Need ideas!!!

Bev · Posted: December 22, 2005, 8:55 pm Post subject: Need ideas!!!

Okay, let's start sharing some ideas on how we're going to market our businesses offline for 2006! I'd love to see a nice long list of ideas from all of us!

My first idea is that I plan to schedule several vendor shows in my area. I'm thinking of having one right before Easter, then one in the summer sometime, and then definitely one before Christmas. If you advertise it as a time to buy gifts, I have found that the ones who come to the events are prepared to buy...not just browse.

Who's next?

Bev
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Lauren · Posted: December 22, 2005, 11:51 pm Post subject:

I've been spending so much time online lately-I haven't done too much offline.

My initial thought was to host a scrapbooking crop/party for the mothers of my son's preschool class. I might be able to use the community room at the preschool, then the moms don't even have to leave. We drop off our kids at 9:30, go down the hall, scrap for 1 1/2 hours, and pick the kids up at 11:30. It might be something that could be arranged monthly if there is enough interest.

I am also going back to basics by planning to call the Chamber of Commerce. Yes, I know 4 months into direct sales, and now I think to do this. Like I said I've been focusing more online since I started.

My third idea is to check with the local Micheals craft store about teaching a class. A friend of mine does that and says it works out really well for her.

That's where I'm at so far Smile

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Laurie's HGP · Posted: January 12, 2006, 6:59 pm Post subject:

My biggest succes for offline marketing is to network. I belong to our local women in business group and have started a local direct sales networking group.
I get involved in local vendor shows like craft shows, business expos and community fairs.
I hand out my business info to every person that I exchange money with
I have a decal on the back of my car with my company info, name and phone #
I go around to local and county laundromats and leave old catalgs and flyers where they keep thier magazines (yes laundromats....many women sit there bored out of thier mind looking for reading material)
I am thinking of marketing myself to local womens groups that are looking for speakers or some type of event at their next function (like I could do a floral arranging or home decorating class)
Basically getting out there and meeting people. Building relationships and making new freinds.
Look for a target audience and go to where these people are......are you looking for moms? Go to the local parks and hand out your business info
Looking for management type people? Go to local businesses and hand your business info.....How about community service people.....maybe you can volunteer once a month for 2 hours at a local hospital or nursing home and build relationships with the employees.....or even see if they have an employee event club and ask if you can offer a workshop.....
There are many ways to market yourself offline.....I think it is more successful then online (I guess it really depends on what your type of business is, some businesses need the online to reach a certain target customer base) but offline, you can actually meet the people and build the relationships. I love people and want to meet them....all shapes, all sizes, all colors......many personalities....
_________________
Laurie Fischer
Independent Diamond Designer
Home & Garden Party
National Star 2005
lfisch80@ptd.net
www.decorateyourhomewithlaurie.com

Anita · Posted: January 16, 2006, 12:47 am Post subject:

This year I plan on utilizing my vendor spot at the market more than I have in the past. I have the potential of really building that up nice and just haven't taken the time to do so. I mean don't get me wrong, the display does look nice, lol. But I know there's so much more there I can utilize that space more. I'd also like to start focusing on advertising "bulk animal kits" for birthdays etc.

Great idea Bev! Who's next?

Take care,
Anita Smile

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kaaryn · Posted: February 4, 2006, 9:28 pm Post subject:

ALWAYS have business cards in your wallet. Everyone you give one to, give them two and ask them to pass the second one on to someone else.

I'm going to get a car magnet this year.

Trade shows - whether you have a booth or not they're a good place to meet people. Don't steal the show from another vendor though or you'll hurt your chances of getting referrals from them later.

I'm starting a community newsletter to distribute for free at various businesses. There will be a big ad on the front page for my business and someone else will be giving it away for me Smile

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pattygale · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 698 Location: Colorado Springs

I haven't done much offline marketing in the past, primarily because my business is online, but I am planning on changing that later this year.

One of the things I am planning on doing is taking snippets of my new guides and creating brochures from them. This will eventually lead to creating small offline workshops to actually show people what I do.

Patty
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Anita · Posted: February 9, 2006, 10:51 pm Post subject:

mommyoftwins · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Michigan

you say pass how cards to people you see.. i have some of my items on a site..but not all.. should i say .. please take a look at my site..and if you would to see more.. give me a call and ill send you a cat? also do i give the cards to anyone? because when i go places i get stopped ALOT my twin boys attract attention big time! but im a shy person..dont want to sound needy..ya know.. what should the business cards say..ect help im so lost.. i havent had no sales Sad

Anita · Posted: March 13, 2006, 4:49 pm Post subject:

I personally am not a "cold seller". I'm not big on the "tell everyone you know" OR "give your card to everyone you see". I like to build relationships with people and work from there. I've found that it might take a little while longer but the return is much higher Wink

Again, let us know what you're selling and we can help brainstorm from there Wink

Take care,
Anita Smile

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Laurie's HGP · Posted: March 13, 2006, 4:51 pm Post subject:

