151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Tell A Friend

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Tell A Friend aka Word of Mouth.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. Make up some business cards to be your "Tell A Friend" cards. You can use these to create a referral discount program, where each customer is assigned a unique referral # that is printed on their tell a friend cards. If this # is mentioned in future orders, the original customer receives an X% discount on their next purchase from your store.
   
2. If you are selling multiples of the same item and sell one, you can include a few "tell a friend" business cards with the order - that include a photo of the item they purchased. Customers will sometimes share these with people who ask them about your item.
   
3. When a customer refers a friend to my shop and that friend buys something, I offer the first customer 10% of their friend's purchase as a store credit. So if the friend buys a $20 item, the first customer gets a $2 credit on their next purchase. They can save up their credits and use it for their entire purchase (They still pay shipping.) Your customers would be really working hard to get people to buy from you. The new person would need to give the first person's name and convo you to say 'So and so referred me to your shop'
   
4. I would put a 10 referral limit on the referrals and only offer it to a person that actually buys something from you.
   
5. Assign everyone a code that they must pass on to whomever they refer. Referee must put code in notes to get discount. It could be something as simple as the person's name with letters or numbers or something like that. If you keep a little chart, it'd be pretty easy to keep track of.....
   
6. I made a purse for a friend of mine that lives far away from me. Anyway she had sent me a message on MySpace telling me that all her friends LOVE her purse....and one of her friends saw that comment and found me....now she's interested in getting something from me!
   
7. An unknown customer (that is one with no previous knowledge of you) who has a positive experience will tell 5 people. That same customer - if they have a negative experience - will tell twice as many people
   
8. When I first opened my shop, I sent an email to my friends and family. My brother- in -law forwarded it to a friend who was remodeling their house and they bought a painting.
   
9. I remember from the guerilla marketing book was that I should be spending half my marketing efforts on my current/previous customers
   
10. http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/935-Ecommerce-Know-How-Start-a-Buzz-with-Word-of-Mouth-Marketing

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Contests & Giveaways

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Contests & Giveaways.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

I want to preface today's list with a link to this post in Etsy's Storque regarding contests. By sharing these contest ideas I am not advocating contests, but just relaying info about what other people have said or done.

That said, here is today's list of ideas:

CONTESTS

1. Enter your crafts into contests...such as the county fair. Winning competitions and contests is a good way to get your name out there and win some money or recognition to boot!

GIVEAWAYS - Do they help?

1. I just recently ran my first blog giveaway. I had put an announcement in my shop announcements. I had over 400 views that weeks and over 100 people register for the contest. I would say that was pretty successful, and it was a ton of fun. ;-)
   
2. It is pretty easy, and it does get you traffic
   
3. I know that it generates a lot of views, some hearts, and we've got our fingers crossed about more sales :)
   
4. I participated in a blog giveaway earlier this week on another seller's blog that gets a TON of traffic and someone who read that blog found my site via that blog and purchased $80 worth of prints from me

GIVEAWAYS - Great Ideas

1. EcoEtsy Team did a scavenger hunt through participating Etsy team shops - http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/2008/02/st-patties-day-team-scavenger-hunt.html
   
2. You could have a contest to post a picture of yourself in one of the ugliest fads you've ever owned. E.g. slouch socks with rolled up stonewashed jeans. And then vote on which one you think is the ugliest and they win something.
   
3. Do a monthly giveaway for those who sign up for your blog/newsletter.
   
4. I have a mailing list that I ask people to join, and I pick monthly from that list. I am also having a blog give away right now, and to have a chance to win, you just have to comment to that post.
   
5. I have people enter my giveaway by sending me photos of things made with beads from my store. I let them know I'll use the photos to create product pages that are inspiring and creative instead of the same drab photos.
   
6. Every blogger that featured us during the month of April, would be entered in the drawing to win.
   
7. I often like product testers for some of my items before I launch them for sale. I was thinking of doing a giveaway for a beta product, so it could be something small or big, with the expectation that the winner(s)would use it, abuse it and answer a few questions in a month's time.
   
8. OneWorld One Heart - an annual worldwide giveaway every January
   
9. I have a giveaway at the beginning of every month.
   
10. How about a "free flair" giveaway where I would send people a free button and then I would ask them to send me a picture of their "flair" in action--- wearing the button on a jacket or purse or whatever--- that I would post on my blog with their link.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Memorable Business Cards

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on making and using Memorable Business Cards.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I always make and send out bookmarks with my orders. That way, you never know where they'll end up, not just in my city, but all over the world to people I sell to. Mainly I just do it because it's a nice 'extra' for my customers.
   
