Make It Stick: 7 Guerrilla Marketing Campaigns Using Sticky Notes

Guerrilla marketing works because it surprises people. It doesn’t rely on large budgets or prime-time media buys — it relies on clever placement, human behaviour, and repeat visibility.

Sticky notes are one of the most effective tools for this kind of campaign. They’re small, useful, and portable. When branded smartly, they become both a giveaway and an ongoing marketing asset that sits in plain sight — on monitors, desks, fridges, and planners.

For Australian marketers, event organisers, and corporate brand managers, sticky notes can deliver exceptional exposure for minimal cost. Below are seven guerrilla marketing campaigns that prove how a simple pad can make a strong brand statement.

1. Desk Takeover Surprise

Concept:

You may put pads of sticky notes directly on the desk or table of your booth, if you're attending an expo. You can also add a small QR code on the custom sticky and post-it notes that directs users to your landing page. 

Why it works:

People immediately notice items left on their desks. Because sticky notes are functional, recipients don’t discard them — they use them. That means your logo and message remain visible long after the event ends.

In Sydney or Melbourne, where business networking events and leadership workshops happen daily, this approach delivers brand presence without the need for signage or floor space.

Execution Tips:

• Keep the branding clean and subtle; cluttered designs reduce usability.
• Use one colour or slogan per event to make the pads feel exclusive.
• Pair the QR code with a low-friction CTA like “Claim your free digital toolkit.”

Impact:

This method often achieves hundreds of impressions from a single pad because each attendee uses multiple notes — a long-tail effect most giveaways can’t match.

2. Interactive Wall of Ideas

Concept:

When attending business expos and trade shows, consider creating a wall where participants can post their ideas and goals. The wall could carry a theme like “What’s one thing you’ll do differently this year?” or “Your biggest idea for 2025.”

Why it works:

It converts passive attendance into active participation. Every note adds colour and energy to the environment, and your logo appears across a growing visual installation.

Events in Melbourne or Brisbane where collaboration and creativity are central — such as marketing summits or innovation expos — are ideal for this.

Execution Tips:

• Supply markers or pens to encourage big, bold writing.
• Photograph the wall throughout the day and share time-lapse clips on LinkedIn or Instagram.
• Invite participants to take a spare pad home.

Impact:

You get audience-generated content, visual appeal, and emotional engagement — three hard metrics of event marketing success, achieved without digital screens or expensive signage.

3. Sticky Note Trails

Concept:

Distribute branded sticky notes with short, playful statements in high-traffic or semi-public areas — cafés, coworking spaces, or campus noticeboards. Include QR codes linking to a landing page, sample request, or brand message.

Why it works:

The small surprise of seeing a branded note in a familiar space draws attention. It’s ambient marketing at eye level. People may photograph or share the discovery, amplifying reach organically.

This works particularly well in Brisbane’s coworking scene or Perth’s café districts, where professionals regularly work away from the office.

Execution Tips:

• Use short, punchy lines: “Good ideas stick,” “Find your next note-worthy idea.”
• Ensure QR codes go to mobile-optimised pages.
• Refresh the notes weekly to keep the message fresh and alive, not stale.

Impact:

Sticky note trails combine repetition and randomness — the essence of guerrilla marketing. A simple note can start hundreds of small brand encounters.

4. Office Idea Kits

Concept:

 Send “Idea Kits” — boxed sets of promotional combo sets, pens, and creative prompts — to clients or partners.

Why it works:

This concept works because it integrates sticky notes into your company's internal culture. Instead of a giveaway that ends in storage, the kit encourages daily interaction. Over time, your brand becomes associated with innovation and collaboration.

Impact:

Each kit can influence dozens of people inside one business — a ripple effect that turns a stationery order into an internal branding partnership.

5. The Exit Surprise (You Won’t Believe #5)

Concept:

At the end of a seminar, trade show, or networking breakfast, attach a personalised sticky note to each attendee’s pack or brochure. Include a short message — “Thanks for joining us today” or “Keep your ideas close.”

Why it works:

Most brands focus on first impressions. This tactic capitalises on the final moment — when attendees are leaving and mentally summarising their experience. A small, personal gesture creates emotional connection, and because sticky notes are functional, they end up on desks where your logo remains visible for weeks.

Execution Tips:

• Use light, handwritten fonts or incorporate partial handwritten elements for authenticity.
• Include a small discount code or incentive for post-event purchases.
• Implement at Perth or Adelaide business conferences to extend local presence.

6. Wall of Fame

Concept:

Create a feature wall composed entirely of branded sticky notes, each printed with client names, testimonials, or brief success stories. Invite new visitors or event attendees to add their own notes to the display.

Why it works:

It visually represents your network and credibility. The wall serves as both social proof and an interactive element, displaying momentum in real-time.

This format attracts foot traffic at trade expos in Sydney or Melbourne, drawing people into conversations.

Execution Tips:

• Use consistent brand colours for aesthetic impact.
• Encourage visitors to “add their story” in exchange for a small gift.
• Capture photos of the evolving wall and share them post-event with participant tags.

Impact:

Combines authenticity and participation — two major drivers of modern brand trust. The wall physically communicates community.

7. Co-working Collaboration Corners

Concept:

Partner with coworking hubs and install branded “Idea Corners.” Provide sticky notes, pens, and prompts like “What problem are you solving today?” Every note carries your logo.

Why it works:

You seamlessly integrate your brand into the daily lives of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners — a key audience for bulk stationery buyers.

Execution Tips:

• Approach hubs in Sydney’s Tech Central, Melbourne’s Cremorne, or Brisbane’s Valley precinct.
• Supply signage that subtly includes your website or QR code.
• Refresh supplies monthly and measure engagement via social mentions.

Impact:

Creates a low-cost, ongoing presence within active professional communities — brand visibility through utility, not interruption.

Why Sticky Notes Work in Guerrilla Marketing

Marketing Principle	Why It Matters	Sticky Note Advantage	Example
Frequency of exposure	Repeated visual contact increases brand recall.	One pad on a desk = 50+ brand impressions.	Attendees from a Melbourne event still using branded pads weeks later.
Tactile engagement	Physical actions improve memory retention.	Writing + sticking reinforces the logo visually.	Sydney conference participants recalling the sponsor’s brand unprompted.
Social proof	People trust what others interact with.	Shared idea walls showcase participation.	Brisbane co-working “Idea Corner” tagged on LinkedIn.
Longevity	Items that stay visible extend campaign life.	Notes last for weeks in sightlines.	Pads distributed at a Perth expo seen in offices months later.
Sustainability	Modern audiences value eco-responsible branding.	Recycled paper options align with CSR goals.	Companies choosing eco-sticky notes for internal campaigns.

Implementation Guidelines

1. Match message to context. Use different tones for different environments — conversational in cafés, concise in corporate settings.
2. Secure permissions. Always obtain consent before using shared or public venues.
3. Include a measurable CTA. QR codes or short links make performance tracking easy.
4. Collect feedback. Monitor social engagement, scans, or traffic changes after launch.
5. Maintain consistency. Reuse design elements across campaigns to build familiarity.

Our Final Thoughts

Guerrilla marketing thrives on creativity, not scale. Sticky notes offer an overlooked yet powerful medium for marketers who value longevity and memorability. They merge utility with visibility, delivering daily brand impressions in environments where attention is usually scarce.

When executed with purpose, even a 3×3 square of paper can do what most digital ads can’t: stay in front of your audience every single day. A smart idea doesn’t just make an impression — it sticks.