Not sure what your business is, but you might want to get out of the mindframe of thinking you are sounding needy. I look at it as I am offering a service to people. When people stop you to comment on your twins, at the end of the conversation you may want to say, thank you so much for the kind words, and I wouldnt be doing my job if I didnt offer you my services. I would love to give you my card and you are wecome to check out my website. If you see anything that sparks your attention, I would love to have you call me......one of 2 things are going to happen..they will just take the card and thank you, or they will look at it and comment on it.....at that point, you will see if there is an interest (look for the green flags) and then you can make an appointment to meet with them or get their contact info. Follow up with them in the next 24-48 hours.
Just to note, with the company I represent, I have mini catalogs that I hand out as business cards.....I let them know that there is a full catalog on line, or I can send them a catalog....
Hope this can help you some. Above all.....you are not pushy, or needy...you are offering a service.
Read the below from Ilene Meckley
Sharing with the Right Purpose

Have you been showing up to open your doors for business this week? When you do show up for sharing, you will always be growing your business.

Sharing is so rewarding and always successful with the right purpose behind it.

Do you share because you want a new recruit, new hostess, or a new sale?

Is your sharing about filling your need or is your sharing to find out if people have a need you can fill?

Do you believe that you have an opportunity for people to earn income, experience personal growth and/or increase their confidence?

Do you believe that you have a hostess program that could really be a great gift to someone - that is really all about helping them earn free products?

Do you have a product that could be of interest to others?

When you share with someone, I know you will be so excited about it because you really want to become someone who focuses on others and you totally take yourself out of the equation.

How do you know when you are sharing for the right reason? I believe you will know right away. You will be ok with a "no" and will continue to be so eager and excited to share with the next person because they might be the person who chooses to say "yes". A "no" will not change a thought about sharing with the next person.

It is important to remember what Zig Ziglar often talks about. He says "A good sales person always feels he offers things to solve problems for others and that our job is to look for people who have a problem we can solve with the things we have to offer. It is not about convincing them that they have a problem so we can solve it."

I know you do not like the word "no," but we should. Why? We like people offering us different things. We really like being able to make a choice--yes or no. A "no" is no longer ever a problem in a business when you decide to share with everyone because your confidence will come from knowing that "as long as I share with everyone there will be plenty of people who choose to say 'yes'. It is just my job to find them".

Become a professional sharer.

Make a decision to share and do not allow yourself off the hook. Watch what happens when sharing is your goal. You will have more business than you can imagine. You will have explosive team growth!

How many people have you shared your business with this week? It is now Tuesday, March 7, 2006. Today can be the first day you take a leap of faith and make the commitment to sharing with everyone. Let's see how you feel about your business on March 7, 2007. Will you be OK if out of 1,200 people you have only had 3 hostesses a week for 50 of the next 52 weeks and recruited only 50 new consultants? OK, I know you will have earned incentive trips, prizes and be enjoying an incredible income. Why will that have happened? Because you decided it is perfectly OK for people to say "No, thank you" when you share but it is not ok to hesitate to share because they might say "no".

Enjoy sharing and caring with others! I love every opportunity I can share with you.
Have a great day.
_________________
Laurie Fischer
Independent Diamond Designer
Home & Garden Party
National Star 2005
lfisch80@ptd.net
www.decorateyourhomewithlaurie.com

kaaryn · Posted: March 20, 2006, 12:02 am Post subject:

With giving out business cards to people, I think your approach depends on your business. I mean, you can just kind of fit it into conversation, like when you ask them what they do, they'll probably ask you, and you can say, "Oh, I..... here, let me give you one of my cards!" I can't imagine they'd refuse because that would be pretty rude. Very Happy

In my business which is health & wellness, I keep cards & brochures in my wallet that are health-focused, and if I see someone I want to give it to I can use a variety of approaches, it just takes some observation. I gave a card and a lotion sample to a lady whose little guy had eczema, for example.

Something else I've done is put my card, a mini-brochure, and some candy into a little bag, and I've been giving those to cashiers and waitresses lately.
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tinasphototreasures · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: California

With my husband's job we tend to move a lot. So when we moved to Sonoma County last year I had to start over again with local marketing for my online biz.

I decided to start a local organization for Work At Home Parents. We meet about once a month and we all bring our marketing materials/fillers. We set them all out on a table and we assebly line it. We stuff everyone's fillers into a bag. We call these bags The Parent Pack, as well as our organization. Then each of us cover the cost of the bags we take, and take a certain amount home with us. For our direct sales/in-home party ladies they hand them out at demos and send them out with orders. For ladies like me who independently run a business we send them out with orders, and hand them out at events/booths.

We are just getting ready to switch over to door hanger bags so that we can get together, grouped by city, and canvass the neighborhoods in pairs putting our Parent Packs on residential doors. I am hoping to get all of our organizations guidelines, bylaws, and formal things in order so that The Parent Pack can become a duplicatable organization by county.

It has really given new business owners in our area hope, and it has really expanded each of our markets.
_________________
Tina, Mom to Andrew 7.5 & Alexis 4.5 my homeschooled angels. WAHM business owner working to preserve your memories. Turning your photos into lasting treasures!

