8.
Re: Low Cost Marketing Suggestions Nov 17, 2007 1:48 PM
Wingman, kudos for becoming involved with the Toys for Tots program!
The ideas given so far are excellent, and I'll try to add to them. Placing the poster in your window and adding a mention in your mailer are good ideas, but they are passive, hoping that your customers notice them and take action. What can you do to get the word directly to your current customers and get them involved?
Here are a few ideas, and they may spark others.
- have each employee mention the toy drive to every customer
- when giving your customers their receipts, include information about the drive only
- offer a special to those who bring in toys
- ask your customers for their advice on getting more toys to your store
- ask other businesses to hand out notices about the toy drive ... the notices will have a special offer for your restaurant that is redeemable when donating a toy ... in turn you can give those people a coupon that is redeemable at the other business
- depending on your restaurant's atmosphere, you can create little things that take notice of toys being donated -- from ringing a bell to keeping count of the toys on a chalkboard (Think about companies like Friday's whose bartenders ring a bell when a tip is given, or Stone Cold Creamery whose employees break into song when a tip is given. This encourages others to do the same.)
Your objective is to actively involve your customers. Not only will they help make your efforts more successful, but they will also have feel that they have taken part in the effort, and that strengthens your relationship.
