Digital Marketing

Best Ad Strategies for Successful Businesses

Advertising in 2025 is about showing the right message to the right people at the right time. There are many ways to advertise now, online, in emails, on social media, and even in creative ways offline. But not every method works the same for every business.

Some ads help people learn about your brand. Others are better for getting quick sales or bringing customers back. That’s why it’s important to understand your goal and choose a strategy that fits.

In this article, you’ll learn about 12 different advertising strategies that are working well in 2025. You’ll see how each one works and when to use it, so you can get better results without wasting time or money.

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12 Types of Advertising Strategies for 2025

There’s no single way to advertise that works for every brand, and in 2025, variety and timing matter more than ever. Below are 12 powerful advertising strategies businesses are using to stand out, connect with their audience, and get results.

Content Advertising

This type of advertising is built on giving value before asking for anything in return. It includes helpful blog posts, how-to videos, free guides, and educational content that solves a problem or answers a question. Instead of selling directly, it builds a relationship over time.

Example: A dental clinic writes a blog on “5 Signs You May Need a Root Canal,” filled with helpful insights. At the end, it gently invites readers to book an appointment. This builds trust, improves search rankings, and brings in new patients organically.

Pull Advertising

Pull advertising is about attracting people who are already interested in something related to your product or service. These users come to you through search engines, Pinterest boards, YouTube, or Reddit, because they’re actively looking for information.

Example: A person searching for “how to sleep better naturally” comes across your blog about herbal sleep supplements. They find value in your post and are more likely to trust your product because they found you on their terms.

Push Advertising

Unlike pull ads, push advertising delivers your message to people who aren’t actively looking, but might be a good fit based on interests, behaviour, or location. These ads are common on YouTube, OTT platforms, mobile apps, and even digital billboards.

Example: A skincare brand runs a short video ad before a popular beauty tutorial on YouTube. Even though the viewer didn’t search for the product, the ad catches their interest and leads them to explore the brand.

Email Advertising

Email advertising is perfect for staying in touch with people who already know your brand. Whether it’s a welcome sequence, product recommendations, or cart reminders, emails can bring people back without being too pushy.

Example: A user signs up for updates from a clothing store but doesn’t purchase. Over the next few weeks, they receive emails with new arrivals, styling tips, and finally, a discount. The emails feel like friendly nudges, not hard sells.

These ads appear where people spend much of their time scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. With advanced targeting, you can reach users based on location, age, habits, or what they follow.

Example: A local gym targets Instagram users within 5 miles who have shown interest in fitness. They run a Reel showing a free 3-day pass and a quick tour. It grabs attention and brings in people from the neighbourhood.

Native Advertising

Native ads are designed to match the style of the platform they appear on. They don’t feel like ads. That’s why they often perform better, especially on blogs, news apps, and content-driven websites.

Example: A tech company sponsors an article titled “Top Gadgets for Remote Workers” on a popular news site. One of the recommended items is their product. It’s informative, not salesy, and the audience reads it naturally.

Paid Search Advertising

These ads show up when someone types a related keyword into a search engine. They’re based on intent, which makes them powerful. If someone is already looking for something, a well-placed ad can win the sale.

Example: A user types “affordable wireless earbuds” into Google. Your ad appears at the top, with a product image, price, and star rating. Since the person is already interested, the chances of a click and purchase are high.

Podcast Advertising

Podcasts have loyal listeners, and when a trusted host mentions a product, it feels personal and believable. Ads are usually read by the host or placed during a break, and they’re especially effective for niche products or services.

Example: A mental wellness app sponsors a mindfulness podcast. The host talks about using the app during their morning routine. Because the audience trusts the host, they’re more open to trying the product.

Influencer Advertising

Influencers already have an audience that trusts them. When they share a product naturally, it feels more like a recommendation than an ad. This type of promotion works well for lifestyle, fashion, food, and tech brands.

