Street Teams and their members have been infamous for showing commitment and self motivation in helping artists, brands, television programs as well as radio stations get exposure. From the beginning, “Street Teamers” consisted of a younger group of people that were attractive, influential, and outgoing. These people would do everything from:

• Putting up posters to promote products/events
• Spreading the word about the existence of a new product/event
• Handing out product samples
• Convincing others to try the brand/attend the event

Street Teamers typically do everything necessary to influence to masses. For example, local radio stations hire street teams that drive from city to city and stop at malls, stores, and venues and hand out free event tickets, station merchandise. Television shows and stations hire street teams to promote shows and at times give out free show tickets. Club owners also work with street teams and allow them access to venues. And specific product brands hire street teams to go out to events and locations across the US and do everything from pass out free samples to simply talking to people about the brand. Also at times merchandise is handed out in exchange for the attendee’s email address; this way email promoting notices are automatically sent. Free “Bring a friend” invitations are given out as well to spread the word and get bigger crowds at clubs and openings.

The Internet Influence

Street teams and the ways they promote have changed and evolved with the Internet era. Street team marketing and promoting has used the Internet for more brand/product/event exposure. Advertisements are displayed on online banners, screen savers and page layouts for networking pages like MySpace allowing for thousands of ads to be displayed hundreds of times a day. Online promoters network online with as many people in as many different cities as possible and online advertisements are sent to them on a daily basis.

Whether it is a new product, event, or an existing product/event that just needs to be brought back into the mainstream, Street Marketing is a powerful way to promote such things and an opportunity for the promoters who are interested in the fields they promote to obtain experience and knowledge that they can benefit from in the future.

About the Author
Linda Tablings has worked with several modeling agencies on the business side and has insight into the world of professional modeling. If you’re looking for staffing for street teams, turn to Promo Models.