Small Business Marketing Strategist

Tag: small business marketing ideas (Page 1 of 3)

A Brilliant Co-Marketing Idea

I was writing something for a restaurant in Texas called Doña Maria Dominican Cuisine and they told me something unusual. They said that people who came to their restaurant, and had never even eaten cuisine from the Dominican Republic before let alone even heard of the island, loved the food and vibe so much that they ended up booking a trip to go there.

So, I thought, if you’re a travel agent, or sell vacation real estate, maybe you should be forming a business relationship with some of your local ethnic restaurants. You recommend them, and they recommend you. It’s a win-win.

In other words, the travel agent tells their clients to visit XYZ restaurant so they can try the food before they go, and the restaurant tells customers, if they love the food, then go visit XYZ travel and book a trip to go there. Don’t you love marketing that costs you nothing!

More Inspring Ideas:

©2023 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. This week’s brilliant marketing idea. 

101 Super Creative Small Business Promotional Ideas

Welcome! Time to get inspired!

I love coming up with creative promotional ideas for my clients, so below are 101 of my favorite small business promotional ideas that I’ve come up with in the past for clients, a few of which are included in my top-selling Marketing Plans for Small Businesses.

First, Some FREEBIES!

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101 Small Business Marketing Ideas

  1. Google “new businesses” along with the name of your city to find any local  newspapers, magazines or blogs that like to feature brand new businesses for free and hit them up for a mention.
  2. Post a compliment on social media for another local business that is non-competitive but has the same target audience, and they will likely repost exposing your business to their followers.
  3. Email your customers the night before daylight savings time as a reminder to turn clocks back or ahead, as an easy way to get in front of your customers without seeming pushy.
  4. Make hats or t-shirts with your business name and url on it, and give them to family members to wear everywhere, especially to public events like concerts, racing events, etc. 
  5. Hire a student to help you with the small marketing stuff like commenting on blogs, posting to social media, sending out promotional emails. Many teens looking to get into marketing will value the experience, and they likely know social media a lot better than you do.
  6. Comment on at least 25 blogs or social media profiles every day that your customers read making sure that your user name is your business name, for free exposure. 
  7. Email your customers the day before Thanksgiving with tips on how long to cook a turkey, again, as an easy way to get in front of your customers without seeming pushy.etsy success tips
  8. Whenever possible, use people you know in your company photos as they will likely repost the photo of themselves to their own social media site, putting you in front of all of their followers. 
  9. Offer neighborhood or street discounts on your products or services, telling people for every neighbor they get to sign up, you will take another 5% off the price, to a maximum of 40% off. 
  10. In early September, run localized ads on LinkedIn targeting either HR Managers or Sales Managers who wish to buy your products or services in bulk as gifts for employees or clients.
  11. Every month, email your customers the events happening in your city this month. Always mention a sale or event that you are having at the very end. 
  12. Try a weekly Instagram post called “Follow Friday” where you recommend other Instagram accounts to follow, and they might return the favor, giving you exposure to their followers.
  13. If you own a fitness studio, offer free workout classes on the day after Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras (from my Marketing Plan for Personal Trainers).
  14. If you own a beauty salon, offer Shamrock nail art designs /manicures for St. Patrick’s Day.
  15. If you’re a realtor, offer a free seminar on how to “green” your new home in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd (from my Marketing Plan for Realtors).
  16. If you own a barbecue shop, have a free BBQ of bratwurst and sausages for customers during Oktoberfest, or give away a free package of sausages with every purchase.
  17. If you own a photography studio, offer a free newborn portrait to the first baby born in the new year in your city.
  18. If you own a lighting store, use red and pink light bulbs in all of your light fixtures in your store windows on Valentine’s Day.
  19. If you own a dog food company, create Thanksgiving promotional dog treats that taste like pumpkin pie, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and so forth.
  20. If you own a garden center, create a large bunny topiary and position it outside your gates the weeks prior to Easter to attract attention and as a great for photo opp for kids.
  21. If you own a makeup company, create an advent calendar with a different mini nail polish for each day (from my Marketing Plan for Beauty Products).how to start a business planner
  22. If you own a spa, offer a chocolate facial on National Chocolate Day (July 3rd).
  23. If you own a sports store, either put winter gear on a one-day sale or spring gear on a one-day sale on February 2nd, depending on what the Ground Hog sees.
