Marketing’s warm and fuzzy neighbour, nostalgia is alphabet soup for many different audiences. Flying in the face of new trends and technologies, nostalgic marketing uses emotional connection and comfortably familiar visuals to create a lasting impact – something that never goes out of style. Harnessing the power of nostalgia in your own marketing efforts is a matter of understanding the magic of relevant resources: something we can absolutely help you with.
2DDJA7E // McDonald's, Route 11, Birmingham, Alabama, USA, John Margolies Roadside America Photograph Archive, 1980. // Glasshouse Images
Nostalgic Marketing in a Nutshell
So what exactly is nostalgic marketing? It involves leveraging people’s attachment to past eras, experiences, or cultural references. By bridging connections back to these distinctive emotions, you can create a sense of familiarity and trust, leading to stronger brand loyalty and engagement.
Because nostalgia is a universal emotion that transcends generations, it has the makings of a particularly versatile strategy for various industries and brands.
2H5G3PX // Fans at the Friends 20th Anniversary Pop-up in Soho, New York City. // Laperruque
The Role of Visuals in Nostalgic Marketing
This is something that we can learn from adverts of the past – and from that very specific scene in Ratatouille. The right sight or image can trigger a flood of memories and emotions, allowing you to build that all important sense of shared experience. You just need to delve into archives or seek out visuals that span decades, from vintage advertisements to retro lifestyle photos. A single picture can be used to paint a picture worth remembering.
KM0D0G // An advert for eggs issued by the British Egg Marketing Board, 1959. // M&N
How to find Nostalgic Visuals for your Campaign
Happily, you’ve come to the right place to search for and find images that align with your foray into nostalgic marketing. Here are some tricks of the trade to make the magic happen…
- Keyword Search: Use relevant keywords to search for specific themes, eras, or objects associated with nostalgia. For example, if you’re promoting a product inspired by the 90s, search for terms like “retro tech”, “vintage fashion”, or “nostalgic toys”. The more specific you can be, the better. Tagging on ‘1990s’ or ‘90s’ for good measure is also a good shout.
- Filters and Categories: We categorise images into themes and eras, making it simple to find visuals that match your campaign. Try filtering by date if you’re targeting a specific time period.
- Editorial vs. Creative: Depending on your campaign’s goals, you can choose between images from our editorial and creative collections. Editorial images tend to offer an authentic look into the past, while creative images often blend nostalgia with modern aesthetics.
2J4X9D9 // Creative image search - cropped portrait of girl and fresh croissant on plaid tablecloth. // Volodymyr Melnyk
Ways to Craft your Nostalgic Marketing Campaign
With the perfect nostalgic visuals under your belt, you’re ready to integrate them into your marketing campaign. Remember to consider:
- Storytelling: Put some time into researching and creating narratives that resonate with the emotions your chosen visuals evoke. The stories you choose to tell should highlight the connection between your brand, product, or service and the nostalgic elements you’re using.
- Social Media Engagement: When you share nostalgic images on your social media platforms, you can then encourage your audience to share their own memories and experiences related to the visuals.
- Email Marketing: A nostalgic headlining image in your next e-newsletter can grab your subscribers’ attention and trigger a sense of nostalgia that’s difficult to ignore.
- Landing Pages and Websites: Within your campaign, nostalgic imagery can be used to design visually appealing landing pages and website banners that immediately capture visitors’ interest.
DRFYE7 // Two teddy bears sitting by the fire. // AMD Images
Nostalgic marketing has the power to transport audiences back in time and create lasting connections. Our own comprehensive collection of nostalgic visuals serves as a valuable resource if you’re looking to dabble in this distinctive type of marketing. By understanding the essence of nostalgic marketing and effectively integrating the right imagery into your campaigns, you can ensure that the past becomes a powerful tool for your marketing future.