Nashville Soccer Club Neon Wall

If you’ve kept up with recent sports news, especially in Nashville, TN, you know that the area recently founded a professional soccer league. To help welcome the Nashville Soccer Club to the area, we worked with the team to create a one-of-a-kind neon wall for the perfect photo opportunity. Players were featured walking by this display, and it was later moved to the concourse for fans to take pictures in front of. This design featured the NSC logo in the center, surrounded by intentionally placed accents. This backdrop created a memorable welcome for the Nashville Soccer Club.

3. NFL Network Training Camp

Parents and children alike loved this NFL Network popup. Participants had the opportunity to have their picture taken of them making a diving catch into a foam pit. Behind the pit was an LED wall, featuring an end zone of their chosen NFL team. The resulting image or video made even the most novice football fan look like a professional catching a touchdown pass. Professional lighting, videography, and photography set this experience apart and gave fans a tangible product they could share, featuring the NFL Network logo.

4. Nashville Predators: Stand With Us

Nashville fans take their sports seriously, but they also like to have fun. We worked alongside the Nashville Predators hockey team to create this sturdy, textual display for fans to take pictures in front of. To encourage support for the local team during the 2016 NHL playoffs, this slogan became a staple with fans and the team alike. Our lettering was crafted from durable foam and coated in an automotive paint finish, making this photo op both portable and durable. Other projects we have worked on for the Nashville Predators include a P.K. Subban photo booth and a hockey puck info kiosk.

5. NBC Olympic Social

In 2016, NBC introduced the first-ever Olympic Social Opening Ceremony. We worked with the network to create an interactive experience that featured icons from the games alongside multiple photo opportunities. We created a stage and viewing area for host Ryan Seacrest to interview various Olympic athletes. This Santa Monical popup utilized Brazilian Cumaru wood to emphasize the Rio theme. Guests had the chance to view the Olympic Torch and various medals and could take their pictures in front of the NBC logo and rings. Nothing about this was ordinary, and athletes and viewers alike were consistently impressed by the attention to detail.

7. National Women’s Soccer League Tour

To create this immersive experience, we worked alongside Civic Entertainment Group to create a Soccer Tour experience. The National Women’s Soccer League hosted a meet and greet with multiple photo opportunities for fans. We created a replica of a locker room, featuring jerseys of NWSL players and gear. The branded lockers were branded with the hashtag Pass the Ball, a partnership movement with Lifetime that encourages the inclusion of women in sports and beyond. 

Sports Marketing with MadeFirst

Our list of sports marketing clients consists of club, amateur, and professional leagues, and we treat each experience with the highest level of professionalism. Whether you are looking for a memorable photo opportunity, a meet and greet, or a product display, MadeFirst can make your vision a reality. Our work goes beyond sports, and we work with a variety of networks and industries to bring marketing to life. If you’d like to learn more about our experiential marketing, contact us today.

Our Favorite Experiential Marketing Campaigns

We love working with each of our clients to help their vision come to life. Through large-scale experiential marketing activations, we are able to provide a memorable opportunity for customers to engage with brands. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite experiential marketing campaigns and what made them successful.

1. SXSW Cheetos Hands Free House

When you think of Cheetos, one of the first things that come to mind is probably the inevitable Cheeto dust that accompanies this snack. We helped to construct an interactive encounter where participants could engage without actually touching the surfaces in the space. Complete with a pure white room and fingerprinted Cheetos-flavored drinks, this SXSW popup embraced the messiness of Cheetos while providing a fully immersive experience.

2. SXSW Peacock TV Playground

This Peacock TV Playground was so much fun to put together and explore! For this project, we highlighted some of Peacock’s original shows, including Killing It, Bel-Air, and Joe vs. Carole. We also created a lounge area for people to sit and take some Instagram-worthy photos. Our team loved seeing people interact with each scene and immerse themselves in the shows. 

3. The Solid Verbal’s Facebook Live National Championship Set

To help set the stage for one of football’s biggest events, we created a space for The Solid Verbal to host their Facebook Live coverage of the NCAA National Championship. Our client wanted to give this space an authentic college feel, complete with a classic red cooler, foam finger, and team banners. The small details of having the hosts and guests sit on a bench and the ability to see the field through the backdrop truly helped this scene become a part of the championship environment.

4. The STARZ Sensory House

To bring this vision to life, we worked alongside Civic to create an experience that engaged each of the five senses. Within this pop-up home, we outfitted several rooms to immerse visitors. The mission? To promote two new STARZ shows: Sweetbitter and Vida. In the Scent Room, we create birch shelving and the lower storage cabinets to display the network’s branding. In the Taste Room, we created a bar with shelving, floating shelves and a five-foot Sweetbitter sign. In the Swag Room, we created the shelving unit for the shirts and the pink Vida sign. The Sensory House was one of our favorite projects we’ve had the privilege to work on!

