Friday, August 06, 2010

Crazy Marketing Mania


Marketing is many, many, many things all working to support one another and to touch your customers many times. And yes-I meant to say “many” that many times. Marketing is a process, not an event; you have to think marketing all the time. All to the items that can be simple marketing tactics. They don’t even have to cost anything. That’s the beauty of guerilla (A member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment) marketing. It uses time energy, knowledge, information and a whole lot of imagination rather than writing big checks. Here’s a quick review of 10 guerilla marketing tactics that can be employed with little or no money, and are sure to give you results.

1). STAGE A PROTEST FOR “GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE”:

Imagine what would happen if you had picketers outside your place of business with picket signs that read, “we are protesting good customer service at this location!” or “ This place is full of nice people interested in customers!”

First, you will get noticed. Second, you may get coverage by local media. Stage a repeat visit of the protesters and next time publicize their intent of returning. You never know who might take notice and what it will do for your business.

2). CONDUCT A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS:

Pay the toll the car behind yours and ask the toll collector to give your business card to them, telling them you paid their toll. It’s a low-cost guerrilla marketing tactic that has imagination written all over it.

3). NOMINATE YOURSELF FOR AN AWARD:

There are many awards given by many organizations that accept self-nominations. Use the award designation as part of your bio when speaking or when writing an article. Prospects love “award winning” people and business.

4). AWARD A “CUSTOMER OF THE MONTH” AWARD:

Customers like attention, especially if they are in a special group. Award a plaque or certificate; these won’t get thrown away and will remain at your customer’s place of business as a remainder of their relationship with you.

5). TIE YOURSELF TO A NEWS EVENT:

This can also be a current event covered by the newspaper. I do this by reviewing Super blow commercials as a marketing expert and get free press out of it. Find a news story and issue a press release to publications, radio stations and television stations, offering yourself as an expert to comment on a related subject. It’s one of the best ways to get free PR.

6). PROVIDE SPECIAL ATTENTION TO TRADE SHOW ATTENDEES:

Do this the night before a trade you‘re attending. Hang door hangers on hotel room doors at designated trades show hotels, offering a hook and an announcement or a special offer. Leave bags of candies, aspirin, and insole pads for shoes or a cloth carry bag to collect trade show information in. your competition isn’t doing this, so you will be noticed and thanked if you put yourself in front of your prospect again.

7). HOLD A WACKY CONTEST:

You can announce the contest to your prospects, customers and the media. You can then announce the winners to the media and hopefully get press each time. Have multiple winners to delight multiple customers. Contests can be wacky and imaginative: a messy desk contest, ugly tie contest, pet /owner look-alike contest, etc.

8). COUPON OFFERS:

Even use the back cover stock to print an offer. Pass out notepads with coupon offers intermingled in the pages. I know of a printing company that partnered with a pizza company and placed a coupon for a free pizza an increase in business with these giveaways.

9). CREATE A FUNKY HOLIDAY:

Today is “Orange hair day,” or “give Ice-Cream to a friend Day.” These are made up and from a brainstorm session. Your holiday that cross promotes your business, service or products are only limited by your imagination. Don’t forget to publicize it, announce it, market it over and over, and have fun with it. You will definitely get noticed.

10). CREATE A UNIQUE ASSOCIATION:

Imagine appealing to a target group, getting members, receiving paid subscriptions, offering a set of benefits, and being at the center of attention. I have often thought about creating the National Listeners Association or the take Fridays off work association. Remember: you are trying t again attention and awareness that eventually turns into sales. Also remember you are a guerrilla marketer without a blank check book to spend on marketing.

15 comments:

  1. Dear gaurang,
    Nice blog. Interesting topic. I enjoyed reading your blog. Nice selection of topic. While reading blog, i thought for a moment whether it is the same gaurang, studying with us or any renowned marketing guru.
    Regards
    shravan

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  2. Hi....
    Again in same series of marketing good blog.You mentioned 10 very relvent points. Keep it up my friend.
    Satyawan Malhan

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  3. Gaurang,

    Nice blog yaar...I didn't know about the writing talent of yours....Nice blog...Keep the good work up!

    Mudasir

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  4. Gaurang bhai!!! kamal ka blog likhte ho yar!!! maja aa gaya!!! Good going!!! keep it up!!!

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  5. nice blog... good going.. keep it up!!

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  6. nice blog....full of learnings.....keep it up

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  7. Nice blog... good attempted by you. Thanks for sharing your views with us.

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  8. Dear Gaurang!

    Excellent blog written by you!
    This blog reflects your crazy marketing mania tips to how can target the customer...?

    Good!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello:)
    Nice work done:)
    Summarized in points very nicely:)
    I've got many learnings out of it:)

    regards,
    Jitendra

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  10. Hi Gaurang,

    Very nice post..I think you have a deep understanding about all these type of topics..keep it up!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dear Gaurang

    Nice blog written, There are many things that actually required while doing marketing.

    Regards
    Vishal Mehta

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  12. dear gaurang

    thank you for providing the valuable sights for modern marketing

    regards

    saurabh bansal

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  13. Dear gaurang

    thank you for providing the valuable sights for modern marketing

    ReplyDelete
  14. nce blog.this blogs shows ur intrst in mrkitng.thnks for shring ur views.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Blog always find some thing new which is useless many times but your blog have these things which is help real world.
    thanks for this inside.............,

    ReplyDelete