Spot the Code, Score the Deal
July 22, 2025-Tactical Tuesday: Guerrilla Marketing Tip
Hiding a discount code in a photo turns a visual post into a hunt for a discount. It also draws attention to particular things you want to highlight.
Some examples:
A hairstylist might have a discount code woven into before and after shots of a client’s ombre color hairstyle. The code could be on a hairbrush handle or on a piece of wall art behind the hairstylist’s client. (The code could be a discount on ombre-specific coloring.)
A restaurant might share a photo of a daily special; the code could be hidden in the garnish, piped as a sauce on a dessert plate, or on a chalkboard menu behind a server holding a tray of drinks. (The code could be a free upgrade on a dessert.)
An accountant could take a photo of a workspace with the discount code on a sticky note or in the corner of an example spreadsheet of accounts. (The code could be for a 15-minute consult.)
A florist could have the code on a tag or gift card that is attached to a bouquet in a vase or watermarked on a greeting card that is in the photo. (The code could be for a free bud vase or 10% off delivery orders.)
A garden center could post a photo of a garden display and have the code on a plant marker or on a seed packet. (The code could be for a free plant guide and a 5% (or other) discount off their next visit)
While stock photos can be used for some types of businesses, if you have a product you sell, including food, be careful of misrepresentation. The image of that lovely dessert needs to look like the real thing. A photo of the ombre hair coloring should be realistic to what the stylist can create.
Actionable Checklist / To-Do List:
Take a photo or use applicable/associated stock images (legally).
Hide the discount code subtly in the image if taking the photo or pop into Canva.com and do some small edits to the image. Added small text onto an image takes only a few moments.
Test to ensure it’s challenging but not impossible to spot. If taking in person photos, take a photo of the area you want to hide the code in first, and then retake it when you have found a spot that will be findable, but not too hard to search for, and not overly easy to spot.
Write a clear post inviting people to find it.
Offer a bonus to the first few who redeem it. Make sure to specify an amount of redemptions, or if it’s a small discount/offer that will increase traffic, make it unlimited, but put a time stamp on when the promotion ends.
Share the image on your chosen social channels.
Track the redemptions and engagement to measure success.
