QUIRKY MARKETING CALENDAR » Quirky Marketing Ideas

Today is Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:56:50 +0000

Evelyn Ballin is inspiring people with her art. She is transforming people’s lives through Heartfelt Art. All to spread the word that love is the answer. She has been doing this for the past 6 of her 16 year career as an artistIn her own words: “I woke UP over 6 years ago, went to my studio and started painting hearts. I didn’t understand why for a very long time. Then it came to me. I AM on a Mission. I feel, we as a culture are lacking in understanding that WE ARE LOVE. To me it is all so simple. In fact, I’ve been told that I think too simplistically. One thing I know for sure, is that when you Love…Yourself, Your home, Your family, Your surroundings, Your Work, Your Play….Your YOU… Life is really good.” So true, Evelyn!

Evelyn paints on anything that doesn’t move. Her slogan is Think Love, Know Peace. Her company is a full service painting company. Painting on all walls, floors and furniture.
How she promotes her Works of ART? Through tradeshows, art classes, conferences and virtually.

Today to commemorate Inspire Your Heart With Art Day, Evelyn is inviting everyone to come by her studio in Boca Raton and get a free Love Token. Or if you are inspired, you can create one of your own… FOR FREE!

At her heart studio in Boca Raton, Florida Evelyn hosts classes called “Creative Playshop for children.” She calls it an After-school fun time to create a perfect present for someone you love , especially if it is yourself. Enjoy time at the studio where you will have the opportunity to design a treasure box, a clock or your own inspiration of your very own creation, using beads, baubles, paint and handmade paper.

You will also find Evelyn often donating an original work of art to support a cause or capture an event, such as she did in 2010 at the Total Woman Breakthrough Forum (where we first met) http://www.totalwoman.us/

You can learn more about Evelyn’s work at The Heart Painter

You can also follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/evelyn.s.ballin

Today is also:

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

For 365+ more marketing ideas and to purchase your copy of the 5th Edition of Quirky Marketing Calendar 2011 go to: http://quirkymarketingcalendar.com/buy-the-ebook/

The 2011 Edition of Quirky Marketing is Now Available!

Heidi Richards Mooney — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:08:05 +0000

If you purchased a previous edition, then you know how valuable the information in Quirky Marketing Calendar is. With more than 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-Traditional Holidays, this marketing book is going to be on the top of your list to get the attention of the media and more importantly your target audience.

In fact, the 2011 Edition has more than 100 NEW Entries and Ideas! 315 pages of content-rich marketing ideas to grow your business without spending a fortune. And that’s not all! This latest edition has marketing forms and more than 100 public relations and marketing resources to help you create, manage and put together a kick-butt quirky marketing campaign of your own!

Here are just two of the more than 365 ideas in the all new 5th edition:

January 20th is National Disc Jockey Day ~ Do what we did in my retail Florist, send your favorite disc jockeys a bouquet of flowers. If you are creative you can do it yourself. Go to the party store and buy some play records (you know the old- fashioned 45’s) and add them to a floral arrangement or plant and send to them with a note saying “Happy Disc Jockey Day.” We created a label on our computer and put it on the plastic records. We incorporated the records into an arrangement which you can view at Tulips Talk Blog. Or just call your local station and say“Everyone at (company) wishes you a Happy National Disc Jockey day!”

October 21st is Split Advertising Costs Day ~ While researching what to write about today I came across this article in the Wall Street Journal about a how one barbershop partnered with Lone Star Beer for a local print and online advertising and marketing campaign. Here’s an excerpt:In May, Birds Barbershop in Austin, Texas, launched an advertising campaign with Lone Star Beer, which is owned by Pabst Brewing Co. The ads, which are running in local print and online publications, show a customer sporting a new hair-do and holding a beer. The ads list the price of the haircut and indicate that the beer is complimentary.The barbershop has been serving a free beer to customers since 2006, says Michael Portman, who co-owns four locations. Lone Star had already been supplying the barbershops with cases at a discount price, and was game to split the cost of the ads.Other companies are taking advantage of cost sharing for their advertising campaigns. Here are some the article mentioned: Math tutor Travis Macy, FirstBank Holding Co, ConnectMedia Ventures and AssociaDirect Inc. You can read the rest of the article here: The Wall Street Journal. Who could you partner with to share advertising/marketing costs and get more bang for your buck?

Here’s what two loyal readers say about Quirky Marketing Calendar:

“Heidi Richards tickled my fancy with fancy ways to tickle my readers and advertisers. Simple, sweet and simply sensational, Quirky Marketing is an easy, efficient and entertaining guide to painless promotion and ….I love the book. Can’t get enough of it! Really got my creative juices flowing. Do Unto Others day?” Ellen Sue Burton, Publisher~DUO Magazine

“Quirky Marketing is so much fun! I love the month by month format of ideas that made it easy for my “marketing wheels turn”.The educational links Quirky provided propose so many ideas – I feel as though I’d never run out of any new marketing tactics to pursue!I’m looking forward to flying with the next Quirky Marketing edition, it’s invaluable to any business!” Kristine Sheehan~ TheMerryBird.com Designs

To purchase your copy of the 2011 Edition go to: http://quirkymarketingcalendar.com/buy-the-ebook/

Read what others have said here: QUIRKY TESTIMONIALS

December 6th is First You Gotta Give Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:58:10 +0000

“To attract good fortune in business, first you gotta give.” – Heidi Richards Mooney

You can get more business by giving first – giving your time and sharing your resources makes people feel glad to do business with you. People like to know that they have good judgment in business. Good judgment includes knowing that those we do business with are good business people. We enjoy reading about companies that do good, especially companies that we support. It makes us feel good about our decision to do business with them.

