New Marketing Ideas For Your Old-School Business

Marketing in the Age of AI: Bridging Generations and Strategies

Feeling like marketing’s racing ahead, leaving you in the dust? You’re not alone.

With AI, digital tools, and everything moving at lightning speed, it’s easy to feel like the rules have changed and your old tricks don’t work anymore.

But guess what? Old-school marketing isn’t dead—it just needs a little update.

The secret? It’s all about knowing your audience. That hasn’t changed. What’s different is how we connect with them.

Marketing today isn’t just about age groups; it’s about speaking their language and meeting them where they are. Let’s break it down by generation:

• Boomers: Keep It Simple and Reliable

Boomers love authenticity and trust. They grew up with TV ads and direct mail, so they want clear, no-nonsense messages. Highlight your product’s value and benefits. Digital works too, but keep it straightforward—no gimmicks needed.

• Gen X: The Practical Problem-Solvers

Gen X loves efficiency and independence. They don’t fall for flashy trends but appreciate practical solutions. Think emails with useful tips or offers tailored just for them. They’re tech-savvy but still value traditional touches.

• Millennials: Mission-Driven and Tech-Ready

Millennials want more than a product—they want a brand with a purpose. They’re all about experiences, social media, and authentic storytelling. Show them you care about the same things they do, and don’t forget: they can spot fake from a mile away.

• Gen Z: Short, Snappy, and Socially Conscious

Gen Z lives online. They want quick, engaging content—think TikToks, Reels, and bold visuals. They care about social issues, so your values matter to them. Be real, or they’ll move on faster than you can say “swipe.”

• And Coming Soon: Generation Alpha

Generation Alpha, the kids of today, are growing up in a world of AI and virtual reality. They’ll likely prefer immersive, interactive experiences and brands that blend technology with fun. It’s early, but one thing’s for sure—they’ll be all about innovation.

Betting on UGC Creators: The Game-Changers of Modern Marketing

UGC creators are the fresh face of social media influence. These are the people crafting authentic, relatable content that feels less like a polished ad and more like real life.

Whether it’s fashion, lifestyle, gaming, or any niche you can think of, UGC creators are the bridge between your brand and the everyday consumer.

What’s the magic? They create content that resonates, feels genuine, and builds trust.

Partnering with UGC creators means tapping into their ability to showcase your brand in a way that connects directly with your target audience.

The result? More potential customers, better engagement, and a big boost in brand awareness.

Forget the polished celebrity vibe—this is marketing that feels real, and audiences love it.

Influencer Marketing in 2025: Still Effective, But Evolving

Influencers are people who have built a reputation and following on social media in a certain niche.

This could be fashion, lifestyle, gaming, and more.

Influencer marketing involves partnering with influencers who have an audience similar to yours to reach more potential customers and increase brand awareness.

Influencers—those who’ve built a loyal following within a niche like fashion, lifestyle, or gaming—are still a go-to strategy for brands.

They bring visibility and help connect your products to the right audience. But here’s the deal: while influencer marketing still works, it’s no longer the shiny new thing it used to be.

Why? Audiences in 2025 are savvier. They’ve seen it all—polished ads, overproduced campaigns, and too-good-to-be-true endorsements.

This means influencers alone aren’t the automatic trust-builders they once were. However, when done right, influencer marketing can still deliver results, especially when paired with newer trends like UGC and micro-communities.

What’s Working in 2025?

1. Micro-Influencers:
   Instead of mega-followers, brands are leaning into micro-influencers with smaller but highly engaged audiences. These creators feel more relatable and approachable, which helps maintain authenticity.
   • Case Example: A local coffee shop partners with a micro-influencer who shares daily café visits and engages with a tight-knit, coffee-loving community.
2. Long-Term Partnerships:
   Quick, one-off promotions don’t cut it anymore. Long-term collaborations build credibility and keep the message consistent.
   • Case Example: A skincare brand collaborates with an influencer for a six-month campaign, showing real results over time instead of instant “miracles.”
3. Niche Specialization:
   Broad appeal isn’t the goal. Audiences crave content from influencers with deep expertise in specific areas.
   • Case Example: A tech brand partners with a gaming influencer to promote a new headset, focusing on in-depth reviews and gameplay demos.

How to Make Influencer Marketing Work in 2025

1. Focus on Authenticity:
   Choose influencers who genuinely align with your brand values and product. Their audience can spot inauthenticity a mile away.
2. Measure Engagement, Not Just Followers:
   It’s not about the biggest number anymore. Engagement rates, audience interactions, and comments matter more than follower count.
3. Combine With UGC and Community Content:
   Use influencer campaigns as a springboard for user-generated content and deeper engagement within niche communities.
4. Track ROI Through Real Metrics:
   Use data to measure the actual impact of campaigns—click-through rates, conversions, and customer retention—not just likes and shares.

In 2025, influencer marketing still works—it’s just no longer about the hype. It’s about relevance, authenticity, and building connections that last. Want results? It’s time to get strategic.

To be successful with influencer marketing, you should:

1. Define your goals and your audience. Determining what you want to achieve with your influencer marketing campaign will help you be successful. State what you’re wanting to achieve whether that’s increasing brand awareness, driving traffic to your website, or generating sales.
2. Research potential influencers. Look for influencers who are active on social media and who have a large following with an audience who will be likely to be interested in your brand.
3. Negotiate terms. Once you find a relevant influencer, you should negotiate the terms of your partnership which could include compensation, content requirements, and timelines.
4. Create content. Work with the influencer to create content that aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience. This could include sponsored posts, reviews, or giveaways.
5. Track results. Use analytics tools to track the performance of your influencer marketing campaign. Look at metrics like reach, engagement, and conversions. You can use this data to improve your strategy and results.