2. I once found an old theater ticket from England from 1943 in a book I got from a used book store and it was like a treasure. If I were to advertise in library books I think I would make special advertising bookmarks with a nice ribbon and such so that the person feels more like it's a treasure than an invasion.
   
3. When I was 12 I found a very unique and mysterious business card taped to a bus stop window and I still have it because it was so interesting to me.
   
4. i make matchbook style Post It holders with my shop info printed all over the outside cover.
   
5. bookmarks are cool too. i just bought a bunch recently when Overnightprints.com had a special where you get 100 booksmarks free with the payment of shipping.
   
6. I like the idea of making Etsy bookmarks and leaving them in books. I am always looking for a bookmark and usually resort to old bill envelopes or scraps of paper when I'm desperate. Finding a nicely done bookmark in a library book would be like finding buried treasure. (I am a school librarian, by the way.)
   
7. my business cards are actually bookmarks. figure when i send it out with my items it kills 2 birds with 1 stone
   
8. We have MixedSpecies temporary tattoos that we give and apply for free! You'd be amazed at the fun those things create. We also are working on sets of "leave behind" coasters to drop off at bars with a drunken dot to dot game! Just a couple ideas!
   made my banner and my business card into key chains and make sure and show them off every chance I get...I love people at the grocery store asking me about them.
   
9. I make coupons using etsy mini and send then out as postcards and hand them out at craft shows.
   
10. I got pens with my Etsy url and tag line on them. Every time I have to sign something - at the bank, the pharmacy, the doctor's office, etc., I "accidentally" leave the pen behind. I've also left them in public restrooms, at restaurants, pretty much everywhere I go. also, at places that have cups of pens, like my chiropractor or the vet, I put a couple of my pens in there for their clients to use. Sneak marketing.
    
11. I make postcards out of etsy mini with my website on them and send them out and hand them out (with little coupons or discounts on them).
    
12. I got talking with the librarian and told her what I do. I asked her if I was to make up some book marks would she put some up at the front desk.
    
13. Perhaps if you know the item is going to be a gift, offer free gift wrapping and use Kraft brown paper, and then stamp your logo on it nicely?
    
14. Refrigerator and bumper magnets are fairly inexpensive to make yourself now, especially if you are using custom wooden stamps.
    
15. Temporary tattoos of our logo.
    
16. I bought these teeny tiny hardcover composition books (4 in a pack for a dollar) and glued my business card to the front. Once I found a ton of boxes of purple ink Bic pens at the dollar store. Since purple is my colour, I scooped them up! People can always use a little pen & notebook for their purse/backpack.
    
17. gave these out for halloween, along with candy of course! my son takes them to school, too.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Samples

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Samples.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. You could also try giving out samples at various events. Even at family or work events...you could supply the give-aways or doorprizes and then place your business card or a tag with you Etsy info on them.
   
2. I leave soap samples and business cards in public restrooms.
   
3. I've got a purse full of soap samples....just let them ask me a single question even remotely related to soap, and they wind up with a free sample to try.
   
4. Have sent sample santas to stores in the past, and ended up with an order for 40 santas!
   
5. I made up some little bags with mints and some other candies and a business card in them and had friends put them in the lunch room where they worked! everyone needs and after dinner mint!
   
6. I have also sent "promo packages" to everyone in my family....The instructions are funny... "This is not for you! Give this to a friend or someone you know! If they buy from me you will get something extra special in your christmas card!"
   
7. I contacted by local community welcome wagon (they introduce all newbies to the city) and have asked them to include my sample package in their basket.
   
8. If you include any samples in orders, try including an extra "Tell a friend" sample that includes your store name and url.
   
9. showing my paintings in a local cafe has been my most successful marketing yet!
   
10. Most hospitals have volunteers that put together packets for new parents.
    
11. When I make a new soap that I want tested or critiqued, I'll bring mini-bars to work. Word has spread like wildfire and my colleagues are my best customers.
    
