THE ECONOMY

It’s not difficult to see that businesses are feeling the pinch of a poor economy. They are eagerly trying to stimulate their business by calling and mailing their customers with enticing offers to buy their products or services. And if my actions are any indication, then it works because I do plan to make some purchases.

The other day the local video store called to tell me that I could rent a video for free and pay only half price for a second. As they have never in the past called me, they are obviously anxious to increase their revenues. And yesterday, I received a promotion from Valvoline for $15 off on an oil change. In the past I have received other correspondence from Valvoline, but never with such a good offer. Lucky for me, I always change the oil in my car every May and November. So the timing is perfect and I’ll certainly take advantage of it.

A year ago, a landscaping company planted bushes in my yard. Unfortunately, this spring one of the bushes turned brown and died. Much to my surprise, I received a letter from the company to let me know that their one-year warranty would end on May 31st. What a coincidence as I had intended to call them. They had never sent me such a letter in years past when they had done other work for me. No doubt they are making every effort they can to please their customers.

Good business people have always known that advertising works. And now some of them are advertising even more than ever to generate more sales.

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.

ROUND RED LABELS

In my continuous quest to inexpensively advertise my website, I had 4,000 bookmarks printed. To save money, I had them printed in black and white, but planned to decorate each one with two small, round, red labels to make the bookmarks more attractive. But what a shock when I went to the store and found the labels cost over $56! Although I bought them, I asked the clerk if I could return them in case I didn’t use them all and was relieved when he said yes.

Driving home from the store, I started thinking about ways to buy cheaper red labels. And then it occurred to me. The internet of course, perhaps Ebay.com. Sure enough I did find red dots for less money. The site www.labelsonline.com sold the red labels for $34 including shipping. Once again, I found what I wanted on the Internet. Makes you wonder, “How did we get along without the Internet?”

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.

BOOKMARKS

I’m always trying to figure out a good way to advertise my website without spending too much money. Thus, recently, I decided to create some small flyers and ask several store-keepers if they would pass them out to their customers. In return, I would put a banner ad of their business at the top of one of my website pages.

I told a friend of mine, a graphic artist, about the idea and she offered to design it for me. I was pleased, of course, and invited to take her out to lunch in return. Several days later, she sent me her design and I was absolutely thrilled. She had cleverly created terrific looking bookmarks. What a great idea I thought and how very clever. The receiver could put my advertisement to good use and in addition be continually reminded of my website.

I called Kinkos, and was pleasantly surprised to learn it would cost me about $130 for 4,000 bookmarks – not bad, only four cents apiece. Now all I have to do is wait to see how successful this new strategy will be.

By Hannah --www.FunnyPhotosContest.com a photo contest for cute or funny photos and photo captions.