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Jul22
Small Business Promotion Tip #8 - Hold A Contest

This one's a no brainer. Holding a contest to promotnumber%208%20purple%20yellow%20button.pnge your small business creates lots of buzz and  interest.

With the  right hook, a newsworthy contest can get you media coverage too. 

Tips For Holding A Contest

  • Make it fun
  • Keep it simple - rules, how to enter and who is eligible
  • Be clear on what the prize is
  • Keep your business name prominent
  • Have a defined closing date
  • Get as much publicity as you can before, during and after
  • Promote it online at sites such as Online Sweepstakes
  • Announce the winners and notify them
  • Honor your promise even if you have only a few entries
  • Don't change the rules halfway through
  • If you are extending the deadline, make it very clear
  • Be open and transparent about how the winner is decided
  • Post contest publicity

Where Do You Get The Prizes?
As well as your own prizes there may be scope for partnering with complementary businesses. Run a joint contest and have a larger prize pool - more publicity channels too. Or you may be able to ask some of your suppliers to provide prizes.

Product Or Service Vouchers
Another savvy contest prize is a voucher for your business. The face value is less than what it will cost you. Plus, a voucher brings customers back into your business.

  • Any other tips for holding contests to promote your small business? 



Jul21
Video - Making Your Own Luck - With The Inventor Of The Pen Again On The Big Idea
This video is an interesting interview and demonstration of The Pen Again with Donny Deutsch and the inventor. The Pen Again is a strange looking ergonomic pen, which was invented by a bored student who pursued the dream to bring... Continue Reading
Jul20
Spend Time Away From Your Business For Greater Clarity & Perspective - 10 Suggestions
Being away from your business sometimes gives you greater clarity and perspective. Each of us has only 24 hours in a day. How are you spending your working hours to best advantage your business?With well trained, motivated staff, who know... Continue Reading
Jul19
Do Your Staff Really Need You As Much As You Think They Do?
It's only natural that owners and managers feel that the business can't run without them, especially in the early stages. But is it really true?It's a mark of a good mentor to skill their staff and trust them to do... Continue Reading
Jul18
Small Business Promotion Tip #7 - Promote Benefits Before Features In Advertising Copy
Copywriting is a key skill in writing advertising copy, but you can also use this same basic copywriting principle to power up your newsletters.The most important copywriting skill happens before you even write a word. It's working out what benefits... Continue Reading
Small Business Promotion Tip #6 - Create An Award
Creating and establishing an award does not have to be expensive, but it can get you lots of kudos. Best of all, other people spread the word for you.Bloggers are good at this. You'll see blogs proudly displaying awards they've... Continue Reading
Jul17
Apple iPhone - Hip, Hype & Business Branding
Apple is a savvy marketer. They've done an amazing job with business branding and experience marketing. People who love Macs, seem to really love them. Some call themselves Apple evangelists. If you buy an Apple product, are you buying the... Continue Reading
Jul16
Happy National Ride To Work Day - Are You Riding To Work Today?
If you're lucky enough to telecommute, you're probably not too concerned about Happy National Ride To Work Day today. This annual event is celebrated on the 3rd Wednesday in July. That's today!I think it's a great idea to highlight awareness... Continue Reading
Jul15
Small Business Promotion - 5 Tips
I've started a small business promotion tips series here at Small Biz Mentor. Small business owners usually know their business inside out, but promotion is often something they're less comfortable with.Common refrainsWe're in the Yellow PagesWebsites don't workAll our customers... Continue Reading
Jul14
You Can Get Hurt Running With The Bulls - No Kidding
A few years ago I visited Pamplona, Spain where they hold the annual running of the bulls. The street where the bulls run is narrow, paved with uneven cobblestones and leads towards the bullring.When I saw this year's footage of... Continue Reading
ING Cafe Direct - An Experience Marketing Success Story
ING Direct, the banking group, knows how to do experience marketing successfully. Some Small Biz Mentor commenters feel Starbucks have lost their way with experience marketing, so ING is an interesting case study as it offers coffee as well. Yes,... Continue Reading
Jul13
Experience Marketing - From Starbucks To ING To Profit
In response to my recent post Is The Starbucks Business Brand Declining? many commenters talked about relationship marketing and experience marketing. It was an interesting conversation. Thanks to Ben Jones, Chad, Karen Swim, Evan Hadkins, Vivienne Quenk and Dina Lynch... Continue Reading
Jul12
Do You Use These 6 Key Elements For Effective Print Ads?
Whether you have a retail store, a consultancy firm or any other small business, some basic print ad principles are universal.Make yourself the obvious choice is an interesting article which identifies 6 key elements or principles for effective print ads.... Continue Reading
Jul11
Celebrate National Ride To Work Day - July 16th
Celebrate National Ride To Work Day on July 16th! This day celebrates motor bike riders and raises awareness.It seems like a great idea to raise awareness. Scooters and motorcycles would guzzle less fuel, so I wonder how easy these folks... Continue Reading
