Fiverr.com is a micro-job website where anyone with any kind of skill can post random jobs they are willing to do for $5. Fiverr is free to join, takes only about a half hour to set up, and you only need a PayPal account to accept payment.

The “thing” or service that you offer on Fiverr is called a “GIG”. Gigs can be any service that the seller is willing to offer in exchange for $5. Gigs typically range from business services such as setting up a WordPress template, creating a video to promote a service, leaving positive blog feedback, or sending out Twitter tweets to large amounts of followers. There are also many bizarre gigs that can be something as simple calling a buyer daily with affirmations of love to writing your name in the sand on the beach and sending the buyer a picture of the writing.

Posting a gig is free and you can offer as many gigs as you like. You can also request a gig if there is something that you are looking for and it is not already offered.

Once you have joined Fiverr, either by linking your Facebook profile or by traditional registration, you can post your service that you are willing to offer or buy a service that another user is offering.

Things people sell on Fiverr.com:

• Carve a message in a tree
• Tweet your message to their followers
• Teach you how to sew (or another skill)
• Paint you a picture of anything
• Create a video for you
• Do a voice-over for your business
• and many, many others.

How could you promote your business on Fiverr.com? And what would you be willing to do for $5?

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/

Here are just three of Susan’s tips:

1. Stick close to Your Host! They know everyone and can make an introduction to others in the room.

2. It’s all in a Name: One of the most important keys to effective networking is to remember other’s names and ensure they remember YOURS!

3. If you know who’s going to be at the event, be sure and read up about them on social media like Facebook and Linkedin. This will save time and impress your new connections!

Susan Blond is the founder and president of Susan Blond Inc, a legendary NYC publicist, and Andy Warhol muse. In 1973, Susan was the first female Vice President at a major record label, and throughout her career she’s handled monumental recording artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, and The Clash. Since 1986, Susan Blond Inc. has worked to create imaginative publicity campaigns for musicians, non-profit organizations, artists, nightlife, television personalities and beyond. Susan’s series of Blond Tips cover everything from who grabs the check at a business lunch to how to be a good houseguest. For more, visit http://www.susanblondinc.com   

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/

An auto show is “a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. They are vital to car manufacturers and local dealers as a public relations exercise, for advertising products, and for increasing publicity(source: Wikipedia)

Since that historic day in automobile history, there have been thousands of Auto Shows around the world. Among the largest and most famous is the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.

Each year the show begins with press preview days, industry preview days and a charity preview event. The charity preview raises money for local children’s charities. In 2004 and 2005, the charity preview attracted 17,500 people at $400 a ticket and raised $7 million in total… It is estimated that the show generates a revenue of over $500 million to the local economy.

Old cars, new cars, art cars, muscle cars, hot rods, trucks, vintage cars, cars of the future… the list of auto shows is endless….

So what does this have to do with marketing? If you or your customers drive a vehicle it can have a lot to do with marketing. Getting involved in an auto show has many benefits.

First of all its a great way to promote yourself to the local community. Hundreds and even thousands of people visit local auto shows each year so you have the opportunity to get in front of new faces and likely run into your current clientelle, which by the way would be pleasantly surprised to find your company represented.

Zoom Zoom

You can get immediate AND long-term buzz for your participation.

Signs on Wheels

You can turn your car into a moving advertisement for the auto show and generate interest for your business and the show.

Rev’ing up the Media

You can sponsor the auto show and be seen in all the print materials and online public relations the show participates in.

Making the Marketing Engine Hum

You can be a vendor at the auto show (if you sell a product that makes sense to attendees). If you sell diapers or jewelry, unless the diapers or jewelry have “auto themes” it is unlikely you will get much resulting business. But if you are a pr or marketing firm that specializes in a auto related industry, that might be a good fit.

Following the Leader

At the very least you can attend the Auto Show and make some good contacts to later follow up with. Talk about reverse marketing. Most trade show vendors follow up (or should) but think about the impact of follow up from someone has who was an attendee and not an advertiser, vendor or sponsor.

Ahead of the Curve

By participating in an auto show in any capacity, you can be ahead of the curve in your industry.

SWEET!

People buy outcomes, not promises. You’ve likely heard “sell the sizzle, not the steak.”

But most non-professional marketers are confused by what is “sizzle” and what is steak or in other words, what are the “features” of your products and what outcomes can I expect from purchasing it?

Features are the facts about your product and services. Such as what it is made of, how it was made, how long it will last, etc. Maybe even what it does. But what does it really do for your customers?