Anita · Posted: April 25, 2006, 3:52 pm Post subject:

Laurie's HGP · Posted: April 25, 2006, 4:04 pm Post subject:

Wow, my direct sellers networking group that I meet with have done this. We call ourselves Home Hospitality and we made hospitality bags and distributed them in our communities. We are looking into now distributing them to new homeowners and new mothers.....being that births and deeds are printed in our local papers and online as well, we can track them down and deliver them a welcome to the community hospitality bag for new home owners and congratulations to the new addition to your family hospitality bags.
_________________
Laurie Fischer
Independent Diamond Designer
Home & Garden Party
National Star 2005
lfisch80@ptd.net
www.decorateyourhomewithlaurie.com

tinasphototreasures · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: California

I posted to The Mom Pack (yahoogroups), which I am a member of. Then I searched for Mom groups and Dad groups, and work at home groups in my county on yahoogroups. I contacted them individually to ask permission to post to their groups, while joining myself.

Once I got my first member, it was mostly word of mouth from there on. My first member I found on The Mom Pack. She has lived in the area for quite some time. She posted to all the local mom groups and organizations that she was a part of as well as some local events groups. She is responsible for most of our membership. Since January we have gained 32 members.

Also since I do craft and vendor fairs. I hand out The Parent Pack at my booth and explain to each person what the organization is all about. When these vendor events are over I go around talking to each of the vendors about our organization. I am expecting another 10-20 members to join from a booth I had last weekend.

At first my organization was FREE. I found the cost of promoting it to be interfering with the funds needed to run my own business. I began charging $5 annual dues which everyone so far is willing to pay. It helps cover some expenses.

In the future we plan on hosting our own vendor events about 2-6 times a year. The booth rentals will generate revenue for our organization as well. Our members will have very inexpensive booth fees, while non members will pay full price.

More later if you would like more info.

Anita · Posted: April 28, 2006, 3:42 am Post subject:

Thanks for all that! If you have more details, please do feel free to share. I've asked around but there doesn't seem to be that many work at home moms around my local area. I'm seriously thinking about putting an ad in the newspaper and hanging flyers to see if I can find some more.

Take care,
Anita Smile

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Audrey · Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 642 Location: Santa Barbara

I found the below article not more than 5 minutes ago. I thought there many great ideas.

Creative Ways to Advertise & Market Your Biz Offline!
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#1. Take a small zip close baggie (snack sizes work well) and include the following in it:

Your Business Card, Business Oppty Mini Flyer, a Piece of Candy such as hard candy or a lollipop, mini flyer of current host specials, discount coupon (optional) etc.

Hand these out to the bank tellers, retail cashiers, at your kids sport events, every where you go!

#2. When I stay at hotels & motels I leave a mini catalog, my business card & discount coupon and the mini coin canister for the maid! I put her tip inside the mini coin canister! I have gotten 3 orders by doing this!

Be creative when you leave tips for Hotel Maids, Waitresses, Waiters, Hair Dressers, etc. Don't just hand them your business card, make it memorable!

You can also buy cute little beaded change purses at your local dollar discount store!

#3. Print out flyers with your contact info (not your personal address), your website address & email address along with any current specials you are offering.

Then contact local area mobile home park offices, apartment complex rental offices, housing developements etc and ask them if you can leave fliers in their office or hang on their tennants doors. Give the office employees a free gift or discount on their personal orders.

#4. Contact local area bridal supply stores, bridal gown stores, caterers, tux rental centers, wedding dj's etc. Ask them if you can leave your business cards & fliers about the great (Company Name) Bridal Gift Registry for them to give to their customers.

Offer store owners a free gift or a personal discount for helping you spread the word about your business.

#5. Daycare Centers! They are excellent to contact and leave business cards and/or fliers at!

I print out a flyer of just a few items from our Tupperware Childrens line and I attach my business card & a discount coupon. I get alot of orders by doing this!

So whatever company you represent, find some items that cater to children or to moms and make up a flier!

#6. Alot of churches hold a Spring and Fall Fest! Contact them about getting a table or a booth. Alot of times this will cost you under $15.00 for a space!

Make sure you take products with you along with business oppty fliers, plenty of catalogs, business cards etc.

Do a contest drawing at these types of events. Make up entry blanks that gather the customers info so that you can initiate contact with them again!

#7. Join your local area chamber of commerce! They are always holding local business events that you can participate in.

#8. College Campuses! Dorms & Housing Students are always looking to spend money! Alot of college students are also looking for an extra income so target them with the Business Oppty too!

Drop off fliers and business cards to the College Student Center! They usually have bulletin boards, tables and other things where you can leave your information at for FREE!

#9. Contact your local area Welcome Wagon or Welcome to the Neighborhood Group! Ask them about you leaving mini catalogs, fliers, business cards, discount coupons, freebie mini gifts, etc with them.

They are always looking for additional items to place in their Welcome Bags!

#10. Contact your local area hospitals and ask for Human Resources Dept. The Majority of hospitals hand out New Mommy Diaper Bags filled with products, samples and other stuff for New Moms who just had a baby!

