Unique advertising ideas

[chrisholgate1981]

Hi all,
If I can give you a lowdown of where I am at the moment it should make my situation clearer.

I sell inkjet cartridges and other computer consumables online and have recently opened a retail premises that I'm looking to bring substantial business to over the coming months. I have experience in online sales but not really a great deal in retail sales. The shop is located in a medium sized town.

Over the last couple of weeks since the shop has been open I have arranged advertising in local papers, flyer deliveries to local homes as well as handing out on the streets along with a few press releases in local papers. The shop has been frequented by a number of new customers as well as people that previously used the website but I can't help think there must be more I can do.

The shop will be going into the Yellow Pages as well as in local classified directories. We have business cards printed up and we have fantastic sign writing on the shop front which is in a prominent location. Customers that see us promise to spread the word although whether they follow up on that promise I do not know.

I'm hoping that someone out there can suggest a fairly unique advertising idea to push the business forward. I think the conventional methods are fairly obvious but once in a while you see a company that does something special and for that they are recognised and remembered. For a business such as mine I would appreciate any ideas of avenues that I could try to go down.

Any ideas would be gratefully received.

Cheers all!


Chris

[chessgolf]

Hi Chris

I notice you said you sell online.
The fact that you use the internet for sales and are not limited to local distribution means the sky is the limit for you!

You have a product that takes you into both the business and domestic market. I can see that you want to sell locally as a retailer but I would have thought youronline biz would take you much further.

People promising to spread the word probably won't do it. If you could give them a reason to do so it might be different.
Can you reward present cutomers both on and offline for recommending you?
If they had a reason to refer, they might do so.

I've just started an advertising network which rewards advertisers for referring others. With just a few referrals, some advertisers will effectively be advertising free.

My point is : Give people a reason to recommend and they will. Good service is one reason but a financial reward is usually better.

I wish you all the best Chris.

John

[dmc]

that's best. also try offer some bargains and ''gifts''. it works pretty well.

if you trully wanna learn the art of selling, you should go to middle east. <;