5. SXSW Laughing Man Coffee

The simplicity of this installation is what made it such an impactful campaign. Designed for Laughing Man Coffee Company, the focus of this experience was to emphasize the mission of the brand: promoting ethical coffee farming to support those on the ground level of production. Participants had the opportunity to grab a single-serve coffee pod, revealing the powerful slogan beneath. By taking a pod, they were participating in the company’s mission of changing the coffee industry… one cup at a time.

6. Comic-Con Fire TV Experience

Have you ever wanted to be part of your favorite television shows? We helped make that vision a reality for attendees at the 2018 Comic-Con. We created rooms for some of the most iconic television shows including The Good Place, Game of Thrones, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. There were multiple photo ops throughout the installation for con attendees to document their experiences. We even created an “open house” for people to test some of the Fire TV features in a home-like setting. This was one for the books for sure.

7. Comic-Con Instagram Creator’s Lounge

If someone ever says the perfect picture doesn’t exist, we just show them this Instagram Creater’s Lounge we created for Comic-Con in 2018. The number of photo ops throughout this project created a memorable experience for each of the content creators this installation hosted. The details of cloud-shaped chair, a room of Instagram photos, and an internally-lit slide made this space come together in a truly unique way.

8. Comic-Con Superstore

We’re still in awe of the attention to detail in this marketing campaign. If you’ve ever watched the show Superstore, you’ve probably imagined yourself in the Cloud 9 store. This installation made that dream a reality. Complete with themed products like a Parks and Recreation puzzle and a Cones of Dunshire game, the consistency of theme throughout the store helped participants feel like they were part of the Cloud 9 crew. 

Experiential Marketing with MadeFirst

When you’re deciding how to market your product, especially at an event or conference, you need the experience to be memorable. Experiential marketing allows consumers to interact with your product in a unique way, creating a lasting impression. At MadeFirst, we pride ourselves on our ability to take our clients’ visions and make them come to life. If you’re looking for a unique marketing experience for your product at an upcoming event, contact us today to learn more about our design process.

Red Carpet Events

A plush red carpet has become virtually synonymous with luxury and glamour. High-profile happenings like awards shows wouldn’t be the same without a red carpet, and celebrities making a grand entrance is now a phenomenon in and of itself.

While red carpet events confer an air of exclusivity, they’re not just for awards shows like the Oscars. Here are some reasons to contact MadeFirst about taking your next signature gathering to the next level.

1. Instantly Create a Mood

While people may have different reasons for registering for your event, everyone likes to feel special. Welcoming VIP guests with a red carpet and well-constructed backdrop can instantly elevate any event and make it feel more prestigious. Consider that the entrance is the first impression your attendees will have. If it sets the tone for an upscale experience, people on the guest list will be flattered to be there.

2. Red Carpet Events Attract More Guests

Any passersby who see the stylish approach you’ve taken will come away with the sense that your event is top-quality. If you allow walk-in attendees, people may register on the spot because they’ve picked up on the ambiance and “wow factor” you’ve created. And, even if you don’t offer onsite registration, strive to leave such a striking impression on people that they remember how enticing your event looked. That could be a difference-maker when you start your marketing efforts for next year.

3. Generate Social Buzz

People dress to impress when they know there’s going to be a red carpet entrance. They arrive looking their best and ready to pose for pictures. Create a hashtag for your event and start promoting it on your social media platforms several weeks beforehand. Make the hashtag a prominent part of any printed materials, such as name badges or programs. We can even incorporate this hashtag, sponsoring brands, and your company’s name into the photo backdrops lining the entrance.

On the red carpet, ask people to provide short testimonials about their reasons for attending, then post pictures and video clips to social media. Encourage attendees to share their photos on social media with the hashtag you’ve promoted. Ideally, you’ll start trending and create more excitement and brand awareness around your event.

4. Promote Sponsors

Sponsors want to see a return on their investment, which is why consistent exposure is an integral part of many sponsorship agreements. If you rely on sponsorship support, be sure to make those companies feel appreciated throughout the event.

One way to do this is by adding their logos to a conspicuous place such as your step-and-repeat banner, where people will stop on the red carpet to have their pictures taken. Consider that there could be hundreds of photos taken and shared throughout the evening, and all of them will bring more recognition to your sponsors. Create Hollywood-style swag bags filled with sponsors’ promotional giveaways, and hand them to attendees as they step off the red carpet.

