10 left-field marketing ideas for 2025 and beyond

Do you ever feel like marketing your vegan business is an uphill battle because your budget doesn’t go far enough or you’re not sure where to direct your spending?

We’ve got good news for you: you don’t need a big budget to make a big impact. Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity and a willingness to try something different to see big returns for a small investment.

Why not make 2025 the year you think outside the box? From nostalgic collectables to live shopping events, these fresh, left-field ideas could offer exciting new opportunities for your business.

1.      Collectables (cards, action figures, stickers, etc.)

What it is:

Remember the thrill of collecting something special as a child? Whether it was trading cards, stickers, plush toys, badges, or tiny figurines, they weren’t just fun, they were an obsession! Who can forget negotiating swaps with friends or tearing open a new packet with the hope of finding the jewel in your collection’s crown?

But guess what? It’s not just children who love collectables – adults love them too, especially when tied to a meaningful cause. (Experts say we’re all still chasing the dopamine hit of an uncertain reward).

Various companies are using the nostalgia for collectables in their marketing by creating collectable packaging and other products.

As vegan business owners, our challenge is to tap into the same market ethically that doesn’t put mass-produced single-use items into landfills.

How it could work for your vegan business:

Think about creating eco-friendly collectables like recipe cards, animal-themed stickers, or digital trading cards. You could even try “blind bag” surprises that customers can trade to complete a set (perhaps a favourite product range).

The key? Keep it sustainable by using recycled materials or digital formats to avoid waste. Done right, collectables can spark excitement, nurture customer loyalty, and encourage repeat purchases.

2.      Live shopping events

What it is:

Live shopping is the modern evolution of classic TV shopping channels. Hosts (this could be you!) showcase products in real time on social media or e-commerce sites. Viewers can ask questions, see live reviews, and instantly purchase through embedded links.

According to Statista, the live shopping market will double between 2023 and 2026, so now is the ideal time to capitalise on this trend.

How it could work for your vegan business:

Live shopping offers many exciting ways to showcase your vegan products. Cooking demos using plant-based foods, beauty demonstrations, live unboxings, or product tutorials would all work well.

Hosting regular live events creates a sense of urgency and excitement among your customers. With platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube enabling live commerce, this approach offers an accessible and affordable way to connect directly with your audience, highlight product benefits, and make more sales.

3.      Augmented Reality (AR) experiences

What it is:

Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital elements – like images, animations, text, or interactive features – onto the real world through a smartphone, tablet, or AR headset. It offers innovative ways for your customers to visualise and interact with your products or brand that go far beyond traditional marketing. (Click here to see how 14 household brands have been using AR in their marketing.)

How it could work for your vegan business:

Imagine a customer scanning a QR code on your packaging and being transported to a virtual sanctuary to “meet” the animals they’re helping by choosing your products. Alternatively, you could introduce customers to product makers or communities you support with short AR videos associated with specific products.

Alternatively, you could use AR to show the environmental impact of your offerings or let customers visualise recipes made with your ingredients. AR tools like Overly or Adobe Aero are accessible and affordable, making this a genuine option for small businesses.

4.      Community drop-off, swap, or reward programmes

What it is:

Community drop-off schemes invite people to bring specific items—such as packaging, paint, clothing, food, or electronics—to a designated spot, often in exchange for a discount or small reward. Swap events are another option, where participants trade unwanted items like clothes or toiletries.

How it could work for your vegan business:

The nature of your business is likely to influence the kind of community drop-off or swap programme you choose to run.

You could create a scheme to collect hard-to-recycle items like plant milk cartons, for example, or encourage customers to return your packaging for reuse. Alternatively, you could collect old blankets and bedding for a local animal sanctuary or run a clothes or craft materials swap.

While this may not directly lead to sales, it could help you to create a community around your brand.

5.      Gaming and gamification

What it is:

Gamification adds game-like elements (points, levels, or rewards) to non-gaming activities. You could also collaborate on or create simple games that reflect your brand’s values or educate people about a cause close to your heart.

How it could work for your vegan business:

You could develop a game where players manage a vegan café or sanctuary, unlocking recipes or learning about the needs of our fellow animals.

Another option is to use gamification tools like quizzes, challenges, or leaderboards to keep your audience engaged with your content. For instance, a weekly quiz on your social media could offer small prizes, such as discounts or branded merchandise.

Tools like Typeform, Mentimeter, Scratch or GameMaker make gamification affordable and accessible.

