Crazy marketing - DPChallenge Forums

04/10/2005 04:57:17 PM · #1

I know some of you own businesses, run businesses, or market for businesses. What crazy, out of the world, out of your MIND ideas have you tried? Did they work? Fail?

There is no bad answer here. I don't care if you tell me Billy Fucillo is an outrageous marketer and he's a marketing god. I agree. Just tell me anything - someone mentioned doing their car up - sides and hood - with business picture, logo, the full shebang. Hit me with ANY idea you have, no matter HOW INSANE it sounds - right here, right now in this thread.

T'anks!

M

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/10/2005 05:04:50 PM · #2

Depends on the business - are you talking photography or something else?

04/10/2005 05:05:28 PM · #3

We do wedding, portrait and pet photography - so if that helps, that's it. Really, even inspirational or FAILURE stories are good for me to hear now too.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

04/10/2005 05:32:20 PM · #4

Just some random thoughts about advertising affects ME, perhaps they'll help.

* I hate advertising. It bugs me. I try to actively boycott products that keep screaming the same idiotic ad at me (esp. on TV)
* Samples work on me. I might be reluctant to try a new product (food, cleaning, cosmetic etc), but happily try out the sample and THEN buy it.
* If you had really flashy or stupid advertising of ANY sort, I'd think of you as something I would NOT take seriously.
* If you're too pushy about it, you'd get my hackles up and lose my business right away.
* I would like advertising that informs me and perhaps even educates me. Don't try to hide things (like price), it would not help me to trust you.
* Include some sort of guarantee (not sure exactly what/how) - something that would make me feel "safe" in case your product turns out useless
* in YOUR case, Matt, give me access to your work, i.e. a website where I can look at your photos, or an album to look through. Perhaps some happy customers willing to be contacted.

Whatever you do, impress with quality and workmanship, not with some gimmick.

Good luck!

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/10/2005 05:36:39 PM · #5

Originally posted by Beetle:

You hit the nail on the head. Ditto to everything said above. It drives me crazy when people 'attack' me as I walk into a store, as well. Leave me alone. If I need something, I'll come find you.

I think a basic advertisement is good..."This is who I am/we are, this is what we do, and this is what we provide." That's it.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/10/2005 05:38:56 PM · #6

AOL disks are a pain in the ass. AOL is a billion dollar company.
Billy Fucillo is the most annoying car salesman ever. Fucillo Hyundai is the leading car seller in the Northeast.

I'm not saying I want to be them - I just want the out of the world ideas. I'm not looking for 10 gimmicks - just one thing I hadn't thought of.

M

pawdrix

Nikon D700

04/10/2005 05:41:35 PM · #7

I have no story but I think the occasional high profile charity type of offering for local organizations (Churches, for sure)that do many events will get you some exposure exactly where you might want it.

But don't give it away in places that undercut the market.

Actually I do have a story. I coordinated an entire event(I'm a chef BTW)for a famous restaurants 10th year anniversary where over twenty top NYC chefs donated food and services. There were around 800 people at the event, press, TV Chefs etc., it gave me crazy exposure and led to a lot of other things, not the least of the fact that it was a high profile party that people still remember and that I made happen.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

04/10/2005 05:43:00 PM · #8

Originally posted by mavrik:

AOL disks are a pain in the ass. AOL is a billion dollar company.

I started collecting these over the years. I was going to make a sculpture out of them. I think my wife threw them out though.

JiaBob

Canon EOS-60D

04/10/2005 05:46:12 PM · #9

Foam "stress" balls are pretty good. Put your logo and phone number on them. People play with them, give them away, keep them on their desk. Rarely, do they throw them away. As long as that stress ball is somewhere it is working for you by advertising your business. People love giveaways. If you buy enough of them, you can get a pretty good price on those balls. I can't remember what I paid last time, but I think it was around a buck a ball for 500 of them. I am also fond of logo highlighters. We get these really small ones (like 2 inches long) and people love them. They come in multiple colors and they are cheaper than the stress balls. Again, as long as people hang onto it, it is working.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

04/10/2005 05:49:44 PM · #10

I worked for a startup software company for six years and it was very successful until the bubble burst thing, but at one point, the marketing execs decided to drop a couple million to produce a commercial and air it on the Financial News Network and a few others. They produced 2 commercials and we previewed them at a company meeting - after the commercial, the room fell silent. These were the STOOOOPIDEST ideas anyone could've come up with. They went for some abstract, weird french perfume commercial type thing and you would have no idea what we were selling and but for the tiny little logo at the bottom of the screen, you wouldn't even know who brought you that message.

Colossal waste of my stock option value! >:(

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

04/10/2005 05:51:58 PM · #11

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Actually I do have a story. I coordinated an entire event(I'm a chef BTW)for a famous restaurants 10th year anniversary where over twenty top NYC chefs donated food and services. There were around 800 people at the event, press, TV Chefs etc., it gave me crazy exposure and led to a lot of other things, not the least of the fact that it was a high profile party that people still remember and that I made happen.

Good story pawdrix - PR is the best (and usually cheapest) marketing tool available.

Message edited by author 2005-04-10 17:52:47.

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

04/10/2005 05:54:06 PM · #12

Yes - very good story! That's what I am looking for. :)

pawdrix

Nikon D700

04/10/2005 06:11:26 PM · #13

I'm glad that was helpful or at least somewhat enlightening.

I smelled like roses after that event. Most restaurant chefs are like fish out of water when it comes to off premise catering and event coordination. They usually do a thing here are there, get their butts handed to them and become gun shy so with an event of that magnitude I picked a perfect spot to show my stuff.

On that note, if you do a Church event for example, do one where there might be a multitude of adults with children of or around the marrying age. Youth events would be a waste of time so it's all about product placement.

Edit:Maybe youth events might score you a bunch of family portrait work. I assume the major $$$'s are in weddings?

Message edited by author 2005-04-10 18:20:29.

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/10/2005 07:14:39 PM · #14

Originally posted by mavrik:

Mr. Fucillo would never see me! Every time I hear him say, "It's HUUUUUUGGGGEEEE!" I cringed and immediately change the channel. Annoying.

AOL I can deal with. I save the tins and plastic CD holders. They are great for when I make CDs for friends and especially if I have to mail them! I still hate AOL's service, though.

Edit: Darn grammar.

Originally posted by mavrik:

I'm not looking for 10 gimmicks - just one thing I hadn't thought of.

M

Hmm, do you have a dog? Make him wear a jacket with your logo..or that says, "I had my portrait taken at..."

Message edited by author 2005-04-10 19:22:28.

moodville

Nikon D100

04/10/2005 07:53:52 PM · #15

Create an attractive logo that is eye-catching and yet mysterious. Make it up as a sticker and slap it about everywhere. Associate a website with the sticker/image and give barely any information but give clues. Make it mysterious - something for people to talk and think about. Eventually reveal all.

I've seen the above be used effectively especially in the gaming world but it can also backfire. It also depends on your target demographic.

Hooking up with a pet store/grooming service especially during holidays for 'santa and your pet' shots.

Get a few walmart cakes with your printed pictures of them and go to local craft sales. Wedding cakes with their engagement pictures on them is a little different :P

Get one of those kid dispenser things that kick out those plastic balls and fill it with a dog biscuit and your business card for 25 cents.