Building traffic with "community marketing": a retailer and a dog park
Steve and Jen have three Waggin Train Pet Store locations, each close to residential neighborhoods. Every once in a while, they hire a local high schoo
l student to pass out fliers at the local dog parks. In addition to the flier, the student gives out a Waggin Train ‘trash bag’ that can be used at the dog park. Steve called the local parks department and asked if he could donate several trash barrels to the dog park that had a ‘Courtesy of Waggin Train, your local pet shop” signs on them. The park department happily agreed, and so now it seems like Waggin Trian ‘owns’ the local dog park.
Bloglites
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Action Guides
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do you know how to go about creating, implementing and nurturing successful co-promotions? this 4-page action guide spells out the step-by-step details to creating cooperative promotions that work!
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mired in a slowdown and wondering how to get more customers back in your store?
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it is easier to keep your customers than trying to get new ones. so, stop losing customers! this 7-page guide will help you learn ...and most importantly how to win them back.
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Book Excerpts
Demographics available on lineMember Comments
“we partner with the local animal shelter for their adopt-a-pet program each spring and fall. we put together a “welcome to your new home” bag of food, treats and toys, which are handed out at the shelter when a pet is adopted. we include a discount coupon for their next total purchase at our store as well as their first grooming appointment.karen d, portsmouth nh, pet shop
“we always have a large drop-box for the toys-for-tots drive in november and december. we post a running total the number of “full boxes” donated during the drive. every donor receives a free ice cream cone. our store is one of the largest collectors of toys in town for this worthy cause.”kelly p, baton rouge, la ice cream store
“we work with the local american red cross to host a “blood drive” twice a year.we hold an open house” on the day their equipment and volunteers are in our parking lot. we also provide the juice and snacks for the donors.”barry v, pittsburgh, pa fitness studio
“our downtown main street is very busy on saturday mornings with bike riders.we set up two tables in front of our restaurant and fill cups with ice water. i had a banner made for “bike rider rest station—free water.” we probably have 50 to 60 riders stop.i’m happy that at least 5 customers a week come in to eat and thank us for doing this.”michelle m, san clemente, ca vegan cafe
we are really focusing on enhancing value with consumers, so for fall we’re putting together and promoting product combo bundles such as football jersey and pads for kids, bike helmet and water bottle, etc. to promote this we wanted to reach families, so we advertised in the weekly newspapers, which tend to be less expensive than the big daily paper in town. this allowed us to advertise more often and look at geographic specific circulation runs to reach our immediate area better.bobby joe c. springfield, il sporting goods
