Tomorrow (July 20th) is “Get Out of The Doghouse Day®” – a National holiday which my team and I created in 1999 – and one of the things that has become our CLAIM TO FAME. Today got me thinking about some of the strategies we have used to get our name out there to become known in our community and to help others get to know about the products and services my company offers. In 2000 we created a survey to see how people got out of the doghouse (and what put them there in the first place) and in 2001 we created a logo and trademarked the holiday National Get Out of The Doghouse Day®®. We had to create a logo to submit to the United States Patent and Trademark Office – www.uspto.gov.
Speaking of Surveys – did you know that more than 1,000 people actually responded to it? And that was before the advent of online surveys (as we know them today)! In fact, the question I am most often asked is just how we got more than 1,000 people to take the survey. That was the easy part. Since I am and have always been an avid networker, I simply carried my clipboard with the surveys around every where I went. We also asked people when they stopped in my florist, and I even took the surveys on trips and asked people on plane rides, bus rides, at conferences, in waiting areas and let’s not forget the Ladies Rooms! It was such fun meeting so many people. Of course, today would be a lot easier because we could have done this totally online, but the experience would not have been the same for my staff or for me.
And the best part of all is that every year at this time I get dozens of calls from Radio stations around the country asking about the holiday which is the “famous” part. Being interviewed by radio personalities all over the US makes me feel sort of like a celebrity, so I guess you could say “I am famous” for creating this holiday. And yes, it’s still one of my greatest “claims to fame.” In fact, my staff and I have also been quoted in countless newspapers and magazines over the years. So you see, this type of promotion can garner great publicity and you become known for something positive. And the “publicity” could go on for years afterwards.
Webster’s defines famous as: renouned, celebrated, well-known, prominent, legendary.
Each of us fits that definition to some extent. The amount of “fame” each of us achieves however, is only relevant if we use it to our advantage. Here are some ways you fulfill the definition of “famous.”
~ When you write articles and others read them, you are famous.
~ When you have a loyal following of customers, clients and friends, you are famous.
~ When you have written a book, you are famous.
~ When you have volunteered for a fundraiser or some other community service, you are famous.If you’ve ever received an award, you are famous.
~ If you’ve ever done a heroic deed, you are famous.
In what other ways could you be famous?
Actions and deeds that you perform on a personal basis make you famous such as given your heart to a small child or a senior citizen, you are famous. When you’ve mentored someone or helped her or him achieve a goal, you are famous. And countless other ways! And the best part is that you OWN the fame, it is something that can never be taken away from you.
So tell me, what’s your CLAIM TO FAME?
For the REST OF THE STORY, Read the post: MY BEST PROMOTION EVER
Read the article: Women Want Flowers Men Want Sex – Doghouse Survey Says
Have a great story to share? Take the Get Out of the Doghouse survey
Check out the Doghouse Survey Press Release and 2009 Contest
Read Top Ten Ways to Stay out of The Doghouse
Take the Get Out of the Doghouse survey: http://tulipstalk.com/DoghouseSurvey.pdf
Read some of the FUN stories submitted by our survey respondents on the Tulips Talk Blog
And Check out Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays!
July 19th, 2009
– Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is called Fête Nationale (”National Celebration”) the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. (Source Wikipedia).
Today is Bastille Day
In honor of Bastille Day I thought it would be fun to showcase an event the *American Cancer Society hosts ever year called Jail & Bail.
Jail & Bail is an annual fundraising event that brings together community leaders and ordinary citizens for a common cause… to help fight Cancer!
Jo Walters, David Singer, Sabrina Singer and Marilee Maddox
For many years I was an active participant in Jail & Bail, serving as a Parole Board Member AND a Jailbird!
This year, the American Cancer Society’s annual Jail and Bail event, held recently at the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel in Dania Beach, raised more than $150,000.
Here’s how it works: The fundraiser has community members “arrested” by local law enforcement officers and brought to the mock jail. While in custody, these “jailbirds” have unlimited use of a telephone to call friends, relatives, co-workers, business associates, etc…, to raise the bail in pledges to the American Cancer Society. The bail is determined by a “judge” at the “jail”. And, all donations are fully tax deductible contributions to the American Cancer Society.
The local ACS sends media releases with Parole board members names and companies and also provides volunteers with their own press release Template to send out to their own media contacts. This is also a great way to stay top of mind in the media when they are looking for a story or resource.