Make MadeFirst Part of Your Red Carpet Events

MadeFirst is a full-service creative design and fabrication company with a presence in Nashville and L.A. We have crafted projects of all sizes, so no matter how ambitious your vision is, we’ll help you bring it to life. Let us help you make a lasting impression with experiential marketing. Connect with us today to start a conversation!

What is Brand Experience Marketing?

These days, there is no idea too outside the box when it comes to elevating your brand. After all, the internet created a crowded space where the need to differentiate from others is essential. One way companies are accomplishing this is through brand experience marketing. Here is a lowdown on what it is, some unique examples companies have implemented, and how it can benefit your business.

How Does Brand Experience Marketing Work?

Brand experience marketing deals with cultivating an immersive, positive experience with customers. At its core, it’s about establishing and strengthening the bonds between a company and its customers. There are many avenues to enhance this value, too.

Think of the environment in which your customer engages with your brand. If you own a retail store, you want to create an atmosphere best representative of your brand. On this front, every small choice impacts this. It can include the type of music you play, the ambiance created in design and furniture, the engagement your customers receive from staff, and even the scent.

With this in mind, brand experience works best when you have a firm grasp of what your company represents and how your customers interact with it. If you run an e-commerce shop, you’ll want to design your services around your customers’ needs. This might include in-person pickup options, multiple payment options, and even a live chat feature, where a staff member can engage with the customer during their journey. These small touches can yield impactful results.

Furthermore, brand experience marketing is catching on at a rapid pace. It is why top companies are using it in creative ways.

Examples of Brand Experience Marketing

Dunkin’ Donuts created a multi-sensory experience for commuters in Seoul. It involved them hearing a jingle from the company while riding the bus. After the commercial, a coffee-scented spray emitted into the bus. And when the bus reached its stop, departing commuters saw ads for the nearest Dunkin’ Donuts. This experience engaged customers through hearing, scent, and sight.

Another way to inspire and connect with your customers came from Vans. The House of Vans offers skateparks, art installations, and concert stages to allow people with shared interests to form a community. Currently, Vans has these venues in Chicago and Waterloo.

How Does It Benefit Businesses?

Using brand experience marketing helps your business in the following manners:

• Customers develop associations and build awareness about your brand

• Your client understands your identity (what makes you unique and your values)

• This approach can increase your brand awareness

• A great brand experience can increase customer loyalty

• It helps you elevate and differentiate your brand from competitors

Design a Memorable Experience

If you’re looking to implement experiential marketing campaigns, MadeFirst can help. Trust our experts to help you create an authentic and unique experience for your customers. In turn, you can gain more exposure, generate customer loyalty, and elevate your brand above the rest of the pack. Learn more about how we help businesses by contacting us.

Creating Buzz With Pop-Up Shops

Whether you’re an established retailer or a trailblazing entrepreneur, you’ve probably tried to come up with creative ways to promote your business. In today’s market, one approach has gained incredible traction in a short amount of time. Pop-up shops are a way for business owners to create ephemeral, one-of-a-kind experiences for shoppers. If you pull off a great pop-up, you may just find yourself with a group of loyal return customers. Here’s how to use pop-up shops to create buzz.

What is a Pop-Up Shop?

Let’s start with the basics. Pop-up shops are storefronts that seem to appear overnight. They may be outdoors, in malls, or at conventions. They’ve recently become more common at festivals, too. These temporary stores only stay open for a limited time. Some business owners will run their pop-ups for one day only, while others choose to occupy a mall location for a few months. It’s up to you!

Why You Should Try It

If you’re willing to put the time and effort into creating a memorable experience for your customers, it’ll pay off. Pop-up shops present entrepreneurs with a host of unique marketing opportunities, including:

• Building relationships with customers

• Gauging the popularity of new products

• Learning more about your demographic

• Testing out-of-the-box brand design or marketing tactics

• Making waves on social media

These pop-up stores are perfect for those seeking to grow their businesses during the pandemic. There’s no pressure to formally open new locations, sign a decade-long lease, or allocate a large portion of your revenue to paying rent. Instead, you can participate in local markets, events, and conventions to get your name out there. 

How to Make an Amazing, Profitable Pop-Up Shop

Pop-up shops are a great way to build brand awareness, reach new customers, and deepen relationships with your existing clientele. However, before you start building, there are a few things to consider.

First, invest in your shop. While many people show up to trade shows with a folding table, tablecloth, and a few products, quality is the key to an effective pop-up shop. Spending the time and money on an interesting, engaging display can make all the difference in foot traffic.

Next, remember to showcase your product. This is especially important if you’re at an event with a bunch of other vendors. Feature your wares with custom-built shelves, cabinets, and expertly installed lighting. With just a little creativity, you can keep your product at the forefront. 