Jul10
Social Media ROI - Real Life Lessons From Small Business Owners
As I talk to small business owners about social media as a marketing and communication tool, the mantra I hear over and over is proof of ROI for social media. Small business owners don't want theory. They want results and... Continue Reading
Jul 9
Small Business Promotion Tip #5 - Make Sure Your Business Details Are On All Your Print Materials
Seems basic, right? But I am amazed (and frustrated) by the number of businesses who throw away potential business by not putting their details clearly on their print materials. It's about business branding as well as communication. Do You Make... Continue Reading
Credit Card Mail Order Scam Alert
Credit card scammers keep coming up with new ideas, and here's another credit card fraud approach to watch out for.You're an exporter pleased with an overseas sale to a new foreign client. You send off the goods and receive payment... Continue Reading
Jul 8
Is The Starbucks Business Brand Declining?
Is Starbucks growing too big, too quickly? In the light of recent closures and layoffs, consumers are talking about what has changed with the Starbucks business brand.We've looked at the pychological triggers Starbucks uses to influence its customers. We've looked... Continue Reading
Jul 7
Did You Know That Pringle Potato Chips Are NOT Potato Chips?
Well, it's official - Pringles potato chips are not potato chips at all. Here's a riddle for you. What looks like a Pringles potato chip, tastes like a Pringles potato chip and is shown on the Pringles website which proclaims ... Continue Reading
Jul 6
Are You Tapping Into This Great Ideas Resource For Your Business? Your Staff
Ask Your Staff For IdeasDon't forget your staff as a source of great ideas. They know your business often almost as well as you do. Their knowledge bank and ideas could change your business in small ways or large. Valuing... Continue Reading
Jul 5
Did You Know The Queen Owns A McDonalds?
McDonalds has been added to the Queen's menu... the financial menu that is. The Queen has bought a McDonald's as part of a property deal. It even has a drive through, but I don't think we'll be seeing the royal... Continue Reading
Happy National Workaholics Day - Are You Going To Slow Down?
Happy National Workaholics Day! We talk a lot about work life balance, but do we really take it to heart? Now's your chance to think again. Be kind to yourself. If you work at home, you may be able to... Continue Reading
Jul 4
Is Your Vote For Sale? What Would It Take?
What would it take to get your vote? My friend, Karen Swim is offering cake if you vote for her in the upcoming presidential election and she's already got a groundswell of support. As she says, sugar is a great... Continue Reading
Small Business Promotion Tip #4 - Come Up With An Innovative Idea That Captures The Imagination
The power of an innovative idea lies not in its sheer audacity or ingenuity, but in its ability to capture a market and a following. Big IdeasHow about a $2.3 million space wedding as a present for the person who... Continue Reading
Small Business Promotion Tip #3 - Partner With Other Businesses & Become Referral Partners
Networking is key to building effective industry links and relationships. Robin Jay discusses this in The Art Of The Business Lunch. Complementary businesses such as hairdressers, cosmeticians, wedding planners, photographers and marriage celebrants may partner toshare a two sided business... Continue Reading
Jul 3
The Hidden Costs Of MyGallon.com The Fixed Price Cheaper Gas Card
I wrote about MyGallons.com. You can get their fixed price cheaper gas card for $29.95 per year.I saw "cheaper"  and "fixed price" and thought it was a good deal at $29.95, and it may well be.But financial whiz, Miranda Marquit... Continue Reading
The Man Who Sold His Life On eBay & Other Innovative Ideas To Make Money
People's ingenuity with innovative ideas to make money never ceases to amaze me. Here's a guy who sold his life... well all the trappings of life. Ian Usher from Perth, Australia was sick of his life after his wife left... Continue Reading
Small Business Promotion Tip #2 - Thanking A New Client & Keeping Them Onboard
How do you thank your customers? I bought a computer from a small, local independent computer store. As part of the service, the owner set it up and gave me one hour's training. Thank You Note & MoreI was pretty... Continue Reading
Jul 2
Small Business Promotion Tip #1 - Saying Thank You - Let's Start Here
So simple, yet often overlooked - just saying thank you can be powerful. We don't do it enough. But be genuine. People know when it's faked or forced. Saying thank you is just something good to do - It's not... Continue Reading
Jul 1
Want Fixed Price Cheaper Gas? MyGallons.com May Be The Answer
How can you get cheaper gas on a long term basis? High gas prices are uppermost in small business owner's minds. The rising cost of fuel impacts personally and business wise. It costs $29.95 per year to get a MyGallons.com... Continue Reading
Want Fixed Price Cheaper Gas? MyGallons.com May Be The Answer
How can you get cheaper gas on a long term basis? High gas prices are uppermost in small business owner's minds. The rising cost of fuel impacts personally and business wise. It costs $29.95 per year to get a MyGallons.com... Continue Reading
7 Popular Marketing Posts At Small Biz Mentor
Top 7 - Did you miss these recent marketing posts? Here are some of our most popular marketing posts this month at Small Biz Mentor.Hot Button Marketing by Barry Feig - Book ReviewHow Starbucks Influences Customers - Video Do It... Continue Reading

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