Using Shwag To Generate Sales

Generating leads is the lifeblood of every business regardless of what industry or niche it is in. Every business goes about it in a different way. One strategy that many chose is to use promotional incentives to generate business.

Promotional incentives are all about finding the tipping point with your potential customers. How much do you have to provide to get them to do what you desire? Consider these real world applications.

Celebrities always look a bit foolish when they talk politics, but one is a bit different. Sheryl Crow wants people to vote and she is using an incentive to entice them. If her fans register to vote, she is giving them free music downloads.

The free music download carrot is brilliant. Think about it. Crow is getting positive publicity, enticing people to register to vote and is potentially introducing new people to her music. That is a triple benefit promotion.

Casinos have one goal. They want to get you in the door. Promotional incentives are the key. They use loss leaders in the form of cheap food, cheap rooms, free drinks and such because they know they will make it back at the tables.

Finally, we can look to the old television to see the classic promotional incentive strategy. Yes, I am talking about the infomercial. Admit it. You have occasionally thought about buying one of those gadgets and have actually done so.

How do infomercials work? They offer so many promotional incentives that you cannot help but think you are getting a great deal. You get the product and a few more products and a few more still. It is like dangling multiple carrots in front of rabbits.

Although these three examples are very different, there is a common theme. Using promotional incentives works across nearly every business niche. When you see something done again and again, you should incorporate it in your marketing strategy.

You can also apply this strategy to practically any business including your own. The key is to first identify what action you want the prospects to take. Be specific. Do you want them to call, sign up for a newsletter or what?

Picking your incentive is also a key. Try to pick something that blends with your business niche. If you do tours, give them a Nomad Travel Journal customized with your business name and logo.

Promotional campaigns should be an ongoing prospect for your business. Try different things and keep the ones that work. Once you have a few nailed down, the leads will roll in.