Search Results for ‘calendar marketing’
To all our loyal followers, I just wanted to say Thank YOU! Thank you for reading Redhead Marketing Blog these past few years and thank you for sharing our articles with your own followers, fans and circles. It is very much appreciated.
You may have noticed I have not posted here in quite some time. Since February when Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-Traditional Holidays was lauched to be exact. We did that because most of the topics I post on the Redhead Marketing Blog are topics we cover in the book and on the site. So rather than be redundant (and incur the rath of Google) we decided to only post there.
So my team and I decided to also create a blog specifically for new holiday marketing ideas. You can click on the book title above or visit www.QuirkyMarketingCalendar.com to check out the latest book. When you visit, click on a date on the calendar to the right of the page you can read about the daily holiday and get some ideas for how to market your business using those ideas. You can read all the blog posts since we started (in February). Many of the posts on the Quirky Marketing Calendar blog and site are new ideas not even in this year’s calendar.
Feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you think about Quirky Marketing Calendar.
Wishing you much success with your marketing efforts. And if I can ever be of assistance, be sure to let me know. You can learn more about me and my services at http://speakingwithspirit.com/services/
Wishing you all the best and much success with your marketing and social media results!
Heidi Richards Mooney, The Redhead Marketer
May 30th, 2010
Have in common?
They all mark special ”celebrations” on the calendar. For instance September 13th is National Grandparent’s Day – acknowledge your favorite grandparents with flowers or volunteer for or create an adopt-a-grandparent association. Honor those who honor children (of all ages) in a special way. Have a grandparent’s day sale or special offering. Visit a nursing home or assisted living facility and read to or just talk to some of the residents.
September 13th is also Bald is Beautiful Day – if you are a barber you could host a “bald is beautiful contest” and have prizes for the roundest head, the shiniest head, the most interesting head … – In May 2001 Harrisburg Senators partnered with the American Cancer Society (ACS) for a special fundraiser at Commerce Bank Park. The Senators raised money for the ACS Hope Lodge in Hershey, a place where cancer patients and their families can stay free of charge while patients are receiving treatment at Hershey Medical Center. Bald is Beautiful Day consisted of players and employees offering to shave their heads if their fundraising goal is met.
September 13th is also Fortune Cookie Day – Give everyone a fortune cookie today – you can buy them at a Chinese restaurant or you can special order them online and include your own messages – go to http://www.fancyfortunecookies.com/ or www.goodfortunes.com to create yours or make your own with this recipe at http://www.redheadmarketingblog.com/fortune-cookie-recipe-for-business-success/.
September 13th is also International Chocolate Day – another great day to do a chocolate promotion – carry around gold chocolate coins wherever you go and hand them out with your business card (I use those glue dots to attach the chocolate to my business card and use this as another way to spread the word about my company in a delectable way. A chocolatiere in Florida makes chocolate coins and gives them to prospects wherever he goes, a great way to allow others to offer a sample and promote his business.
For more Weird Holiday Marketing Ideas check out Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany & Non-traditional Holidays!
x5rvyu9sef
September 13th, 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
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
Blog Stats, Comments and Being a Pro
Last post I talked about adding photos and videos to your site as well as promoting your blog on social networking sites. Today’s tips are about the look of your blog, blog statistics and building relationships with your readers.
Tip # 7 ~ Make your blog look professional. Make it easy to navigate and find things. Use the tools in your blog software to add keywords, word tags and categories. Add a site map to your blog so visitors can do a quick search of topics that interest them. If a calendar will enhance the visitor experience, add a calendar. Create a blogroll of blogs you follow. This is your way of referring other blogs to your reader.
Tip #8 ~ Keep track of your blog metrics/statistics. Most blog software either has the stats feature built in or has a plugin you can use to keep track. Things to know are you most commented on posts, most popular posts, inbound links and referrals and more. What questions or keywords are being used to find your blog in the search engines? Google Analytics, Woopra, and Statcounter can give you lots of data such as where your hits are coming from.
Knowing what your most popular posts are lets you know what your readers read and are attracted to. This can help you hone in on the messages that resonate with others. Check your blog stats on a regular basis. Some bloggers check their blog stats at least once a day and others once a week. Checking blog statistics can be addicting so you must determine how often you should check the stats to get the information you need.
Tip #9 ~ Develop relationships with your readers. Respond to their comments, visit their sites and leave a comment. Drop them an email and thank them for commenting. Find out more about the people who are interested in what you have to say. If someone is leaving a comment, chances are they want to be noticed. Make sure you notice them. If you like what they have written on their own blogs or websites, find ways to mention them on yours.
