Benefits of Viral Marketing Courtesy of bview!

bview: The UK's best businesses ... reviewed!

 A couple of weeks ago, I spotted a blog writing competition on the bview website.  Entrants had to write a blog about what they would spend £500 on to get a 95% discount.  Brilliant!  A retail therapy blog … every girl’s dream! 

We’ve just heard today that I’m on the list of finalists and what’s more, YOU can vote online for the winner here.  If you’d like to read my entry, you’ll find it on the WEB-right blog. 

While I would be delighted to be the lucky winner, this sort of thing is a great marketing opportunity, whatever the outcome.  Many small businesses often don’t realise the marketing potential of these sorts of events.

When bview announced the 12 finalists, I immediately sent an email to not only friends and family, but also to our clients and prospects.  I’ve asked them to forward on my email, which is known as ‘viral marketing’.  Viral marketing is the term for using the Internet and emails as a ‘word of mouth’.  If you ever get bombarded with jokes by email, you’ll understand the potency of viral marketing.  But emailing all my contacts isn’t just about canvassing for votes.  It reminds people of who we are and what we do.  It is a marketing message in itself. 

Not only has this given me a great opportunity to email my clients and prospects, it will also provide a good subject for our company blogs, newsletters, and a news item for our websites. 

And … if I’m fortunate enough to win, what then?  Well, obviously another round of emails and of course, with a newsworthy story like that, I would have some great material for a press release. 

You might not have entered any competitions, but what sort of things are going on in your business?  I’m sure if you give it some thought, you’ll find plenty of marketing opportunities round every corner.

‘Quackers’ about Sales and Marketing

Louey - the marketing duckling

Can you think of a better subject for an Easter blog?  My madcap daughter prompted this post when she attended a business meeting yesterday.  It was an urgent meeting, so she went into the office on her day off to see the prospective client.  She works for a somewhat traditional national company, and I am sure she’s been a complete shock to their corporate system.  So, being a bit whacky, she arrived at the appointed time, accompanied by … her 6-day old duckling, Louey!  

Louey is destined to become a child’s pet duck on a smallholding in Somerset, and is currently being ‘socialised’ with people and transport, hence her corporate debut.  Needless to say, the clients turned out to be ducking enthusiasts, the sale was closed, and my daughter’s boss was reeling from the unorthodox approach! 

While I’m not suggesting as small business owners we should all be dashing out and acquiring ducklings or other small cutesy creatures (if for no better reason than they tend to grow), I think there is a moral to this story.  Ultimately, people buy from people and, if we can present ourselves as being warm and friendly, as well as professional, perhaps our sales will benefit.

Jeremy Clarkson as the New 007?

Jeremy Clarkson at the Chippy Lido Auction of Promises 2008

It’s that time again when everyone in Chipping Norton is fastening their seat belts and getting into ‘top gear’ for the annual Auction of Promises. 

The auction is the highlight of the local fund-raising calendar and raises much needed money for the local lido.  The 2009 theme is James Bond and  007! 

WORD-right is getting into top gear too – we’re big fans of the Lido Auction.  Last year we helped in the run-up to the auction by sponsoring the newsletter and writing the copy for the auction’s dedicated website.  We were delighted to be part of the team which helped raise a massive £18,000 for such a good cause. 

This year we’ll be back in action again sponsoring the copywriting for the event.  Organiser Ken Norman has already had a good response and the pledges have started to come in, with still 3 months to go! 

For the 6th year running, Chipping Norton’s most famous (or is it infamous?) resident Jeremy Clarkson, will be the entertaining and hard-hitting auctioneer.  The 2009 auction will be held at Chipping Norton Lido on Friday 3rd July.  This coincidentally will be WORD-right’s official 3rd birthday, giving us the opportunity for a great night out to help us celebrate! 

With the James Bond theme, one is tempted to wonder if:

• Jeremy Clarkson as James Bond and compère Ken Norman (M) will be donning their tuxedos
• Will they be serving martinis (shaken … not stirred of course) instead of the usual wine?
• And the biggie … is there any chance of Jeremy Clarkson driving an Aston Martin into the lido?   

The dedicated auction website will be live soon.  Watch the Oxfordshire Copywriter’s Blog for more details.  Remember … you heard it here first!