Today I received a really wonderful gift in the mail from Sita of www.silverspoonscraps.com. I thought it was really fitting that it arrived today because we all know it's MARKETING WEDNESDAY following the Tuesday Night Marketing Chat at www.makeminepink.com! First let me show you what she sent, then I'll tell you why it was so fitting.
My package arrived in a pretty white shipping box stamped with Sita's business name and website address! It was pretty obvious Sita is taking advantage of every opportunity to promote her business.
Inside the box, along with a gift of two lovely bars of soap were 3 hand-crafted cards by Sita. They're not only pretty, not only of the highest quality, they're BRANDED on the back of each card with the Silver Spoon Scraps stamp! So Thank you Sita for the thoughtful gift. I love all of it. But also KUDOS to you for great branding and promoting your business.
As I mentioned previously in this post, last night we held our weekly marketing chat at Make Mine Pink.com. The topic was about giveaways and what impact they make on our customers. I've been noticing an increase in giveaways with items I purchase from various boutiques. Now don't get me wrong. I, like anyone else LOVE a gift! I've received Lady Jayne note cards, Mary Engelbreit sticky notes and magnets, tea bags, chocolates and various other really fun free gifts with purchase. The more I received, the more I started thinking about what impact these free gifts have made on me. Initially, they made a wonderful impression on me! I love pretty things and these were all very appealing, but after the initial excitement wears off, I'm not even sure I can remember who sent me what. Had the free gift I received been a branded gift, I wouldn't be able to forget who sent it. Imagine the impact your giveaway could could have if it was not only branded, but useful as well.
The more thought I gave to this concept, the more I realized that the large successful companies do just what I am suggesting. Recently I purchased a cosmetic from a high end company cosmetic company. They offered a free gift and guess what it was? A complimentary cosmetic by the same company! Well of course it was! What have I been thinking all this time? Why would they offer a product, or more precisely a gift.. advertising another company? Well the answer to that is simple.. they wouldn't!
It's time to step up branding ladies and promote your own business at every opportunity! Next time you include a free gift with purchase, think about who you are promoting! If it's not your own business, it's time to make a change!
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Thank you for the reminder! Marketing your business should be as natural as breathing. Most people don't spend enough time on branding themselves.
Posted by: Kim Guymon | April 16, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Everyone loves free stuff! That's a given. But, you're completely right that it needs to work FOR your company and not against. I found a company that is giving away free business card magnets. People will think they're getting a gift, but they'll be getting your business card!
http://www.web-magnets.com
Posted by: Jennifer | April 10, 2008 at 03:05 PM