Well I got the call…. I answered my phone and there was a lady on the other end that informed me that I was going to be arrested on September 17th! At first I thought this is some kind of joke!
I Don’t Want To Go To Jail!!
Actually, it ended up being for charity and I am going to get picked up and taken to “jail” which is really a restaurant and fed “bread and water” a.k.a. lunch!.
I bring this up not because I need to raise $1,600 bail, but there is a cool marketing lesson in all of this… (by the way if you would like to donate, please let me know!
)
As we know, when it comes to effective marketing, you MUST stand out from al the noise and be unique and that’s what I like about the way this Fundraiser was put together…
First off, it’s not the typical calling people up to see if they are willing to donate. They will be making so much more this way, plus they stepped it up a notch. They chose well liked business owners in the town to put in jail and left it up to the business owners to raise their own bail from their customers!
Very smart on their end. To make it not seem like all work for those business owners, a awesome lunch at a good restaurant is promised for all the “jail birds”.
I truly think that this fund raiser will be a big hit because they have made it fun, unique, easy and for a good cause. It really is a “win win” situation.
So as you continue to grow your business and work on marketing strategies, you must remember:
- Keep it unique.
- Make it a “win win” situation for your customers.
- Keep it easy for your customer to take part in.
- Make it add value to others.
- If possible, make it fun.
Remember, people are either looking for things that will cause them plessure or thing to avoid pain. Most of the time, they are willing to pay more for things that will help them avoid pain.
Have fun and keep moving forward!

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: erenmckay
September 29, 2009 at 4:33 am
Paul I really like the creativity involved in that marketing plan. It makes us stop and think what we are going to do that is unique. I’m going to have to brainstorm a bit more to apply this to my own business. I really like the last few things that you said aboput casuing pleasure or avoiding pain. That is so true. I love avoiding pain any way possible and I love to help people not get into the same traps and downfall that I did.
I’ve already tweetd this post. It’s great “food for thought”.
All the best,
Eren
Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Whitney Houston on Oprah Winfrey show interview for new cd
How did it turn out? It was a novel idea and hope the sponsors raised lost of money.
See where fellow SSWt’r Eren McKay has also been by and left a comment. If memory serves you are also part of SSWT ’s private forum.
Hi Robert! Thanks for stopping by!
To my knowledge all the money was raised that they were going for, so that is very cool!
Yes indeed, we are all SSWT buddies! Gotta love Lynn Terry’s community!
Take care my friend.
Very clever. Charities can be just like anything else – good marketing and an origianal idea can bring success.
Anders @ Charity Solicitors´s last blog ..Admission to Faith Schools
Neat idea, but I think it is rather extreme, but it is for sure effective marketing.