Innovative and Fun Marketing Ideas
by Anita Pagliasso-Balamane
Author of "How I Made A Small Fortune as a Home-Based Travel Agent"
(www.redticketproductions.com)
President, Ticket To Travel (www.aticket2travel.com)
OSSN Western Regional Manager
Email: sanjoseca@ossn.com
Phone: 408-531-9228

article continued from

If you have an idea for a mailing and are not sure, take the item to the post office and ask what it would cost to mail it as is, without wrapping it or putting it in a box. That is what I did with the baby bottles and many of the other promotions. Sometimes I will even mail a promotion to myself first to see exactly how it makes it through the mail.

I never send out anything in plain white or manila colored envelopes. In my opinion, this is way too boring for a travel promotion and very likely to be tossed in the junk mail pile. If you need to send your promotion in a package, choose something unusual. They have bright colored mailing envelopes now that are lined with bubble wrap. You can order bright colored boxes. Draw pictures or put travel related stamps on the outside. Try anything to make it stand out from the rest of the mail.

Most of the following products that I have used for marketing mailings I have purchased from a discount catalog where you usually buy merchandise by the dozens at almost wholesale prices. However, you can find many things like these in dollar stores, discount stores, and flea markets.

Here are some of the fun and effective marketing mailings or giveaways that I have done:

Inexpensive duck puppets: I included a note that said, "Do you need to get out of town before you quack up? Call us quick!"

Globe stress balls: Relax, go ahead and use this stress ball, or better yet, let us take care of sending you away to be pampered at a luxurious spa.

Wild animal key chains: "We have the key to your wildest dreams."

Wild animal book marks: Don't just read about it…Let us help you live your own adventure trough travel."

Magic wand with tinsel: "Just like magic…we will make all of your travel wishes come true."

Funny paper glasses with sleepy eyes: "Have you looked in the mirror lately? Maybe you need a vacation? Call us before it's too late."

Plastic hand clappers: Go ahead and give yourself a hand! You've worked hard and deserve a break. Relax now and let us work for you. Where in the world would you like to go?"

Paper airplanes with dollars printed on them: "Don't let your money fly out the window. We make sure you get the best value for your travel dollar."

In one of my most recent mailing I happened to find some flower seed packets of "Forget-Me-Nots" in a dollar store. The total cost was only ten cents each. I printed some small labels with my agency information and logo to put on the packets. I also added a note which said "We look forward to growing our business with you". This could also be used to send to a client who you haven't heard from in a while, saying "I haven't heard from you in a while. Please remember that I am always available to assist you with your next vacation."

Hopefully these ideas will get your own creative juices going. Remember that you are in the business of selling fun, so don't be afraid to let your imagination and sense of humor soar!

* This article was previously printed in Agent@Home Magazine.
New!!! Anita has just produced a new CD "Anita's Toolbox for Home-Based Agents", which contains dozens and dozens of her most popular forms, letters, and guides. This CD allows you to download her Word Docs for your own personal use and customization. To purchase the CD or the book "How I Made a Small Fortune as a Home-Based Agent", go to Red Ticket Productions.