How could something as simple as a soda can help you get motivated seller leads?
When I first heard about this marketing strategy I was immediately intrigued by how “outside the box” this strategy was.
Just imagine you being known throughout your local community as the guy or gal who takes down real estate deals armed with nothing but…a Soda Can!
Before you say this will never work… Let me say that someone has already tried this strategy I’m about to reveal to you. I’ll be straight up with you though…I’m not sure if they were able to generate a profit.
With that said, I’m one to follow that old saying… “Don’t knock it, until you try it.”
Entrepreneurs and Marketers are always testing new ideas.
Also, there is a BIG Company using this strategy as well…I’ll show you that in a minute.
Many marketers would refer to this marketing method as…Guerilla Marketing or Bum Marketing. (Low Cost Marketing)
Overall, I think it’s Smart Marketing and I’ll tell you why this strategy works so well.
Before I get into that, Here are the 3 items you’ll need to attempt this strategy:
- Soda Cans (of Course)
- Rubber Bands or Tape
- Flyer about your business.
Now, Here is what needs to happen:
Simply wrap the flyer around the can with rubber bands or tape to keep it in place. You could also have an ad printed on the can, however I’m sure that would cost much more and you’d probably have to form some type of partnership with the company that produces the can. I haven’t looked at how to go about doing that, nor do I recommend that unless you are making a boatload of money using this strategy and can see a good ROI.
You are going to hand out free sodas to people at some type of public event. I’d probably just pick a spot and have a sign (construction paper is fine) that says “Get A Free Soda Today!”
I’m originally from New Jersey, so yes I use the term “Soda” and not “Pop” or “SodaPop”… lol
This strategy was actually used at a kid’s baseball game. It was a mother who invested in Real Estate and she came up with an awesome idea to subtly market her business while at her son’s baseball game…
“What if I give away free cans of soda to the fellow spectators and attach a flyer to the soda can, secured by a rubber band?”
The flyer would of course talk about your business and how you can help someone get their home sold fast!
Why this strategy can work:
I think this stategy works so well for one reasons.
1. You are providing value right out of the gate. Not only are you giving someone a free soda, you’re giving them a potential way out of their problem by buying or trying to help them sell their home. If they are a really motivated seller, they could probably care less about the actual soda and immediately start reading your flyer , then tuck it in the pocket afterwards for safekeeping.
Now I know what you might be thinking… Lamar, What if they don’t need to sell their home?
Well, this actually brings me to reason number 2:
2. Referrals! If they don’t need to sell their home, they might know someone who does. You could even mention this in your flyer… “Got A Friend or Family Member Who Needs To Sell Their Home Fast? We’ll pay you a $250 referral fee at closing if your friend completes a deal with us! Call for more details.” (Something to that effect, but you get my point..right? )
Now you don’t have to offer a referral fee if you don’t want to, but again I’m always thinking… “Value First” How can I provide them value? How can I get them motivated?
Anyway, if you actually do close a deal, then I think you get to have bragging rights!
Oh and the Big Company That Uses This Strategy… Six Flags!
This is actually an old can, I’ll try to find the one they actually use to this day. The one they use right now says, “Buy One Ticket, Get One Free!
It’s an insane deal and people are definitely capitalizing on it. I just used it 2 weeks ago when I went to Six Flags with the family.
Anyway, that’s it for this strategy. Let me know what you think…Is it a waste of time? Is it something you would try?… and also tell me in the comment section what low cost marketing strategies that you use to market your business or what strategies can you think of that we should test.
Let me know!
- J. Lamar Ferren
“New Breed” Real Estate Investor
Proceed at your own risk. 
Article Author:
J. Lamar FerrenJ. Lamar has written 14 articles for us.
Visit J. Lamar's Website: http://www.jlamarferren.com/
J. Lamar Ferren is a 26 year old New Breed Real Estate Investor who takes down deals nationwide. Through direct response marketing he uses creative and outside the box methods both online and offline to attract buyers, sellers, and investors. Buidling genuine relationships and providing value is huge for JL and he invites you to check out his blog today!
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I think this is a great and creative idea! Really enjoyed this post. Will definitely have to share it with my Realtor friends, although this strategy can also be applied to any company wanting to market their business. And I love the part about “referrals” since people will want to tell everyone they know about how they got a free soda, and their friends will inevitably ask them “Who gave it to you?”
wow.now that is thinking outside the box. I love it!!! When I started to read your post I thought “god this guy is crazy” after I read the hold thing I thought I said to myself shoot This is one of the most creative ideas I have heard in a long time.
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I like it.
As with everything, of course, try it out and measure your ROI. Inexpensive marketing tactics can have amazing returns(or really crappy ones) just like really expensive marketing tactics can have great ROIs (or really crappy ones).
@ Meghan: Thanks I like the referral portion too. It can be really viral, especially when a reputation is established.
@ Nick: Thanks Nick. I thought people would have that initial reaction. I only hoped that they would continue to read it. lol
@Molly: Absolutely Molly. Testing is definitely Key. Thanks again for the blog post regarding the AIDA formula
Phenomenal! My kids are always in sports! What a great way to draw attention to your business. I remember a few years ago a friend of mine had water bottles with custom labels printed on them and he was able to get them for $1.00 a bottle, he then went to trade shows and set up a donation booth where he sold them for $1.00 and donated to a charity so he was able to get the write off and essentially free advertising.
I can’t believe I didn’t remember that and after reading this amazing post I’m without a doubt going to implement that full time in my marketing campaign.
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