Full Version: Casual Marketing
From: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#2]
6 May 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#1] 6 May 2005
I'm glad there's actually a term for this.
We've done similar "marketing" here, and we've seen our business more than DOUBLE over this time last year.
We're in a small town (around 16,000), and word-of-mouth advertising has been our best friend.
For example: I was visiting an industrial customer last month, and noticed a baby picture on an engineer's desk (presumably HIS baby). I struck up a conversation with the engineer, and explained that we engraved photos onto acrylic paperweights and uprights. I also told him that I would do one for him FREE if he'd leave it in his office for his co-workers to see. Since then, we've had between 2 and 5 orders for these engraved pics each week. Of course, the new ones aren't free. :) But the "free" paperweight became "free advertising", and it has paid for itself several times over.
Great topic, David.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3]
6 May 2005
To: Cody (BOBTNAILER) [#2] 7 May 2005
Very nice approach!
A well-placed "free sample" is a good investement and let's the person know you're not "completely" mercenary :-)
Whenever possible, I like to include a logo and the name of the person who makes the buying decision, on a sample. Much more likely to clinch the deal, than a generic sample.
From: Dixie2 [#4]
7 May 2005
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#3] 7 May 2005
I had a customer who buys Pee Wee basketball trophies from me for the past 2 years. This past August when she came in to buy something, she had on a nametag which looked AWFUL! I told her I would make her a new nametag with her school's mascot on it (She's the nurse) if she would wear it. Of course she jumped at the idea of getting a "Free" nametag!
I fixed her one up, which was quite cute, and here came the calls. The elementary school faculty each needed one, then the middle school, the high school, and the administration office.
One of the principals had a daughter who was a principal at another school about 300 miles away.. she needed them for her school.
Since the free nametag I have probably sold 400 to the various schools my customer was affiliated with, plus some basketball tournament awards, track awards, and now their athletic banquet.
Nothing like free advertising!!
Dixie
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#5]
7 May 2005
To: Dixie2 [#4] 11 May 2005
Dixie,
Thank you for that success story!
What you're saying about spin-off work, isn't uncommon. When a customer is satisfied with the quality of your work and your customer service, they begin asking for services beyond what you may currently offer.
I've had that happen myself. So far, nobody's asked if I rebuild tranmissons :-)