promotional ideas??

Worn Id · March 5th, 2009, 10:49 AM

Ok gang...
My boss just came to me and asked that I come up with an idea to help "drum up" business. We live in a rural community and it has been tough since the first of the year...
I am drawing a blank as to the same old geimicks like "order so many shirts get a couple for free!" We don't have a set up fee or art charge, so offering that free or reduced is out.
We could offer more 'specials' persay via our embridery business... but the machine is so unpredictable and until we start making some more money, its all I have!

My brain and heart are not in things right now... thinking I need a vacation... too bad I can not afford one!

Anything fun or new that some of you are doing or have done???

Thanks!!
Laurie

Ghostwork Ink · March 5th, 2009, 11:04 PM

I feel you!
I'm always thinking of new ways to knock my "rivals" off there feet, shut them down, and take over with my shop.
My [B]MAIN[B] customers are touring bands, clothing lines, record labels, tattoo shops.. mostly stuff like that; though i do print for a few stores in the mall, and other local buisness in our area.
The whole appearance of our shop is what mainly over powers other shops in the tricounty area. We give our shop an "up to date" look. ALWAYS useing eye catching logos to promote our rates, and not so much talking to our customers as customers, but as friends. Even though you're giving your customers a normal price, always make it seem like your cutting them a deal of a life time. That way they will spread the word.
Mainly, just kill it. Use great colors, dont so much blend in to the city/town your located in, stick out like a soar thumb.
my company is called Ghostwork Ink Printing.....enough said, it catches peoples attention.

www.myspace.com/ghostworkinc

Greg hamrick · March 6th, 2009, 08:03 AM

Hi Laurie,
As the Ghost said, try color and flash. Sometimes being seen is as good as an offer. It's a tough time to try anything new with the economy in the toilet. Most people are so tight right now you couldn't pull a needle out of their butt using a farm tractor.
Once we raffled off a couple dozen tees with the winners name on them. We made several hundred bucks profit on that little deal.
Another time we held a contest where the customers would come up with catchy sayings and we put them in a big can and drew the winner out for a dozen shirts or hats.
Little things like that will have them talking about you for some time. Plus, you get some really good ideas for a line of "funny & serious" clothing you can sell on the web.
Have fun with the ideas and remember...deep breaths....if you find yourself in a pot being cooked by cannibals...pee in their soup. They'll remember that taste for a long time.
Wish I could tell you more...but there are some smart, creative people here and I'm quite sure one of them will have more to add.

Best of luck....
Greg
.

Ghostwork Ink · March 6th, 2009, 05:46 PM

couldn't have said it better Greg! hahahah!

tshirt outlet · March 7th, 2009, 06:24 PM

what ive done is take white tshirts cheapest and and print say for a bar or anywhere theres large crowds and print what ever they want on the front and tell them there free of charge . but you want to print your logo saying sponsered by (company) on the back. ive done this for lots of events . and works pretty good.

Ghostwork Ink · March 7th, 2009, 07:08 PM

I think white Tshirts should ALWAYS be cheaper then colored/blacks.
Only fair i think

Worn Id · March 13th, 2009, 11:00 AM

Some good ideas guys. And if I was in charge of the cashflow... but I have to come up with something sinmple and cheap and SMALL. My co-worker is great at going out and getting us a new job... BUT he gives them to good of a price (barely above cost) to ensure we get there business... so far no repeats... they get what they wanted cheap and their gone! Especially on the embroidery side of things... he doesn't get teh concept of what it actually costs, and what our acient machaine is actually capable of doing!! He has put me in some tight spots... but fortunatly I have been able to get it done!

Ok, I had better stop... Im just going to start ranting! LOL :P
I was out of town yesterday in a 'big' city (we live in a rural community) and saw some great stuff! Stuff I wish we could do but for the time being is out of league, mainly due to equipment! My biggest deal is we live in this community that says they are all about "keeping money in the community" yet- the school and a couple of the major businesses take there busniess out of town and even out of state! It is very frustrating and I know we can do the work, if we can get them in the door...

OK, still ranting, but I think I might have just gotten an idea. We ahve these bright turquoise shirts... extras from an order last summer... maybe just maybe, I can put something crazy together!! Thanks guys!

*hugs*
Laurie

Ghostwork Ink · March 14th, 2009, 09:44 PM

good luck!

Scooby · March 15th, 2009, 06:17 AM

Maybe try some fishin' for Embroidery business.

You've got two customers, the ones you have and the ones you don't.

For the ones you have (or have used your business in the past), send them something.
Take their company name and redesign it or move it around their logo. If they used a stock design before, find something similiar but with a new twist.

It's probably standard but, when ordering for any customer, always order a few extra.
This way, you'll know what garment they prefer. Later on down the road, for example, when their hats or shirts are showing signs of aging, you send them a new one.
Of course this one will look new and different from the original, which may be enough to get the ball rolling.

The customers you don't have, well, this may be easier, especially for new start up companies which aren't advertising (or wearing promotional products).
You've seen from your existing customers what works and what doesn't.
Therefore, use your imagination. Use a stock design or use some creative editing and then, send them somthing.

It doesn't matter who it is, people enjoy getting something for nothing.
They will look at you differently. You didn't have to do this but you did.
It shows you are taking an interest in promoting their business (while promoting your own of course). They will spread the news of their good fortune (Hey, this guy is giving stuff away!!!)

Make sure to include a price list (a profitable one) and a couple of business cards with your free sample.

Good luck fishin'

Tim

Worn Id · March 19th, 2009, 03:07 PM

Thanks guys! I will let you know what I come up with!

Laurie