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$3,420 in 1 Day!

by midasman09 Banned
31 replies
Note: Before reading further, this has NOTHING to do with "IM"...and....I am a Long-Time "Direct Sales Guy"...and...most of my potential advertisers KNEW ME! I'm not selling anything here. I'd just like to relate HOW I got the idea for this and how I went about making money with it. Maybe this will inspire someone.

It has to do with...."ADS on Restaurant COFFEE MUGS"

In the afternoons, around 3pm....I like to stop by a local restaurant and have coffee with "The Boys". 8 to 10 fellow business guys who enjoy each other's company, have some coffee and a snack before ending our "business" days.

Well....one afternoon, the owner comes over to me and says he'd like to get some Coffee Mugs with HIS Restaurant's Name on them....and he wondered if I knew where he could get them. (He knew I was into advertising because, for the last fea yrs, I provided him with Free Menus and a Free "Daily Special Board"...where I have Ads)

So....I told him I'd check into it and get back to him. Well....I spent the whole next day Googling and talking to people about "Printing ADS on Coffee Mugs". Finally found a Co that could do this for a reasonable price.

THEN....IT....HIT ME! One of my "HOT Flashes"! I thought, "Hey! Wait a minute! Why don't I put ADS of local businesses ON the Mugs and GIVE the Mugs to the restaurant...at NO charge?

So...I make a "Mock-Up"...went over to the restaurant...showed the owner my Sample...told him I'd supply the "Ad Mugs" to him for FREE! He said, "GO For It!"

So....I asked him to write down the names of his suppliers (Insurance Agent, Landscape Maintenance Co, HVAC Co, Pest Control Co, Realtor AND.....any Business Owners who were "Regulars". I'd like to give THEM a shot at this FIRST...rather than having "Strangers" on the Mugs)

So....I had a List of about 40 people....made up a Presentation and went out the next morning at 8am...taking my Sample Mug around to people on the List.

Again....most of the people on the List...KNEW ME!...and....by noon...I had my 10 sponsors!

See the photo below; I could fit 10 ads on the Mugs...3 small ads on each side and 4 larger ads in the center. I charged $365 for the 6 small ads ($2,190 gross)...$495 for the 4 larger ads ($1,980) for a Total Gross of....$4,170.

144 Mugs cost me $5ea (with shipping)....so my cost was $720.

$4,170 less $720 = $3,450 NET NET NET!

All in ONE day. However....doing the same program at other restaurants, getting 10 Sponsors usually took me 3 days.

So....thanks for reading and letting me relate one of my successes.

Don Alm....Idea-Guy and SalesMan
#420 #day
  • Profile picture of the author xlfutur1
    Great idea. Where did you get your mugs made for $5?
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  • Profile picture of the author rushindo
    @Don,

    How many of these strategies that you post do you currently use to make money?
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  • Profile picture of the author caseyfriday
    That's a great idea! I remember when getting Mugs with personalized pictures inside was all the rage. This is definitely different than those days, but it's cool that you can make money from it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior Ben
    Don, very excellent post. It's nice for people to share these types ideas freely. If you slightly expanded it and gave some specific action steps, this could be a WSO!
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      I'm sorry but...."I" see "money-making opportunities ALL AROUND ME...EVERY DAY!

      However....I've trained my mind to "Notice". What I usually do is....LOOK at what the "Goal" is (in this case, a restaurant owner wanted some coffee mugs with HIS Name on them)

      I then...LOOKED at the WHOLE situation; Which was...."OK! If I pretend for a moment that "I'M" a coffee mug....here. WHO is going to be LOOKING AT ME? I (as a coffee mug) will be sitting ON tables where local residents will be drinking coffee from me. And....if there were FULL COLOR Ads of local businesses around the mug....locals...would probably LOOK at the Ads.

      So....how many diners will SEE the Ads around my mug...during the day...week...month...year?

      So....the owner tells me he serves about 300 cups of coffee a day x 30 = 9,000 CUPS OF COFFEE A MONTH!

      Holy Schamoly....9,000 x 12 = 108,000 cups of coffee. Now, granted, many of those cups are duplicates or triplicates or....let's say that just 1,000 people drink coffee at that restaurant every week. That is called, "REPEAT EXPOSURE"!

      1,000 PEOPLE seeing the SAME Ads on the coffee mugs....every week for 52 weeks!

