10 special events you can do for free

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10 special events you can do for free - or almost

As a follow up to my blog yesterday, here are 10 events you might be able to pull off quickly.

They could generate income, create a fun new experience for your customers, help get new people into your business, and be done for free - or almost!

1. Art gallery: Partner with an art supplies store like Utrecht (or a smaller, local one, depending on your neighborhood) and hold an art show of work from their employees. The same could be done with a local art school.

2. Pet store: Team up with the Humane Society or a local animal shelter. Ask customers to buy and donate a specific item the shelter needs, like pet toys. See if an animal-friendly local food business like the Baguette Box will donate a few sandwiches as prizes in exchange for cross-marketing.

3. Jewelry store: Hold a jewelry show with "live" models - and get them for free from Craig's list or a local fashion school. Cross promote with the models' or school's mail list.

4. Clothing boutique: Put on a publicity stunt of sorts and team up with other businesses in your district to hold a sidewalk fashion show (depending on the weather!) with your clothing vendors.

5. House wares: Set up a dining room table display and invite a chef from a local restaurant or catering business to serve a special after-hours meal to customers.

6. Art gallery: Invite classes from the local art schools in to visit your space. Talk about how to sell and market art to galleries.

7. Men's salon: Hold a breast cancer awareness event for men - men get it too. Partner with breast cancer non-profits and local hospitals. Do it in September before the big October breast cancer splash focused on women hits.

8. Office supplies: Do a back to school event for adults (more like back to work).

9. Large space: Do you have space to hold classes or offer a low-cost lecture series in your business?

10. Any retail: Invite your vendors to do a trunk show or an in-store meet-the-artist event. Offer special services, like how to care for clothing or jewelry, or shopping or gift wrap tips.

Tip: See how creative you can be when it comes to your budget. Try not to spend a dime on any event! See if a local printer will trade with you on printing costs if you let them put their logo on your flier (and your website). Ask a local restaurant or caterer to trade food for cross-marketing

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Posted by at August 25, 2008 10:38 a.m.
Categories: Customers, Marketing, Publicity, Sales

Comments

#170439

Posted by TheHairFarmer at 8/26/08 2:13 p.m.

I do love your ideas Whitney! I'd also encourage people and their businesses to partner with other businesses - and then do your best to make sure it is worthwhile for everyone. Partnering works!

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