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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!
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September 13th, 2009
Tired of spending all your money on advertising and marketing that just doesn’t work? Here are 10 cheap ideas to grow your business without breaking the bank!
1) Market to Former Customers and Clients. It costs less than marketing to new customers. Make them an offer they can’t refuse, such AS $5 off their next purchase.
2) Join Associations, professional organizations, and civic and charitable clubs. Get involved and become a leader. You’ll make great contacts that can lead to future business. Also, thank new members who join your organization by offering them a coupon or sending them a postcard for a discount or something free.
3) Reward Repeat Customers. Offer a frequent-purchase card to track their spending.
4) Use Coupons to enhance your sales. Give them a reason to TRY your business.
5) Follow the Rule of Three:
*Forget cold calls. Make three warm calls a day to prospects whom others have referred to you.
*Collect at least three business cards a day.
*Send at least three notes each day to people thanking them for their business or something they did to help your business grow.
6) Encourage Word of Mouth from Your Family, Friends and Associates. Your best advocates will be those who already know you and like you. Encourage them to tell others about your products and services. Sometimes they just need the nudge to get started. And then reward them for doing so.
7) Send press releases prior to having an event or a contest or write articles for publications in your industry.
8) Create and send a newsletter or e-zine (newsletter sent via e-mail) to your customers to keep your business at the top of their minds. Include tips on flower care, positive news events, specials, discounts and coupons.
9) Give Stellar Service with a 100-percent, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee. It will give your customers a sense of ease in doing business with you and build their trust.
10) Partner with Other Companies to promote your business. Find companies with similar customer demographics that are not in competition with your business and create ways to joint venture with them either on a one-time, long-term or event-by-event basis.
For more tips like these check out Rose Marketing on a Daisy Budget: How to Grow Your Business Without Spending a Fortune by Heidi Richards Mooney
July 27th, 2009
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
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
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 3-9 is Teacher Appreciation Week
– OfficeMax partnered with Marvel Entertainment and TeachersCount in a nationwide contest to find the “OfficeMax Super Hero Teacher of the Year.“ Of the 4,200 entries submitted, six winning middle school teachers and the students who nominated them were announced in June, 2008.
The 12 winners are now featured as illustrated characters in the new custom comic book.
Send your favorite teacher a card, bring an apple to school (or a whole bushel) or a beautiful bouquet of flowers!
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 3rd, 2009
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Anne Bradstreet.
April 24th was Arbor Day!
Arbor Day is generally celebrated on the last Friday in April however the date can change to allow for local climate changes. The very first Arbor Day was established on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. Nebraska, being a barren plain at the time was in dire need of trees so local pioneers decided to plant them for firewood, shades and to keep the wind at bay. Towns that planted the most trees on that day were offered prizes and recognition and it is estimated that lead to more than one million trees being planted. Since then, Arbor Day has been adopted around the country and the world with many communities taking part in Arbor Day celebrations, events and of course tree planting.
Want to get involved in Arbor Day in your community? Why not plant a Tree or several. Get your staff or a group of volunteers together and sponsor a tree planting in a community park. Be sure to send a press release announcing the event and a post press release with photos. Go before the city council or commission and see if they will do a proclamation for the dedication. Ask Public servants to join in the festivities and end with a ribbon cutting ceremony. If you have other “celebrities” in your community, get their involvement too. Get your local high school/colleges to be involved. Even invite grade school children and their parents to help plant small shrubs, bushes and even seedlings.
Join Arbor Day.org and get 10 FREE trees with your membership.
Buy Give-A-Tree™ Cards. Every card plants a tree. http://www.arborday.org/shopping/giveatree/giveatree.cfm?TrackingID=507 Bright and beautiful Give-A-Tree Cards from the Arbor Day Foundation help bring America’s National Forests back to life by planting a tree in honor of the recipient.
Sponsor an Arbor Day Essay or Poster Contest in local schools and award your product and service or monetary prizes to the “winners.” Get the local library to display the posters.
Read the history of Arbor Day http://www.arbor-day.net/
Check out these Arbor Day Crafts http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/arborday/
Play the Arbor Day trivia game http://www.arborday.org/kids/treetrivia/
More Arbor Day trivia can be found at http://www.idahoforests.org/img/pdf/trivia.pdf
TreeHugger.com has more interesting reading about Ecology and saving the planet at http://www.treehugger.com/
April 27th, 2009
April 22nd is also National Jelly Bean Day – On October 15, 1999, the world’s largest jar of jelly beans was unveiled. It weighed 6,050 pounds. Did you know that each year, U.S. manufacturers produce more than 16 billion jelly beans for Easter — that’s enough to completely fill a plastic Easter egg 89 feet high and 60 feet wide (about the height of a nine-story office building.
Time for another “world’s largest jar of jelly beans?
BTW, I am giving a presentation to the American Business Women’s Association called Leveraging Social Networking to Grow Your Business. During the event I am having a “Guess the Jelly Beans” contest and will announce the winner at the end of the program. Someone will go home with a free copy of my Social Networking Formula for Success CD (value $47). And everyone will get a handful of Jelly Beans too!
Read the History of Jelly Beans at Xomba.com
Take this Jelly Bean Quiz
For more great ideas like these, check out Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and non-traditional Holidays.
April 21st, 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 3rd is Unique Names Day - Have customers call in about their names (their origin, why they were named that name, etc.) or have them post them online and have a contest for the most unusual name. While my name is not that unusual anymore (Heidi), growing up it was a real pain some days. Especially whenever the movie was aired on TV. I would get teased unmercifully the next day about it. My mom chose that name because she loved the book by Johanna Spyre. A few years ago I met a man named Twig and since I had never heard the name before asked him how his parents chose the name. He told me it was because when he was born he was the smallest baby in the nursery and the name “twig” just seemed to fit him.
March 4th is OLD ROCKS Day – Fossils have been called “Mother Nature’s diary” … they tell the history and secrets of life before us. The word “fossil” comes from the Latin word fossilis (which means “dug up”). Although most “old rocks” are are dug up by paleontologists, if you are lucky you might just dig up a few in your own backyard.
So what can you do on Old Rock Day? In this day of WEB 2.0 and new media and social marketing, we often loose site of some of the classic, time-tested marketing techniques we used effectively in the past. Take the business card as an example. Business cards come in all shapes, sizes and materials these days. They can be a mini CD or a traditional size or even a fold-over business card. How about using your “old” business card in a “new” way. To make it a marketing vehicle and not just a means of others contacting you. Say you have several products or services you offer. Why not create a business card specifically designed to highlight each one (or your most popular, or slowest selling, or whatever – you decide). Find places to distribute your business cards. Such as your local chamber of commerce or if appropriate your local tourist information centers. Post them on billboards in high-traffic areas where allowed. Give extra copies to your best clients and ask them to hand out to someone who they know needs your services. Include them in the envelope when you mail a payment or invoice (if you still do that). Where else can you distribute your business card? What other marketing ideas have you used in the past that need to be resurrected? Old Rock Day is the perfect day to do just that!
Today is also: Fun Facts About Names Day, I Want You To Be Happy Day & National Anthem Day.
March 4th is also National Grammar Day & Courageous Followers Day.
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 3rd, 2009
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