12. send out lip balm samples to local dentist's
    
13. If you include any samples in orders, try including an extra "Tell a friend" sample that includes your store name and url.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Conversation Starters

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Conversation Starters.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. Oh, and standing in line at the Post Office is another good way to network. We meet lots of Etsy and eBay sellers there who swap info with us. Have a bag with your ETSY url on it to take your packages to the post office.
   
2. I'm a knitter. So, I work on my items in public (coffee shops, city busses, standing in the check-out lane at the grocery store). People always ask about it.
   
3. Use friends as models. The more people you involve in the process, the more they want to know how THEY did, and they'll tell their friends and family. I've asked friends to model, and they get all excited to let their other friends now "Hey, I'm on a website!" It's mostly unintentional advertising, but hey, you get the word out and get to involve buddies!
   
4. A good one I do is I make stuff during my lunch break in the office break room. Lots of people stop and ask about it (men and women!) and I hand them my card.
   
5. Also, be sure to inform your alumni newsletter about your shop/website/blog
   
6. You can wear a painting!!! hahahaha!!! i have tee shirts made with my artwork on them. Seriously, print off your work at http://www.cafepress.com/ or http://www.spreadshirt.com/ and wear it! You can print your art on all kinds of other things, too.
   
7. I also work on a lot of my designs on a bus and noticed people watching me while I did it (what else is there to look at on a bus?) so I made a sticker with my URL and stuck it (upside down) on the lid of the little wooden box I carry around my most recent project so people can check it out if they want to see what I was making.
   
8. I dress blatantly and outrageously punk rock all the time. It doesn't matter how small the outing. If I'm just going to pick up some NyQuil from the drugstore, I will still get all decked out. Then I hand out business cards like crazy when people ask about my outfit.
   
9. I'm planning on taking some paintings and working on them in the park. People love to watch an artist at work and if you can put up with the interruptions and people's kids hanging on you, you can drum up a lot of business.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Your Identity

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Your Identity.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I recently ordered personal checks with four of my paintings as the designs for them.
   
2. You can also design your credit card with your own picture on it. If you choose an interesting picture of one of your items, every time you hand it to a clerk it's an opportunity to talk about what you do.
   
3. I play regularly on a game site and changed my player name to my postcardlady.etsy.com
   
4. I put Etsy on my resume as my current job!
   
5. if you wear hats a lot, wear an an "etsy" hat

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Craft Shows & Home Parties

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Craft Shows & Home Parties.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. Whenever we go to craft shows, farmer's markets, or festivals, we have handouts, flyers, business cards, and postcards to give to interested people. We also walk around the markets and offer them to other sellers at the various other booths and tell them that we will give them a fellow seller's discount at our booth and online. We usually get one in return, so it works out!
   
2. I make coupons using etsy mini and send then out as postcards and hand them out at craft shows.
   
3. Having a home show has been the best thing for me so far. Invite all your friends. Plan WELL in advance and talk it up for a while! Send email invite, mail some and make a facebook event. Perhaps you'll have to draw crowds by inviting a friend or two to take part with you (I recommend about two other people...don't let it get too big). This way their friends will see/buy your stuff and the other way around! It's great fun. I've had wonderful turn-outs! :)
   
4. Since I do jewelry Parties, and they Are probably the Fastest way to earn the Most Money in the Shortest Time That I have Ever Found. I also pay the host a percentage of whatever I sell in order to entice them. Usually between 5% - 15%. It depends on the situation. If you make $2,000. they get $200.00 and are happy with that.
   
5. So my best promotions still remain craft fairs and classes taught offline. If you can make those regular, your name, cards and face are out there all the time and you make contacts that come back.
   
6. Have an Etsy Boutique Sale in your home - if you have the space. It's what I'm doing the end of this month.
   
7. I've invited 10 other Etsy Sellers to bring their goods to my home to setup shop. Each seller had to pay in a very small amount of money to cover the cost of postcards that I had another Etsian design. Each seller has to invite 30-50 people to the sale and hopefully we'll get 200-500 customers coming through.
   
8. I'm clearing out all my large furniture, knick-knacks, etc to make our Etsy shop. I'm offering treats and beverages and hopefully we'll be able to build a local customer base.
   
9. I'm also going to offer free shipping coupons good through the end of the year to all the customers as they leave.
   
10. my local art business that supports me, not my online business! i sell more cards in a week locally than i have sold in two years on etsy....
    

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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25 Places to get Promotional Products

Today I was reading this article about how to market a business effectively by using promotional products.