The saying that “People do business with people they like” has never been truer. When businesses do things without expecting something in return, they usually get “something in return.” They build goodwill in the community and among their clients and customers. How can you build goodwill?

Here are six ways:

1. Be the first to offer help. A guy called me up the other day about an event the American Business Women’s

Association was hosting. The problem: it had already passed and he had called to attend. The media had

referenced the event in their calendar with a date that was incorrect. After chatting with him, I discovered he was

fairly new in business and was looking for opportunities to network. Instead of just telling him there was a

mistake and hanging up, I asked him some questions about his company so I could find just the right

organizations for him to network with. I gave him four ideas he could use to follow-up. I will let you know what

happens!

2. One of the most successful florists I know drops off bagels to local funeral homes every Friday. When they have a family in need of flowers, they send them to his shop. Another business person takes donuts on all his morning sales calls. He has a 90% success rate at getting to the Powers that Be. Food (or flowers) are often a better calling card than a business card.

3. Share resources. Know of a resource the client or prospect could use? Write it on your business card before you

hand it to someone, email it to them, send them a note and tell them.

4. Be a people connector. Become a matchmaker. Find ways to connect contacts for mutually beneficial results.

Doing so without expectations of anything in return will usually bring great rewards. People want to (and even feel

obligated to) return the favor.

5. Send greeting cards to show you care. Use your Daytimer or Palm Pilot or contact program to remember special days like birthdays, anniversaries, and special holidays. Send them cards. I write cards ahead of time and when the Big Day approaches, I mail them. People really do appreciate that special touch. Remember “people don’t care how

much you know until they know how much you care.”

6. Stay in touch. Call someone up to just say HI. People won’t expect it, and yet they will remember it long after they

hang up the phone. Don’t talk business, just say HI.

“Making new acquaintances is not nearly as important as solidifying the ones we have.” Remember – it cost at least six or more times the effort to get a new customer as it does to keep the ones we have! The same holds true of all

relationships. Perhaps more so because all relationships require the investment of time!

Today is also:

Coats & Toys for Kids Day

Miners’ Day

National Pawnbrokers Day

St. Nicholas Day

While you are thinking about ways to promote your business, check out Quirky Marketing Calendar ~ How to Use Zany and Non-traditional Holidays to Promote Your Business 365 Days a Year for More GREAT Marketing Ideas.

*NEW

November is National Scholarship Month

Heidi Richards Mooney — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 06:58:09 +0000

Why not start a scholarship in honor of a favorite cause, best customer or organization.

Eden Florist partnered with the Florida Direct Marketing Association and created the Bloomin’ Marketer Award. The FDMA helped us promote the scholarship in their newsletter, on their website and in their invitations. All monies raised went into the scholarship fund to help students further their education as well as provide “student” members with a free membership in the organization.

You can read the Press Release about the Blooming Marketer Award and Scholarship (which Eden particpated in in 2006).

Looking for a Scholarship: Check out WE Magazine for Women for a list of 100 Scholarships, Grants and Loans for Women.

On this day in History:

In 1793 The now world-famous art museum, The Louvre first opened in Paris

In 1960 Masachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy won the U.S. presidential election, defeating Vice President Richard Nixon.

In 1966 Movie star Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California

In 1984 Anna Fisher became the first “mom” to go into orbit

*NEW

Happy Birthday Internet

Heidi Richards Mooney — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:21:57 +0000

October 29th is Internet Day ~ Did you know that today was the day the Internet was created? Well, it was! In 1969 the first connection on what would become known as the Internet was made between computers at UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute.

Here are some things you could do:

Have a virtual “Open House” page designed. Give away prizes and run Web specials. Invite everyone you know and encourage them to tell their friends. Advertise the Open House in the newspaper. Or how about sending an email greeting to someone (or someone’s) you have not chatted with in a while?

Comment on your favorite Blogs. Bloggers love to know you are reading them and more important that what they say has value. When you comment on other blogs, it sets a chain reaction in motion. It is called relationship building. In fact, you could start by sharing your thoughts on this one.

Here’s a great idea from my good friend Shannon Cherry from Cherry Communications: Pledge to support the Communication Shutdown on November 1 where you shut down your social media for a day. I’m doing it and giving away a free month of Penny Pinching Publicity if you join me. Find out how at my blog at The Power Publicist

October 28th is Name That Town Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:03:12 +0000

In 1950, NBC’s quiz show Truth or Consequences was one of the most popular shows on radio (and later television). So when the show’s host, Ralph Edwards, announced on the air that he would broadcast from the first town willing to name itself after the show, he got a taker in New Mexico. Edwards made the town famous by returning the first weekend of May for the following 50 years. Its unique naming history also spawned an art photography book and a Hollywood movie starring Kiefer Sutherland and Martin Sheen.

