Conduct a random act of kindness
Pay the toll for the car behind yours and ask the toll collector to give your business card to them, telling them you paid their toll. Sure this is a crapshoot, but it's imaginative and you never know who might be on the road. It's a low-cost guerrilla marketing tactic that has imagination written all over it.
Read More »
Nominate yourself for an award
Look around the internet. Ask your local chamber of commerce. There are many awards given by many organizations that accept self-nominations. Once you're nominated, publicize it with a press release. Once you're awarded the award, issue another press release. Use the award designation as part of your bio when speaking or when writing an article. Prospects love "award winning" people and businesses.
Read More »
Award a "Customer of the Month" award and have many, many winners.
Customers like attention, especially if they're in a special group. Award a plaque or certificate; these won't get thrown away and will remain at your customer's place of business as a reminder of their relationship with you.
Read More »
Tie yourself to a news event or current event covered by the newspaper.
I do this by reviewing Super Bowl commercials as a marketing expert and get free press out of it. Another example I've seen are chiropractors commenting on stretching exercises before local 5K runs or charity walks that are popular in many communities. Find a news story and issue a press release to publications, radio stations and television stations, offering yourself as an expert to comment on a related subject. It's one of the best ways to get free PR. Remember to use your imagination here. Just watch the news and do a reverse analysis. Make a list of companies that would be appropriate to comment on each story you watch. Sooner or later you'll find one where your company fits.
Read More »
Provide special attention to trade-show attendees the night before a trade show you're attending
Stand out from the crowd at trade shows by hanging door hangers on hotel room doors at designated trade-show hotels, offering a hook and an announcement or a special offer. Leave bags of candies, aspirin, insole pads for shoes or maybe a cloth carry bag to collect trade show information in. Your competition isn't doing this. You'll stand out, you'll be noticed, and you'll definitely be thanked if you put yourself in front of your prospect again.
Read More »
Hold a wacky contest.
The beauty of contests is threefold. You can announce the contest to your prospects, customers and the media. You can then announce the winners to the media and hopefully get press each time. Have multiple winners to delight multiple customers. Contests can be fun, wacky and imaginative: a messy desk contest, ugly tie contest, pet/owner look-alike contest, etc.
Read More »
Pass out notepads with coupon offers intermingled in the pages.
Even use the back cover stock to print an offer. Use your fusion marketing skills here. I know of a printing company that partnered with a pizza company and placed a coupon for a free pizza as the last page of the notepad. Both companies realized an increase in business with these giveaways.
Read More »
Create a funky holiday.
Today is "Orange Hair Day," or "Wear Army Fatigue Day," or "Give Ice Cream to a Friend Day." These are made up and from a brainstorm session. Your holiday that cross promotes your business, service or products is only limited by your imagination. Don't forget to publicize it, announce it, market it over and over, and have fun with it. You'll get noticed and people will grow to expect it if you do it on a frequent basis.
Read More »
|