Social Media Marketing

Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your business… even an old-school one.

It’s great for connecting with your audience whilst also reaching more people and a place where you can learn how to come up with content ideas.

More than half the world (4.76 billion people!) use social media, so if you’re not currently on there, you’re missing a trick.

Creating a social media presence for your business is a powerful way to reach a wider audience, connect with customers, build brand awareness, and drive traffic to your website. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about being online—it’s about being strategic.

Targeted ads play a crucial role in this strategy. By using tools to pinpoint your ideal audience based on demographics, interests, and behavior, you can ensure your content reaches the right people at the right time. This means every post, story, or campaign has a greater chance of resonating with potential customers.

So, how do you get started with social media and make the most of targeted ads? Let’s dive in!

1. Determine which social media platforms are best for your business. The most popular platforms include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Each has its own unique audience and features, so it’s important to choose the ones that are most relevant to your target audience. For example, LinkedIn is great for business-to-business marketing, whereas Instagram is perfect for reaching a younger audience.
2. Create and share content. Once you’ve chosen your platforms, it’s time to start creating content. This could include posts about your products or services, behind-the-scenes of your business, images, videos, and much more. It’s time to use your imagination!
3. Engage with customers. Creating content isn’t the only goal for your business. Getting engagement can help your brand to grow. Encourage engagement in your posts by asking questions and then responding to comments and messages. You can even run social media content and share user-generated content.
4. Track everything! Track your performance on social media and adjust the strategy as needed. Monitor your reach, engagement, and conversion rates with analytics tools and use this data to improve your content.

Content Marketing

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Content is king.” And it’s true—44% of business owners say improving content quality has driven their success.

But here’s the 2025 twist: content alone isn’t enough. It’s the story behind the content and the authenticity in its delivery that truly captivates audiences today.

Content marketing is no longer just about creating and sharing articles, videos, or podcasts. It’s about weaving stories that resonate and feel real.

Storytelling connects with your audience on an emotional level, while authenticity builds trust and loyalty—two things audiences crave in a world full of polished, impersonal ads.

Even if you run an old-school business, storytelling allows you to show the human side of your brand.

Share the why behind your work, the struggles you’ve faced, and the values you stand for. These stories establish you as an authority and keep your business top-of-mind when it’s time for customers to make a purchase.

This approach to content marketing establishes expertise, promotes brand awareness, and keeps your business at the front of people’s minds when it’s time for them to buy what you sell. Steps include:

1. Define your goals and target audience. Start by identifying who your audience is and what their pain points are. This will help you create relevant content that resonates with them. You should also determine what you want to achieve whether that’s increasing brand awareness, driving traffic to your website, or generating leads.
2. Come up with ideas for content that aligns with your goals and that is relevant to your audience. You should focus on helpful content first rather than promoting your product or service.
3. Create a content calendar. Regularly adding or updating content on your website is important for becoming an authority on the subject. Determine the frequency of your content and stick to the schedule.
4. Measure your results. Use analytics tools to track the performance of your content by looking at the metrics on your website, engagement, and conversions.

Email Marketing

Email marketing involves sending a commercial message to existing and potential customers to advertise products and services, request business or solicit sales or donations.

Email marketing may be one of the oldest forms of digital marketing, but it’s also one of the most effective with 73% of millennials preferring communication from businesses to come via email.

1. Build your email list. Create a list of emails from existing customers, your website, or social media channels. Add the list to an email marketing platform of your choice.
2. Create email content. Develop your content including a compelling subject line and clear call to action. Define your goals beforehand whether you’re promoting a singular product or service, or a sale for example.
3. Design your email. Use a responsive template to ensure your email looks good on all devices.
4. Always send a test email to make sure it looks great.
5. Send and track. Send your email to your client list and track the progress through analytics in your email marketing platform. Consider tweaking and testing new strategies.

Video Marketing

The world is moving more towards engaging elements such as images, music, and other engaging elements, and video marketing has everything you need to create a truly engaging strategy.

Videos are all over social media, whether you’re on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or even LinkedIn.

They draw in users and provide easy entertainment compared to huge blocks of text.

Here are steps you can take to create a successful video marketing strategy.

1. Define your goals. You should come up with the purpose of your video marketing strategy. Is it to increase brand awareness? Generate leads? Drive sales?
2. Identify your audience. Understanding your target audience can help you create videos that resonate with them. Think about their age, gender, interests, and pain points so your content speaks directly to them.
3. Determine video type. Consider which type of video will best communicate your message. Common types include explainer videos, demos, customer testimonials, and educational videos.
4. Plan your content. Once you have all the above in place, you can brainstorm video ideas that align with your goals and messaging. Look at what others are doing and create something better and more informative. Create a content calendar to ensure you release the videos regularly.
5. Create, produce, and optimize. Use a professional video team or do it yourself on software such as Adobe Premier, CyberLink PowerDirector, and more. Create engaging videos that are visually appealing before optimizing for search engines and social media. Add relevant hashtags, captions, and transcripts, and make sure they’re shareable!
6. Analyse and track. Track the performance of each video and adjust your strategy according to the results.

Conclusion

Although you have an old-school business, your marketing doesn’t need to be old school too!

Whether it’s influencer marketing, email marketing, or social media marketing, updating your strategy can help you gain brand awareness, new leads, and more sales.