The Boring Company Flamethrower Letter
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The Boring Company couldn’t ship propane for their flamethrower, so they mailed customers a $5 bill to buy some locally. Genius. This turned a legal headache into a viral moment and a fun brand story.
Marketing Analysis
They didn’t just obey the rules—they used the restriction to make the experience even better. Including real money adds surprise, humor, and a feeling of instant value.
Why It Works
- Physical money grabs attention instantly
- Turns a disappointment into a delight
- Builds brand personality through humor
- Feels personal and real in a digital world
- Creates shareable “I can’t believe they did this” moments
Examples
- Cards Against Humanity’s “nothing for $5” prank drove 35k sales in a day
- Dollar Shave Club’s funny launch video hit 12M+ views
- Tesla’s “don’t buy it” Cybertruck tweet boosted hype instantly
Analyzed by Swipebot
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