Finally, make it memorable. Resist the urge to rely on a simple, tired approach to pop-up shopping. When you execute a great design or interesting premise, more people are drawn to your retail environment. They’re also more likely to share it on their social media profiles, exposing new fans to your offerings. All in all, memorable pop-up shops can be a great way to market your business.  

Building Pop-Up Shops in Los Angeles and Beyond

MadeFirst specializes in the creation of unique, unforgettable experiences and environments for pop-up shop owners. We work with you to bring your vision to life. No project is too large – we’ve helped international brands to design beautiful, effective displays to wow customers from coast to coast. Interested in getting your own pop-up shop? Contact us today.

MadeFirst Named One of Event Marketer’s Fab 50

Event Marketer: MadeFirst Named to Fab 50 List

We are pleased to announce that Event Marketer has recognized MadeFirst in their yearly “Fab 50” report. This list serves as an “annual editorial guide to the industry’s top builders.” In their announcement, the 2021 Fab 50 also acknowledges the challenges overcome by makers during the pandemic: a reduced number of trade shows, supply shortages, and increased cost of materials. In spite of these obstacles, fabricators worked together to meet demand and create stunning experiential builds. The team at Event Marketer seeks to recognize excellence, attention to detail, and stellar design in the wake of global crisis.

“Again and again, the organizations that comprise this year’s Fab 50 proved they were up to the task,” wrote a representative from Event Marketer. “They reached beyond their core capabilities to develop new skill sets, expand their virtual and hybrid event services, enhance their tech stacks, [and] develop proprietary event solution[s].”

In their section about MadeFirst, Event Marketer highlighted our build for CMA Country Christmas. This project brought together everything we love: woodworking, set construction, and lighting design. After outlining our capabilities – specifically our Kuka Arm, CNC routers, lasers, and state-of-the-art printers – Event Marketer described us as “a local shop with international reach.” This neatly summarizes our activity in 2021 (and our ambition for 2022).

A Year of Growth

We are proud to be named one of Event Marketer’s Fab 50. To us, this recognition serves as a reminder of the high standards that we strive for each and every day. 2021 has been an exciting year in the shop – we’ve taken on ambitious projects, partnered with new clients, and expanded to the West Coast. Our new location in Los Angeles, supplemented by the capabilities of our Nashville workshop, will empower us to build bigger and better than ever before. We look forward to providing five-star service from coast to coast in 2022.  

More Than a Shop

Event Marketer concluded the Fab 50 announcement by writing, “These featured fabrication shops have demonstrated why they’re not simply vendors, but strategic partners and valued team members.” At MadeFirst, we work to seamlessly integrate into your organization. Every person in our facility – our builders, customer service representatives, project managers, and everyone in between – is fully dedicated to bringing your vision to life. To learn more about partnering with MadeFirst, contact us online. We’re ready to plan your project.

MadeFirst Expands to LA

MadeFirst, a Nashville-based experiential marketing firm, announced today that they have expanded to the west coast.

MadeFirst Expands

The expansion empowers MadeFirst to bring their trademark combination of fantastic exhibits and unparalleled customer service to the West Coast.  

Bigger Space, Bigger Projects

MadeFirst now has a fully functional second location for our Nashville-based experiential marketing team. This expansion has granted us a combined 75,000 square feet of space, where we can take on larger projects with more resources at our disposal. We’re equipped to tackle logistics and installations for projects of any size.

“We now have storage facilities in both locations, so our space is definitely a huge advantage for clients looking for large-scale builds,” stated Hammel.

Delivering Amazing Experiences in California and Beyond

Over the years, MadeFirst has worked on countless California-based projects. As demand grew, our strategy needed to grow as well. This flexibility, adaptation, and client-first attitude is the backbone of MadeFirst. Now we’re bringing that trademark Southern hospitality to the West Coast.

Our recent expansion, in tandem with our supplemental capabilities in Tennessee, allows us to serve the Los Angeles market better than ever before. With our central hub in Nashville, we are able to quickly produce displays for a trade show in San Francisco, a festival in Florida, and everything in between. No matter where your event is taking place, we’re here to deliver beautifully fabricated pieces and five-star service.

Minimal Stress Meets Memorable Service

Too often, tight deadlines and changing needs cause trouble in the fabricator-client relationship. We’ve decided to do things differently.

MadeFirst infuses the hospitality and charm of the South into each business dealing. With a focus on transparency and effective project management, our Nashville team members have helped high-powered clients to achieve amazing results (without unneeded stress along the way). Their reviews praise the work and the experience they had working with MadeFirst’s project managers.

“Great to work with; [they] took my idea and made it better. Any issue that came along, they've been quick to respond.”

– Art Director of a Local News Station

We’re excited to bring our way of doing business out west. To learn more about MadeFirst’s expansion, contact us today.