Monday, March 9, 2009
Fact Of The Day:
The state of Maine has 62 lighthouses - that's a lot of light houses for such a tiny little state!
25 cheap/free ways to advertise your business
These tips were passed on to me and I thought there were some really good ideas that we all can be reminded to do, so thought I'd pass them along to you as well - do you have any tips to share for free or low cost advertising?
1) If you have a business that is not "clear cut" (maybe you sell many different types of items, or pieces that cannot simply be shown off by a small sample) how about a pocket calendar? If you have a color printer, you can make them yourself, with pictures of your different crafts. All of your business information can be included, so every time the person opens their calendar, they are reminded of you and your store.
2) Put your business card on magnetic sheeting. Remember, business cards with a magnetic back really stick in people's minds as well as on their refrigerator.
3) Have your business information printed on bookmarks and drop a hundred or more off at the local library.
4) Make a YouTube commercial.
5) Post ads on Craigslist.
6) Put magnetic signs, vinyl lettering or license plate frames on your car.
7) Set up a "home party" with several of your friends to showcase your work.
8) Jewelry designers: What about cell phone charms? Package them up with a business card and you're set.
9) Look for websites where you can advertise for free. Find free on-line classified websites for your community.
10) Write an e-Book on something that is relevant to your business and distribute it for free. By distributing a free product with your brand in it you will garner the trust of those interested in your product thus bringing you free targeted traffic to your business.
11) Offer to teach a class about your craft through the local recreation & park district.
12) Always include a business card in the envelope when you pay your bills. :)
13) Join your local area Chamber of Commerce. They are always holding business events and "get acquainted" nights.
14) Donate a piece to your local radio station. They have numerous contests and are always looking for sponsors. Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction and you will get free advertising and exposure.
15) Have cardboard beverage coasters printed and distribute them to your local bars or saloons.
16) 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 pamphlets from local area attractions etc. If they don't have a lobby basket area, inquire about leaving your business info in their pamphlet area.
17) Make a business name tag and wear it every time you are in public. Make sure it has a catchy phrase like "Ask Me About (your company name)" or "Earn some FREE when you party with me!"
18) Have computer mouse pads printed with your company logo, business information, picture, etc. and distribute them to local large businesses. This will keep your website and business in front of them every time they're on their computer!
19) Contact a local Assisted Living Center for Senior Citizens (different than a nursing home!) and see if you can come in & offer a shopping opportunity to their Senior Residents! Seniors can't get out like they used too so they appreciate being able to shop from home. The majority of them don't own computers and if they do, they may not be extremely computer savvy. So offer a one-on-one shopping experience with them. They also appreciate the adult company!
20) Contact Realtors and apartment buildings in your area. 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 "Welcome Home" Packs!
21) 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.
22) Remember going to get your hair cut, and you get a "punch" in your card each time? By the time you had 10 (or more) haircuts (and punches) you'd get a free or a discounted haircut. Try it with your business. Print up your own punch cards and pass one out to each customer. Chances are they'll never use it -- or they lose it -- anyway.
23) Make T-Shirts or blouses for yourself, your family members and your friends to wear in public which has your business advertisement on them.
24) Set-up a "Free Giveaway" box at any store or restaurant that will give you permission. Print up registration forms to drop into the box.
25) We all get junk mail with the postage paid envelopes. Just send a flyer or your business card back to the company and use their return envelope. ;)
1) If you have a business that is not "clear cut" (maybe you sell many different types of items, or pieces that cannot simply be shown off by a small sample) how about a pocket calendar? If you have a color printer, you can make them yourself, with pictures of your different crafts. All of your business information can be included, so every time the person opens their calendar, they are reminded of you and your store.
2) Put your business card on magnetic sheeting. Remember, business cards with a magnetic back really stick in people's minds as well as on their refrigerator.
3) Have your business information printed on bookmarks and drop a hundred or more off at the local library.
4) Make a YouTube commercial.
5) Post ads on Craigslist.
6) Put magnetic signs, vinyl lettering or license plate frames on your car.
7) Set up a "home party" with several of your friends to showcase your work.
8) Jewelry designers: What about cell phone charms? Package them up with a business card and you're set.
9) Look for websites where you can advertise for free. Find free on-line classified websites for your community.
10) Write an e-Book on something that is relevant to your business and distribute it for free. By distributing a free product with your brand in it you will garner the trust of those interested in your product thus bringing you free targeted traffic to your business.