      Whala! Great....REPEAT EXPOSURE!

      So....when you begin "looking at Exposure"....you get into the mindset of "How is this going to help businesses (your clients)?" And you suddenly realize you are offering GREAT EXPOSURE....for clients.

      Anyway.....thanks for "listening" to my dissertation on "exposure".

      Don Alm....Marketing Guy
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      • Profile picture of the author mydream247
        Hi Don,

        Once again another Great Idea, how do you inf the suppliers.

        Thanks,
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        • Profile picture of the author mikeyman120
          Hello Don

          I looked at the image of the coffee mug and now have a few questions.

          How did you prepare the ads? Did each client have to get their ad ready themselves in a certain size? If so how did you put them all together, in other words how did you have to have the ads ready for the coffee mug people to print on them? Did you give them one camera ready copy or all small ads and they had to lay them out. If you had to do it all where did you do it on a home pc or at a printer?

          And what is the final camera ready copy, is it black print on white paper or microfilm plastic?

          Thanks,
          Mike
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          • Profile picture of the author mikeyman120
            Originally Posted by mikeyman120 View Post

            Hello Don

            I looked at the image of the coffee mug and now have a few questions.

            How did you prepare the ads? Did each client have to get their ad ready themselves in a certain size? If so how did you put them all together, in other words how did you have to have the ads ready for the coffee mug people to print on them? Did you give them one camera ready copy or all small ads and they had to lay them out. If you had to do it all where did you do it on a home pc or at a printer?

            And what is the final camera ready copy, is it black print on white paper or microfilm plastic?

            Thanks,
            Mike

            Hello DOn,
            Answer these questions above please.
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            • Profile picture of the author midasman09
              Banned
              Hi....as I've mentioned in a number of posts HERE...."I AM NOT SELLING" any of MY Stuff here!

              I am simply offering up some of the "Marketing and Promotion Ideas" I've created....over the years...and...in many cases....how I got the initial Idea.

              I am NOT offering anything more than....The "BASIC IDEAS"!

              For more info on HOW to "Monetize" these Ideas so YOU can make some bux with these....just do your "Due Diligence" as I'VE done. I am TOO Busy with my present programs and customers and FAMILY...to provide any "additional advice" on Forums like this!

              Thanks for your interest,

              Don Alm...."Idea-Guy"....JUST providing "Marketing Ideas"
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      • Profile picture of the author oldyounggary
        Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

        I'm sorry but...."I" see "money-making opportunities ALL AROUND ME...EVERY DAY!
        Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post


        However....I've trained my mind to "Notice". What I usually do is....LOOK at what the "Goal" is (in this case, a restaurant owner wanted some coffee mugs with HIS Name on them)

        I then...LOOKED at the WHOLE situation; Which was...."OK! If I pretend for a moment that "I'M" a coffee mug....here. WHO is going to be LOOKING AT ME? I (as a coffee mug) will be sitting ON tables where local residents will be drinking coffee from me. And....if there were FULL COLOR Ads of local businesses around the mug....locals...would probably LOOK at the Ads.

        So....how many diners will SEE the Ads around my mug...during the day...week...month...year?

        So....the owner tells me he serves about 300 cups of coffee a day x 30 = 9,000 CUPS OF COFFEE A MONTH!

        Holy Schamoly....9,000 x 12 = 108,000 cups of coffee. Now, granted, many of those cups are duplicates or triplicates or....let's say that just 1,000 people drink coffee at that restaurant every week. That is called, "REPEAT EXPOSURE"!

        1,000 PEOPLE seeing the SAME Ads on the coffee mugs....every week for 52 weeks!

        Whala! Great....REPEAT EXPOSURE!

        So....when you begin "looking at Exposure"....you get into the mindset of "How is this going to help businesses (your clients)?" And you suddenly realize you are offering GREAT EXPOSURE....for clients.

        Anyway.....thanks for "listening" to my dissertation on "exposure".

        Don Alm....Marketing Guy


        Thanks for this, Don.

        In many ways I think this is the most valuable post in the thread, because it gives insight into a way of SEEING opportunities and looking with fresh eyes at things we might normally miss.

