A Marketing Lesson I Learned From Alligator Sausage!
Steve Beck
We homeschool our children, but Idaho's public school system kindly invites all kids to play sports. It's been a great experience for our children, and they've been welcomed by their public school teammates. Recently, we traveled to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for an important softball tournament. The winning team would go on to the State Championship. The stakes were high.
Anyway, my daughter hit a screamer to right field and through a series of overthrows and mishaps found her way to home plate and scored the tying run. They went on to win the game and Gentry was voted Most Valuable Player of the game!
That evening, I learned a valuable lesson.
After watching seven hours of softball, we were hot, sticky, tired, and badly sunburned. We didn't feel like going out for supper. We decided to order pizza, and asked the front desk if they had any suggestions.
Both front desk clerks immediately and enthusiastically suggested the local Pizza Schmizza (honest, that was its name). They both began to rave about the wonderful pizza, great sauces, and gourmet toppings. Not only did Pizza Schmizza offer traditional pizzas, they even included spicy Thai options, even alligator sausage!
Their enthusiasm was contagious. I just had to knooow how they heard about this place.
They replied, "Well, the owners bring pizza to us every week for our break."
BINGO!
Who is in a better position to recommend a pizza place to weary travelers than the front desk girls at a hotel? Do you see any lessons here?Find the people who are most likely to connect with your prospective customers and GIVE them a sample of your product!
"What do you mean give my product away...they should have to pay like everyone else!"
Oh please! Quit thinking small. The small cost for giving away a sample of your product will become totally insignificant if you get it into the right hands!
Now, I am sure that Pizza Schmizza has given away dozens of pizzas to front desk clerks in the area. But what a marketing strategy! Sure, not all the front desk clerks will recommend Pizza Schmizza. But some clerks recommend them, and very highly too.
Worried that someone may copy your idea? That is a risk, albeit a small one. Copycats are trying to make a lot of money, fast. They are not interested in offering great follow-up care to their customers; nor do they offer higher-end products to customers who want more. You, on the other hand, don't make those mistakes, so your customers are loyal.
So, learn about business promotions and marketing ideas from Pizza Schmizza and start giving your product to STRATEGIC people who will become your evangelists! And kiss that small mind-set goodbye!
Stephen Beck shows 7 simple repeatable steps to beginning a http://www.familyebiz.com/ Christian Home Based Business. For a free CD explaining those steps, visit http://www.familyebiz.com/ Start Home Business immediately.
|
