Hi

Do freeby gifts such as pens, keyrings, usb thingies, hats etc actually work. Has anyone even seen these freebies result in a paying customer, or is it all just about "general brand awareness".

Sandra

but from the odd bits and bobs I've read around the place I'd say a definate "maybe".

There's a friend of mine Geoff Ramm (Mercury Marketing) who uses a concept called Ghostbuster Marketing (Who you gonna call?). His freebies are designed to be useful and constantly around, so that at the key moment you need someone who does what he does, there is his name and number....

It seems the trick is in having an idea for something which is cheap and yet has prolonged utility to the recipient.

S

Some great points from Simon

One of the things that I know works is frisbee's to larger corporations (the ones that fold up) as they get retained and played with by the sales staff (i used to love it)

I think the trick is to have something that is retained for a long time I.E. a calendar could work as it sticks around for the year. A pen as long as it is one that is nice and sturdy, nice to write with etc as the others just get ruined and binned.

Another thing I have found that works is the little gits like business card holders but then we are getting more expensive.

Hope this helps

Regards

Dave

I was thinking about this the other day, this is what went through my head!:

Have i got anything in the office from someone? YES (A Pen!)
Have i ever acted on it? NO
Why not? Because it was a freebie and grabbed it because it was free!

So in essence it does not work then? Well i wouldn't say that, because even i look at what people have/carry around, so if it is not working for the "holder" of the item, someone else will be intrigued, and that is what i call FREE ADVERTISING!!
So for public awareness purposes, with the right item/s, over a period of time, i think it just might be a worth while investment!

I have just had two t-shirts logo'd up by a friend in the business, and i have noticed a small peak in the amount of people visiting my site from the Portsmouth area, so people do take note, and do think "whats that about-better have a look later!"

My humble opinion!!:: Don't discount anything until you, as a business, has tried and tested a certain advertising/public awareness idea.

What works for one, does not mean it works for everyone, but how do YOU know until YOU have actually tried it??

What is the worst that could happen? At the end of the day, you will have spent a few pounds, maybe only got a little return, but the actual goods are indeed, still out there!!

Time Will Tell!!

Little doubt the thing needs to have a real value, utility, and be unusual (i.e. better or more interesting than anyone elses). Calendars stay around all year. Notes pad blocks do too and you even get your details handed to other people. Mouse mats are not a bad idea.

I have always thought that car stickers are not a bad method either. Useful to give to staff (make them put them in to park at work!) and can be read by others in traffic jams.

IH

Maybe your looking at the wrong type of freebie.

What about a free report or a free newsletter, something to build awareness without any ongoing cost.

This will depend on the quality of the work.

Hi,

I agree with the post made by Kenny on here. Freebies should be something that people think is valuable to receive and which gives them an opportunity to sample your product / services at the same time. While promotional gifts (like pens, hats, keyrings etc) may make someone aware of your business, it's unlikely to tell them how good you are or how you can help.

So, think a bit more laterally. Here are some ideas you may want to consider:

1. Free report - good for consultancy type businesses.
2. Free tips sheet - good for just about any type of business i.e. top 10 tips on getting a great hairdo for that special night out (for hairdressers); how to keep your car on the road (for car mechanics) etc
3. Free sample - great for product businesses allowing your customer to experience your product without buying.
4. Free food/drink tasting - great for food businesses (obviously)
5. Free demonstration - why not tell people that you're doing a free demonstration of your product or service at a specific time or date and invite people to turn up and experience it for themselves?
6. Free presentation - see point 5, but this one can be done if you don't have something to demonstrate.

Hope this helps for now. I have a free tips sheet on marketing if anyone would like it. Just email me on the contact below.

Thanks
Helen

Helen Dowling
Marketing for Small Business Owners
Exceptional Thinking
helen.dowling@exceptionalthinking.co.uk
www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk

Fair enough, Kenny, but I'm not sure there's no ongoing cost! Free reports and newsletters chew up staff time.... and unless you don't pay your staff, that's a cost!

S

It vary actually , sometimes it works fine but sometime one don't get expected result

sometimes it does, based from my experience. you will know if it's genuine if they'll keep on communicating with you and send you notices if ever you'll not respond to their notifications regarding these freebies. but then again, this also varies to different types of freebies they are giving.. if it'll be delivered to you online like newsletters and ebooks, then there won't be any hassles for waiting and wondering if it's genuine or not.

I do agree with most of you.
But then again, freebies can either be useful or not.
For some, it could work and others might just find it
as additional expense.

It all depends to how it is utilized and what
kind of thing/material are you offering for free.

some customers might even find a free ball pen appealing,
and others might just ignore it.

so I think there is a higher possibility for freebies to work.

Freebie marketing is a good concept and works well when target audience or customers are selected. It will prove beneficial free products distributed are served to potential customers to attract towards your business.
Regards,
Lead Pile

Freebie gifts can be very effective if used correctly.

If you are 'cold sending' items to businesses pick something that is a bit different but will still an item on their desk (such as a USB cup warmer). Often the last thing a business wants around the end of the year is another calendar!

Events are one of the best places to use gifts, if you have a stand at a race day for example give them something that they will take home and make it enticing so they look you up.

Like with any marketing form its all about thinking creativity and bearing in mind what you want to achieve.

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