Example: A lifestyle influencer shares a “morning routine” video and casually includes your skincare product. They explain why they like it and link to your store. Because their followers value their opinion, it often leads to high engagement.

Promotions and Giveaways

Running a promotion or giveaway is a fast way to get attention, gather leads, and boost engagement. People love the chance to win something, and they often tag friends or share the post, spreading your brand with minimal cost.

Example: A local bakery hosts a giveaway on Facebook: “Win a free custom cake! Tag a friend and follow our page.” Within days, hundreds of new people learn about the business and follow it for updates.

Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs reward repeat customers, which helps build long-term value. Whether it’s points, early access, or member-only perks, these programs keep people coming back, which is often cheaper than finding new customers.

Example: A bookstore gives members 1 point for every dollar spent. After 100 points, they get a $10 reward. Members also get early invites to events. It encourages regular visits and increases word-of-mouth referrals.

Guerrilla Advertising

Guerrilla ads are creative, surprising, and often placed in public places to grab attention. These campaigns don’t rely on big budgets, just big ideas. They’re great for local buzz or social media sharing.

Example: A cleaning product brand places giant “stain marks” on a busy plaza, with a mop and bucket in the center. It catches eyes, draws laughs, and gets people to take pictures, all leading back to the brand’s message.

As trends shift and attention becomes harder to win, brands that stay flexible and creative with their advertising approach will stand out. These 12 strategies give you options — pick the ones that fit your audience, test them well, and keep refining. That’s how great campaigns grow in 2025.

Seasonal Types of Advertising Strategies

Seasons, holidays, and special events shape how people think, shop, and spend. In 2025, smart businesses use this to their advantage by matching their campaigns to the mood and mindset of the moment.

It’s not just about running a holiday sale, it’s about knowing why people are buying and what they care about during that time.

Plan Around Key Seasons

Think about what’s happening in your customer’s life throughout the year. For example:

January – New Year, fresh starts, fitness, organization
February – Valentine’s Day, gifts, self-care
March–April – Spring cleaning, travel planning, Ramadan, Easter
June–August – Summer holidays, outdoor living, back-to-school prep
September–October – Fall refresh, cozy products, productivity tools
November–December – Black Friday, Christmas, New Year countdown

Instead of running the same ad year-round, tweak your message to match the season.

Real-World Example

A candle brand doesn’t just say, “Buy our candles.”

In October, they promote warm, spiced scents for fall evenings.
In December, they feature gift sets with messages like “For the one who needs to slow down.”
In January, they talk about calm and reset pairing candles with journals in a “New Year Kit.”

Each message connects with how people feel in that season. That’s what makes it work.

Time-Limited Offers

Seasonal ads also create urgency. When people know an offer or product is available for a short time, they’re more likely to act.

For example:

“Last-minute Mother’s Day gifts – order by Thursday!”
“Back-to-school bundle – ends August 31”
“Limited Eid collection – only 500 sets made”

This isn’t pressure, it’s just being clear about timing and that clarity helps customers make decisions faster.

Tips to Get It Right

Update visuals to match the season colours, themes, and even emojis
Change your tone: festive in December, calm in January, energetic in June
Highlight seasonal needs: warm clothes, gifts, planners, hydration, etc.
Don’t force it, if your product isn’t seasonal, focus on relevance instead

In 2025, local and cultural relevance matter more than ever. What works for one region might fall flat in another. Tailor your campaigns to the holidays your audience celebrates. If your audience includes multiple cultures or regions, make different versions of your ad.

A generic message misses the mark, but a thoughtful, localized one builds a real connection. Seasonal advertising isn’t about selling something for every holiday. It’s about understanding your audience’s life moments and showing up with something they’ll appreciate at the right time.

Done well, seasonal campaigns feel personal. They help your brand stay relevant all year long, not just during the busy months.

How To Choose the Right Advertising Strategy

With so many advertising options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But choosing the right strategy doesn’t have to be complicated, it starts with asking the right questions. Your answers will shape what type of campaign makes the most sense for your goals, audience, and budget.

