Old school marketing does not mean out-of-date marketing! Sometimes the best ways to get creative is to turn to the marketing schemes that have been done for 30 years.
As a business owner, I have pulled some of the oldest tricks from the book to build Get Global Marketing. The following are a few classic tricks that work for many types of businesses:
Car Signs
Car stickers are no longer just rectangular messages on the bumpers of our cars. I have seen signs covering the hood, windows, and sides of cars. On the road, the message is impossible to miss.
Now car signs are more commonly referred to as a “vehicle wrap”. According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA), a vehicle wrap is the most profitable form of advertising. The average vehicle wrap costs $3,000 and is kept for a lifespan of six years. The investment is broken down as follows:
- $500 per year
- $41.65 per month
- $9.61 per week
- $1.37 per day
With a vehicle wrap, you do not limit your audience to age, gender, backgrounds, or income. Your car can be seen driving around town by anyone at any time. In many states, your vehicle can also be used as a business expense. You could write-off gas and insurance since it was used for advertisement.
Jingles
Jingles are one of the most memorable old-school advertisements. As long as there is television, internet, and radio, I don’t think jingles will ever die.
I bet each of us can think of a jingle on the top of our head. For me, I always fall back on Armour Hotdogs. I don’t remember the last time I bought an Armour Hotdog. Nevertheless, I can remember just about every word of the jingle.
A study in the 1991 “Advances in Consumer Research” notes music as increasing recall. Your catchy jingle can help consumers remember your product.
Jingles also provide something for consumers to repeat. Your jingle could be hummed down the street, used in movies, or social networks. The additional promotion is at no cost to the company. In some cases, you might actually get paid for the company to use your jingle.
Sign Spinning
In my town of Bend, Oregon, there is a sign spinner for Little Caesars pizza who is famous across town. She dances for hours in flashy outfits. I am sure the “Little Caesars Lady” has drawn indecisive customers into the restaurant for pizza and bread sticks.
The “Little Caesars Lady” does sign spinning right. She is enthusiastic, friendly, and holds her sign clearly. Her professionalism has earned her an article in The Source and Bend Bulletin.
Tips for Sign Spinning
- Treat it as an art form
- Target impulse buyers
- Tailor your promotion to a specific market
- Grab the attention of motorists on the highway
- Don’t use over the top gymnastics
Sign spinning is most often used for restaurants. Nevertheless, I have seen sign spinners promoting sales for insurance agencies. I am not sure I would ever use a sign spinner for Get Global Marketing but hey, you never know!
Promotional Products
I rarely buy pens anymore. Most of my pens are promotional from gift bags, doctor’s offices, or the bank.
5 Benefits of Using Promotional Products
- Increase Brand Awareness
- Mass Outreach at Low Cost
- Alternative Business Card
- Tactile
- Powerful Marketing Platform
Make sure to choose the promotional product that is right for your business. Don’t limit yourself to pens! If you are a car dealership, try keychains. A brewery could create coasters or stickers.
Participate in Live Events
Whether your business is five months old or five years old, word-of-mouth marketing can bring you the most customers. This can be especially important when you are starting your business. We want to work with businesses that we trust. One of the best ways to become the talk of the town is to participate in live events.
Types of Live Events to Build Connections
- Community Fairs
- Exhibitions
- Business Chamber Events
- Block Parties
Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMM) shows that 92% of consumers believe their family and friends before advertising. Depending on the type of live event that you attend, you can meet other business professionals and consumers that you need.
Lately, I have been attending the Bend Chamber Business events. There are a diverse range of business professionals in numerous levels of their careers. Some are starting a business or have been an executive for over thirty years. These live events have provided me with the opportunity to learn from successful business owners and meet newbies who need marketing.
Business cards
Business cards will never go out of date! According to BeLight Software, business cards date back to the 17th century. They were used to advertise a person’s trade and provide a map to their place of business. The purpose of modern business cards has changed little. The primary difference is that you rarely see maps on modern business cards. Now, we have Google Maps!
What to List on Your Business Card
- Business name and your name
- Contact information
- Optional mission statement
Benefits of Business Cards
- Portable advertising
- Builds credibility
- Highly convenient