  24. If you own a greeting card company, make cards for the most obscure holidays like National Cat Day or National Hat Day (from my Marketing Plan for Greeting Cards).
  25. If you own a fashion accessories store, display your scarves in various nautical knots in your store window during Fleet week (early October).
  26. If you own a pets product business, post various reels of happy dogs jumping for joy, wishing everyone a Happy First Day of Spring on March 21st on TikTok and Instagram.
  27. If you own a donut shop, and it’s an Olympic year, create a pack of five donuts iced in the Olympic Ring colors.
  28. If you own a shoe store, displays colorful rain boots filled with tulips in your store window to celebrate spring.
  29. If you own a pet store, offer Santa Claus photos for pets.
  30. If you own a  bar, hand out scratch-off cards at lunch hour on St. Patrick’s Day, with the discovery of a four leaf clover meaning a free green beer.
  31. If you own a make up company, post photos to social media of beautiful landscapes accompanied by eye shadow shades that match the colors in the photo.
  32. If you own a watch company, post a graphic to social media with one of your watches showing the clock turning back to remind people when its daylight savings time.
  33. If you own a jewelry store, post a photo to social media spelling out “Happy Mother’s Day“, using letter initial necklaces on your social media pages.
  34. If you own an online store, post an animated gif to social media of a piñata breaking and exposing a Cinco De Mayo sale of 25% off today only.
  35. If you own a vintage store, post regular updates to social media of period TV shows, such as The Crown and Stranger Things (from my Marketing Plan for Vintage shops).
  36. If you sell iPhone cases, post to social media your favorite free iPhone apps and ask followers theirs.
  37. If you own a sandals company, post to social media pictures of cool pedicures or toe nail art.
  38. If you’re an insurance broker, post to social media the craziest but true insurance claim stories.
  39. If you own a green cleaning products company, clean up a run-down local park and post to social media a time-lapsed reel of the cleanup on TikTok for Earth Day on April 22nd (from my Marketing Plan for Eco-Products).
  40. If you own a local clothing store, offer to take 25% off the price of any item if the customer takes a photo of the item and posts it to Instagram right there in the store (from my Marketing Plan for Retail Stores).
  41. If you own a kid’s clothing company, post to social media a carousel of back-to-school-outfits for Monday through Friday, during the first week of August on your social media pages (from my Marketing Plan for Kids Products).
  42. If you’re a wedding gown designer, post to social media an infographic of the most famous wedding gowns of the 20th century.
  43. If you’re a book author, post to social media book club food suggestions.
  44. If you own a dance school, post to social media your reviews of the previous night’s Dancing with the Stars routines.
  45. If you have an online shop, ask your most loyal customers to pick their 5 favorite items in the shop and post to social media for 25% off their next order.
  46. If you’re an accounting firm, post the most outrageous tax breaks given in other countries. Get more creative social media posting ideas in my best-selling 365 Social Media Post Ideas download.
  47. If you own a lingerie company, re-create one of those pens that when turned upside down the clothes come off the photo of a woman (but instead of being naked she is wearing lingerie) as a fun promo item.
  48. If you’re a motorcycle lawyer, create a 12-month pictorial calendar of unique bike detailing or cool tattoos.
  49. If you own a baby skin care company, create a baby shower game printable as a free download on your website.
  50. If you own a pizza delivery or local restaurant, include with each order to local college dorms a door hanger sign-up sheet for the next food order i.e. “Who Wants to Order Pizza Tonight?”
  51. If you’re a wedding gown designer, offer a free fashion sketch of the bride in her dress (from my Marketing Plan for Wedding Shops).
  52. If you run a local art museum, promote your latest exhibit by giving free drink coasters featuring the artist’s works to surrounding bars and restaurants.
  53. If you have a dental office, put your label on dental floss containers and leaving them in a basket in the rest room at a local steak house.
  54. If you own a children’s clothing company, give a free car window baby sun shade to customers, complete with your logo on it (free advertising on every car).
  55. If you’re a wedding invitation designer, offer to design, for free, an email reminder that goes out to brides about their dress fittings for local bridal shops (i.e. this reminder was sponsored by...)
  56. If you own a ceramics company, donate handmade salt and pepper shakers to a local restaurant, embossed with your shop name.
  57. If you’re a food products business, offer free downloadable printables such as, “Spices That Go With Every Type of Food” (based on top Google searches).
  58. If you’re a children’s book author, have coloring pages made of pages from your book and give them to local family restaurants to hand out for kids to color.
  59. If you own a teen clothing or jewelry shop, give a free locker mirror with purchase (your shop url is on it and all her friends see it).
  60. If you own a salon, make your business card a nail file.
  61. If you own a wine company, make your wine label a peel-off, so customers can keep to remember the name of the wine!
