If you’re running a business in Florida, you already know this place is different. We have a bizarre mix of tourists, transplants, and lifelong locals, and what works in other states doesn’t always work here.
But there’s one unusual marketing strategy that seems to work only in Florida. It’s not SEO, paid ads, or influencer marketing. It’s the art of being weird… on purpose.
Let me explain.
Florida’s Secret Marketing Weapon: Embrace the “Florida Man” Effect
Florida is infamous for wild headlines. People expect the unexpected here. That’s why businesses that do something intentionally weird tend to go viral and get way more attention than businesses that play it safe.
Example 1: Florida’s Chicken Wing ATM
A restaurant in South Florida installed a 24/7 chicken wing vending machine outside their shop. Weird? Yes. But when local news picked it up, their business exploded.
Example 2: The Florida Car Wash With Live Alligators
A small car wash near Orlando set up a mini gator habitat where customers could watch the reptiles while waiting. It became a tourist attraction and brought in way more foot traffic.
Example 3: The Bar That Gives Free Drinks When It Rains
One Florida bar decided to turn our insane weather into a marketing gimmick: when it starts raining, everyone inside gets a free drink. People rush to the bar when they see clouds forming.
The pattern? Florida businesses that lean into their weirdness stand out—and win big.
Why This Works (And Why It Only Works Here)
✅ Florida has a high “WTF” tolerance. People here expect the unusual, which means quirky marketing doesn’t just work, it thrives.
✅ Tourists are looking for stories. Visitors don’t just want a product or service, they want a unique experience they can tell their friends about.
✅ Local news LOVES weird Florida businesses. Do something outside the norm, and there’s a good chance a journalist will pick it up. Free publicity = free customers.
✅ People want shareable content. If your business has something strange, people will take photos and post about it for you = free viral marketing.
How to Use This in Your Business
You don’t have to build an alligator enclosure or install a chicken wing ATM (unless you want to—go for it). But you can use the “Florida Weird Factor” to stand out.
1. Take Something Normal and Make It Weird
A bakery that makes key lime pies shaped like Florida
A pet groomer that offers matching hairstyles for dogs and owners
A coffee shop where every order comes with a free fortune-telling
2. Turn Florida’s Weather Into a Marketing Gimmick
“If it’s over 95 degrees, get 10% off”
“Buy one, get one free on the first day of hurricane season”
“Heatwave Happy Hour – Free drinks if the temperature hits 100°”
3. Give People a Reason to Talk About You
A mystery menu item that only Florida locals can order
A business mascot that’s totally bizarre (a surfboard-riding flamingo, maybe?)
A prize wheel where customers can win “Florida prizes” like sunscreen, flip-flops, or a pool float
Get Weird, Get Noticed
The biggest mistake Florida businesses make? Being forgettable.
In a place where people are surrounded by beaches, theme parks, and crazy headlines, blending in is the same as being invisible.
So instead of trying to market like every other business, ask yourself:
What’s something weird, fun, or unexpected I can do that only makes sense in Florida?
Once you find that one thing, lean into it. Because in Florida, the weirder you are, the better your business does.
