Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`m looking for some feedback on an idea.
My wife came up with an idea for some PR for my window cleaning business.  We would giveaway a free home window cleaning to a deserving person from the community.  Someone who regularly "brightens the days of others."  A radio station would talk about this contest for a week or so.  Listeners could submit their entries for themselves or someone else via the radio stations website (which would have a link to MY website`s "contest" page).  The station gets website hits (good for their advertising) and I get PR.  And a deserving person in the community gets a nice "thank you."

 

Any thoughts, suggestions, recomendations, advice from experience, etc????

Thanks!

Hi, Jim,

 

Radio contests and giveaways can be a great way to generate some PR for your business, and I like the idea of "brightening the day of others".  My question is are you looking for someone with a store front business who could become a regular customer or residential, because you might get a little bit of both.  Otherwise, I`d make sure the copy reads that this is for businesses that brighten the day/lives of others.

 

Although radio stations are often looking for items to giveaway on air, I`d sweeten the pot a little bit by making a bigger offer like one month (which I assume would mean once a week) free.  And make sure you limit the offering to four or five winners.  The best way to attract their attention is if you can tie it into something like a special holiday/day of recognition, etc.  That will give them something more to talk about on-air. 

 

Also, if you can tie in with another business to put together a nice package of services (like office cleaning) you`ll get even more attention. 

 

Now, please understand that the station may ask, or require, you to advertise.  Chances of getting a free link.....I`m not so sure about.  However, I do recommend that you contact the radio station of your choice (Hot AC and AC stations are often played in doctor`s and business offices) and ask for the promotions director.  Talk to them and get a feel for their policies on these things.

 

Let me know how it goes.  Sounds like it could be a lot of fun for businesses and provide good return for yours.

 

Best,

Jennifer