Hi All,

When it comes to marketing, in my experience the best marketing ideas don't have to be the most expensive.  And the goal of any marketing program is to ultimately get to the point where the burden of the campaign does not fall purely upon your shoulders. 

I have found that unconventional, unusual and unexpected are all unsurpassed.  I have also found that the more I give the more I get in all areas of my life.  So naturally, when I am looking for a marketing opportunity I look first for where I can do good. 

I publish reviews of the local businesses that I like and patronize on my personal blog http://Route66Living.com with a link to their website and all their contact information as well.  I tend to live by what I call the "Thumper Principle" which is "If You Can't Say Something Nice..." so, I never write a bad review and I only talk about places I really use and enjoy visiting. 

It helps the local business by giving them additional free advertising and it helps me by giving me additional content for my blog. 

One other idea that I have used with great success was a Children's Internet Art Show. 

I created some simple coloring pages (Search the web and you will find loads of free coloring pages available for download.  Just add your log and contact information at the bottom and xerox.) and distributed them to every child I came in contact with at a street fair I shared a regular booth at.  Every child who brought back a finished piece of art received a personalized Certificate of Achievement I created on the computer using Word and printed on parchment paper which was hand countersigned by me and any other agent at the booth.  They also got to pick a toy out of the "Prize Bag".

Then, I got an email address and contact information from their parents so that I could send them a link to the website where their child's artwork would be featured.  I scanned the pictures and inserted the resulting .pdf's into an ongoing post and voila!  Instant email list and lots of good will. 

Well, those are a couple of my favorites and they both have worked very well for me. 

Take care, help lots of people and have a wonderful day!

Tisza!

August 17, 2008 - Oh, and with regard to the coloring pages, you can also just give the kids a plain sheet of paper with your information on the bottom and the request that they "Draw Their Dream House" or their favorite holiday, favorite food, you name it.  It is always fun to see what they will come up with and if you make sure that you also get the parent's home address as well as an email you can send them the child's artwork after you have scanned it.  Makes a great mailer and they are sure to open it and think kindly of you.  T.