Answer questions in your comments section and ask your readers questions. When you respond to your readers comments it lets them know that you are reading what they say and it validates their reasons for leaving comments in the first place. This may also encourage others to also leave a comment on your blog and others. One of the coolest tools that I just learned about is CommentLuv at www.commentluv.com. Every time someone leaves a comment on your blog it automatically shows the title of their latest blog post.
CommentLuv was recently added to all my blogs ~ I will let you know if it increases followers or not. Everyone I have spoken with who has it on their blog, loves it!
April 24th, 2009
The Quirky Marketing Greeting Card Contest is officially over!
The “rules” were to “Create a fun, quirky, unusual card message as a promotion for your company, product or service and tell me what you did. The message should be creative and promote something you want to spread the word about. It can be a product, a new product launch, an event, a celebration, a strategic alliance, does not matter. As long as the message can be expressed on a greeting card or postcard.”
What surprised me is that some people did just that and others sent in cute cards with no purpose in mind. They did not have a clear message nor did they promote their company in any way, shape or form. Having said that, we did have a few people who followed the directions and sent us some cute and/or quirky cards. It was a tough decision, in fact so much so, it took the judges an extra week to decide who to bestow the honors to.
Honorable Mention goes to the following:
Honorable Mention winners receive a half page ad in WE Magazine for women.
Kristine Sheehan of The MerryBird.com for her Valentine Postcard announcing her pen and Ink portraits for your Valentine.
Lisa Moren Bromma of Wise WomenInvestor.com for her postcards announcing her services and invitation to visit her website.
3rd Place winner in the Quirky Marketing Greeting Card Challlenge is Jessica Sellers of Chrysalis Logos.com – her card focused on “Make up Your Own Holiday Day” and offered an economic stimulus incentive (discount on services) to anyone who placed an order on that day. Way to Go, Jessica! Jessica won a One-year Charter Membership in the Women’s eCommerce Association.
2nd Place winner in the Quirky Marketing Greeting Card Challenge is Mr. Jim Barber. Jim promoted his company Tooter Talk (www.TooterTalk.com) with a picture of him on the cover standing in on stage at the IMPROV with the headline “Do You Know What Today is?” The inside said simply… “Today is the first day of the rest of your new career!” Talk about perfect timing in this economy! Jim won a full page ad in WE Magazine for Women!
1st Place winner in the Quirky Marketing Greeting Card Challlenge is …..drum roll please………………
Racheli Smilovits of WCS Lending! Racheli didn’t send in the required one entry – she sent in SIX! And each one was clever and unique. The one that cinched the winning was the postcard attached to a bag of peanuts that said “It will be NUTS to Navigate throught the Real Estate Waters without a Professional Lender.” And her contact info, etc. The graphic she used was a walnut shell and her beautiful face peeping out of it. Racheli won a two page article interview in the Spring Issue of WE Magazine, a copy of her choice of one of the fabulous books in our library AND a $25 gift certificate from SendOutCards (choice of Visa Gift Card, Candy, Brownies and more).
Each of the above entrants will also receive a frameable Certificate customized with their names and date of the Quirky Marketing Contest as well as a mention in the accompanying media release announcing the Winners!
Several of the contestants grabbed their free account at SendOutCards.com/Heidi. THANKS!
Look for our next contest in the summer!
And if you haven’t yet picked up your copy of Quirky Marketing, go here: www.QuirkyOffer.com. More than $2,000 worth of bonuses are waiting for you when you do!
March 25th, 2009
Did you know March is Quirky Marketing Month? That’s right and as you read on you will also notice that March is also “make up your own holiday month.” So we did just that. When you read the Quirky Marketing Calendar, you are sure to find ideas that will help you market your company, and come up with a few of your own. In fact, I suggest you get together with your Peeps (Peeps Day is March 15th), but don‘t wait until then) and brainstorm ideas that are off-the-wall, out of this world, unusual. Things your competition would NEVER think to do. And devise your plan of action to “just do it today.” And if you have an idea that you think others would be interested in, share it with me and who knows, your idea may show up in a future edition of Quirky Marketing.
it is also:
International Ideas Month! Imagine having your own board of directors made up of people with diverse professions and expertise that could help your business grow – and it would not cost you a dime! Did you know that one of the best ways to generate ideas is by participating in a Mastermind Group? Mastermind groups are a growing phenomenon around the world. And although it is not a new idea, it has become a new way of doing business and achieving goals and success in life. To learn how to set up your own Mastermind Group, listen to Heidi’s session – “How a Mastermind Group Can Springboard your Business,” at: www.HeidiRichards.com in the free audio section. To commemorate the day, do what the Walt Disney company does – host or hold a “Gong Show” 2-3 times a year and allow employees to pitch a concept or new product offering. Executives at Disney hit the gong if the idea is a dud – you could allow other employees to do the same.
