Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

LucentVA · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011

I was thinking about what kind of "different" promo items I could come up with for passing out at F2F networking meet-ups, and my favorite one is seed packets with the company logo printed on them (and clever phrase, like "we help you grow).

But it is the end of summer and I'm just now starting to think about getting out there and marketing myself. Seeds aren't really going to be that effective for fall/winter. So I thought about instant hot cocoa packets-- I could print out my name and logo (and clever phrase) on a nice label and slap them on the packets. I could buy the cocoa packets in bulk, and we are talking about maybe doing 100. What do you think?

What other ideas are there besides the standard office supply type stuff?

ETA: I just thought of individual hot tea bags (the kind that comes in the individual foil packs) for those that like tea. The packs are smaller, but I think it would be doable on a small scale (like 100 count).

Office Goddess · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2011

I handed out kit kat bars with my logo on them and a phrase about 'take a break and let me handle it for you.' I'm afraid it's been a few years so I can't tell you the exact phrase any more...

Mary Jansen · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2011

Hi Chela. Your idea of a handout is a good one. I think the best idea would be a tri fold color brochure. Then if you wanted to add to it, you could put a packet of chocolate or tea bag inside or taped or stapled to the back.

With the brochure being about how you help your clients, you could get good mileage out of it.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Mary Jansen
www.MyVirtualMarketingCenter.c om

LucentVA · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2011

Great ideas, Lily and Mary!

Now the difficult thing seems to be finding meet-ups that are held during a time that I can actually go.

Your Virtual Wizard · #5 (**permalink**) 08-15-2011

Chela,

I like all of your ideas for giveaways.

If the problem is finding a meet-up to fit your schedule, then create your own.

I often see meet-ups advertised in our local community paper and as a Facebook group. It would take some time on your part, but you could create 'Small Business Meet-up for Your Town Name' or 'Town Name Professional Group' and invite local business owners to introduce themselves, share their marketing ideas and pass out business cards and brochures.

So my suggestion is to create the opportunity you seek instead of searching for one already established. Since you would be the meet-up organizer you could schedule the meetups to meet your schedule.

If you get creative, you can write a press release about your group, submit it to the local paper and get some publicity for yourself. Then use the opportunity to 'brag' about the notoriety on FB, here and any place else to get more mileage out of it. Your name will be 'out there'.

Janine