Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Simplest Things Bring Opportunity

I try, in my blogs, to give businesses ideas and information they can use in promoting their product/service in order to successfully navigate through the current economic times. And I truly believe that with insight and innovative thinking, the best of us will come out of this stronger than we went in.

If you're a regular reader of my blogs, or if you keep track of the industries who are benefiting from this recession, you already know that the fast food restaurants are doing well. One reason, of course, is that they offer value. The other reason is that they continue to use innovative thinking and smart strategies to secure as much of their market as possible. And, they don't miss out on ANY opportunities to market themselves.

Taco Del Mar, Cinnabon, MaggieMoo, Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, TGI Friday and Papa John's are some examples of fast food restaurants who capitalized on tax day. Free tacos with coupons generated via online registration; free Classic Bites, again with online registration; buy one get one free promotions; "tax relief dinner certificates"; McCafe customized postage stamps ... these are just some of the innovative promotions that were in place yesterday as so many Americans scrambled to get their taxes done in time. And when you think about it, who has time to cook dinner? Fast food is the perfect combo with Tax Day.

I'm wondering how many local businesses thought to capitalize on this. I know my local pizzeria didn't, because I was there. But perhaps next year they will.

If your company ran a special promotion for Tax Day, please share it with us. And, don't forget... Earth Day is coming up, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July... it just never ends. Be creative, have fun! Think about your customer and what you can offer them that will make their life easier, more fulfilling, a little happier... and, don't forget, coupons are very big right now. People just love them. And if you can collect information for your database while offering your customers a discount, then all the better!

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
BusinessCardContacts.com
smartstrategies@bbggadv.com

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