Gift Bag Marketing

Gift Bag Marketing

November 4, 2009

Gift Bag Marketing: Copyright © 2009 by Derrick Hayes

Back in September 2008 I was looking for a way to cost effectively market my business. I was on Twitter one day and my prayer was answered. I don't even remember what I was searching for when I signed up for (HARO) Help A Reporter Out to receive Gift Bag Requests. I have had tremendous success in a short amount of time. I have been able to market my business at over 50 events through gift bags.

I knew I had a gift to turn names into positive messages. I call these Derricknyms. For example D.E.R.R.I.C.K. means Develop Everyday Receiving Resources to Inspire Community Kids. The HARO community shared with me a positive vehicle to reach others by giving back through events. Derricknyms have been featured in gift bags in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

I live by the principle that I have to give in order to receive. I came up with the idea to give a Free Derricknym to anyone that emailed me their name. I developed a card and flyer so that I had more than one way to present the idea to meeting planners. I learned through the process that some wanted a coupon insert and others loved a card with the offer. After I developed my free offer I started to contact event planners via email. The response to what I was offering was phenomenal. Even the ones that said no gave me valuable feedback.

Here are 4 steps you can take to put yourself in position to market your products and services in gift bags.

1. First thing you should do is to sign up for Gift Bag Requests at http://www.helpareporter.com/gb/ . Once you sign up you will receive an email up to two times a week with at least 20 opportunities.

2 Think about what you can offer to others. Turn your expertise into a free consultation. If you give an hour or
Day of your time it will help others want to do business with you in the future.

3. Develop these ideas into a flyer or card that can be emailed or mailed to event planners. The flyer I develop and still use is done in Word. The way I turned my flyer into a card is by sending it to the printer and having it printed on card stock and cut into postcard sizes.

4. Contact only the event planners that are looking for items that you have or could offer. Before you send anything in you can always ask questions to make sure you are on the same page with the organizer.

I have truly benefited from marketing in gift bags. These opportunities have provided me networking opportunities, spin off business, letters of recommendations, and tax contribution letters that I can report for tax deductions.I never started this journey to receive, only to give.
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Derrick Hayes is the publisher of The WORD and creator of Derricknyms. Derrick Hayes is available to speak at your next meeting, conference or event. Please contact him by info@derrickhayes.com, http://www.DerrickHayes.com or at
(706) 615-1662.

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HOW TO CREATE A PRESENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Your book has been published - it’s ready to roll, so what happens next? Whether you are self-published or traditionally published, in today's market you will need to do the footwork to launch your book to success. I have listed some basic steps to give your book a boost and help you build a community platform. Write a platform.

What's a platform?

It’s what you are about, what you are selling. For instance, I am known for creating believable characters. At book signings I take on the character of my novel.Thus,the nickname 'character creator'. My platform is to appeal to women who have been beaten by life and show them through my novels that there is hope for a better future.

Once you figure out your platform, write a presentation using it, then use the internet and yellow pages to locate community places where you can present your platform and do a book signing. Places to look are at community centers, libraries, bookstores. If your book is about antiques try local antique shops, if it’s about fishing go to bait and tackle shops, get the point?

After you've gotten the interest of a local business, go prepared; bring giveaways like bookmarks, or gadgets pertaining to your subject. This will draw more attention to your work.

Also, Barnes and Noble stores usually have an author event, where local authors participate in a joint signing. Be creative and present your platform well. With a little imagination, hard work and confidence, you will be known in your local community.

* Local writers groups are another good avenue for you to try out your platform. Also, at community centers and writers groups, offer to teach a class on the subject
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RECOMMENED READING:
How to Say It: Marketing with New Media, Lena Claxton/Alison Woo
Plug Your Book, Steve Weber
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CONTEST/WRITING CHALLENGE:
With the coming Thanksgiving Holiday, Write a 250 narrative about what you are most thankful for this season. Winner and one runner up will be published in The Write Stuff ezine. Send entries to bookworm.10@juno.com subject line: e Deadline November 20th. zine contest.