Today smart marketers are substituting the word BENEFITS for RESULTS because people really want to know what outcome they will have from using your product or service. Will they be richer, healthier, thinner, prettier, happier, smarter…? Those are RESULTS.

Here is an example:

When  you take our workshop you will walk away with a website you can maintain yourself, understand and make money with. That’s a results-driven statement.  To better quantify the results you could say: In only 7 hours you will walk away with a self-sustaining website that you no longer have to wait hours, days or weeks to update AND you will double your traffic in 30 days or less! Guaranteed.

Results followed by a guarantee are very powerful sales tools.  As long as you stand by your guarantee.

So next time you are trying to come up with a list of “benefits” think about what outcome your target audience will derive from using your product and services. Start making a list. Then change all your marketing collateral to reflect those RESULTS. And watch your SALES GO WAY UP (selling results results in increased sales)

After all, today is “sell the results” day!

On this date in history:

2001 – The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that gave police the power to secretly search homes, tap all of a person’s telephone conversation and track people’s use of the Internet.

2001 – The U.S. stamp “United We Stand” was dedicated.

1939 – Nylon stockings were sold to the public for the first time in Wilmington, DE.

2003 – In London, the last commercial supersonic Concorde flight landed.

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/

In this video Craig teaches how to use outside-the-box marketing techniques he learned while touring with Guns N’ Roses and Air Supply to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

Some of the ideas include:

Picketing your own business

Logo on Bank Stamp – go into Banks and stamp your logo in all the deposit slips at your bank

Rockstar Homeless Guy

Rockstar Doctor Visits

Run for Office (but don’t win)

And so much more!

Also on this day in history:

1958 – The first computer-arranged marriage took place on Art Linkletter’s show.

1977 – Reggie Jackson tied Babe Ruth’s record for hitting three homeruns in a single World Series game. Jackson was only the second player to achieve this.

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 lesson: If you’re going to spend the money on an ad, look for ways to partner with a non-competitor who shares the same customers.

Read the rest of the story at The Wall Street Journal

Also on this day:

1892 – In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Columbus landing the original version of the Pledge of Allegiance was first recited in public schools.

1998 – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Online Copyright Bill.

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/

Lucy Van Pelt,  (of the Peanuts gang fame created by Charles M. Schultz), raised the price of her Psychiatric Help from 5 cents to 47 cents. She crossed out the old price on her booth (similar to a classic lemonade stand), Lucy and raised her price for her advice.

Even mythical children can feel the economic sting of inflation!

Speaking of Lemonade stands, in 2008 my retail florist signed up for the Sunkist Lemonade “Take a Stand” created for Kids who want to raise money for their favorite charities. We went online and requested one of their lemonade stand displays to raise money for a local charity. We chose “Here’s Help” a drug and rehabilitation facility located in Miami, Florida – one we have been a long-standing supporter. My grandchildren and office manager’s children “managed” the stand raising $43 for the organization. It taught them about commerce and the power of giving (because they could not keep any of the profits).

This is an excellent way to raise awareness of a cause as well as your business. If you are in a high traffic area, placing the Lemonade Stand outside for passing traffic to see, also demonstrates to the community that you are a caring and giving business.

“Since 2004, Sunkist’s tradition of encouraging and recognizing kids’ support of charity across the country has activated more than 65,000 kids from every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada to sign up to Take a Stand for a charity close to their heart. The award-winning cause-marketing program encourages young people to give back to their community by donating their earnings from a good old-fashioned lemonade sale.”

This is just one example of how a cause-related marketing plan can work for your company – and that of the organization you support. If you are interested in doing a lemonade stand for a cause, visit the Sunkist “Take a Stand,” Progam today.

Walmart Does it. Bars Do it. Department Stores Do it. Restaurants Do it too! What? They host “midnight specials.”  Over the last two decades or so, midnight specials have become less frequent as so many establishments are open regularly past midnight. But some merchants still feel the urge to host a midnight special to lure their customers out at the witching hour. In fact, department stores have been known for holding annual clearance sales beginning at midnight and running until the next morning. Only to close for an hour or two before “regular hours” resume.

WalMart is notorious for Black Friday midnight specials and people often line the sidewalks waiting patiently (or impatiently) for the doors to open.

Stores host a Halloween Eve midnight special complete with costume regaled sales clerks, refreshments and spooky sounds playing in the background.

New Years Eve is another special opportunity for merchants to host their own midnight specials.  When the clock ticks to 12:00 AM people can go to their favorite store and preview the “new Merchandise for the new year or take advantage of “last year’s” stuff that has been heavily reduced for clearance.