Today, New Mexicans affectionately call the town of 7,000 “T or C.” It may have also set a precedent: In 2000, radio personality Don Imus sold the naming rights to his non-profit New Mexico cattle ranch for kids with cancer to Reader’s Digest, as in Reader’s Digest, NM, for one million charity dollars.

Today is also:

National Chocolates Day

Ghost Busters Day

October 27 is PET ROCK Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 14:42:28 +0000

Raise your hand if you remember the “Pet Rock”.

In the mid-70s a brilliant marketer decided to launch a quirky item in time for the Christmas holiday called the “Pet Rock”. It was simply a rock with an owner’s manual. The booklet was the hook because it was well written showing examples of how to care for and play with your pet rock. As an example, your “pet” rock could be an attack rock – with a graphic showing an arm throwing the rock. The booklet, while very well written and fairly entertaining, was simple and short.

So, why did a rock and a small booklet sell millions of units? I would argue because of product/market alignment. This was a time when the nation was facing a poor economy, gas rationing, a president on the brink of impeachment, and many other significant issues. As Christmas approached, the notion of such a simple, inexpensive, and quirky gift appealed to the masses. The product aligned nicely with the needs of the market. Yes, there was unique marketing and several items that triggered a “tipping point” that all contributed to this national phenomenon. However, timing played a key role.

Today is also:

Cranky Co-workers Day

Navy Day

October 22nd is Eat a Pretzel Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:24:42 +0000

Did you know? The largest pretzel ever baked weighed 431 pounds and was 12 feet across. One of teh Auntie Anne’s franchisees from Lake Charles, Louisiana created the pretzel.

Pretzels have a long and interesting history dating back to A.D. 610, when an Italian monk rewarded students by serving them baked scraps of leftover dough. According to legend, the monk created the “pretzel shape to resemble his students, who folded their arms across their chests when praying. He called his bread treats “pretiolas,” Latin for “little rewards.”

Accorging to the history books, in 1510, (just before daylight) bakers in Vienna, Austria were getting ready to make the popular pretzels when they heard a noise that alarmed them. It turned out to be the oudnd of the Turkish army invading Vienna. The quick thinking pretzel bakers ambushed the invaders thus saving their Vienna from being overthrown by the Turkish!

Did you also know? The wedding phrase “tying the knot” originated from a pretzel being used to tie the knot between two prominent families.

Pretzels are thought to bring luck, prosperity, and spiritual wholeness.

In the following 9 minute Video Michele Perella, a trainer at Auntie Anne’s Pretzel University, demonstrates the many uses for the Auntie Anne’s At-Home Baking Kit.

About Auntie Anne’s:

In July 2006, Auntie Anne’s sold its billionth pretzel. That’s 1,000,000,000!

In 2005, Auntie Anne’s sold enough pretzels that if they took each unbaked, untwisted Auntie Anne’s Pretzel and laid the strips tip-to-tip, it would circle the world two and a half times.

Source: Auntie Anne’s

Today is also:

Full moon

Also on this date:

In 1797 the First Parachute Jump from hot air balloon took place over Paris

1938 The First Xerox copy was made

October 18th is No Beard Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:50:17 +0000

Host a World Beard and Moustache Contest during NO BEARD DAY. Give prizes for the best of the best with the culmination of shaving it off at the end! Be sure to take pictures for social proof the contest and contestants exist.

According to the World Beard Championships website, World Beard Day began in Germany in the 1970′s. Held every 2 years, the championships have been in Germany, Norway, the United States, and England. However I could not find out the origins of NO BEARD DAY!

Also according th WBC, the US is now the worlds new facial hair “super power” having captured 12 titles out of 18 (in Anchorage Alaska on May 23, 2009). Prior to that Germany had dominated the competition.

Today is also:

World Menopause Day

Watch a Squirrel Day

National Boose Your Brain Day

National Chocolate Cupcake Day

October 15th is National Bosses Day

Heidi Richards Mooney — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:53:38 +0000

Do you like your boss? Want to recognize her or his day? You can with a gift that is not too expensive but conveys the emotion you are feeling. Why not send flowers or a plant to your favorite boss. Host a BEST BOSS CONTEST – if your clients are not the boss, ask them to nominate their boss in the BEST BOSS contest – they could write an essay or simply submit her name. Send a BEST BOSS certificate to all nominees (I put them in an inexpensive frame and hand-deliver the certificate with a flower).

Today is also:

Mammography Day

Wolf Awareness Day

Sewing Lovers Day

Also on this day in history:

In 1884 George Eastman patents paper-strip photographic film

In 1922 The First automated telephones were used at the Pennsylvania exchange in New York City

In 1968 The First live telecast took place from a manned US spacecraft (Apollo 7)

In 1978 On this day in history the first TV movie from a TV series was viewed ~ “Rescue from Gilligan’s Island”