It's FREE for you to add in your information! I have gotten party hosts, new customers and new recruits by participating in these types of programs.

#11. Contact your local medical offices, particularly Gynecology and OB Offices and Pediatric Offices and inquire about you leaving information with them.

This is a way for you to target Parents of Children with both the home party oppty, the business oppty and new customer sales.

#12. Donate a Product to your local area Radio Station, they have numerous contests and they are always looking for sponsors!

Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction plus you will get FREE Advertising & Business Exposure for your donation!

#13. Donate a Product to your local area Bingo Halls! They are always looking for sponsors of their Bingo Prizes! Bingo is BIG in alot of areas!

#14. Call your Chamber of Commerce and find out about Local Area Job Fairs. Get a booth and set up info about the fabulous business oppty!

#15. Call your Local Area Colleges and find out when their next job/employment fair is. Alot of times you can get a booth or table for less than $35 and you will get alot of GREAT new recruit leads by participating in events like these.

#16. Contact local area car dealerships. I have 2 in my local area that hand out a small packet that I made up for FREE to their customers who come in to take a free test drive!

#17. Target your local area gyms! You can get a table space for $20 or less in most cases! Make sure you have 3-5 products on display, plenty of catalogs, business cards and fliers.

#18. Network with others in your community who are in home business. Find out what events and activities that they participate in. They are usually "in the know" and can help you get started in networking in your community.

#19. Contact Companies in your area to see if you can come in and set up a table in the employee lounge or cafeteria for a employee shopping break! These days alot of companies will allow you to do this if you ask them!

#20. Does your local area tv cable company have a local information channel? Inquire about advertising! These ads will reach thousands of potential buyers for you! I recommend you only use your website address for these types of advertising and not your personal at home address.

#21. Contact local small companies and shops to see if you can offer an exclusive discounts or freebie gift to their employees. Companies are always looking for a way to "treat" their employees to specials from the local surrounding community.

#22. Small Home Town Newspapers! I dont get too good of a response when I do big newspaper city ads, however... when I target small town newspapers I usally get a great response. I even had them let me place an ad on their wedding and engagement announcements page which I advertised the Bridal Gift Registry.

So if you are going to do any type of newspaper advertising, inquire about getting your ads on specific pages in the newspaper that targets the group of people most likely to buy from you.

#23. Get a low cost outdoor banner printed up with your business information on it. You can usually get them done for $55 or less depending on who makes it.

You can have these outdoor banners displayed at outdoor music/concert events, outdoor childrens sporting events, outdoor adult sport events, outdoor neighborhood block parties, outdoor community events, carnivals, fairs, etc.

#24. Take your business on the road during nice weather. Contact local area parks & community centers to see what their schedule of events are and inquire about setting up a booth or table.

This is a great way to network & market your business to those in your community.

#25. Community Clipper Coupon Packs & Sales Flyer Mailings. These days alot of communities have mailings such as these, contact them and see how you can participate and advertise your business.

#26. Contact small local area businesses such as hair salons, massage parlors, boutiques, banks etc.

See if you can set up a table for 1 week with 3 of your best selling products on it along with some catalogs, fliers, coupons and your business card. Keep a basket on the table for any customer orders which you can follow up on after you return back to pick up your display. Offer the store owner or manager a free gift for allowing you to do this.

You can also offer to donate a prize for a contest if they let you display the prize donated & get a copy of the contestants entry blanks after the promotion closes.

#27. Contact local area pizza shops, diners, deli's and coffee bagel shops to ask them about advertising on their paper placemats! Customers do read those ads!

#28. Contact local area restaurants, bars and clubs and see about advertising on their paper beverage coasters!

#29. Local Television Stations are always holding on-air contests & website contests for their viewers, contact them about you donating a prize or gift certificate to sponsor one of their contests! Great business exposure for you!

#30. Attend Local Area holiday shopping events. Customers who are ready to spend holiday shopping money turn out for these events by the thousands! You can usually get a booth for less than $50.00 so they are economical to participate in!

#31. Hold a local area community Block Party at your home or local community center! Families are always looking for something to do during the nice weather seasons!

Optional: Attend your neighborhood block party and set up a table with your product offerings or samples. Get out there in your community and get your business seen!

#32. Get your business listed in your cities telephone book yellow pages! Alot of them also have a coupon section too!

#33. You can take this phone book advertising one step further by finding out what company makes the plastic vinyl phone book covers which have local business ads on them and get your business added to it!

#34. Get your business information printed up on pencils and hand them out to local colleges and technical schools for them to hand out to their adult students! This keeps your business information in front of them! (make sure you only donate them to schools with adult students).

#35. Get a vehicle banner made for your automobile. I recommend the vinyl window clings or vinyl cling ones that stick to your automobile but dont scratch or remove the paint. You can easily remove them when washing your vehicle!

#36. If your city has a travel guide that tourists request, contact that business and find out how you can advertise in it too!

#37. Local City Maps! These days even city maps have advertising on them! You can usually get a small business ad printed on them for an economical price. Don't advertise your personal location. If you dont have a business location then advertise your website address or email address.

