In the world of digital marketing, most companies rely on proven strategies—social media ads, influencer collaborations, content marketing, SEO, and PPC. These are the backbone of product promotion for both startups and large enterprises.
But in an industry where everyone is using the same playbook, the real question becomes: what is the least common product marketing technique that still works?
If you’re seeking a fresh approach that gives your product an edge without blending into the crowd, exploring this rarely-used method could be your secret weapon.
Why Common Marketing Techniques Often Fail to Stand Out
When every brand uses the same marketing platforms, messages, and formats, audiences become numb. They scroll past banner ads. They skip sponsored videos. Familiar tactics can sometimes backfire, making a brand look unoriginal or forgettable.
That’s why marketers are starting to look for rare or unconventional approaches—strategies that are not overused, yet still deeply effective.
The Answer: Sensory Marketing
Sensory marketing is arguably the least common product marketing technique, especially in digital-first brands. While large in-store brands occasionally tap into it, digital marketers tend to ignore it—leaving a powerful opportunity on the table.
So what is it exactly?
Sensory marketing is the practice of using human senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste—to influence buying behavior. It’s designed to trigger emotional responses and deepen memory connections with a product.
Unlike visual or written advertising, this technique targets how a product feels, smells, or sounds in a real-life context. And because it’s not easy to replicate online, very few brands incorporate it seriously.
Why Is Sensory Marketing So Rare?
Most marketing today happens online. E-commerce has minimized physical interaction between customers and products. That’s part of why sensory marketing is so underused—it requires creativity and effort beyond a click or scroll.
Also, it often demands physical experiences: scented packaging, product texture sampling, or unique audio feedback from a product interface. Many brands avoid this due to logistics or cost.
But the rarity of this method is exactly what makes it powerful.
Real-World Impact of Sensory Marketing
Even though sensory marketing is less common, it has shown remarkable results when used thoughtfully.
Consider how a luxury perfume brand carefully crafts its packaging and in-store scent to match the essence of the fragrance. Or how Apple uses the subtle “click” sound of a MacBook’s trackpad to convey quality.
These experiences are subtle but memorable.
When customers engage more than one sense during a product experience, they’re more likely to remember the product, associate it with emotion, and remain loyal.
How Digital Brands Can Use Sensory Techniques
Even if your business is digital, you can still implement sensory tactics. It just takes planning and creativity.
For instance, product packaging can incorporate textured finishes, pleasant scents, or unique unboxing elements. Digital sound design in apps or websites can provide tactile feedback that mimics real interaction.
Subscription box companies use fragrance-infused wrapping or handwritten notes to humanize the experience. Some brands even mail samples with unexpected materials—like a coffee brand using burlap packaging to evoke farm-fresh authenticity.
The point isn’t to be flashy. It’s to give customers a feeling they remember.
Why Sensory Marketing Works (Even When It’s Subtle)
Sensory stimuli are processed by the brain’s emotional and memory centers. That means they can trigger powerful associations that outlast other forms of advertising.
Think about the smell of new leather or the weight of a cold glass bottle. Those aren’t just physical sensations—they create emotional cues that people carry with them, often subconsciously.
When a product can embed itself into someone’s sensory memory, it has a lasting advantage.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Of course, sensory marketing isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy. It requires custom development, testing, and sometimes physical delivery logistics.
But these challenges can be minimized by starting small. For example, test one sense at a time. Try custom audio for your product tutorial videos. Experiment with embossed packaging. Use high-quality paper stock for printed materials.
You don’t need to revolutionize everything at once—just introduce touchpoints that stand out from competitors.
Differentiation in a Saturated Market
Many companies spend more on ads without improving customer experience. But instead of scaling ad spend, what if you improved how your product feels in the buyer’s hands?
That’s where sensory marketing wins. It turns your product into something more than a commodity. It becomes an experience.
Most brands don’t invest in this. They chase algorithms and trends. So if you do it, you stand apart.
Is This Technique Right for You?
Before jumping in, consider whether sensory cues align with your brand.
If you sell digital-only products, you might lean toward sound design or interactive feedback. If you ship physical goods, you can use texture, aroma, or packaging weight.
You don’t need a huge budget. You just need to be intentional.
Ask what emotions your product should evoke. Then ask: what physical experiences support those emotions?
Final Thoughts
So, what is the least common product marketing technique?
It’s sensory marketing—an underutilized strategy that taps directly into human emotion and memory through the senses. While rare, it offers a way to deeply differentiate your brand and build lasting impressions.
If you’re tired of fighting for attention in crowded feeds or spending more for smaller returns, this might be the angle that brings your product to life in a way your competitors can’t easily copy. Some of these lesser-used techniques can also support bold moves like the growth strategy that combines new markets and new products.
Because in a world of automation and repetition, the human senses might just be your strongest tool.