But why wait until Black Friday, Halloween or New Years Eve?

You can host a midnight special just about anytime and it can be even more successful because “everyone else” isn’t doing it at the same time. Create a VIP party and invite your best customers via a well crafted, quality postcard campaign. To easily track your campaign success, ask your customers to have to bring the invitation to gain admittance.

Other tips:
*Use email to remind them.
*And complement your invitation with flyers, sales letters and posters.
*Use mobile marketing to  get their attention.

when planning your Midnight Special direct-marketing campaign, having a current mailing list of your customers, is the most powerful tool you can use to spread the word about your Midnight Special.

And let’s not forget Social Media. Be sure to spread the word on your Facebook page, LinkedIn events page and Twitter.  Who knows, you might just meet some phone or internet customers who have never set foot in your establishment before.

AKA Cesar Chavez Birthday

Here are a few trivia questions about agriculture that you may or may not know. These questions are to raise awareness of National Farmworkers Day in honor of the Father of the NFWA.  One of the things the NFWA does is education; they educate the public to raise awareness of what farmworkers deal with on a daily basis.  So here goes:

1. Which fruit bearing trees are evergreens?

2. Of all the vegetables, only two can live to produce on their own for several growing seasons. All other vegetables must be replanted each year. What are the only two perennial vegetables?

3. Which fruit was called the Love Apple during the 18th Century in France – the tomato

4. What fruit has its seeds on the outside?

5.  Which vegetable was refined by an Italian Horticulturist with a connection to James Bond

6. In many liquor stores, you can buy pear brandy, with a real pear inside the bottle. The pear is whole and ripe, and the bottle is genuine; it hasn’t been cut in any way. How did the pear get inside the bottle?

7.What did the Egyptians believe that Osiris, the god of Agriculture taught humans how to make?

8. What is the only vegetable or fruit that is never sold frozen, canned, processed, cooked, or in any other form except fresh?

9. How much of the world’s grain, milk and eggs are produced in the U.S?

Did you know?

While the total number of farms has been declining for many years, the number owned and operated by women is increasing.

With modern methods, one acre of land in the U.S. (about the size of a football field) can produce:

. 42,000 lbs. of strawberries

. or 11,000 heads of lettuce

. or 25,400 lbs. of potatoes

. or 8,900 lbs. of sweet corn

. or 640 lbs. of cotton lint

Resources:

What’s in season?

National Agricultural Library

American Agri-Women

So, what are you doing to raise awareness about your Industry?

Trivia answers:

1. citrus

2. asparagus and rhubarb

3. tomato

4. strawberry

5. broccoli

6. The pear grew inside the bottle. (The bottles are placed over pear buds when they are small and are wired in place on the tree. The bottle is left in place for the entire growing season. When the pears are ripe, they are snipped off at the stems.) 5. fresh lettuce

7. beer

8. lettuce

9. 20%

Well that didn’t stop the Jamaican Bobsled Team from entering their first Winter Olympics back in 1988 and is didn’t stop Danny Melville, founder of the Jamaican Dogsled Team from organizing a Dogsled Team to represent and bring publicity to Jamaica.

According to their website: “Danny was in Edmonton, Canada shopping for dune buggies he needed for his Jamaican adventure tour business when he tripped over this ‘metal frame with wheels’ in the corner of a fabrication shop. He was told it was a dog sled with wheels so it could be used in the summer when there was no snow.”

“In 2010, JDT musher Newton Marshall made international headlines when he became the first Caribbean musher ever to finish the famous Iditarod. (He bagan the race on Saturday, March 6th, 2010). This was after also completing the world’s toughest sled dog race, the Yukon Quest, in 2009. Meanwhile, the team’s sprint musher, Damion Robb, won a race in Ontario and had two second and two third place finishes in his other four races this year” For more information visit their official Website.

About Dogsledding:
Sled dog racing is one of North America ‘s oldest winter sports tracing back to the Eskimos and Northern Indians.  They depend on teams of sled dogs for faithful companionship, assistance in hunting and as a sole means of transportation during the long winter months.

In 1908, the first formal racing event the “All Alaskan Sweepstakes” was run from Nome to Candle and back, a distance of 408 miles, with a winning time of 119 hours, 15 minutes, 12 second.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual sled dog team race across Alaska, U.S. Mushers and teams of typically 16 dogs cover 1,161 miles (1,868 km) in nine to fifteen days from Willow (near Anchorage) to Nome. The race begins on the first Saturday in March. (source: Wikipedia)

Jimmy Bufffet’s Margaritaville is the official sponsor of the Jamaican Dogsled Team.