#38. Contact local area hotels, motels and bed & breakfast inns and ask them if you can do up a Lobby Basket and leave it in their Lobby.

What is a Lobby Basket? You make up little packs of info about your business & products and put them into the Lobby Basket for their patrons to take.

They usually have a pamphlet wall or area too with pamplets from local area attractions etc. If they dont have a lobby basket area, inquire about leaving your business info in their pamphlet area.

#39. Get your business info printed up on balloons! This is very economical to do! You then distribute them to local community centers, sporting events and other types of places where parents book their childrens birthday parties!

These balloons can be displayed at the birthday party giving you business exposure. You can usually get them done for .3-.8 cents each. Your business name & website address is all you need on them!

#40. Find a few other self employeed business owners in your community and team up! You can all sponsor a local parade float, parade clowns etc. Make up signs with your business info imprinted on them so that you can receive some great business exposure during the parade!

#41. Get some T-shirts printed up with your business information on it (both front & back sides) and hand them out to some friends, family and co-workers and ask them to wear them out and about in the community. This is their FREE gift for helping you to spread the word about your business!

Optional: Get ball caps printed up with your business info!

#42. Get some canvas tote bags printed up with your business information printed on it. Find a few ladies who are very active in your community and ask them to use your tote bag and give it to them for FREE under the agreement that they will use it every time they go out in the community for errands & events!

#43. Get a license plate made up for your vehicle! If you have your normal license plate on the back of your car, put your business named one on the front of the car!

You can get one with just your business name on it for about $20-$30 per plate!

#44. Wear a business name tag every time you go out into your community! Get a Catchy Slogan printed on it such as:

A. Ask me about (your company name) Products!
B. I work from home, you can too!
C. Earn some FREE when you party with me!

#45. Local Area Magazines! Does your city publish a City Magazine? If so, contact them about advertising or if they hold contests for their readers offer to donate a product or service for their contest!

#46. Check out your local area State Fairs & Community Carnivals, there are always alot of them going on during seasonal weather.

Ask about getting a booth or table & set it up with your business information! People love to shop at Fairs & Carnivals and they are looking to spend money!

#47. Get some Business Card Magnets printed up and hand them out every where you go! Have your friends & family pass them out too!

People are more apt to keep a magnetic business card compared to a regular one which gets shoved into a drawer or wallet. By having a magnetized card, your business is kept in front of the potential customer/client.

#48. When you give gifts to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers etc. make sure you give them gifts from your own company! This allows other people to see & touch your gift meaning FREE business exposure for you! (plus, you bought the gift from yourself so you are saving money!)

#49. Invite your spouses co-workers over to your home for a little mingling party! Serve some refreshments or do a cookout BBQ and make sure you have a table set up with some product displays!

If you sell kitchen or food products, make sure you use them!

#50. Do a neighborhood childrens shopping party!

I do this before Christmas and again before Mother's Day. I invite the neighborhood kids to come by and shop for gifts for their parents and loved ones. They enjoy shopping on their own and parents enjoy a small break from the children!

To make this successful make sure the products you are offering are economical, I try to keep them under $25.00 each with most being around $10.00 each. Have a table set up with some inexpensive crafting supplies and let the children make their own greeting cards to go with the gifts they have purchased or have a gift wrapping table set up so they can personally wrap their gifts!

#51. Do a joint party with another consultant in a non-competing business. Partying with a friend is always fun! You can hold it at one hosts home, your home or at a local community center. Invite every one you know and have others help you spread the word. Hang up fliers at local centers & businesses too!

#52. Put an AD in the back of local high school yearbooks! You can usually get these ads for around $20.00 which makes it affordable advertising for you!

#53. Put an AD for your business in local Athletic Sport Programs! You can find these at the High School Level, Minor League Level and at Professional Sporting Events!

#54. Contact Local Churches & Religous Groups and see if you can place an AD in their weekly church bulletins & program guides!

#55. Do you have a local Community Play House? If so, get your business ad placed in their play programs! You can usually get ads in them for less than $25.00

#56. Co-Sponsor a Local Youth Athletic Group! Baseball teams, softball teams, cheerleading squads, gymnastic squads and swim teams, etc. are always looking for sponsors!

Co-Sponsoring a team will help get your business noticed in your local area!

#57. Get a Yard Sign! If you have a home business consider getting a Yard Sign printed up and proudly display it in your front yard!

#58. Does your neighborhood hold local Meet & Greets? If so, make sure you go out and attend them! Get to know your fellow community members!

#59. Donate a Raffle Drawing Prize to a Non-Profit Group or Charity in your local community! They are always looking for prize donations for their charitable raffles.

Note: Make sure you get a receipt for tax purposes!

#60. Do you have a Online Business & Website? Consider getting some computer mouse pads printed up with your website address & business name on them! This will keep your website & business in front of them every time they sign online! This encourages them to check out your website often for new products, updates & features!

#61. Local Bus Stops & Bus Sheds! Have you noticed that alot of them have local business advertising on them? Call up the company and see how much it would cost you to advertise there too!

#62. Does your local area grocery store allow advertisers to place business ads on the back of their cash register receipts? If so, contact them about getting your business ad on there too!