11) Offer to teach a class about your craft through the local recreation & park district.
12) Always include a business card in the envelope when you pay your bills. :)
13) Join your local area Chamber of Commerce. They are always holding business events and "get acquainted" nights.
14) Donate a piece to your local radio station. They have numerous contests and are always looking for sponsors. Your donation can be written off as a tax deduction and you will get free advertising and exposure.
15) Have cardboard beverage coasters printed and distribute them to your local bars or saloons.
16) 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 pamphlets from local area attractions etc. If they don't have a lobby basket area, inquire about leaving your business info in their pamphlet area.
17) Make a business name tag and wear it every time you are in public. Make sure it has a catchy phrase like "Ask Me About (your company name)" or "Earn some FREE when you party with me!"
18) Have computer mouse pads printed with your company logo, business information, picture, etc. and distribute them to local large businesses. This will keep your website and business in front of them every time they're on their computer!
19) Contact a local Assisted Living Center for Senior Citizens (different than a nursing home!) and see if you can come in & offer a shopping opportunity to their Senior Residents! Seniors can't get out like they used too so they appreciate being able to shop from home. The majority of them don't own computers and if they do, they may not be extremely computer savvy. So offer a one-on-one shopping experience with them. They also appreciate the adult company!
20) Contact Realtors and apartment buildings in your area. 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 "Welcome Home" Packs!
21) 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.
22) Remember going to get your hair cut, and you get a "punch" in your card each time? By the time you had 10 (or more) haircuts (and punches) you'd get a free or a discounted haircut. Try it with your business. Print up your own punch cards and pass one out to each customer. Chances are they'll never use it -- or they lose it -- anyway.
23) Make T-Shirts or blouses for yourself, your family members and your friends to wear in public which has your business advertisement on them.
24) Set-up a "Free Giveaway" box at any store or restaurant that will give you permission. Print up registration forms to drop into the box.
25) We all get junk mail with the postage paid envelopes. Just send a flyer or your business card back to the company and use their return envelope. ;)
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Public School Lunches?
I'm just curious what people pay across the nation for their kids school lunches - we are paying $1.75 a day for each kids meal (7th & 11th grades) - which includes their basic meal and milk- drinks such as fruit punch cost 75 cents, waters are $1.00-$1.50 depending on if flavored or not, if you want an extra piece of pizza or something like that it's $1.50 - ice creams or other novelties are anywhere 50 cents to $1.00 - these prices just seem more like a local corner store than a school cafeteria!
The school apparently has also recently in the past month downsized portions due to the fact they are loosing money they told the kids- these prices just seem crazy to me - or maybe the worst part is, I know my kids are most likely throwing 1/2 the food away - both refuse to take a lunch from home although it would be a lot cheaper and probably better for them- when they were younger, they took their lunch all the time- but now that they are older- it's not 'cool' anymore-- anyone else facing these battles and if so, what are you doing or attempting to do about it- or do you just pay the price and not worry about it?
The school apparently has also recently in the past month downsized portions due to the fact they are loosing money they told the kids- these prices just seem crazy to me - or maybe the worst part is, I know my kids are most likely throwing 1/2 the food away - both refuse to take a lunch from home although it would be a lot cheaper and probably better for them- when they were younger, they took their lunch all the time- but now that they are older- it's not 'cool' anymore-- anyone else facing these battles and if so, what are you doing or attempting to do about it- or do you just pay the price and not worry about it?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Become A Follower Of My Blog For A Chance To Win --
Become a follower of my blog during the month of March and be entered for a chance to win six assorted greeting cakes!!
Not familiar with Greeting Cakes? They are individual little cake kits that you can mix and pop into the microwave for a quick snack- these are perfect to keep on hand at the office, at home, or to send away to college with your loved one - or instead of a greeting card for an event, you can send a greeting cake!
So to recap - all you have to do for a chance at winning the cakes is to sign up as a follower of my blog during the month of March - that will get your name into the pot one time - come back and visit thru out the month of March for more posts on how to win extra chances at winning the cakes!!
So to recap - all you have to do for a chance at winning the cakes is to sign up as a follower of my blog during the month of March - that will get your name into the pot one time - come back and visit thru out the month of March for more posts on how to win extra chances at winning the cakes!!
P.S.
To be sure I can contact you if you are the winner, you might want to add a comment here and let me know you've signed up as a follower and leave a contact email!
