Work with local businesses and brainstorm ideas in which both parties will benefit. For example, offer cross promotions with video store outlets within your trade area. Work with them to create an incentive or special.
For example:
Preparation: Al, the manager and owner of Al's Video Outlet, registers his customers for the Sam's Pizza Giveaway. Al has a large "ballot box" on his front counter in plain view, created with Sam's actual pizza boxes, so that Sam's logo is instantly recognizable. Al has also hung two banners from the ceiling of his store, featuring Sam's Pizza, and he has posted Sam's Pizza Giveaway flyers on all of his doors. Al purchased video shelf announcements from a local printer and he has placed them on various shelves along his video aisles.
Implementation: During the checkout process of each video customer, Al presents a video rental card with 10 blank boxes. Each box will be stamped with a Sam's logo stamp to designate the number of rentals the customer has purchased. Once the customer reaches a full card, the customer is reminded to call Sam's for a free pizza. Al made arrangements to ensure that a telephone is available for his customer’s request. As Al hands the customer his receipt for the video rental, a duplicate copy of the receipt is automatically submitted into the Sam's Pizza Giveaway box. Once a week, Al draws a winning entry, and he contacts the winner to come on in, and pick up his free pizza card. What is Sam doing with the promotion? He has an “Al's Video Outlet” banner in his window, and is attaching the promotional coupons to his pizza boxes. This reminds his delivery and pick-up customers about the cross promotion.
Additional Comments regarding Cross Promotions: One of the best resources to find new cross promotion partners is at the Planning and Building Department. You can get information concerning new store openings within your area. Approach new owners to discuss grand opening cross promotions. New businesses are eager to get the front doors open and the "OPEN" sign on. Look for new business developments, strip malls, and other new openings.
Do you have an LSM idea that fits under this category?
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