#63. Local baby expo's and baby events/contests! Set up a booth or table with your business info! These events are always very popular and a great way for you to reach new customers!

#64. Watch your local newspaper for Wedding, Engagement and New Baby Annoucements! Make a list and then go to:

www.searchbug.com
to try to track down addresses. You can mail off your business info to them announcing your business, bridal gift registry, baby gift registry, etc.

#65. Stamp your business info to the outside of all outgoing postal mail! Include your business card on the inside. Do this for personal mail, business mail and for paying your bills!

#66. Contact your local Fire & Ambulance companies and see if you can set up a table at their next BBQ Event or fundraiser event.

#67. Contact LOCAL Assisted Living Centers for Senior Citizens (this is different then a nursing home!) and see if you can come in & offer a shopping oppty. to their Senior Residents! Seniors can NOT get out like they used too so they appreciate being able to shop from home and the majority of them don't own computers & if they do, they are not extremely computer savvy...so offer a one on one shopping experience with them! They also appreciate the adult company!

#68. Are there local small summer concerts held in your local parks? We have them here during the summer months! Ask about advertising options during these community events!

#69. BUY little boxes of Smartie (tm) Candies! Put your Business info on one side & on the front side slap on a label that says "Be a Smartie, Earn FREE (Your Company Name) w/a Party!" Hand them out every where you go!

#70. Make up candy packs with your business info attached to them and hand out to the Halloween Trick or Treaters!

#71. Exchange Business Cards, Fliers or Coupons with another Home Party Consultant in a NON-Competing Business and place her filler in your bags & outgoing packages & have her do the same for you! Sort of "scratching each others backs".

#72. The PUBLIC Library! I go in there often and see all kinds of local advertisements for businesses there! See if you can leave a catalog & a few business cards!

#73. Do a CATALOG SWAP with another party plan consultant (NON competing business). See if she will swap a few catalogs with you. You hand out a few of her catalogs at the END of your party and have her do the same! Hand them out as guests are LEAVING the party!

#74. I have a friend & fellow network member who prints out for me...mint books...she prints a pretty graphic on it, along with my business info...they look like matchbooks and inside is a piece of peppermint hard candy! They are inexpensive too! I think I paid $8.00 for 40+ of them! She includes the candy too! I can refer her to you if you want to try those! Tell Tonya that Shelly sent ya!

www.bboopsworld.com/

#75. Do a PARTY SWAP with a Consultant in another HOME party business! (NON-COMPETING!) Tell her if she holds a (Your Company) Party for you.....you will hold a XYZ Party for her!

#76. Ask about getting your info printed onto golf tee's and golf balls & then donate them to a local golf course or mini golf course!

#77. FOAM DRINK COZIES, the foam thingie you wrap around a cold beverage can! See if you can get some of those with your business info on them & hand them out at local sporting events!

#78. Indoor Concert Arena's. Have you attended a concert lately? Tons of advertising by local and national merchants at concerts! Check into doing some advertising!

#79. Children LOVE Stickers! Buy a slew of stickers with your business name on them....hand them out! Chances are that the kid's parents will see the stickers too!

#80. Temporary Employment Agencies...again drop off packets of info about Your Business Oppty to them. The Economy is sluggish in alot of the areas in the USA...ask Temp. Employment Agencies to refer some clients to you who may be interested in a (Your Company Name) Home Business!!! You could offer the staff a discount or free gift for referrals.

#81. Print up some flyers and get permission from local shopping centers to see if you can leave them on car windshields! Always ASK permission first!

#82. Does your community print up FREE Renters Guides, House Buying Guides Etc? (you can usually find them for FREE at your local supermarket). If so, contact them about placing your business ad inside one!

#83. Got a local ice cream man who drives around in his ice cream truck throughout your community? Talk to him about passing out flyers or letting you add a logo onto his truck via a vinyl cling logo banner!

#84. Do a web search for you local county, local township and surrounding areas. I found tons of websites for my area with FREE online business directories which I was able to get my website listed in. They also have offline ADS that you can advertise in too! A great way to also find out about upcoming local community events to participate in!

#85. Are there any professional moving companies in your area? If so, contact them! They usually give out new business packet info to their customers/clients to welcome them to their new home. See about adding your business information to their "New Move" Packs!

#86. Local small town radio stations that are usually found on the AM frequency usually offer very low-cost local area advertising on their small radio station. A great way to get your business info out to those in your local community.

#87. Get your business information printed out onto paper text book covers! You can make them yourself! Donate them to local area adult technical schools and colleges!

#88. Is there a local business in your area holding a upcoming Grand Opening? If so, contact them! Alot of times they are giving away freebies to the first few hundred customers plus they do heavy advertising announcing their Grand Opening. This is a GREAT way for you to capitalize on that!

#89. Get your business info printed up on inexpensive bookmarks! Then give them to local area colleges, adult technical schools, book reading groups, libraries etc. You can usually print up your own bookmarks with your business info on them for less than .8 cents each! This will keep your business info infront of those avid book readers! They are also great to give away for FREE with customer orders!