Have you used promotional products to market your business? If you're wondering where to find them, here's a big list of places where you can order promotional products. I have used the first two myself, but there are a ton of them out there.

1. http://www.vistaprint.com/
2. Oriental Trading Company
3. http://www.promopeddler.com/
4. http://ocs.landsend.com/corpsales
5. http://www.herodecks.com/
6. http://www.top-brands.com/
7. http://www.zagwear.com/
8. http://www.e-corporategifts.com/
9. http://www.branders.com/
10. http://www.pensrus.com/?s=gaw&kw=promotional+pen
11. 4imprint
12. Empire Promotional Products
13. Silver Star Promotions
14. Superior Promos Inc
15. http://www.logosoftwear.com/
16. http://www.gimmees.com/
17. http://sweetpromos.com/
18. http://www.compleat.com/category.i?catid=1
19. http://www.promogeek.com/
20. http://www.companycasuals.com/cs/CustomBrowser?customer=adco
21. http://www.epromos.com/browse/Ne1-N11618.html
22. http://www.embroiderysuperstore.com/designs/stock_design_search.aspx
23. http://www.apromotionaloutlet.com/apparel.html
24. http://www.empirepromos.com/
25. http://www.rushimprint.com/

Don't forget your own creative efforts! If you can create a cost-effective promo item for yourself that ties into your business and fits your brand, go for it!

I'd love to see what interesting promo ideas you have come up with for your own business!

Will you comment here with your ideas or links to a blog post about what you've done?














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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Magazine Submission & Article Writing

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Magazine Submission & Article Writing.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I've been entering contests for publication and other such opportunities. Art Jewelry Magazine has a gallery section and one of my necklaces will be featured in the July issue which I'm excited about.
   
2. I usually just check out the magazines I like and follow their submission requirements - I'm new to this type of promotion but it's fun and it really only takes a moment to fill out the submission info. They had my necklace for several months, but it's back safely and it's pretty neat to be in print - I recommend trying it out!
   
3. Another idea is to enter your crafts into contests...such as the county fair. Winning competitions and contests is a good way to get your name out there and win some money or recognition to boot!
   
4. Write a book review. This one is even shorter, only about 200 words. The book should be something somehow connected to creativity. So that will probably be non fiction. I'm obviously not saying that this should be the book where you get all your ideas/instructions from (if you do get ideas/instructions from books) Like at Amazon.com
   
5. Write an article for a 'zine. Write about something you're interested in, not about your shop. It shouldn't be too stressful, try thinking about it like a blog entry. The byline would have your name and a link to your site.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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151 Guerrilla Marketing Ideas :: Media

Today's Low-cost, High-impact Marketing Ideas focus on Media.

For the full list of ideas, organized by category, check out this post.

1. I am starting to Advertise in our Local Parenting magazine. First I called some current advertisers and asked how good their results were, and they all said business was great from the magazine. So Now I am starting a small ad.
   
2. I emailed our local TV station - with information about ETSY - maybe will get some adv. out there for all of us. Will let anyone know if this works and possibly others in other areas might try.
   
3. If you have a day job and they have a staff newsletter, with a 'social' section, get yourself in it. Especially if you're at a local craft fair or taking part in charity events.
   
4. Start writing a regular newsletter and invite blog readers to opt in to your newsletter mailing list
   
5. I used to be my hometown's photographer and our editor was always desperate for stories. I remember she sent me out to photograph a man making balloon animals for kids in the park, a kids' lemonade stand that made over $20 one hot day, and a family pitching a tent in the local campground. Check with your newspaper. They might be hungry for feel-good stories that include a photo or two. Anything with a local spin is even better because it helps to sell papers.
   
6. I did an article about our farm and my creations for Storque, and that sent my sales through the roof
   
7. Why not contact your local radio station and arrange for them to include your creations in a station giveaway or contest.
   
8. What about writing an article for your local paper about Etsy and how it is helping people earn a living at home in these hard economic times? And there's so much more than the local paper....newsletters, community organizations, etc.
   
9. One Etsy seller called the local newspaper about a large commission she had created. They sent out a reporter and photographer and she had a big write-up in the local paper with color pictures of her work, her studio, and everything.

As mentioned in this post, the ideas in this post came from my snippets of ideas saved from Etsy forum posts over the last year. If you provided an idea listed here, please comment and I'll credit the idea to you with a link to your shop, ok?

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