        Good mindset to get into...
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  • Profile picture of the author WhyGuy
    What a clever idea. I used to do marketing for restaurant chains, and have seen a lot of the placemats and trivia sheets that are provided to restaurants for free, but they are paid for with the local ads that are printed all over them. I think the only advantage to placemats or trivia sheets is that they are printed on paper and there's a need to continually replace them. That means there's an ongoing sales cycle where you can get income from the advertisers every few months.
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  • Profile picture of the author keyuria
    Yes, you are really clever to put this plan into effect. What you did is action. yes, without action and self-belief it is almost impossible to do anything. Thumbs up man.
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  • Profile picture of the author mobing
    Banned
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author javarog
      Originally Posted by mobing View Post

      too many posts like this ! if it really work ,i appreciate ,but i disgust that if only want to sell the idea without a true successful case !( sorry if i m wrong)!:rolleyes:
      Midasman09 isn't selling anything,,,, he is just giving us ideas on how to make some money... seems that he has been doing this for years and is helping others from his experiences..... This may or may not work for you in your area but how do you know unless you take action and give it a go...

      For myself,, I have a full sublimation set up here in my office with about 5 different types of mugs that I am going to print samples on,,, if it works fine, if it doesn't then the old saying holds true of "nothing ventured, nothing gained"
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  • Profile picture of the author wanjugu
    Originally Posted by midasman09 View Post

    Note: Before reading further, this has NOTHING to do with "IM"...and....I am a Long-Time "Direct Sales Guy"...and...most of my potential advertisers KNEW ME! I'm not selling anything here. I'd just like to relate HOW I got the idea for this and how I went about making money with it. Maybe this will inspire someone.

    It has to do with...."ADS on Restaurant COFFEE MUGS"

    In the afternoons, around 3pm....I like to stop by a local restaurant and have coffee with "The Boys". 8 to 10 fellow business guys who enjoy each other's company, have some coffee and a snack before ending our "business" days.

    Well....one afternoon, the owner comes over to me and says he'd like to get some Coffee Mugs with HIS Restaurant's Name on them....and he wondered if I knew where he could get them. (He knew I was into advertising because, for the last fea yrs, I provided him with Free Menus and a Free "Daily Special Board"...where I have Ads)

    So....I told him I'd check into it and get back to him. Well....I spent the whole next day Googling and talking to people about "Printing ADS on Coffee Mugs". Finally found a Co that could do this for a reasonable price.

    THEN....IT....HIT ME! One of my "HOT Flashes"! I thought, "Hey! Wait a minute! Why don't I put ADS of local businesses ON the Mugs and GIVE the Mugs to the restaurant...at NO charge?

    So...I make a "Mock-Up"...went over to the restaurant...showed the owner my Sample...told him I'd supply the "Ad Mugs" to him for FREE! He said, "GO For It!"

    So....I asked him to write down the names of his suppliers (Insurance Agent, Landscape Maintenance Co, HVAC Co, Pest Control Co, Realtor AND.....any Business Owners who were "Regulars". I'd like to give THEM a shot at this FIRST...rather than having "Strangers" on the Mugs)

    So....I had a List of about 40 people....made up a Presentation and went out the next morning at 8am...taking my Sample Mug around to people on the List.

    Again....most of the people on the List...KNEW ME!...and....by noon...I had my 10 sponsors!

    See the photo below; I could fit 10 ads on the Mugs...3 small ads on each side and 4 larger ads in the center. I charged $365 for the 6 small ads ($2,190 gross)...$495 for the 4 larger ads ($1,980) for a Total Gross of....$4,170.

    144 Mugs cost me $5ea (with shipping)....so my cost was $720.

    $4,170 less $720 = $3,450 NET NET NET!

    All in ONE day. However....doing the same program at other restaurants, getting 10 Sponsors usually took me 3 days.

    So....thanks for reading and letting me relate one of my successes.

    Don Alm....Idea-Guy and SalesMan
    I am going to try this in Nairobi and keep you posted on the success.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jimian
    Yeahhhh Don! I'm wondering if adding QR code with each biz would work? People would see a video or web page about the company.

    Another upsell for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author WhyGuy
      Originally Posted by Jimian View Post

      Yeahhhh Don! I'm wondering if adding QR code with each biz would work? People would see a video or web page about the company.