What Is the Purpose of Your Campaign?

Before anything else, get clear on why you’re running the campaign. Different goals need different approaches:

Want to build brand awareness? Focus on content, influencers, or social media reach.
Want more sales or sign-ups? Try paid search, email ads, or retargeting.
Want to keep your existing customers coming back? Loyalty programs and newsletters are your best bet.

Example: If you’re launching a new product, your focus might be awareness, so you’d choose influencer ads or engaging video content. But if you’re promoting a seasonal discount, paid ads with urgency will work better.

Who Is Your Target Audience?

Think about who you’re trying to reach, and more importantly, where they spend time.

Younger users? TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are key.
Business professionals? LinkedIn and email newsletters work well.
Niche communities? Consider podcasts, Reddit ads, or local influencer partnerships.

Also ask: What are their habits? Are they price-conscious? Do they value convenience, style, or expertise? The more you understand their mindset, the easier it is to speak their language.

Tip: Don’t just guess, use data from past campaigns, Google Analytics, or social insights to guide your decisions.

What Is Your Budget?

Your budget matters, not just how much, but how you plan to use it.

Tight budget? Focus on low-cost but high-trust strategies like email marketing or partnerships.
Want fast results? Paid ads can drive quick traffic, but may cost more.
Thinking long-term? Content and SEO take time, but build lasting results.

Example: A new local café might spend a small budget on Instagram Reels and local influencer shout-outs. A larger eCommerce brand could split its spend between Google Ads and retargeting for returning customers.

What Results Do You Want to Measure?

If you’re not tracking success, it’s hard to know what’s working. Decide early on what you want to measure, and choose platforms that make that easy.

Some common metrics include:

Click-through rate (CTR) – Are people engaging with your ad?
Return on ad spend (ROAS) – Are you earning more than you’re spending?
Leads or conversions – Are people signing up, booking, or buying?
Engagement – likes, comments, shares, or time on page.

Tip: Match your metric to your goal. If you’re just starting, don’t focus only on conversions; focus first on reach and awareness.

Choosing the right advertising strategy isn’t about following trends, it’s about understanding your own business goals, audience behaviour, and resources. Once you know those, the right strategy becomes much easier to find.

Latest Trends in Advertising (2025 Snapshot)

Advertising in 2025 is smarter, more respectful, and more connected than ever before. The focus has shifted from chasing clicks to building real relationships. Here are the top trends every business should know:

People now expect control over their data. With browser updates and privacy laws, brands rely more on first-party data and tools like Google’s Privacy Sandbox. Getting clear permission from users is no longer optional; it’s how trust is built.

Automated Creative Testing

Platforms like Meta Advantage and Google Performance Max test different ad versions automatically. You upload headlines, images, and videos, and they find the best mix and scale what works, saving time and improving results.

Short-Form Video Rules

Short videos under 30 seconds are outperforming static content. From product demos to day-in-the-life clips, brands use video to engage and inform quickly.

Personalized Ads with First-Party Data

Email lists, purchase history, and website behaviour now power smarter targeting. You can show the right message to the right group, like sending a winter gear offer only to past buyers in cold regions.

Cross-Channel Storytelling

People don’t stay on one platform. Brands that connect their message across TikTok, search ads, and email get better results. Consistency helps people remember you and take action faster.

The best campaigns in 2025 are the ones that feel personal, timely, and respectful. Use these trends to guide your strategy and build stronger connections, not just impressions.

Conclusion

Advertising in 2025 is all about precision and personalization. It’s not about being everywhere, it’s about being where it matters most.

Each strategy we’ve covered has its strengths. Whether you’re nurturing leads through email or surprising locals with guerrilla ads, the key is to match your message to your moment.

Start with one or two strategies that align with your goals. Test them, track them, and keep evolving. The most successful brands aren’t the loudest; they’re the ones that know how to listen, adapt, and deliver real value.