#90. Put your Business Knowledge to Work! Offer to teach classes to adults!

Examples: If you are with a kitchen/cooking company offer to teach adults to cook! They are always looking for fast & easy ways to prepare healthy meals!

If you are a scrapbooking consultant, offer to teach a class to new moms on how to scrapbook new baby pages!

If you are a Bath/Body/Spa consultant offer to teach pampering classes to women & moms!

You can find adult programs by contacting: Local Community Centers, Local Civic Groups and alot of High Schools & Community Colleges offer evening classes to adults. (continuing education).

This generates leads & sales and only takes a short amount of time!

#91. Put the word out to your friends, family & co-workers that you offer freebies to party go'ers. What do I mean?

Well, people who are holding baby showers, bridal showers, birthday parties, anniversary parties etc. contact me about my freebies. They make up party goodie bags and are always looking for things to stuff them with. Depending on what type of party it is depends on what I donate!

I print out pretty bookmarks, recipe cards, candy wrappers, gift bag tags, shopping lists, chore lists etc. with pretty designs on them along with my business info. I also attach a coupon. I keep my cost down to .15 cents per person. An inexpensive way to reach new potential customers.

#92. Print out your own Re-ordering labels! If you sell consumable goods (foods, spices, soaps, bath products, cosmetics etc) make sure you stick on a small re-ordering info sticker with your business info on it so that your customer can easily locate your information for placing reorders! This is also important to do considering some customers purchase items from you to give as a gift, this way the person who received the gift will also know how to contact you and will become a potential new customer for you!

#93. Establish a Referral program for your business and print out referral coupons! Offer established customers a free little gift or personal discount if they refer a new customer to you! I like to give out 3 Referral Coupons to every new customer I get so that they know they will be rewarded for referring new customers to me.

Established customers are more apt to refer new customers to you if they know they will be rewarded for that referral. Verbal referral programs don't work well, so print up referral coupons or referral promotion cards to hand out to your established customers. I also like to put a "referral reward" sticker in all of my Tupperware catalogs. You can also add a sticker to the backs of your business cards.

#94. Print out Coloring Pages with a small section on them advertising your business and donate them to local area restaurants, daycares etc. I was able to find 4pc. crayon sets for ONLY .05 cents a box which I also donated along with the printed out coloring pages! Parents hang them on the front of their refrigerators after the children are done coloring them which keeps your business in front of the parent daily! Cost: About .03 cents for printed out coloring page with your business info located some where on it and .05 cents for the mini box of crayons.

Try to find a design that relates to your business for the best effect.

#95. Contact your local area Girl Scouts, 4-H Club and other youth groups. Talk to them about you coming in to do a project with the youth's in the group. You can also talk to them about your business fundraiser program if you offer one. During the summer time there are alot of youth camps throughout the community. You can also find youth camps through local churches. Some are seasonal and some are year long programs. The YMCA is also a great resource!

For Example: If you are a Kitchen Consultant, come in and teach the youth how to cook or about kitchen safety. If you sell pet products, go in and talk about grooming a pet. If you sell candles, go in and make some mini candles or teach them how to decorate them for gifts. Be creative!

#96. If you are crafty with your computer you can print out tea bag wrappers with a pretty design on them along with your business information. I purchased a few boxes of individually wrapped tea bags and then put my printed business tea bag wrapper over it. You can hand them out throughout your community.

I like donating them to: Assisted Living Centers, Senior Community Centers, Daycare Centers (to be given to the parents & teachers), School Teacher Lounges, Employee Break Rooms etc.

Example of Cost: .03 cents for a printed color wraper and about .03-.05 cents per tea bag.

#97 Make sure you leave info about Your Business on your answering machine or voice mail message! Not everyone who phones you knows that you sell or represent a particular company! (especially those pesky bill collectors & telemarketers).

#98 Take your outdated catalogs and randomly mail or distribute them thru-out your neighborhood! Make sure you stamp it OUTDATED and provide contact info for yourself so they can contact you if interested to get a current catalog!

#99 Get Business Themed Banking Checks! Your bank checks pass thru tons of hands that could become potential customers or party hosts! If possible get your email address or website URL preprinted onto them! I also suggest using preprinted postal address labels too! (try to get checks that have pictures of some of the products you sell on them or at the very least make sure some where on the check it says: Tupperware Consultant, Avon Rep, and so forth.)

#100. Get your business info printed onto matchbooks! Donate the matchbooks to candle shops, smoke shops, clubs etc. to help get your business name out in your community!

#101. Consider getting some inexpensive mini desk-top sized calendars printed up with your business information on them and hand out to local office workplaces! A great way to keep your business information in front of a potential or repeat customer/client.

#102. Take the above idea a step further. Get your business info printed up on pencils, pens, mini note pads, tab stickers and so forth. Contact local office style businesses and donate a few "business" supplies to them!

When you go to the doctors or dentists office you see a slew of these types of things from various companies all over the office, so you can do the same thing by donating them to office-style businesses.

#103. Contact local groups in your own community. These can be hobby groups, collector groups, new moms, new parents, neighborhood watch groups and so forth.

