Unique Gift Items - 3 Creative IdeasWritten by Cindy Carrera
With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes, calendars, magnets and keychains. Then, there is really creative. Sometimes with a specific campaign, you may want to go above and beyond and really start a buzz about your company. This is not to say that creativity always costs more money. In fact, a really cheap promotional item can go a long way if right message is attached. For example, first idea stems from a friend of mine who worked at a career school. She is ever so quirky and wanted to create a fun item for an upcoming career fair. Backscratchers Whose back doesn't itch? That's when Donna came up with idea to get backscratchers printed with this saying: "Itchin' for a new career?" and then school's name. Her boss through she was brilliant and approved item. The idea was fun and simple, and it worked. People circled around gymnasium carrying bags full of literature and actively scratching their backs. It helped that her booth also was giving away some bigger items that required people to fill out entry blanks, which kept people at table longer. The item caught on, that everyone wanted one, even those from competing schools and businesses. This idea can be applied to any type of industry: Mortgage/Real Estate- "Itchin' for a new home?" Car- "Itchin for a new car?" Lawn care- "Itchin' for greener grass?" The list is endless- just insert your product after itchin'! Chocolate Bars There are many candy companies that will print any message you'd like on a candy bar. Unlike other items, this is one that will not last long. However, item is still memorable. Try putting message, "The sweet smell of success…." on it and tie it in to what you are offering. They actually will get to taste is as well, which could also be a way to write your message. ("Are you tasting success?") Either way, this is something that everyone will enjoy and is sure to get a call of thanks. (Just make sure they aren't allergic!)
| | Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Use This System to Track Publicity ProgressWritten by Ned Steele
Tracking your correspondence with reporters, via phone or email, is important for two reasons. First of all, promises to follow-up can slip between cracks of daily business and cost you a change at free publicity. Second, you don't ever want to contact a reporter twice about same story. You will immediately destroy your credibility.In my years as a public relations professional, I've developed a good system that financial planners can use to track contacts with media. It's simple. Just two logs that you can keep in a paper notepad, or in a spreadsheet program on your computer. Keep one log to track reporters that you have contacted. It should have these three columns: A column for names of reporters you’ve contacted, a column that lists what each reporter is interested in, and then a column describing when/why to follow up next.
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