By Chad Wade – No-BS Marketing Mindset for Owners Who Want Real Foot Traffic
If your “marketing plan” is posting a picture of your new water pipes on Instagram and hoping someone sees it — congratulations, you’ve just joined the Most Smoke Shops Are Invisible club.
Here’s the truth:
You can’t win this game with the same weak strategies every other shop is using.
You need guerrilla marketing — fast, cheap, attention-grabbing tactics that make your store impossible to ignore.
You can’t win this game with the same weak strategies every other shop is using.
You need guerrilla marketing — fast, cheap, attention-grabbing tactics that make your store impossible to ignore.
Here’s how to do it, smoke shop style.
1. Street Team With Purpose
I’m not talking about random people handing out flyers like it’s 1999.
I’m talking trained promoters who:
I’m talking trained promoters who:
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Wear branded shop shirts
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Hand out coupons and talk about your products
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Post up near concerts, skate parks, hookah lounges, and nightlife spots
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Get people to follow your store’s Instagram/TikTok on the spot
You don’t need 20 people — you need 3 high-energy reps who can work a crowd.
2. The “Drop In” Marketing Blitz
Pick 20 local businesses that share your target audience (tattoo shops, bars, record stores).
Drop in with:
Drop in with:
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A box of stoner snacks
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A couple branded lighters
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Discount cards for their customers
Rule: Make it about them first — not just “come to my store.” Build the relationship and cross-promote.
3. Mystery Bag Sales
Advertise in-store only:
“$20 Mystery Bag — Guaranteed $35+ in Products”
“$20 Mystery Bag — Guaranteed $35+ in Products”
Make them flashy. Throw in overstock, samples, and a couple higher-end surprises.
People love the gamble — and it moves stale inventory fast.
People love the gamble — and it moves stale inventory fast.
4. Sidewalk Art That Stops Traffic
If your city allows sidewalk chalk or sandwich boards, don’t waste it on “Open 10-8.”
Use bold, weird, or funny lines like:
Use bold, weird, or funny lines like:
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“We sell adult candy”
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“The cleanest glass you’ll ever own”
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“Our snacks will ruin your diet and your willpower”
Change it daily. Post pics on socials.
5. Flash Sale Text Blasts
If you’re not collecting phone numbers, you’re leaving piles of cash on the table.
Once a week:
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Send a 48-hour flash sale text to your SMS list
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Make the offer irresistible (BOGO, $5 off, free lighter with purchase)
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Keep it short: “Fri-Sat only: BOGO vapes. Show this text. ChadWadeTV Smoke Shop.”
It costs almost nothing and gets instant results.
6. Host a “Weird” Event
Forget boring sales. Do something Instagram-worthy:
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“Stoner Snack Taste Test Night”
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“Build Your Own Bong” workshop
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“Glass Art Pop-Up” with a local blower
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“Free Rolling Lessons” for newbies
People show up for the experience — and they buy while they’re there.
7. The “Tag for a Prize” Game
Pick a display item (like a giant stuffed alien or a rare piece of glass).
Put up a sign:
“Take a selfie with me, tag @YourShopName, win free stuff”
Put up a sign:
“Take a selfie with me, tag @YourShopName, win free stuff”
Every week, pick a winner and give them something small.
This keeps your shop all over social media — for pennies.
This keeps your shop all over social media — for pennies.
Final Word
Guerrilla marketing works because it’s the opposite of boring.
It’s unexpected.
It’s high energy.
It’s you taking the fight to the street instead of hoping customers find you.
It’s unexpected.
It’s high energy.
It’s you taking the fight to the street instead of hoping customers find you.
Do even 2 of these consistently and you’ll outshine 90% of the shops in your city.
Do all 7 and you’ll have people talking about your store in places you didn’t even know existed.
Do all 7 and you’ll have people talking about your store in places you didn’t even know existed.
Want my full Smoke Shop Marketing Playbook?
I’ve broken down 50+ marketing tactics with scripts, templates, and real-life examples in my business guides at ChadWadeTV.com. Training | Chad Wade TV