Have you ever wanted to find a low cost alternative to marketing your
company? Have you wanted to promote your business to thousands of
people, outside of your local area, but couldn't afford the cost?
Did you ever wish you could spread the word about a fabulous small
business that you frequently use? Then you are going to love this co-
op marketing idea.

Simply put, you join groups that agree to help market each other's
materials, free of charge. There are several groups set up online for
this very purpose, The Mom Pack, Mommy Mailers, DM Packs, and Tracy
Packs.

Basically what happens is you send a notice to the online listserv
that you are willing to accept promotional materials in exchange for
distribution of your materials by the person who sends you his or her
materials. Promotional materials can be anything that has your
company contact information. Such as:

 business cards
 flyers
 discount coupons
 buy one get one free coupons
 pens
 pencils
 notepads
 samples of your products
 free one hour consultations
 free one-time service
 contest announcements
 magnets
 bookmarks
 gimmicks with your promo info

Once you receive the promotional materials from others, simply place
them in clear bags and seal by stapling or tying with a nice ribbon.
You can even add a nice label on the front of the packet, describing
the group that you are promoting. Each of the above groups have nice
logos that you are free to use when promoting the packs within their
group.

Once the packets are put together you can distribute the packets
throughout your area. In return, those who have received your
information will distribute their packets throughout their local
areas.

Distribution of packets can be as follows:
 Sent out with customer orders
 Local Family Support Center (such as those found on a military air=

base)
 Moms and Tots Groups
 Church Functions
 Day Care Providers
 Chamber of Commerce Members
 Parent/ Teacher Associations
 Craft shows
 Home Party Businesses (at the shows)'
 Doctors offices - especially OB/GYN
 Media Outlets with Press Releases
 Enter a parade. Prepare a float for your business and have your
kids and their friends pass out packs to the on-lookers, while you
advertise and drive your float in the parade.
 Wherever you put up or hand out your flyers and information

If you choose to deliver the packets to an organization, it is always
best to speak to someone ahead of time and get their permission to
leave the packets.

Start with the first person you see, as they have more time to listen
to your idea and will be able to help you pitch the idea to their
boss. If the person in charge is unavailable to meet with you, leave
a sample packet and a promotional letter for his or her review, then
make an appointment to meet and discuss the benefits these packets
have for their customers or clients.

But if the person in charge can spare a few moments to meet with you,
simply introduce yourself and your business. Then state, "I am a
member of a National Mothers Group that distributes promotional
packs, for FREE, to local area moms and dads. Would you be interested
in offering our packets, free of charge, to your clients (or
customers)?"

While you are speaking with this person, hold your best packet in
your hand, dangling it ever so carefully in front of the person you
are speaking with. Do not hand the packet to this person right away
as you want her to be curious about contents of that packet. Also, by
holding onto the packet, you are keeping her interest a bit longer.
Once she asks to see the packet however, hand it over.
As she looks over the packet, say, "We try to include at least one
sample or treat in each pack so that the packet is not just paper.
The average packet has a minimum of one sample, but we strive to have
at least three samples in each packet. (If you find that you do not
have enough samples for one location, fill half the samples with hard
candies and the other half with sample products.)

Once you have explained the contents of the packets and their purpose
(savings and samples), offer to bring in a display that can be placed
on a counter, the edge of a desk, or by the front door. The display
can simply be an old shoebox decorated with nice wrapping paper and
the logo of the group that you are helping to promote. The front of
the display can simply say, "FREE. TAKE ONE." It can also have a
second title tag that says, "Great discounts and samples for
parents."

Once you get the okay to leave the packets, ask how many are needed,
what is the best time to distribute the packets, and how often you
can return with more packets. Finally, ask if she knows of any other
programs or organizations that would benefit from the packets. (You
want to ask for references whether she says yes or no to leaving the
packets.)

On a final note, always work in what you do for a living and what
product or service you are selling. You just never know when self-
promotion can lead to something better. For instance, if you were
Tracy of Tracy Trends, you could say, "I wrote a great book about
potty training, which I have included information on, in this packet,
everything else is from different businesses in our groups."

In closing, you will have a better chance of getting a "yes" because
you are promoting a NATIONAL GROUP, not just your individual
business, and you are offering something of value. samples,
discounts, and an extra perk for visiting that company or
organization.

About the Author
Tracey Foote lives with her three young children, is an author of
three potty training books, runs an internet gift shop and loves to
travel (especially to Latin America). http://tracytrends.com

Alyice Edrich is a copy and freelance writer, discount
telecommunications agent, and Editor-in-Chief for The Dabbling
Mum.com - - An Online Magazine for BUSY Parents.
http://thedabblingmum.com