PartyPlan Advertising/Marketing for Idiots Guide Required!!

overdrawn30

I run a party-plan type business and was wondering if anyone could assist with some low-cost suggestions for marketing and advertising the business.

The products are candles and accessories, and I know from research that this is mainly aimed at Female purchasers, but being a man I'm a bit unsure as to how and what methods would work.

I was considering door drop leaflets and local paper ads, but wanted to know if anyone had any other creative ideas or suggestions to help?

Many thanks in advance.

Overdrawn30.

AWinner

Postcards in shop windows is a low cost promotion. Decide if you are looking for customers or other agents (Don't know what your business model works on)

At this time of year, try approaching local schools etc that are holding Xmas Fayres, you may get a cheap table booking to show your wares?

Badger_Lady

Can you explain a bit more about the business? Is it a bit like Ann Sommers for candles (IYKWIM)?

Assuming it is, these kinds of business tend to be self-promoting, and make good use of word-of-mouth and referral marketing - the best method is to encourage attendees at the party to host their own. Each time someone hosts a party, they're drawing in another large group of people that you can market to twofold: once by selling to them and again by persuading them to host.

Leaflets through doors etc could be a start, but conversion rates will be much lower if recipients are unaware of your business. You might be better off targeting people that have previously attended parties - if you can collect their information (even if just a mobile number) and their permission to contact (to comply with DPA), you can bulk-text with your contact details as a "reminder".

Perhaps there are some affiliations you could set up with local related businesses that would mutually benefit, like homewares shops, beauticians or even better "girly shops" (the ones that sell pink jewellery boxes and flowery hammers)???

Or you could look at advertising in employers - some large offices will allow you to set up stalls in their lobby or to advertise on their notice boards. You can offer special discounts / rates to employees of the business, encouraging them to take part and pass their "discount code" onto friends.

Do you have any presence online? Doesn't need to be a full website, but if you can just get a page of information to link from places like Yell.com, Touchlocal or Google Adwords. In fact, you could even set up some more affiliations there to fund the (minimal) website / domain running costs.

If you need more advice on any of these, drop me a line :-)