      Another upsell for you.
      Are you seeing a growing use of QR codes? Most of the people I talk to don't even know what they're for. I wonder if they're really going to become standard, or just a passing technology.
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  • Profile picture of the author advancedyn
    I personally think that we will continue to see QR codes grow for at least a few years. Smart phones aren't in everyone's pocket yet. Until that happens, QR codes will continue to grow. Those who DO know what they are, will instantly ad that contact info into their phones if it is something they are interested in. QR codes have a small footprint. I can't see a downside.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Jackson Jr
    It's best to jump on QR Code now, ahead of the curve.
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      Re: Jimian's comment about adding qr codes to the Mugs.

      "Yeahhhh Don! I'm wondering if adding QR code with each biz would work? People would see a video or web page about the company."

      I sent jim a PR but I thought I'd also ask my question here....so if any of you have a suggestion....please let me know.

      Jim suggested I add a "QR Code with each biz"....however....the ads are small and there's No Room to add a qr code to each ad....however....what if I added ONE qr code to the Mug....such that Scanning the code would bring up the Main Page of a Mobile Site where each ad has a Banner (Ad 1, Ad 2, Ad 3...etc) and....clicking on any Banner would bring up the Mobile Site for that business.

      These would NOT be "Normal" Mobile Sites. They would be Hosted on MY server and I would create each Mobile Site and place it on my Host.

      I would not need a "Re-Direct" script because these sites would NOT be hosted on their Servers.

      I have Quenton's and Will R's programs and am trying to figure out a way to do this.

      Anyone have a suggestion?

      Thanks,
      Don Alm
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      • Profile picture of the author MartinBuckley
        midasman09,

        I would give up one ad space on the mug and use it to place a QR code with a headline that says something like, scan for special offers and coupons.

        You can now try and upsell your mug advertisers and offer to place their business info with special offers and coupons on a website and help to increase their sales that much more.

        Another option is if the resturant you are working with dosn't have a website, offer to create one for them for free, but make them pay a monthly fee for hosting, etc. and get them to agree to let you place banner ads, etc for the mug advertisers on their site and then you can also charge an extra fee to the mug advertisers to be advertised on the resturant website.

        Just a few ideas for you, Don.

        I hope they help,

        Martin
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        • Profile picture of the author midasman09
          Banned
          Hey Marty...thanks for the "suggestions" on the "other' things I could do to bring in some extra bux....however....I've been "doin' this stuff too long and have "your" suggestions covered.

          What I'm looking for is some suggestions on my Specific Question about QR Codes;

          "Jim suggested I add a "QR Code with each biz"....however....the ads are small and there's No Room to add a qr code to each ad.... however....what if I added ONE qr code to the Mug....such that Scanning the code would bring up the Main Page of a Mobile Site where each ad has a Banner (Ad 1, Ad 2, Ad 3...etc) and....clicking on any Banner would bring up the Mobile Site for that business."

          I was looking for some responses on my "QR Code" question!

          So....maybe I'll have to put this together myself.

          A "Town Mobile Directory"...where....scanning in a QR Code....brings up a "Directory" of Mobile Sites ....or ALL the biznesses that have Mobile Sites!

          And....guess who will be selling local biznesses on having Mobile Sites that go IN....the Town Directory?

          Yup! Little ol' me!

          WHAT bizness....would NOT want to have THEIR biz....able to be SEEN on EVERY Mobile Device in the area?

          THIS is.....BIG!

          Don Alm....working on some BIG Projects....bringing in BIG Monthly Residuals while fishing for SteelHead and Salmon in my local river...The "Umpqua" (45 pounders run here)
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  • Profile picture of the author Adrian John
    What if the owner take your idea and implement it for himself to make extra cash?
    Where I live people will steal any idea if presented like this and i'll be left blank.
    You got plenty wonderful ideas but i live in a country where this won't have any success from what i see around me and how i see some business owners react.

    Do you have a solution for this situation?

    Thanks Don
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    • Profile picture of the author RRG
      Originally Posted by banditu View Post

      What if the owner take your idea and implement it for himself to make extra cash?
      Where I live people will steal any idea if presented like this and i'll be left blank.
      You got plenty wonderful ideas but i live in a country where this won't have any success from what i see around me and how i see some business owners react.

      Do you have a solution for this situation?

      Thanks Don
      Most people never take action, even on a good idea.

      Think about it: how many business owners are going to go find ten advertisers on their own and figure out how to turn that into coffee mugs? They're busy running their business. If you offer to do all the work for them, it's a win-win.

