Creative,Inexpensive,and,BIG,V marketing Creative, Inexpensive, and BIG Value Marketing Gift Ideas

Awhile ago, I got an email from one of the "gurus" I follow and it shocked me. The gist of it was this person wanted to trade services for a household item.To say it floored me would be an understatement.What was worse was a few days later t Automation technologies represent a fundamental aspect of any modern industry. The major types of industrial automation solutions, such as DCS, PLC, SCADA, and MES, are used on a large-scale in process and discrete industries.DCS technologie

"Tis the season to be jolly!" A great attitude is easy tohave when you design your gifts with a lot of thought anddon't allow the experience take you to the cleaners.One of the traditions I like at this time of year isremembering all the people that were there for me this pastyear. Especially those that didn't receive anything inreturn for it -- in the smallest or largest way.Meaningful gift giving does not have to be expensive. Infact, some of the most precious gifts are the ones that costvery little, but mean a great deal because of the time andeffort it took to select, or create, and mail.Here are eight ideas I have used over the last few years.You can use these as Christmas gifts; add them to your"leave-behind" marketing package, a referral thank you, or"thanks for helping me" gift.It does make a difference if your logo or advertisinginformation is on the gift. It does affect the perceivedvalue on their part and can make a difference in yourrelationship. Make the choice to add your information orleave it off with their perception in mind. Remember,marketing is all perception and not product or service.1. Purchase discontinued note card sets from Hallmark andother card shops during the year. If you call and ask yournearest store as to the time of year when they discount"previous season" items, they will gladly tell you. You cansave from 50% to 75% on these items.2. Create a logo candy jar. You can purchase candy jarswith different seasonal markings. Then create a stencilwith your company logo or web site address (I prefer the website address). You can buy the stencil supplies and theempty candy jars at your local craft store like MJ Design,Michaels, or online. They sometimes have the mailing boxesto match. Add a bow with your business card. Keep the jarnice so they want to keep it out in the open for thatseason. Jars for the Easter season are great with theminiature eggs in them and are not likely to get completingjars from other suppliers. After dinner mints are great forthe contents. If you return frequently, bring a refill withyou.3. Give a business journal. Borders and Barnes and Noblehave all sorts of sizes and designs. For business journalsor marketing journals, I usually buy the 8 ½ x 11 size(usually under $10) at Borders and then I write three orfour marketing ideas in the journal that specifically applyto them.4. Give a gift they can take home to their child(ren).Most business or marketing gifts are for everyone at thecompany or for them. Sometimes giving without a "marketingangle" attached increases the impact. Especially if youremember their child’s birthday.5. Create a family cookbook with 10 or so of your favorite(or personal family) recipes. Add your contact informationon the back. Use the software, Clickbook(www.clickbook.com) to transfer it from your word processingsoftware into a real nice booklet fast and easy.6. Give them a subscription to one of the favoritemagazines. I love writer’s magazines and writing, soreceiving something I am so passionate about along with thegift of learning is perfect for me. If you get two, callthe company and turn it into a two-year subscription. Youcan add to your card this idea if they already have asubscription. Do they have a hobby? Do they have a goal orworking on a particular project? There are tons ofmagazines out there. You can also add to the card a list ofweb sites they can find more information on the topic. Youcan send a card with the subscription information in itseparately so they know to expect it and to contact you ifthey don’t receive it.7. If you have great penmanship or creative on thecomputer, buy blank note cards and add their name on thefront of the each card, like "From the desk of..." "Apersonal note from..." The fact that you took the timealways makes an impact. Want to add a little more? Placea stamp on each envelope for them.8. If they have a home office and you are into crafts,cross-stitch a wall calendar holder. It has a hook, niceborder that shows past the large calendar size and businesscard sewn in with a place for them to hang their favoritewall calendar or you can send them a calendar with it thefirst year.It is normal to value the gift to the value of theclient/customer. You can just send everyone the same giftor you can match the gift value to the value you receivedfrom him or her.Don’t forget your bartering exchanges or the people thatjust "opened your doors."Author: Catherine Franz Word count: 885(c) Copyright 2003, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.