  62. If you own a clothing store, offer to do a home showing of prom dresses and accessories for groups of 8 or more (from my Marketing Plan for Fashion Brands).
  63. If you own a makeup company, offer free 5-minute touch-ups to working women at lunch hour from a mobile unit.
  64. If you own a coffee shop, hold a contest for customers to submit their best original coffee cake recipe and then create a recipe ebook as a free giveaway.
  65. If you’re an artist or photographer, give free prints to a local designer to use in their displays at a home show (from my Marketing Plan for Art Shops).
  66. If you own a paint company, go around to local neighborhood homes and hand out free paint swatch color suggestions for the exterior of people’s homes.
  67. If you’re a realtor, hold your open houses at night and using a strobe light to attract attention.
  68. If you own a comic book store, offer a free in-store viewing party for the premiere of a popular fantasy TV series.
  69. If you own a travel agency, features a free, walk-in open-house “destination of the month” party in your offices, complete with music and food from that destination (from my Marketing Plan for Travel Agents).
  70. If you own a pet shampoo company, conduct free dog washes at a local dog park on a muddy day.
  71. If you own a salon, offer a special day where customers can bring their dogs into be groomed while the customer is getting their hair done.
  72. If you’re a fashion designer, hold a contest to make a custom prom dress for one lucky girl.
  73. If you own a yoga clothing store, have a yoga expert in the window of your shop doing and holding a different yoga pose every 2 minutes during noon hour.
  74. If you own a bakery, have a bicycle cart that sells cookies at the local park during the morning kid rush.
  75. If you sell make-up, co-market with a purse vendor by including free samples in each of their bags for a limited time offer (good for both of you).travel agency marketing plan strategy
  76. If you own a bakery or cupcake shop, offer cupcakes in the flavors of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream as a special one-week homage (from my Marketing Plan for Online Bakeries).
  77. If you own a garden store, offer a free seminar on how to make a terrarium.
  78. If you own a local beer company, hand out free samples at tail gate parties during football season.
  79. If you own a salon, do free manicures for patients at a local hospital once a month.
  80. If you are an artist or photographer, offer a free info session for interior designers on how to hang art.
  81. If you own a karate school, hold a school safety tips session at a local school or day camp.
  82. If you’re a personal trainer, offer easy fitness tips at a local weight watchers meeting.
  83. If you own a veterinarian clinic, offer free nail clippings at a local dog park.
  84. If you own a retail shop, paint a back wall in chalkboard paint to keep kids busy while parents shop.
  85. If you own a toy store, position a bubble blowing machine out front to attract the attention of kids.
  86. If you own a limousine company, offer to decorate the limo with the name of the bride or prom attendee i.e. Sarah’s Ride (use car/window letter clings).
  87. If you own a coffee shop, let small businesses post one of their business cards on your “small business wall” whenever they buy a coffee.
  88. If you have a storefront, keep a large bird cage filled with exotic birds outside your shop doors to attract the attention of passer-bys.
  89. If you own a coffee house, host a book club for seniors in the afternoon.
  90. If you’re a realtor, include the blue print of the home as well as a legend of the distance from the house to schools, community centers, and grocery stores in the online description.
  91. If you have an online store, add an audio voice that says, “Welcome!” that announces the sale of the day when people land on your home page. There are audio apps that do this for Shopify stores.
  92. If you own a car rental business, set aside part of your lot for cars that are ideal for very tall drivers, or new drivers, or large families.
  93. If you’re an artist, donate your artwork to be hung in the hallway of schools and libraries (will be seen by parents).
  94. If you own a furniture store, offer to help realtors stage homes in return for free promotion to new home buyers. Just a sign on the couch saying “you canmarketing strategy plan template buy this couch at…” (from my Marketing Plan for Home Goods).
  95. If you own a landscaping company, donate a few uniquely sculpted shrubs (with a sign for their company on the planter pot) to anchor the doors of the most popular local restaurants or retail stores.
  96. If you own a toy store, announce your sales in chalk on the sidewalk outside your store.
  97. If you own a vintage store, sell your books in unique collections i.e. Nobel Prize Winners, World War II Novels, etc.
  98. If you are an optometrist, make your business card an eye chart that actually spells out your name and address.
  99. If you own a food truck, raise a large colorful flag on top of your truck that says “Food Truck” once it parks so it can be seen from far distances.
  100. If you own a jewelry store, re-create the engagement rings of famous people and display them in your store window alongside their photo.
  101. If you own a coffee shop, have a penned in play area for young children in the middle of the shop and tables for parents situated around the pen.

