Page 98 - 101 Ways to Market Your Business

TRY A FEW UNUSUAL IDEAS

32 Start a marketing ideas box

I often find myself tearing advertisements out of news-
papers and magazines, collecting junk mail that has caught
my eye or rummaging through boxes of brochures that I
have collected over the years. A while back I started to get
sick of having all of this hoarded junk falling out of
cupboards onto my head so I decided to throw it all away.

As I started to throw the offending material into the
bin I discovered that I had a wealth of information includ-
ing sample advertisements, brochures and marketing ideas
that I thought were very, very well done. I culled the pile
considerably and ended up with a box of material that has
formed the basis of my marketing ideas box (and this
book).

Whenever I am stuck for an idea I rummage through
the box and invariably I will find an advertisement or a
brochure that will suit my intended task perfectly. As I read
the papers and magazines that work their way onto my
desk I keep a pair of scissors handy to snip out a particu-
larly effective or unusual advertisement or an article that
may be of use later.

I hate to say this but if the house was on fire this box
is the first thing that I would throw to the rescuing fire-
fighters (much to my wife’s anger). This box stores all the
information and ideas that don’t fit into my brain.

My advice to you is simple. Start a marketing ideas box
today. Continually add to it and continually throw out the
junk. If you find yourself buying something based on an
advertisement or direct mail letter you received keep it,
because if it worked on you, perhaps it can also work
for you.

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