What Is ‘Hipster Marketing’ & Why Should You Care?

Scrolling through Pinterest (or even just walking down the street), we come across the trends of 2013: mustaches, X handles, vintage glasses, the much-heralded iPhone 5S.

It seems odd that our obsession with the newest technology in our business lives comes at a time when “hipster-chic” is the favored lifestyle for our personal lives.

The hipster might prefer typing out a letter on an antique typewriter, but they would also make a blog post about the latest and greatest social media site with all the appropriate lingo (#awesomesauce).  What a world we live in.

Old vs. New

Many businesses owners rely on social media and other web-based avenues to promote their product…and why shouldn’t they? It’s easy, informal, and doesn’t cost a cent. But is it the only way to build clout for your business?

Amidst all the talk of newsfeeds and “tweets,” should you feel obligated to jump on the bandwagon? We think so, but it has to go hand-in-hand with something we like to call “hipster marketing.”

Just Like Grandma Used to Tweet

While beefing up on social media tactics the other day, I got to thinking about those mom-and-pop stores of 50 (heck, even 20) years ago.

They couldn’t rely on tweets or Facebook contests to promote their image. They didn’t even have websites. Kids, I promise there really was such a thing as “before the internet.” Ask someone really old, like 35, and they’ll tell you all about it.

What did those moms and pops do to stay in business for so long?

Short answer: they cared about their customers. They got to know them, asked about their families. They focused on the quality of the product or service they offered and took pride in what they did.

Hipster Marketing = Customer Service

Now, if you ask me, this is why the hipster craze is so popular. Those vintage classics are the tried-and-true methods that will always work, long after global warming and nuclear meltdowns cause a worldwide power outage. (Butter churns don’t need no dang electricity!)

Great customer service is one of those things. As are quality products.

This doesn’t mean that X is a waste of time. X and Facebook are great ways to stay connected with fans of your business and foster brand loyalty. But too many businesses are tempted to make it all about themselves.

“Hipster marketing” focuses on the customer: what do they want? How do they like to be treated? What would drive them away?

Google’s new “Hummingbird” algorithm has taken this to heart by choosing to focus on quality content when compiling search results (rather than sneaky SEO practices and keyword glut).

If you want to build your brand or go viral, you have to make sure the product or service you provide is worth the effort. Otherwise, your tweets will fall on silent ears.

Which makes us wonder: if a CEO tweets in the forest and nobody cares, does it make a sound?


Clarity Creative Group is a web design & internet marketing company located in beautiful Orlando, Florida. We have a presence on X (@IWantClarity), Facebook, and Google+, but we’ve never been to Bonnaroo.

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