More Small Business Downloads at my Shopify Store and Etsy Store

©2024 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. 

 

3 Awesome Marketing Ideas to Add to Your Website

marketing ideas for your websiteI am always searching for new ways to improve ecommerce, and I found three awesome marketing ideas to add to your website.

These ideas work no matter what type of business you have, not just ecommerce, but also real estate, beauty salons, restaurants and so forth.

A Really Effective Email Opt-In

I love what the Woven Nook has done here with their email opt-in. First of all, you have to give an incentive like a percentage off, or depending on your business, it could also be a free download. Otherwise, people will not sign up.

Then, I like that they are also asking for your phone number for text alerts, and your birthday for special offers. Plus, I love the photo with the visual identity of what they sell and their branding.

Awesome Marketing Ideas Website

A Promotional Graphic in with Product Photos

I love how Bauble Bar put this colorful sales graphic right in with their regular product listing photos. Again, you can do this no matter what type of business. For a realtor, put a graphic for a personalized service in between house listings. For a restaurant, use a graphic in between menu options to indicate when you will be open again for in-door dining. For a beauty salon, include a graphic customers can click to send a beauty service gift to a friend. Just think of it as an ad. Get creative!

A Stylish Look Book

The store Viet Trang Handicraft has a very simple but stylish look book, which is actually just a slide show that can be easily added to any site. But it does help to quickly see the range of products they offer and how they work together to upset more items, with a call to action at the end. Plus, you can upload this to your social media sites as well.

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© 2021 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Awesome Marketing Ideas Website

My Out of the Box Marketing Idea of the Week

 

Here is my out of the box marketing idea of the week as I love coming up with creative and affordable ways for my small business clients to advertise their business.

out of the box marketing idea

Businesses Rent Out Their Windows as Ad Space

With retail store after retail store going under, there are all of these empty stores that have great positioning and lots of foot traffic, and their display windows are just being wasted.

Is there an empty store front in your city or town that gets tons of passerbys, and you could approach the landlord about renting just the windows. That’s right, you just want the display window, not the whole store. Think of all the empty store windows at your local shopping mall as well. I would imagine that these landlords would like some income as opposed to nothing.

Therefore, ask the landlord if they would allow you to rent the window only, where you could set up a display of your products and/or services. The window can also have signage that clearly indicates your website url and this way people know where to find your business. In fact, encourage passerbys that if they like what they see, take a photo of the url and check out your website.

This would work for any type of business, whether you sell online, you’re a realtor or offering other professional services.

I wondered if anyone was doing this, and then I found a business in the Netherlands whereby they actually approach not only businesses, but apartment buildings, restaurants and so forth, and ask if they wish to use any of their windows for display ads. It’s extra income for the owner of the brick and mortar, so why not?

As long as there are no bylaws preventing it, it can’t hurt to ask.

There are tons of more useful and affordable marketing ideas in my 12-Month Marketing Plans.

You might also like more of my 30-second reads.

© 2020 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Out of the box marketing idea. 

How to Create a Need for Your Products

by Gail Oliver, Online Marketing Consultant

Are you effectively creating a need for your products and/or services? A good rule of thumb is to always think who, what, when, where, how, why. So who would need your product, what would they use it for, when would they use it, where would they use it, how would they use it and why would they use it.

Below are two product copy examples that I will enhance, in order to create the need.

how_to_create_a_need_for_products

Home Product Copy Example

Take a look at this description from ModCloth (who writes product copy really well) for this 5′ x 6′ beach wall tapestry:

how to create a need for your productsPut your longing for the wash of waves at ease with this oceanic tapestry by Lisa Argyropoulos for DENY Designs. Crystalline water sparkles under a beautifully clouded sky, bringing beachy beauty – and the carefree feeling that comes along with it – to your decor!

