Did you know that June 27th is Sunglass Day?
Or that smoke tinted glasses were invented in China circa the early 1400’s? However, instead of using them to guard against the sun’s rays, Judges wore them in court so nobody could see their eyes. This was to keep people from figuring out what the verdict was before it was declared.
In fact, the military was among the first to commission glasses that would protect pilots from the sun’s glare. And sunglasses didn’t really become used by the public en masse until the 1960s when a sunglass manufacturer and ad agency came up with the “Who’s Behind those Foster Grants?” ad campaign.
In 2002 Sunglass Hut International joined forces with The Weather Channel as marketing partner of Rays Awareness.
Sunglass Hut supported The Weather Channel by sharing its expertise in eye safety and sunglass technology.
Each of Sunglass Hut’s 1,700 stores supported the program sending email notices and updates to consumers.
The Weather Channel featured eye safety tips and co-branded public service announcements and on-air segments promoting Rays Awareness throughout the summer.
In addition, the network shared data and statistics with local schools, civic groups and community boards.
Maybe you could contact your local advertising specialty company and order those cool sunglass clips for cars. Have them custom imprinted with your company logo. Every time your prospect unclips or clips their glasses on in the car, your company name is front and center. These items are a hit with everyone and everyone uses them! Donate a few of them to local business or civic organizations during one of their events.
Or do what Charlotte Russe (the boutique store) is doing. Charlotte Russe is running an exciting promotion with Seventeen Magazine! CR was featured in the table of contents and on the cover of the June issue. From 5/5/09-6/30/09 Seventeen readers can bring in the issue and receive a free pair of sunglasses from Charlotte Russe (while supplies last).
What company could you partner with to create a community service campaign while promoting your product or service?
June 26th, 2009
June 1st is Flip a Coin Day - Heads or Tails? Julius Caesar is credited with starting the practice of flipping a coin to make decisions. His own head was on one side of every Roman coin, so “heads” determined the winner in each flip. People thought “heads” meant that Caesar agreed with the decision. The coin flip was used in serious litigation involving property, marriage and even criminal guilt.
Just think how many lawyers would be out of a job if we went back to flipping a coin as a form of justice. And while it’s an interesting concept, probably not a good way to make business decisions. Imagine if your clients used the flip a coin method to decide if they should do business with you or not? You’d either have twice as many customers or half.
However, you could flip a coin for other things such as deciding on which strategies to start with in the Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ after all, marketing is all about TESTING to see what works and what doesn’t.
Did you know when you purchase a copy of the Quirky Marketing Calendar, you receive updates for a full year! That’s right, when you purchase the 2009 edition, you will automatically be sent the 2010 edition when it is released! And Quirky Marketing is Your Marketing Calendar. The only holiday marketing guide you will EVER Need again! Check it out now at www.QuirkyOffer.com.
June 1st, 2009
May 18th is send an electronic Greeting Card Day – One of two Electronic Greeting Card Days (the other is November) … there are so many great electronic greeting card companies online. I like Jackie Lawson Cards the best! It is very reasonable to be a member for a year and she has many from which to choose. I like these for their traditional down to earth look. You could always make your own by purchasing a photo from Fotolia or Dreamstime (approx. $1 to $5 each). “Google” FREE clip art for others.
May 18th, 2009
May 16 is Wear Purple Day - Why was purple worn by royalty? Mainly because purple dyes were so hard to make. Using lichen, the plant had to react with ammonia (this meant urine in ancient days) and sit out in the air for 2 weeks. Then it was mixed with pot ash to be used as a dye. This was much harder than just boiling berries or leaves for other colors, so purple dye was only for the wealthy. Today, all you have to do is spill some grape kool-aid and everything turns purple.
It is probably no accident that Seth Godin named one of his national bestsellers Purple Cow. Purple, in addition to being a color of royalty, is one of those colors that stands out, gets attention. And in Purple Cow the whole point is to get noticed in a field of competition by being different. What could you do to promote Wear Purple Day to your clients and prospects? How do you stand out in a crowd? Today is a good day to consider additional ways you could get noticed by your target audience.