      Also, you can't worry about the occasional bad apple who will rip you off. Most people are honest.
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  • Profile picture of the author tidest
    Nice job, hope I make $$$
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  • Profile picture of the author socialmediaking
    If I went to a coffee shop to relax and ordered a cup of coffee and it came back with advertisements all over it like that, I would be pissed off, lol, but kudos to you for opening up an entire new space for advertising. next you'll be telling me you're printing ads on the toilet paper roll (WSO anyone?)
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    • Profile picture of the author advancedyn
      Excellent idea! lol!
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      • Profile picture of the author midasman09
        Banned
        ...."next you'll be telling me you're printing ads on the toilet paper roll (WSO anyone?) "

        Sorry....haven't sold Ads on TP rolls....yet. Came close though, with my (....are you sitting down?)....."REST ROOM AD BOARDS"!

        (See Photo Below)

        These are Framed Boards that hold 4, 8 1/2 by 11 Ad Sheets....and....I mounted them ABOVE THE URINALS in Restaurants and Bowling Alleys.

        I got $40/mo per Ad. One "Ad Board" brought in $160/mo and most restaurants and bowling alleys had at least 2 Urinals.

        Now....here's how I got into THIS program.

        I lived near Aspen, CO for about 12 yrs and I liked to go to the fanciest bars in town around 3pm (That's when the "Movers and Shakers" came in for an afternoon drink)

        So....I was sitting at the bar one afternoon (sipping my Mick)....wondering HOW I could get an Ad Program going in the place. It was a place where the celebs and rich and powerful frequented. I knew that if I could come up with a program that would be SEEN....by this clientel....I could charge a Bundle.

        Ads on Placemats were out.....Ads on Daily Special Boards were out...Ads on Drink Coasters (not big enough)...Ads on Menus (menus were too fancy)

        While I was going over possible Ad Projects....in walks Jack Nicholson. I thought, "Hey! I'd like to get his autograph to send to my kids. So...I was watching his table intently...waiting for my "Courage Level" or the Michelobs to sink in...when HE GETS UP and walks toward the John.

        Well....I thought, "It's NOW or Never!" ...so I follow him in and pull up to the stall next to him. As I was doing my "business" I look over and say, "Mr Nicholson, could I trouble you for your autograph?"

        He looks over (while zipping up), "Sure thing! No trouble at all!"

        (He was a REALLY NICE GUY) And...when I get back to my seat at the bar...I got one of my famous, "HOT Flashes".

        "Holy Schamoly! Jumpin' Jehosaphat!" When Mr Nicholson was standing at the uriinal....he was LOOKING AT THE BLANK WALL IN FRONT OF HIM!

        What If there was a Board with 4, Nicely Done, Full Color Ads of local clothing stores or Gift Shops or Attorneys or Accountants or....almost any business.

        Would Mr Nicholson LOOK at the Ads in front of his nose? You Betcha! Where else is he gonna look! He COULDN'T MISS...seeing the ads in front of his nose!

        So...I went home....made up a Sample....went back to the bar, showed the manager my sample and asked if I could mount my Ad Boards above the 2 urinals.

        He thought it was a great idea and gave me the "Go Ahead"!

        So...the next morning...I hit the retail section of town and before noon, I had my 4 spots FILLED...with a nice, HEFTY, Set up fee and Monthly.

        So...again I say; "If you're OUT and ABOUT....you can Spot Opportunities!

        Here's the photo of me standing in a restroom next to my Ad Boards on the wall.

        Don Alm...Idea Guy AND...Sales Man extraordinaire
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  • Profile picture of the author nrg2011
    I would have had placemats printed also, and upcharged the clients for placement in that also, filling any blank spots with ads for affiliate services (home security, satellite/cable, phone, etc..)
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  • Profile picture of the author Ardoris
    Thanks for sharing your ideas.
    Mug with QR code that send you to mobile site directory...
    Humm...
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    • Profile picture of the author midasman09
      Banned
      "Mug with QR code that send you to mobile site directory...
      Humm... "

      Yup....I just discovered how to do it.

      Set up ONE QR Code...on a Coffee Mug (or other places)....that will bring up a "Mobile Site Directory"....and participating businesses are listed in their Category.....such that Clicking on their Listing brings up their Mobile Site.

      I'm "Off To The Races" on this one.

      Don Alm....Innovator AND sales guy
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  • Profile picture of the author jaimegm
    I have paid for other business ideas and they do not worth, yours in other hand is valuable, thank you very much
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