The 3/50 Project

Have you heard about the 3/50 project? I stumbled across this recently on a trip up to Issaquah, WA. We had driven up there for the day, about 200 miles one way, for the sole purpose of eating Veraci Pizza at the Redmond Farmers' Market and to see what Issaquah's Gilman Village is all about. (I need to go back. Gilman Village is a fantastic little shopping center!)

The 3/50 Project's concept is simple. Think of 3 locally owned shops you would miss if they closed, and support them. The 3/50 suggests spending $50 each month between 3 shops. That's all.

In my opinion, if $50 is too much for your budget, try for $20, or even $10. Just support local business. Period.

Small businesses can register for free on the 3/50 website and download materials to promote the concept.

For more information, check out their website and facebook pages at
www.the350project.net
www.facebook.com/The350Project

For iPhone users, a free 3/50 app helps you find locally owned businesses no matter where you are. To download the app and/or get your business listed, visit LookLocal.

Men's Night Out

Here's a clever marketing idea:

An Oregon microbrewery is bringing in outside vendors who sell women's gift items for an event specifically aimed at men. Frosty mugs of beer and help with Christmas shopping for the better half, a full 3 weeks before Christmas. They have done this event before, and it is reported to have been very well done and very well received.

While this event is designed to help men with their Christmas shopping, this kind of event would also work well for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day shopping. The theme could even be turned around to help kids pick out a present for Mom for these holidays - The entry price would include a set price for gift and pizza or cookies, plus help with gift wrapping. 

Join us for Men's Night Out Wednesday, December 7, 2011 6pm-9pm Seven Brides $10 pre-sale, $12 at the door Gentlemen, join us in the Brewery for an evening of shopping, music and beer!  Seven Brides has taken the dreaded task of Christmas shopping for all those wonderful ladies in your life and turned it into something to look forward to. Come and get all your Christmas shopping done all while holding a beer in your hand!  We will have an array of great vendors on hand selling their fantastic products, music throughout the evening, a ton of great raffle prizes to win, food and of course frosty pints.  Admission is $10 pre-sale and $12 at the door and includes entrance into the event, entry into the raffle for tons of great prizes, and one drink of your choice (beer, wine, soda or coffee).  While the event is only for the gentlemen, the Tap Room will be open for normal business so all those wonderful ladies can tag along, grab a drink and some food, and socialize while the guys shop. To pre-purchase your tickets or for questions please call the Tap Room,  503-874-4677. Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Could you use this idea for your business? 


If you own a shop that sells gift items for women, could you invite a local brewer or pub to co-sponsor your event? You could even make it more of a block party with other shops in your vicinity. Or if you own a brewery, pub, sports bar, or restaurant, could you host this kind of event in your venue? Even a local Etsy Team could capitalize on this idea.


Regardless of your business, you might be able to think up a manly/girly combo; even if you are a financial planner, you could bring in some guy-themed refreshments and some vendors who sell gifts for the wife/girlfriend and put your financial security spin on the whole thing.


Of course, you would have help with advertising: not only would you advertise to your customers, but each vendor would be advertising to their customers, some of who are not familiar with your business. What a smooth way to bring in new customers!


Now that you've got the idea, how could you make this type of event work for you?

Small Business Saturday, November 27

Like many people, I make every effort to shop at a local small business before I go to a big corporate store. American Express has started a movement to encourage others to visit their local small businesses to keep local economies thriving. I'm passing this along to you to help spread the word and ask you to consider visiting your locally owned shops on Saturday when you're out Christmas shopping. 

As stated in the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook:
"First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. This year, November 27th is the first ever Small Business Saturday, a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S. 

More than a dozen advocacy, public and private organizations have already joined American Express OPEN, the company’s small business unit, in declaring the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday."
Click the image to learn more and grab the badge for your website or store.
Thanks!
-Pam

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