6.      Pop-up eco-art installations

What it is:

Temporary art installations made from upcycled or biodegradable materials can powerfully tell a story about veganism, sustainability, or animal freedom. A pop-up installation could also be an immersive space for people to learn about your mission.

By incorporating QR codes or augmented reality elements, you can provide visitors with additional information, such as your fundraising campaigns, product details, or ways they can get involved as volunteers.

How it could work for your vegan business:

Create a sculpture or space that visually represents the environmental benefits of veganism or an interactive display about rescued animals. You could host it at local markets, community events, or outside your shop. Use QR codes to link visitors to your website, product pages, or fundraising.

Visitors can snap photos, share them on social media, and create memorable conversations about your brand.

7.      DIY subscription boxes

What it is:

Subscription boxes with DIY kits let customers create something they love at home – vegan cheeses, herb gardens, eco-friendly candles, or clay pots are just a few examples. Alternatively, they can give people a regular supply of an essential item (for example, vegan deodorants like Wild or Fussy), usually at a slightly discounted price.

The boxes tap into the growing trend of hands-on, sustainable activities (in the UK right now, 29% of people pay for a box subscription regularly!)

How it could work for your vegan business:

Depending on your business, you could send out a subscription box that teaches your customers how to grow their own herb garden using sustainable techniques or create delicious vegan cheeses using your products. You could include branded tools or reusable packaging.

For each box, share educational content, such as the environmental benefits of the featured activity or recipes that incorporate the finished product. You could invite subscribers to share their creations on social media.

If you sell essential products like toiletries or larder items, you could offer them on a discounted subscription basis. Another idea would be to let people mix and match from a range of items to include in that month’s subscription box. They could also be available as gifts (for example, parents might want to gift their young person at university with a monthly health and beauty essentials box).

As an ethical business, you must consider how to offer a subscription box sustainably. One option is to offer a click-and-collect service or use a local bike-based courier for deliveries.

8.      Micro-influencer collaborations

What it is:

Micro-influencers are individuals with smaller but highly engaged audiences in specific niches, such as vegan parenting, thrifting (which is increasingly popular in the UK), plant-based cooking, foraging, or mending clothes. Compared to celebrity influencers, micro-influencers offer authentic, affordable partnerships.

How it could work for your vegan business:

Partner with influencers who align with your brand’s mission. Send them your products, like recipes or tutorials, to review or incorporate into their content. Offer exclusive discounts for their followers to drive sales and awareness. This creates authentic, trust-building exposure without breaking the bank.

You may already know people in your network who could serve as micro-influencers for your brand. If not, several companies (Brands Meet Creators is one example) connect brands with influencers.

9.      Digital gratitude walls

What it is:

A digital gratitude wall is an online space where customers can share personal messages about what veganism, ethical living, or specific products or services mean to them. This space could be a page on your website or a pinned post on your favourite social media platform.

Gratitude-focused messages are a great way to spread positivity about your brand and celebrate the people within your community. They should also help you reach new people inspired by these messages.

How it could work for your vegan business:

Invite your customers to post or message you with their stories, reflections, or photos of their vegan journey. For example, customers might share how switching to plant-based products has improved their health or how your eco-friendly items have helped them reduce waste.

You could feature the most inspiring posts in newsletters, on social media, or as part of your website’s testimonials.

10. Digital nomad hubs

What it is:

Digital nomad hubs are temporary co-working spaces designed for remote workers. These pop-up spaces often partner with plant-based cafés to provide healthy vegan meals and snacks.

In addition to providing a place to work or network, you could run workshops, talks, or pop-up events on topics such as vegan living, sustainability, or remote work strategies.

How it could work for your vegan business:

If you run a vegan café, wellness brand, or sustainability-focused business, setting up a digital nomad hub could help you tap into the growing remote work trend.

Partner with local plant-based eateries to provide meal packages or discounts for nomads using your space. Offer benefits like fast Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and quiet zones while branding the space with your mission and values.

You could also host events, such as talks on vegan living or skill-building workshops, to support the community using the hub.

Let 2025 be the year of left-field marketing!

Hopefully, these ten ideas have whetted your appetite for a creative and unexpected approach to marketing your business in 2025. You can explore many opportunities – from pop-up sample shops or virtual treasure hunts to pay-it-forward campaigns or customer referral schemes, as just a few bonus ideas. In theory, the only limit is your imagination! If you’re stuck for ideas, check what’s trending on TikTok, as the platform has become a major driver of broader social trends.

The secret to success is always keeping your audience in mind. Get to know them and what matters to them, then create opportunities for them to share what they love with your brand. This is where being a small business can be your superpower.