Excerpt from the book “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays (the original holiday marketing guide) ~ www.QuirkyOffer.com
May 16th, 2009
May 15th is International Virtual Assistants Day - Host a virtual event inviting your circle to meet your virtual assistant. Interview him or her about what types of projects they work on, how they can help small business and more. Post the interview to your blog and promote your VA in your newsletter, on your website and in emails. If you are a virtual assistant, host a virtual conference for VA’s inviting them to share their stories with guests.
VA can help promote the event to their local media and garner some publicity for them and you. In 2008 the Online International Virtual Assistants Conference took place and VA’s from around the globe participated. It was a great way to raise awareness of this emerging profession.
Loral Langemeier, The Millionaire Maker says if you want to build wealth you have to first create a Cash Machine and second become someone else’s cash machine. A Virtual Assistant can take the load off so you can focus on the parts of the business that will make you the most money.
May 15th, 2009
May 13th is Receptionist’s Day – Otherwise known as make friends with the gatekeepers’ day. What kind of things can you think of for the Gatekeepers of the World? How about dropping by and saying Hello! If you have been trying to get past a gatekeeper, and doing so by phone, showing up in person can really be a bonus. Make sure you don’t arrive empty handed. A small token of some sort can go a long way. Movie tickets, a box of cookies, a single flower…
May 13th, 2009
May 12th is Limerick Day – Host a limerick contest that showcases your company’s virtues. A limerick is a five-line poem with a strict form, originally popularized in English by Edward Lear. Limericks are frequently witty or humorous, and sometimes obscene with humorous intent. I hosted a contest on RYZE social networking site and received several entries. Here’s one of the winning entries by Marilyn Jenett of Feel Free to Prosper about Bea Kunz, a member who sells Teas:
Another Ryze member named Bea
Will have you cravin’ her tea,
She’s witty and cool
And nobody’s fool,
And reigns as the “sage” of Tennessee
And one she wrote about her work with the Laws of Attraction:
There’s a Ryzer who teaches the “laws”
With posts that may give you pause,
Doesn’t mean to alarm ya,
Would rather disarm ya
With effects and their probable cause.
Excerpt from the book “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays (the original holiday marketing guide) ~ www.QuirkyOffer.com
May 12th, 2009
May 10-16 is National Women’s Health Week
- If you are in the healthcare or holistic healthcare industry, now is a great time to offer a “free screening” or even an “encourage a friend to get a checkup” drive.
Create a tips booklet about your topic area and give it to your clients and patients. Tips booklets are an excellent informational premium that people do not throw away. Better yet, ask your clients and patients to give you names of their women friends and offer to send the booklet on their behalf.
Excerpt from the book “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays (the original holiday marketing guide) ~ www.QuirkyOffer.com
For more information on Marketing to Women, check out the Marketing 2 Women Audio Program created by Women in ECommerce at: http://www.wecai.org/marketing2women.htm (8 audios and workbook for only $27!)
May 10th, 2009
May 9th is World Fair Trade Day - “Fair Trade” promotes and empowers poor farmers in remote areas to participate meaningfully in the global economy and lead to a better life for all. Join the BIG BANG!! BEAT POVERTY BEAT CLIMATE CHANGE BEAT FINANCIAL CRISIS BEAT A DRUM 2009 by buying from companies that practice Fair Trade.
Go to the Fair Trade Resource Network for a host of resources including where to buy, how to make a difference and how to promote World Fair Trade in your community.
Excerpt from the book “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays (the original holiday marketing guide) ~ www.QuirkyOffer.com
May 9th, 2009
May 8th is No Socks Day - in Florida we call that No Pantyhose DAY - which is most days…. If you are in retail you could reward anyone who comes into your store sans socks, stockings, etc with a free gift! If you do not have a retail establishment, partner with one and offer your services or products as the PRIZE for anyone who comes in.
Be sure to get the list of prize winners to follow up with them. (Did you also know that May 15th is Nylon Stockings Day?)
May 8th, 2009
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