Sponsering a Contest

[Melos]

I am trying something new to advertise my t-shirt website.  The local fire station is having a Summer BBQ Party and I am sponsering three prizes in their raffle.  For this I get my info, website address, and picture of the prizes printed in the flyer, the prize sheet, on the big sign over the prize tables, and mentioned to the crowd when the prizes are handed out. 
Last year they had about 5,000 people come.  Its costing me about $30.00 - my cost of the t-shirts and a 'donation' to the fire station. 

What do you think?

[Slashmire]

I think it was a very good idea, not only did you get some advertisement, you also showed that you were involved within the community.

[OneofaKind]

I think that is an excellent opportunity a win, win situation.

Well done! 

[Melos]

I'm nervous for some reason - or maybe excited and I just can't tell the difference.  I've enlisted some family members and friends to wear some of my t-shirts to the party as well - to circulate and do a little word of mouth for me as well - only if people ask about the shirts.

[ninikins]

Excellent idea! Great business sense...this is exactly the kind of promo work you need for a business like tshirts. I hope it goes well!

[Slashmire]

Unless I didn't see it elsewhere; what product or service will you actually be promoting at the said party?

[OneofaKind]

Unless I didn't see it elsewhere; what product or service will you actually be promoting at the said party?

The product is T-Shirts.

Melos - re: the feeling your talking about, I know it all to well.  I think its natural when you're doing something new.

[Melos]

Wow!  The party was yesterday and everything went great.  I was actually allowed to put a pile of my business cards next to the prize display table and, by the end of the day, they were all gone - I started with 100 of them!  The people that got the shirts were very happy they won, and my friends & family (my marketing recruits) were telling a lot of people about where the shirts they were wearing came from.

Now, I'll just wait for all the orders to roll in

[OneofaKind]

Well done Melos.

I hope you get a lot of orders from this. 

[Slashmire]

Nicely done; make sure of keeping a close look at the stats of next week and/or month

[Business Brian]

It sounds cheap and probably worth attempting - the big thing you need to look at, though, is whether you'll hit your target market sponsoring a promo. I think that's key. Also, check interest that converts to sales, and that'll really show if you hit the mark.

[solar]

Nice idea...i see a lot of things like this for online business as well, doing it through different forums...i'm thinking of giving this a try for one of my sites...a giveaway..

[taiarain]

Excellent idea and frugally done! I hope it generates some real interest in your business.

Taia

[Grace]

Sponsering a contest a wonderful way to generate new business and I wish you all the best with your great idea.

[taiarain]

Melos, have you realized an increase in orders?

Taia