One of my good friends David Singer (an attorney in Hollywood, Florida) has been the local Jail & Bail chairperson for years. And he and his law firm have received prestigious placement in all the major media outlets in the tri-county area including print, radio AND TV. He works tirelessly to recruit Parole Board members who in turn find people to “arrest.”
And it’s a fun event.
What does Jail & Bail have to do with Marketing? It’s called Cause-related marketing. Whenever businesses support a cause that has potential to reach a lot of people in the community, it helps them not only create goodwill in the community, it often will gain incredible media attention. And that’s the kind of attention most businesses want. Because we don’t have to pay for it and we can feel good about giving back. As a “sponsor” you get visibility on marketing materials, mentioned during planning meetings and in media releases and much more. As a participant you get to work closely with other like-minded volunteers AND maybe even see YOUR name in the media.
Here are 5 tips to help you plan and execute a successful Cause-related Marketing Campaign:
1. Find a cause you can get your arms around. Something that feeds your soul AND does good in the community. You will find it more worthwhile and you will be able to relate better to the people who also believe in the cause – the volunteers, staff and supporters. Organizations are also looking for partners with similar agendas, those who can achieve their goals by partnering with the right businesses and individuals in the first place.
2. Set realistic, measurable goals for your program. Like any other marketing plan, you need to know what outcomes you hope to get from your participation. Include how you will achieve those goals.
3. Create a “partnership agreement” that both parties understand and agree to. A clearly defined agreement will include both “partners” obligations, rights and expectations. Remember this is like any other partnership and if you can add a little formality to it, then the chances of success increase and it creates a sense of comfort knowing in black and white what each partners responsibilities include.
4. Be an ambassador for your Cause. Let everyone in your own circle know what and how you are supporting the organization. You will be pleasantly surprised by how many people will give you a thumbs up and also will want to “help you in your cause.”
5. When all is said and done, do a thorough review to make sure the campaign met your goals, your needs and the expectations of all concerned. Remember that while you want to support a cause you believe in, the bottom line is your support should create awareness of, interest in and customers for your company.
So next time you are trying to decide what community event to support, look at your calendar and see what’s going on and find a local charity to align yourself with. And then let me know what you did. Maybe your story will end up in the next edition of Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays.
*The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem—by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer— through research, education, advocacy and service.
Grab a FREE copy of my ebook: GET MEDIA SAVVY!– The Ultimate eGuide to Promote Your Products, Services and Ideas to the World at: http://www.womensmediasummit.com/get-media-savvy/
July 14th, 2009
July 13-17 is World Who’s Who Week – Want to gain local media attention, exposure for your business and to become the Go-to person in networking? Do what the late Pamela M. Hutchinson of Davie Florida, the creator of Who’s Who in Black South Florida – a directory of black professionals. On several occasion, the local newspapers featured her directory and when she died wrote a glowing tribute to her and the service to the community her directory provided.
It was the impetus for my team creating the Who’s Who Among Women in Ecommerce Directory to promote women who do business on the web. You can check it out here: http://www.wecai.org/whoswho.htm What kind of Who’s Who Directory could you create featuring of a specific group of people or organizations in your community? (BTW, I created this holiday because I could not find one that focused on this topic).
July 13th is Embrace Your Geekness Day – “The future of advertising,” says Charlie Jones, chief marketing officer of RedPeg, an Alexandria, Virginia–based agency, “will be about creating unexpected connections to memorable, real-world experiences in ways that bring brands to life.” So how about electrical outlets in airport terminals? Bradley and Montgomery’s new campaign for Chase Commercial Banking includes ads just above 90 outlets around Indianapolis International Airport. When you plug in your laptop, you see the ad.
Source Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Grow Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays!
July 10th, 2009
Did you know that on this date in history 1889 Formerly known as Customers’ Afternoon Letters, the Wall Street Journal began publishing under it’s new name? “The Wall Street Journal is a special paper for people in the business and economic communities, yet it goes far beyond that designation in its treatment of the news. The Journal gives precedence to stock market tables and other financial news, but it also prints personality profiles, sociological background articles, and other items on the edges of the “hard” financial news.” (Source: TriviaLibrary.com)
Wall Street Journal Trivia:
Charles Dow, Edward Jones, and Charles Bergstresser founded the Wall Street Journal in 1888 as the Customers’ Afternoon Letters.
Won its 1st Pulitzer Prize in 1947. Since then, it has won several Pulitzer Prizes.
From 1940 to 1970, the paper’s circulation grew from 35,000 to more than a million.
