"Psskkk... the Eagle is now in the Nest"

[If you haven't read my earlier post about the benefits of having a scholarship, then this won't make any sense. I suggest you go back and read it, along with the rest of my blog (which is missing because I've just moved it- sorry guys!) if you know whats good for you.]

Is this a joke? Really, am I being Punk'd or something? I don't know why anyone would want to live at the "Eagles Landing" community in boring old Charlottesville, Virginia. It's only won the "Best Student Housing Property Award", no big deal. If it was that good, someone would've created a new award for it. Eagles Landing has a description of it on  the website, but let me give you a real tour.
    

I don't get why they bothered fully furnishing it with a microwave, refrigerator, AC and other stuff we don't really need, either. I was kind of looking forward to bringing my replica Leg Lamp (A Christmas Story) to college, but it might overshadow the resort style design of the place. I mean just look at it, it's hideous!



Why would anyone want to live here?

 

Ew.



    



I'm not too happy with the free cable and HBO either. If they really wanted me to be happy, they would've included other movie channels like Starz, Cinemax, and AMC. What does HBO have? Award winning shows like Boardwalk Empire, first releases in movies, and a bunch of extra specials you can't see anywhere else? In short: nothing.

And when they say "Free Shuttle Service to UVA and Peidmont", they're really implying that I can't drive. They just expect me to leave my car in their fully accessible parking lot and ride along with no extra charge. Is it because I'm a woman or something? And I'm not capable of driving myself to school? Hmmm? Keep your complimentary shuttle service to yourself.



Warning: This room may ruin your freshman experience.

 I'm also convinced Eagles Landing is trying to ruin my college experience. Everyone knows the best part of college is gaining the "Freshman 15". I've looked forward to it my whole life. But now with this fully equipped gym and fitness center, I don't think I'll be able to live that experience. Thanks, Eagles Landing.

Bombarded with all these complimentary services, recreation rooms, and resort style designs; I think I'm better off living in an actual nest.

#4: Why You Should Create a Scholarship Fund

Everyone loves free stuff, no doubt about that.
People also love companies that give free stuff.
Why don't you combine that idea, along with community service, and create a scholarship fund?
You can give it out as a grant, create a contest, or just make it a simple merit award to local kids going to college. The best part is that it has your name on it! The marketing is in itself!

Here's an example:

Vacancy.com, a site where you can find great apartments listed by location, type, etc, has a scholarship for bloggers. To be considered, the applicant must browse around Vacancy.com, choose an apartment, and then write a post on their blog explaining why it's their ideal apartment.

Easy? YEAH! Effective? YEAH!

By creating the scholarship, Vacancy.com has
1) Put their name out in the public. When I go to college, I know exactly where I need to go to find my housing! Plus I got to use the website, search their material, become familiar with the company.

2) Created a good image. The fact that they are able to give out a scholarship makes them look financially stable and community oriented

3) Attracted the right target market. They layout and design of the site is very teen/young adult orientated, which they caught by posting their scholarship on sites like Fastweb (which is popular with college bound kids!)

4) Got free publicity. By making me post about the site in my blog, I'm now marketing the site for them, at no cost to them (unless I win the scholarship that is!)

Take a leaf out of their book and see how you can sponsor a community event!

#3: Black is the New Black

Product Packaging: Matte Black

Is it just me, or is this the coolest color ever? I know black is seriously over used, but adding a matte finish adds to it something I can’t even describe. It’s classic, but not tacky. Refined, but still grounded. I mean just look how cool it makes this Coke can look!

 image from Piccsy

It really adds a classy touch to a basic black look. You can use the color for a new packaging design (especially with boxes), an alternative version of a product already used (thinking maybe Halloween or Holiday?). It doesn’t even have to be black! There’s so much you can do with this.

How will you use it?

#2: Designer...Coke?

As you can see, this isn’t your normal Coke bottle.

In a partnership with designer Karl Laggerfield, Coca Cola has introduced a very chic and girly bottle design in hopes to reach a very small beverage target market – young women. Gatorade, energy drinks, soda- most of these are geared towards men (I’d only consider Starbucks to be targeted towards women. But that’s just one drink!)

Coke didn’t even have to do much- it’s still the same Coke we love and enjoy! (Though I am a Pepsi person myself) They just created a new design for it to be sold in, and BAM! New people to buy it.

This leaves the question; how can your business redesign some of its packaging? Add darker colors to make it more male-friendly? Or change the font to give a new vibe? (There is a difference between Courier, Georgia, and the kinda message they give.) Even renaming it can help reach a new target!

How will you use it?

 

#1: Why People Actually Buy a BAG OF CRAP

• Small boutiques can use the idea to have sale on last season’s accessories,
•  Charities can use the idea with donated items for a BoC fundraiser.
• I’m pretty sure you can even use for a weekend yard sale.

Leave a reply below with ideas on how you or anyone can use it!

…can you believe he only paid $3 for all that?!

Woot, the online site famous for its one day deals, has come up with one of the greatest – and cheapest- sales promotion this blog has seen yet. (Which, is only one so far. But that still a feat in itself!) Introducing: THE BAG OF CRAP

HOW IT WORKS:

On a random day, Woot will have a WootOff  where they try to sell any extra inventory they have. One of the most sought out items is the “Bag of Crap”. For three dollars, the online buyer will receive a “Bag of Crap” which is filled with three items (if you remember to click three while ordering!). People have been known to get TV’s, iPods, even laptops! They’ve also gotten half a cracked floor tile (not kidding). The thrill is that the buyer never knows! So obviously, they buy more.

HOW YOU CAN WORK IT:

Try to hold a “Bag of Crap” sales promotion! You can change it around to be in a shoebox, or something instead of “crap” (if you’re market is mostly families) –try to tailor the actual name to your business/organization (Woot’s known for its offhand humor and witty comments, so BoC fits). But the idea itself is brilliant! And can be worked a number of different ways:

Big Ideas for Small Businesses

 

Image from Cartoon Stock

Even as a marketer, I can honestly say that I hate watching commercials. I’m sick of them.

Watching TV? Oh okay, a commercial.
On YouTube? Oh, look... It’s the same commercial I just saw on TV
Listening to the radio? Really, I get it!

I don’t mind the ‘commercialization’ (or whatever critics call it these days of our society), but I can’t stand that it’s the same kind of commercial every time. And it’s not just on TV: print ads, brochures, flyers- they’re all starting to look the same. People are getting tired and it’s ruining the whole purpose of marketing. Someone’s gotta do something about it.

So, I started this blog.  It’s sort of a mix between a ‘marketing diary’ (if anyone has those…) and a resource for small businesses to get their creative juices flowing. It’ll work something like this

1.       I’ll see something really cool

2.       I’ll post it up on here

3.       You, the small business owner, will read it

4.       (Optional but recommended!) You will post an idea on how you’re organization can incorporate it

Or at least I hope so! It’s not much right now – it took me two weeks of scrolling around to figure out  that the “New Post” button was on the main page- but I really hope that it grows. And that it helps the small businesses, high school clubs, charities, and everyone else reading it grow, too.