About a year ago, I stumbled upon a truly memorable video on YouTube. It featured a song that was so incredibly catchy, it just stuck in my head. I couldn’t help but share it with friends and family, and we all had a good laugh and a great time with it.
The video was all about a service offering simple cat drawings for $9.95 using a Sharpie pen. At first, the concept seemed absurd. Could anyone actually sell something like that? Well, Steve Gadlin did, and he did it with marketing techniques that are truly admirable. It’s the kind of outside-the-box thinking that most marketers wouldn’t even consider, but he executed it brilliantly.
Later, while watching an episode of Shark Tank, my favorite show, I was thrilled to see “the cat guy!” I had almost forgotten about him, but there he was, pushing boundaries and doing something as audacious as presenting his unique service on national television. It’s exactly the kind of bold move I personally admire and would consider myself.
Never underestimate the impact of unconventional and unique advertising. Don’t pay attention to those who doubt you or say it can’t be done. The fundamental goal of marketing is to get your name and brand out there, even if some people snicker or criticize your approach. The key is to make the effort and be memorable. While good marketers often stick to mainstream methods that are proven to work, great marketers are always exploring new and different avenues to stand out. This pursuit of marketing greatness inevitably involves experimentation, trials, and even errors.
One of my favorite examples of this principle is the Rebecca Black “Friday” video. It was famously ranked as the most disliked video on YouTube. However, what many overlook is that this very video has been viewed by nearly 36 million people and counting. Its perceived “badness” ironically propelled it into the mainstream media, even landing Rebecca Black on Good Morning America! Subsequently, Rebecca Black even had the opportunity to remake a new version of the “Friday” song with the pop icon Katy Perry. It’s almost certain that the music producer behind the original “Friday” video received countless calls and opportunities because of the massive publicity, regardless of its initial negative reception.
This brings me to my own personalized cat drawing, created by Steve Gadlin of “I Want To Draw A Cat For You.”
I want to draw a cat for you custom drawing
Ravenous Raven Design’s unique cat art commission from I Want to Draw a Cat for You service
Now, my next step is to get a matching t-shirt to proudly wear this artwork! Woohoo!
I often find myself thinking about creating my own catchy and unconventional commercial for my freelance web design business. Steve Gadlin’s approach is truly inspiring.
Thanks, Steve!