The Journal never prints photographs, only ink dot drawings called hedcuts, introduced in 1979, rather than photographs of people, a practice unique among major newspapers.
The Wall Street Journal Online was launched in 1996 and boasts one of the highest online paid circulations of any journalist media today.
Every Thanksgiving the editorial page publishes two famous articles that have appeared there since 1961. The first is titled “The Desolate Wilderness” (about what the Pilgrims saw when they arrived at the Plymouth Colony). The second is tited “And the Fair Land” written by Vermond C. Royster whose Christmas Article has also appeared in the Wall Street Journal every Christmas Day since 1949.
In 2005 the Journal reported a readership profile of about 60 percent top management, an average income of $191,000, an average household net worth of $2.1 million, and an average age of 55
Sources: Wikipedia and TriviaLibrary.com
Today is also Ziegfeld Follies Day!
Florenz Ziegfeld, one of America greatest theatrical producers created the Ziegfelc Follies and from 1907 until his death in 1932, his Ziegfeld Follies were a highlight of New York entertainment. The Follies were famous for their elaborate staging, big stars of the era such as Fannie Brice, Eddie Cantor, Will Rogers and W.C. Fields. The Follies became best known and loved for the trademarked beautiful chorus line. Before the Rockettes becamed a girls dream job, girls of his day dreamed of being a Ziegfeld girl!
Other notable events on this date include:
1933 Public Works Administration becomes effective
1909 1st pro baseball game, minor league, played under lights
1870 Congress authorizes registration of trademarks
1835 Liberty Bell cracks, again
1796 U.S. State Department issues 1st American passport
Source: Brainyhistory.com
July 8th, 2009
In July 2004 just before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Formula 1 cars parade through central London giving ans and families a chance to see the cars up close and personal as they zoom around Picacilly Circus and Regent Street. This was the “photo seen round the world”
Let the Goodtimes Roll (or Sail)
If you have a “famous name” you could join the Goodtime III for a really good time and rub elbows with other “celebrity namesakes” Seen aboard this Ohio cruiseship were “Kevin Bacon,” “Julia Roberts, “Samuel Jackson” Anita Baker” and “Terry Bradshaw” to name a few. For the rest of the story, Celebrity namesakes enjoy publicity stunt aboard Goodtime III http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/06/celebrity_namesakes_enjoy_publ.html
Here’s a few Race-Ready Tips for July 4th Races
In the world of road racing, the Fourth of July is about more than just fireworks, picnics, and backyard barbeques. Independence Day is also one of the biggest racing days of the year. No matter where you plan to be this holiday, there is a good chance you can find a nearby race. Visit Active.com’s listings for Independence Day races at http://www.active.com/running/fourth-of-july/ and see for yourself. And if you’re running in your first race ever this weekend, here are some tips and advice http://running.about.com/od/racetraining/tp/racedaytips.htm so you know what to expect.
A Race by Any Other Name
You can take the name out of the race but you cannot change the spirit of what once was known as the Firecracker 400.
Tomorrow in Daytona Beach Florida, 43 drivers will embark upon a 400 mile race once known as the Firecracker 400. In the early 1990’s my then boyfriend (now husband) invited me to that race. Two things I remember about that day. No three. It was unbearably hot, so noisy even the earplugs needed earplugs and sitting 2 rows in front of us was then president, George Bush! That was the last race I attended! Since then, we have had three other presidents, Bill Clinton, George W and President Obama and the race has changed from the Firecracker 400 to the Pepsi 400 and now the Coke Zero 400. But it will always be the Firecracker 400 to me.
My Independence Day Tweets
This year just for fun (and because I found these interesting articles) I thought I’d list some of the Tweets I have planned in honor of America’s Independence. Enjoy!
American Independence and Beer Go Hand in Hand http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/7/2/american_independence_and_beer_go_hand.htm
Independence Day Comes With a Whimper, Not a Bang, as Cash-Strapped Cities Ax Fireworks Shows http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/7/1/independence_day_comes_with_a_whimper.htm
July 4 Hot Dog Contest: The Superbowl of Eating http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/2009/7/2/july_4_hot_dog_contest_the.htm
WE The People ~ http://www.connectsimply.com/blog/we-the-people/
Wishing everyone a happy 4th of July! Enjoy your day of celebration, family, food and fun and sometime throughout the day I hope you take time to remember what our forefathers sacrificed to ”win” this freedom we enjoy today.
July 3rd, 2009
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
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