Keep on the look out for more prizes and giveaways on the blog as well!
Keep on the look out for more prizes and giveaways on the blog as well!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Today Is Square Root Day -
Dust off the slide rules and recharge the calculators. Square Root Day is upon us.
The math-buffs' holiday, which only occurs nine times each century, falls on Tuesday — 3/3/09 (for the mathematically challenged, three is the square root of nine).
The last such day was five years ago, Feb. 2, 2004, which coincided with Groundhog Day. The next is seven years away, on April 4, 2016.
The math-buffs' holiday, which only occurs nine times each century, falls on Tuesday — 3/3/09 (for the mathematically challenged, three is the square root of nine).
The last such day was five years ago, Feb. 2, 2004, which coincided with Groundhog Day. The next is seven years away, on April 4, 2016.
Fact Of The Day:
A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber - useless fact of the day :O) - BUT, I bet you didn't know that!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Last of the winter blues?
I think I'm feeling the last of the winter blues - at least I hope it's the last! I have so many things I want to do - especially getting more printable items up on the website for sale, but I just can't bring myself to get motivated into doing anything!
Over the course of the past couple of weeks, my son Alex has been sick twice with that darn intestinal bug that's going around, then I was sick and ended up in the hospital for a day because of being dehydrated, then Alex got and still has bronchitis and my daughter of course is going thru multiple health issues- even though she is pretty healthy overall - I think the strain off all of that has just wiped me out - and I need something to refresh me and jump start me back into gear!
We didn't make it to Burlington for Meg's neurologist appointment due to the sickness and also the weather- they have rescheduled it for JUNE 2nd - yes, can you believe it - another 3 months wait to get in to see the specialist-- however, I'm hoping that the neurologist here at home will see her - she is considered a pediatric patient because she is under 18- but since she will be 17 at the end of the month, her pediatrician is hoping the adult neurologist here will see her- I'm hoping so as well- fingers crossed about that - hopefully we will find out tomorrow on that.
My mother called me this morning and asked if my hubby and I knew his step-father has passed away on Friday-- SHOCK-- NO WE DID NOT! Hubby's mother has been in a nursing home for a few years now, and we don't really associate with his step father- they were never close and the step father basically stopped having anything to do with his mother when she entered the nursing home- so, anyways- we woke up to that news today- and hubby will be dealing with everything to do with that this week I guess- he's out of town today - his sister is supposed to come over this way tomorrow and they plan on telling their mother about his death- she doesn't even know yet!! I can't believe his daughter didn't call someone in the family and let them know - regardless of the situations, I don't think people should find these things out by reading a newspaper!
The one thing I'm happy about is the clocks get changed ahead one hour in just a week - I can't wait- warmer weather must be just around the corner-- right?!?!
Over the course of the past couple of weeks, my son Alex has been sick twice with that darn intestinal bug that's going around, then I was sick and ended up in the hospital for a day because of being dehydrated, then Alex got and still has bronchitis and my daughter of course is going thru multiple health issues- even though she is pretty healthy overall - I think the strain off all of that has just wiped me out - and I need something to refresh me and jump start me back into gear!
We didn't make it to Burlington for Meg's neurologist appointment due to the sickness and also the weather- they have rescheduled it for JUNE 2nd - yes, can you believe it - another 3 months wait to get in to see the specialist-- however, I'm hoping that the neurologist here at home will see her - she is considered a pediatric patient because she is under 18- but since she will be 17 at the end of the month, her pediatrician is hoping the adult neurologist here will see her- I'm hoping so as well- fingers crossed about that - hopefully we will find out tomorrow on that.
My mother called me this morning and asked if my hubby and I knew his step-father has passed away on Friday-- SHOCK-- NO WE DID NOT! Hubby's mother has been in a nursing home for a few years now, and we don't really associate with his step father- they were never close and the step father basically stopped having anything to do with his mother when she entered the nursing home- so, anyways- we woke up to that news today- and hubby will be dealing with everything to do with that this week I guess- he's out of town today - his sister is supposed to come over this way tomorrow and they plan on telling their mother about his death- she doesn't even know yet!! I can't believe his daughter didn't call someone in the family and let them know - regardless of the situations, I don't think people should find these things out by reading a newspaper!
The one thing I'm happy about is the clocks get changed ahead one hour in just a week - I can't wait- warmer weather must be just around the corner-- right?!?!
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