See what their coming up activites will be and offer a fundraiser opportunity to them or offer a party or to teach a class to them. Better yet, get involved in a group as a participient. The more you get out there in your community and make contacts the better your business will be.

#104. Local Holiday Events! Does your area hold a childrens christmas party, easter egg hunt, halloween party, etc? If so, get involved! You can donate candy or other holiday items and get yourself some business exposure, besides they are always alot of fun to participate in!

#105. Get your business info printed up on some Lanyards and distribute them to local office place environments for employees to use to keep their keys on or give as freebies to your current established customers etc.

#106. Get your business info printed up on some employee id tag holders! Hand them out to office environments that have alot of employees to get your business info seen by lots of people!

#107. Contact some local small shops in your area. Offer to sponsor a drawing box & prize. Make sure you have an attractive drawing box and have the prize on display. Alot of small shops have in-shop (in-store) drawings that are sponsored by other local merchants. You should also have on hand a few catalogs and a stack of business cards. This is a great way to get business exposure and to collect leads.

Make sure your entry form states:

Name, phone number and email address

plus a section for:
____ more info about hostessing a party
____ more info about the consultant opportunity
____ request a free catalog
____ please subscribe me to your online newsletter

#108. Draft up a business press release. Submit it to your local newspapers, local magazines, tv stations and radio stations. Offer to be a guest on one of their live or recorded shows.

#109. Do you get alot of magazines to your home? If so, after reading them, print up some labels on your computer that say "Compliments of __________________" and donate them to local doctors offices, dentist offices, local hospitals, libraries, community centers, senior centers, etc. Make sure your label includes your business name & information.

#110. Draft up some mini tip booklets, recipe booklets or craft project booklets. Make sure you label them as "Courtesy of ________________" and donate them to local daycare centers, salons, civic and community groups, etc. You can print them out on your home computer inexpensively.

#111. If you can afford this idea, its a great one! Remember those little rubbery type of change purses with the key ring attached to them that advertisers use to put their name and advertising info onto them? Well, they are popular again! I got one from our local bank! If you can afford it or co-op it with another consultant that would be a great idea to hand out to BIG office environments where employees carry around alot of change for vending machines, parking meters etc.

#112. If your company has a fundraising program the best way to promote it is to locate local area fundraisers. What do I mean? When local groups hold bake sales, sub sales, chicken BBQ's, car washes etc....go visit them and offer them a company fundraiser pack with all of the important fundraising information, catalog and a contact sheet & business card.

#113. Contact your local area Home Owners Association. See if you can drop off flyers, catalogs and business cards promoting your business to them or set up a free contest giveaway basket in their offices to promote your business and products.

#114. Do you attend alot of outdoor sporting events & concerts? Have you seen those afghan throws that you can get personalized? Instead of getting a family name & date imprinted on one...get your business name on it! I have one that has my website address & my business name. Since we attend alot of outdoor sporting events in the fall, I take it out with me and wrap around myself on the bleachers! Everyone sitting around me gets to see my business info! I even lend it out to friends & family when they attend outdoor events!

#115. Take the idea above one step further. Do you spend alot of time out at the neighborhood pool or at the beach? Get your business info printed up on beach towels & beach blankets! You can also get your biz info printed up on a beach umbrella...better yet, get yourself a rain umbrella with your biz info printed on it!

#116. Does your city/town have a local taxi cab company? If so, call them up! I recently donated 35 of my mini catalogs to a taxi company who placed one in the back seat magazine holder of 35 of their cars. Since that time, I have gotten 1 new consultant and 2 new customers!

Some bus companies will also accept them so check those out too! People are always looking for something to read!

Shelly Hill
Online Tupperware Manager
http://my.tupperware.com/Ravish30
copyright 2005
_________________
Audrey Smile

http://my.tupperware.com/audreyoka
http://www.recipe-barn.com
http://audreyshomebiz.blogspot.com

tinasphototreasures · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 11 Location: California

Another great resource is to make a list of direct sales companies that you are aware of such as:

Tupperware
Mary Kay
Beauti Control
Creative Memories
Pampered Chef
Cookie Lee Jewelry
Story Time Felts
Discovery Toys
Princess House Crystal
Tastefully Simple
Arbonne
Noah's Ark Animal Workshop
Stampin Up
Usbourne Books At Home
Natural Family Boutique
Party Lite
Mia Bella Candles
Avon
Passion Parties
The Crayola Company (I do not remember the exact name)
Home Interiors

I know there is more, I just cannot think of all of them. Then you can do a search for the corporate website, then do a consultant search in your area.

A great way to promote your group, if you have the revenue to do so, is to print up some kind of flyers and distribute them at local schools, and daycares. This will help you find all the work at home parents in your area. Also, look up your local homeschoolers association. A great many homeschoolers work from home. They usually will have a newsletter you can put an ad in.

Are you in a large city, or a smaller city. I bet there are more Work At Home Parents than you think. You also should not just consider your city, but your entire county.

Good luck!

Anita · Posted: May 1, 2006, 5:45 pm Post subject: Re: Local Networking!