To commemorate the day, do what the Walt Disney company does – host or hold a “Gong Show” 2-3 times a year and allow employees to pitch a concept or new product offering. Executives at Disney hit the gong if the idea is a dud – you could allow other employees to do the same.
For more ideas like this, check out my newest book Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote YOur Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays at www.quirkyoffer.com.
March 2nd, 2009
That’s right! February 18th is Play Doh Day ~ created in 1956 by Joe McVicker from modeling clay out of wallpaper paste for his sister’s pre-school students. Rainbow Crafts in Cincinnati, Ohio distributed the off white modeling compound known as Play-Doh to department stores and schools.
Kenner later aquired Play Doh, made it into a rainbow of colors. In 1991 Hasbro toys acquired the rights. Play Doh comes in a variety of products and is sold worldwide!
Have you heard of Play Doh Marketing? According to Doug Hall, Author of “How to Jump-start Your Brain” getting the creative juices flowing can be as simple as opening a can of play doh and what else? Playing with it! Remember when you were a kid and played with this crazy clay and came up with all sorts of shapes. If you were like me you probably even invented a few new “animals” like the the corse (a combination cat and horse) or the allimonkey (an alligator with long arms that swings from trees and eats people AND bananas.
My brother and I would spend hours with our play doh coming up with goofy shapes! Fast forward today. If you had a can of play doh in front of you right now, what would you create? And what would it remind you of?
If you are having trouble coming up with “fresh ideas” in business, take a drive over to Toys R Us or Target or let your fingers do the walking online and buy some play doh! Heck, have a play doh party at work and see what happens!
Feel free to share your play doh memories below. I’d love to read about them.
Happy play doh day!
For more on Play Doh products, go to http://www.hasbro.com/playdoh/default.cfm?page=products
For more ideas like this, check out my new Quirky Marketing Calendar at www.QuirkyOffer.com. More than $2,000 worth of bonuses when you get your copy.
February 18th, 2009
They were all “born” on February 6th!
February 6th is a day of celebration for many. In fact, on this day in history the following people and companies had something to celebrate:
1895 ~ Baseball Sports hero Babe Ruth was born.
The most celebrated player in American baseball history, Ruth’s home run hitting prowess and charismatic personality made him a larger than life figure in the “Roaring Twenties”
1911 ~ Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United Staes was born. During his term in office Reagan implemented bold new political and economic initiatives. His supply-side economic policies, dubbed “Reaganomics,” included deregulation and substantial tax cuts implemented in 1981.
Also in 1911 ~ Rolls-Royce adopts the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ figurine, the silver-winged hood ornament, as the company’s symbol.
1926 ~ First Doughnut Making Machine: In Dubuque, Iowa the first doughnut-making machine was launched by a company called Trausch Bakery.
1935 ~ Monopoly Board Game goes on sale in stores across America (at the height of the Depression).
1935 ~ Waitangi Day celebrated in New Zealand marks the coming together in friendship of the Maori people and the white European settlers
1943 ~ Frank Sinatra makes his singing debut on the popular radio show “Your Hit Parade.” His career takes off after that and he eventually becomes one of the most respected vocalists of all time.
1954 ~ Mercedes introduced the 300SL Coupe, the car is far advanced of anything else with its gull-wing doors a six-cylinder engine and a top speed of 155mph. Only 1,400 300SL coupes are ever produced but many consider it to be the most impressive sports car of the decade.
1971 ~ Golfing on the Moon ~ The first golf ball is hit on the moon by Alan Shepard during a two day walk from Apollo14.
2009 ~ Quirky Marketing Calendar by the Redhead Marketing Maven (me) hits the Internet Book Stores, blogs, forums and more! Filled with more than 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays, this book is a must for your internet library. Get your copy today at www.QuirkyOffer.com (and more than $2,000 worth of bonuses too).
Ps. Today was also my mother’s birthday and the anniversary of my middle child, Alexis Lee Richards death. They are watching over us today and in their own Quirky ways, helping Quirky Marketing get noticed.
February 6th, 2009
Previous Posts