Now this is great for capturing the feeling of the product and creating desire. But remember, people don’t just buy products because they like them, they buy because they need them, so you need to create a need. Therefore, I would simply add a closing line that helps the reader visualize how they would use the product, hence identifying a need.

Therefore, I would add this as the last line:

Perfect for apartment dwellers, creating a focal wall or even as a very serene headboard.

As you can see, I gave three potential uses for the item. Even if one of these isn’t your particular need, chances are it could spark one you do have. Buyers can get gun-shy after they buy clothing items they never wear, a decor item they just couldn’t make fit, etc. So you want to ease the purchase decision by giving them ideas in advance.

Jewelry Product Copy Example

Urban Outfitters is another online store that writes copy really well. Here is their description for a black choker:

Screen shot 2016-05-03 at 9.02.14 AMOur must-have styling tip this season is a wide banded choker necklace and this iteration is essential. Chic choker in a sultry gauzy chiffon complete with a lobster clasp closure + extender chain in an antique distressed finish.

So this is effective in that it quickly tells you this is a hot trend and stylishly describes the features. However, not everyone is fashion savvy.

Therefore I would add this line at the end:

This versatile choker looks great layered with other necklaces or on its own with everything from a little black dress to a t-shirt and jeans.

It is also only $22, so another approach would be to say:

An inexpensive way to instantly update your summer wardrobe with one of the hottest trends. 

As you can see, when you create both the desire and the need, you are more likely to get a sale.

Hire Me

Need help with your product descriptions? I have been writing marketing and advertising copy for 20 years, so just email me at attentiongetting@gmail.com for a FREE, no obligation quote on your writing project.

Congratulations!

A quick shout out to one of my customers, Design by Gam, whose bracelets were featured last week on PeopleStyleWatch. I love Gam’s message to me – which will help all of you – of how I always told her that she needed at least one of her product shots on a white background in order to get chosen for editorial such as this, and it worked!

Trending This Week

  • May 3 – #TuesdayThoughts, #TeacherAppreciationDay
  • May 4 – #StarWarsDay, #WednesdayWisdom
  • May 5 – #ThursdayFeeling, #CincoDeMayo
  • May 6 – #NBAPlayoffs, #NationalBeverageDay
  • May 7 – #SaturdayKitchen, #NBAPlayoffs, #KentuckyDerby
  • May 8 – #SundayBrunch, #CoconutCreamPieDay, #MothersDay
  • May 9 – #MondayMotivation

© 2016 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved.

93 Awesome Marketing Ideas for October

by Gail Oliver, Online Consultant

Aren’t you happy fall is here? So am I and October brings a ton of opportunities for your small business.

My monthly Marketing Calendar & Planner is a great way to stay on top of all of them as I give three tactics to do every day, plus I include several “insider” secrets that I don’t mention on my blog. Here is just a sneak peek of what is in my October calendar:marketing-calendar-small-business

  • October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so if your business is doing anything to support this cause, add a pink ribbon to your site and let people know how you are helping.
  • #MondayMotivation continues to be one of the most searched hash tags on Twitter so be sure to tweet out a #quote and/or inspiration photo each Monday.
  • If you haven’t submitted editorial pitches to online media for holiday editorial, the first week of October is really your last chance.
  • The World Series starts this month so expect it to be trending big time on all social media sites, especially in the evenings.
  • Mars and The Martian movie have been all over the news the past few days so expect a lot more trending, especially when the movie opens on Friday.
  • Next month is Small Business Saturday (November 28th) and American Express Open Forum (who selected my blog as one of their Top 10 Small Business Blogs to Follow) offers tons of freebies on their site for businesses.
  • National Coffee Day trended big on social media a few days ago, so hopefully National #PumpkinCheesecakeDay on October 21 will have the same momentum
  • Most of this month, particularly the last two weeks, every Halloween costume, decoration, food and makeup pin will be the most popular pins in your feed.
  • I have just started selling my monthly marketing calendar and marketing ebooks on Gumroad.com. You can sell products and services here as well. The cost is just 5% + 25 cents per transaction, no hosting fees, no monthly fees, no bandwidth feeds, no refund fees. Trust me, that is an awesome deal!

