Neat little money-making idea (offline, but not cash cow)

R Hagel · 03-02-2009, 12:40 PM

I've seen several folks on this forum offer up offline money-making ideas such as creating "ad boards" for hotels, ad placemats and mugs for restaurants, etc. In other words, you create something useful for a business (such as a bulletin board or placemat) and frame it with ads. You make your money selling ads to local or even online businesses.

Here's another twist...

The other day I got a fairly large, flat fridge magnet in the mail. This magnet was framed by local ads. Obviously, a potential customer will throw it away if there isn't any other useful info on the magnet besides ads. One idea would be to create a mini 12-month calendar (my vet hands calendar magnets out). Or swipe an idea from the magnet I just received -- they listed important community phone numbers on the magnet such as the school, clinics, etc.

Voila -- useful information that's posted on the fridge... along with all those ads. I can see local businesses being sold on the idea, and I can see the person carrying out the idea making a nice chunk o' change.

Cheers,
Becky

Full Disclaimer: I've never tried this. I just mention it here because the magnet caught my eye (and ended up on my fridge). So if you have questions such as where is the best place to create these magnets, sorry, I don't know the answer. I'm sure Google knows, though.

(Hint: search for "advertising specialties" or similar.)

R Hagel · 03-02-2009, 12:43 PM

Follow up...

Of course, you can use the fridge magnet idea for your own business. Like imagine yourself sending fridge magnets to customers of your weight loss site (the magnet could include diet tips, inspiration, etc -- along with your link). But that's a whole 'nother idea (ad specialties).

artwebster · 03-03-2009, 12:38 AM

This is a very popular promotional method and many companies will produce a fridge magnet to your own design. There are also all the old favourites of pens amd pencils with your marketing message, packs of playing cards with your logo on the backs of all the cards, diaries, post-it notes with your message on them, sun visors, caps, greetings cards, calendars . . . . the list is endless

03-02-2009, 12:40 PM	#1
R Hagel Copywriting and More... War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Where it's cold, USA Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 1,886 Times in 703 Posts	Neat little money-making idea (offline, but not cash cow) I've seen several folks on this forum offer up offline money-making ideas such as creating "ad boards" for hotels, ad placemats and mugs for restaurants, etc. In other words, you create something useful for a business (such as a bulletin board or placemat) and frame it with ads. You make your money selling ads to local or even online businesses. Here's another twist... The other day I got a fairly large, flat fridge magnet in the mail. This magnet was framed by local ads. Obviously, a potential customer will throw it away if there isn't any other useful info on the magnet besides ads. One idea would be to create a mini 12-month calendar (my vet hands calendar magnets out). Or swipe an idea from the magnet I just received -- they listed important community phone numbers on the magnet such as the school, clinics, etc. Voila -- useful information that's posted on the fridge... along with all those ads. I can see local businesses being sold on the idea, and I can see the person carrying out the idea making a nice chunk o' change. Cheers, Becky Full Disclaimer: I've never tried this. I just mention it here because the magnet caught my eye (and ended up on my fridge). So if you have questions such as where is the best place to create these magnets, sorry, I don't know the answer. I'm sure Google knows, though. (Hint: search for "advertising specialties" or similar.)
	You can save two Warrior's lives: KimW and Ken Strong Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake. ~Henry David Thoreau

03-02-2009, 12:43 PM	#2
R Hagel Copywriting and More... War Room Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Where it's cold, USA Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,401 Thanked 1,886 Times in 703 Posts	Re: Neat little money-making idea (offline, but not cash cow) Follow up... Of course, you can use the fridge magnet idea for your own business. Like imagine yourself sending fridge magnets to customers of your weight loss site (the magnet could include diet tips, inspiration, etc -- along with your link). But that's a whole 'nother idea (ad specialties).
	You can save two Warrior's lives: KimW and Ken Strong Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake. ~Henry David Thoreau

03-03-2009, 12:38 AM	#3
artwebster Brutal honesty's me Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Coín, Spain Posts: 1,032 Blog Entries: 4 Thanks: 33 Thanked 251 Times in 138 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Neat little money-making idea (offline, but not cash cow) This is a very popular promotional method and many companies will produce a fridge magnet to your own design. There are also all the old favourites of pens amd pencils with your marketing message, packs of playing cards with your logo on the backs of all the cards, diaries, post-it notes with your message on them, sun visors, caps, greetings cards, calendars . . . . the list is endless
	You might not like what I say - but I believe it. Build it, make money, then build some more Some old school smarts would help - and here's to Rob Toth for his help. Bloody good stuff, even the freebies!