Innovative and Fun Marketing Ideas
by Anita Pagliasso

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As long as the item is not breakable, almost anything can be sent with just postage. How about sending a personalized coconut with a thank-you note painted on it to that client who just booked an ocean-view suite in Hawaii? Sound crazy? Maybe, but do you think they will ever forget that? Do you think that they will tell their friends what they got in the mail from their travel agent? And that’s the whole point.

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 also 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 bookmarks: “Don’t just read about it. Let us help you live your own adventure through 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 mailings, 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 whom you haven’t heard from lately, perhaps 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!

Anita Pagliasso is president of Ticket to Travel (www.aticket2travel.com), OSSN’s Western Regional Manager, and an executive board member of PATH. She has written a book titled “How I Made a Small Fortune as a Home-Based Agent” and a CD (“Anita’s Toolbox for Home-Based Agents”) with dozens of her most popular forms, letters, and guides that you can download and customize for your own use. Visit www.redticketproductions.com. This article appeared previously in Agent@Home Magazine.

(Credit: Anita Pagliasso)