Want the other 84 tips and tactics for October? Get my Monthly Marketing Calendar for October available now for download. You will love it!


small business bloggersI’m Gail Oliver, a longtime marketing professional advising small businesses. If you need help marketing your small business, ask me how I can help at attentiongetting@gmail.com. Be sure to also see my Marketing Ebooks for more creative ideas.


© 2015 Gail Oliver, Attention Getting Marketing. All rights reserved.

 

5 Must-Do Marketing Ideas for July

by Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Need some cool ideas to promote your small business in July? Try some of these:

5 Must-Do Marketing Ideas for July

  1. Who doesn’t watch Netflix these days? Every month when Netflix updates its listings, it trends huge on social media. So, tweet out something about your favorite @Netflix show because they are very good are retweeting compliments, which puts your business name in front of their 1.42 million followers.
  2. Now is the time to be pitching to print magazines to get into fall editorial. Magazines will be writing about fall fashion, fall food, fall entertaining, fall decor, fall weddings, fall shows, fall movies, you name it. So come up with a fall-theme story pitch that involves your business.
  3. Creative Market is amazing! They give free goods away on their website including fonts, icons and graphics that you can use in your marketing.
  4. Two big events this month that will trend well on social media are Shark Week and Comic-Con, so take advantage by posting updates from both.
  5. Remember my post a couple of weeks back, 5 Ways to Promote Your Business at Summer Events? Take advantage of free advertising on your car (and your family and friends’ cars) by having a cardboard windshield sun visor made that displays your logo and url and leave it out when parking at popular local events.
  6. Check out my ebook shop for more creative ideas in my Marketing Ideas Ebooks.

© 2015 Gail Oliver, Attention Getting Marketing. All rights reserved.

Marketing I Love: 2 Favs of the Week

by Gail Oliver, Online Marketing Consultant

I am always on the lookout for great marketing, so here are a couple of tactics I noticed this week that I hope will inspire your business.

Fav Instagram Account of the Week: Play-doh

Screen shot 2015-04-14 at 1.04.13 PM

I love what Play-doh is doing on Instagram. A lot of shops who use my monthly Marketing Calendar or have read my Ebooks, know that one of the keys to success on social media is taking advantage of what is trending. Play-doh is using its product, but in a playful way, to capitalize on key pop culture events. Look closely and you will see a white dog in honor of the premiere of Games of Thrones that night or an image for the first day of major league baseball or an image to announce the start of April. They find a clever way to capitalize on these trending hash tags.

Fav Promo of the Week: Lands End

Screen shot 2015-04-14 at 1.26.37 PM

Lands End is taking advantage of Mother’s Day by asking its Instagram followers to tell them who in their life is an all around amazing woman, include the hashtag #sheis, and they have a chance to win a gift tote plus their picture could be part of their Mother’s Day page. This is a good way to spark a discussion on social media, get your own hash tag trending and get more comments on your Instagram page.

My New Ebooks are Here!

booksI am very proud of my new ebooks as I have packed them with my very best advice, tactics, tips and secrets for publicity, social media, promotions and more. You will not be disappointed! Available at my Selz Ebook Shop.

Quirky Promotional Ideas That Get Attention for Your Small Business

quirky small business promotional ideasTime for some creativity with some quirky small business promotional ideas.

Last week the International Culinary Center in New York City recreated 10 of the most iconic Oscar dresses from the last several years in the form of decadent cookies (yes, that is a cookie on the right in the photo).

This idea of theirs got coverage by every major news outlet from USA Today to ABC News because it was timely (the Oscars were in the news) and it was quirky. The media is always looking for these types of stories and it can really help to get attention for your small business if you come up with the right idea.

My Quirky Promotional Idea for a Client

When I was doing a consultation for an outdoor garden center last year, they were looking for ways to get more traffic to their business, which was not really near any main streets of traffic.

I came up with an idea for them to make a giant topiary of a bunny, place it at the entrance of the business and publicize it as a great Easter photo opportunity for families (for free).

This idea works in so many ways:

  • It relates back to what they sell (outdoor garden center).killer promotional ideas
  • They were trying to get more families to visit the center.
  • A giant bunny will definitely get the attention of drivers passing by, especially if they light it up at night.
  • It is something the local press will want to write about.
  • If people pose with the bunny and post to social media, they tag the business giving them exposure to even more people.

