A creative resource for developing effective business promotions

Having a great promotion that has a strong call to action is a sure fire way to get people noticing your products. Today we’ll take a look at some fundamental promotion ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

The buy one /get one free

A great way to get people into the store, or e-store, and move products fast is to give something away. People love the word “free.” It gives them a sense that they got something for nothing. After all, who doesn’t like to get a gift? This works especially well with items sold in large quantities. Just make sure that you are still making profit regardless of what is given away.

Side note: Making simple innovative changes to the “buy one / get one” concept can give you fresh promotional ideas. Things like the two for one sale, giving a free gift when they spend over a certain amount and so on work just as good if not better. So make sure to put on your super-creative hat while reading this post.

Percentage discount

The percentage discount usually works well when you have a predetermined spending limit; for instance “get 10% off when you spend $100 or more”; “buy two and get an additional 5% off!” etc.

Promote an event

An event is always good sales tactic and there are many different ideas that can fall under this category.

Have a sale that lasts a day, week or month making sure to set a start and end date.

Get involved with the chamber of commerce and offer to have networking functions in your location.

If you have a good location for throwing cocktail parties or happy hour-style get-togethers flyer your local community and party with the locals.

You can also throw or sponsor a party at a night club. Just put your customers, prospects and fans on the guest list, maybe even give them free entry or drink tickets when they purchase something from you.

Charity as a promotional tool

Sure, Twitter microblogging and conventional blogging is aimed at showing your customers the human side of your company, but don’t forget that Charity does this too and much more!

Charity is not only good for the soul but it can better show your humble giving nature as a company and build the community’s trust in you. You can donate the proceeds from sales, hold a fundraiser or even just flat out donate cash to a good cause.

Just make sure you market it heavily and write a good editorial for your local papers.

Contests

Nothing gets people moving like a good contest. Find a product that benefits your customers or that can be used in conjunction with other products you sell and start advertising the contest everywhere!

Limited edition

When things are limited it gives people a sense of urgency that you can’t get with any other type of call to action.

If you take an already popular product and make it one-of-a-kind your customers will climb all over each other to get it.

If you take an already popular product and make it one-of-a-kind your customers will climb all over each other to get it. Take, for example, any number of promotional products and professionally screen your branding or logo right onto the item! You know, tote bags, sports bottles…you could even go tech with it and slap your logo on USB sticks or even a snazzy USB DOCK! The possibilities are endless!

You may only sell 50 units or less of the product, but the buzz you create for your store is priceless. Plus people will start checking back with you for the next opportunity to get a limited edition item.

Till next time

Happy advertising!

Reza