It was a huge success by the way!

Upcoming Events To Use for Publicity

So capitalizing on popular events and holidays like the Oscars and Easter is not a new idea, but you do need to come up with a novel approach to make it newsworthy. Here are some other upcoming events in the next 2 months that have great PR potential:

  • Disney’s Cinderella movie (March 13th)
  • St. Patrick’s Day (March 17th)
  • First Day of Spring (March 20th)
  • Mad Men Final Season Premiere (April 5th)
  • Coachella Music Festival (April 10 – 12, 17-19)
  • Earth Day (April 22nd)
Social Media Events To Use for Publicity

It seems like there is a national day for everything, but these types of events (although some are silly) do trend big on social media:

  • National Oreo Cookie Day (March 6th)
  • National Pi (3.14) Day (March 14th)
  • National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day (March 29th)
  • National Beer Day (April 7th)
  • National Pet Day (April 11th)
  • National Talk Like Shakespeare Day (April 23rd)

If you would like me to come up with a creative promotional idea for you, just book a phone consultation! or try my 12-Month Marketing Plans are essentially marketing to do lists, but much more detailed and specific to your business. They will help drive more traffic and sales, without spending a lot of money.

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© 2012-2022 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Quirky Small Business Promotional Ideas

Should You Rent Products Instead of Selling Them?

Should You Rent Products Instead of Selling Them?

There has been a growing movement towards consumers renting and not buying certain types of merchandise. Renting houses and cars has long been a common occurrence, but new types of products are now making an impact in the rental market.

The success of the online shop, Rent the Runway has encouraged the renting of pricey, trendy clothing that tends to go out of style faster than people can afford. It makes sense that with technology and styles constantly changing, and or limited space to house items, consumers may not want to invest in items that don’t have a long life.

should you rent your products instead of selling them

Wedding, Kids & Tech Items All Have Rental Potential

Men have long rented tuxedos for weddings, so it would only make sense that a bride could rent her wedding dress. For most women, it means getting the couture dress of their dreams, for a fraction of the price (you really do only wear it once).

Think of all the money that goes in purchasing items for a new baby, from a crib to a high chair to a stroller, these are all fairly high ticket items that only have a life span of a few years (depending how many kids you have).

What about the cost of cell phones? How often have you paid $800 for the latest phone only to find out a new version will be out within the year. If the average life span of a cell phone for an early adopter (the person who always has to have the latest and greatest the second it comes out) is only a year, even if you rented your cell phone for $50 a month, you would still be saving money ($600 for a year rental versus an $800 flat fee).

Ideal Rental Products
  • Apartment furniture
  • Dorm/college furniture
  • Wedding jewelry
  • Wedding dresses
  • Flower girl dresses
  • Prom dresses
  • Kids bikes
  • Baby/kids clothing
  • Baby equipment
  • Boats/snow mobiles / ATVs
  • Lawn tractors/snow blowers
  • Big screen TVs / gaming systems
  • Laptops / tablets
  • Smart phones
  • Trampolines

So think of what you sell and if there is any way it can lend itself to the rental market, providing that it is still profitable for you. It does haven’t to be your main business, but a side aspect to the business for those who want it.

My Quick Tip of the Week: Do you sell products online that are suited for a couple’s wedding registry? Zola.com is the leading online wedding registry (projecting sales of $40 million for 2015) and they allow couples to add products to their Zola wedding registry from any online site.  So, you can encourage customers to add your products to their Zola wedding registry, simply by using the “Add to Zola” button available at their website.  You can also apply to sell on Zola, just email vendors@zola.com.

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A 20+ year marketing professional, small business consultant, ebook author & blogger, my advice has been featured in the NY Times, Success Magazine, American Express, Yahoo Finance, Go Banking Rates, Big Commerce, Business2Community to name a few – so this is professional advice you can trust! Read more about my services, products and marketing plans.

I have consulted for thousands of small businesses since 2012. It really does help to talk to someone who is objective to get a new, but professional, perspective. I have also written publicity pitches for clients that resulted in them being featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz, Martha Stewart, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride,– just to name a few. More about my Publicity Pitch service.

© 2012-2015 Gail Oliver. All rights reserved. Should You Rent Products Instead of Selling Them

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