Free beer – an outrageous viral marketing idea
Did your mood just pick up? Are you smiling?
We have an “Outrageous” board here at the StartupNation office where all of our team members are encouraged to write ideas on how we can better deliver fantastic value to our community. It’s called the “Outrageous” board because we’re supposed to write down anything that comes to mind, even if it is so outrageous that it’s just not even remotely possible. It’s often the outrageous ideas that end up being the best ones.
This afternoon (hey, it’s Friday) I wandered over to the Outrageous board and wrote
Here are a few quotes from some of my teammates as they read the new outrageous idea:
“That’s definitely a game-changer.”
“It’s not outrageous enough. ‘We pay you to drink beer‘ is truly outrageous.”
“I’m in a better mood just reading that on the wall.”
I’m not sure if StartupNation will end up offering free beer, but it certainly caught the inspirational attention of everyone here in the office. It’s a perspective shift that may actually spawn an idea that we will implement. One thing I’m certain of, if we did offer free beer, the viral marketing would spin at lightning speed across the internet.
Small business startups need outrageous game changers that catch people’s attention and put them in a good mood.
What’s your ‘Free beer’ outrageous idea?
March 3rd, 2006 at 6:15 pm
How ’bout a ‘free beer incentive plan’!!!??
Creating new avenues to jumpstart initiative and inpire employees or clients may be overlooked in the business arena. I don’t think StartupNation is guilty of this at all!!
March 3rd, 2006 at 7:32 pm
My "free beer" idea is:
Free peanuts!
And then I charge for the beer…
(Please insert maniacal laugh here.)
March 3rd, 2006 at 11:46 pm
Here’s a thought:
From StartUp’s home page today:
[i]More than 55,659 business licenses were issued nationwide last year for new restaurants.[/i]
What if we were to "tap" into that notion somehow…
What if we could find out how many of the 55,000 were able to sell liquor and then establish a database of principals…maybe we could appeal to one of the beer companies and start a promotion…
Free beer doesn’t necessarily mean "Free Beer", exclusively, it could be a symbol or internal branding mechanism for an incentive program for restaurant employees.
In other words, sell $ X.XX of a fancy side sauce on a given shift and you get points toward a "Free Beer".
That could mean anything from a night off to a trip to Atlantic City with your significant other…
We circle back to the idea of real "Free Beer" and maybe that trip includes a sponsorship by Guiness (hey, it’s March…hee..hee).
What do you think..anyone want to opine?
Kim
http://www.the-petset.com
March 4th, 2006 at 12:01 am
How do we get the "free beer" concept on to "The Apprentice" as an assignment? Ha.
March 4th, 2006 at 6:36 am
I can see that!
Since microbreweries and small wineries are the rage among small entrepreneurs, it could make a great slogan for a beer-tasting tour.
Let people sample the beer before they buy it.
(Note of caution to small businesses: Make sure to check the beer and liquor laws with your local and state authorities. Also, make sure the sign doesn’t say, "Free Bear.")
March 5th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Joel,
I can just picture the words "Free Beer" proudly displayed on your outrageous board! I decided to give you a visual! Go here to pick up your Free Beer!
http://www.happy-hour.net/drink.asp?dID=MAR5-3514673
March 5th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
One of my favorite "free beer’s" was focused towards business travelers. A small hotel chain decided to offer points with each stay. These points could then be used to purchase goods from the hotel catalogue. Things like name brand luggage, golf clubs, vacations, and upgrades. To pay for the points program the hotel raised their prices.
Big question – Would business travelers still stay at the hotel if it cost more? YES!!! Why? OPM – most business travelers are spending “Other Peoples Money.” Of course they would pay an extra $10 a night to accumulate points towards their own personal rewards.
The reason it works was because the hotel understood their customer. My advice, know thy customer, then simply offer them what they want.
-Aron
PS. I want the free beer.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Beer is still a draw for most people and a more economical choice than wine for most entrepreneurs.
Potentially, beer could become the next trend or status symbol among the business set the way cigars were. There’s already a fairly big sector for microbrews, beer clubs, and beer by mail.
For an outrageous idea, something that’s a mix of beer pong and giving elevator pitches would give very interesting results.
March 7th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Wouldn’t it be funny if, while you are sitting in a movie theater before the movie starts…you play games with the phrase, such as, Jumbles, mixing up the letters and you have to guess or the logo "freebeer" shows up Zelig-like somewhere in a movie trailer? At this point "Freebeer" is a company, and we are using these techniques as promotional devices.
Or it’s taped to the bottom of a popcorn container or on the seat in front of you? I believe there are some theaters that do serve beer. No?
I how about a similar concept at a Bowling alley…free beer to the person who knocks down 10 pins throughout the course of an evening that display "free beer in huge letters.
It would work sort of like a sweepstakes prize…one free beer pin among zillions…
March 8th, 2006 at 5:50 am
I remember a band called "Free Beer"… there were probably a few bands named that, or some variation (think Barenaked Ladies).
Talk about instant buzz for your band, put that name on the marquee.
I would imagine, though, that bar owners tended to get annoyed booking these guys.
March 10th, 2006 at 10:53 am
The concept of giving away something has been around for a long time. Game shows, OPRAH, just to mention a few. The free beer limits the marketability of the product you are promoting to those who can and will drink beer. Why limit your market? How about free food, All humans eat. I find your forward thinking refreshing, and helpful. Thanks and keep up the good advise. From the inventor of the Crapper Zapper , David Kirby,CEO president.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:28 am
We love the free beer idea and have taken steps to make that happen at http://www.OneMillionBeers.com , an attempt to buy the world a million beers with the help of our beer sponsors. Whether or not OneMillionBeers.com takes off or not it has been a fun, cheap experiment in website traffic generation with over 6000 people having visited the site since November 2005. While beer giveaways are definitely viral with their natural word of mouth advertising, we see even more ways that cross promotions along with the free beer could benefit other products and services.
Cheers for free beers!
March 10th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Sell the cup give away the beer
March 10th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
I don’t know about your state, but liquor licensing laws in Washington prohibit the giving away of any alcoholic beverage. We can’t even give a free birthday beer on a 21st birthday. As close as we can get is a 2 for the price of 1 special but even that cannot say buy one get one free. At no time are we allowed to advertise "free" alcohol or use the word free in any advertisement relating to alcohol even verbally.
March 10th, 2006 at 1:20 pm
This idea is as old as the hills. I played in a band in high school called "Free Beer" in the 70’s.
However, it worked.
March 10th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
How about free yarn w/ the purchase of knitting needles or a crochet hook. Then people will come in to buy more yarn.
I’m looking to start up a local yarn shop in my area and that is one good way to ‘hook’ people in.
Cordially,
Wanda
March 10th, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Yay Chris…6000 visits to your site since November that is truly awesome.
I give away free "gifts" often in an effort to connect with various organizations and events it is a great way to reach out to constituents without spending too much on advertising…they do all the work!
March 10th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Back in the day "free beer" was the strategy of the Industry Standard, one of the very best magazines of the Internet era, now defunct.
However, every Friday was beer on the roof day and it worked extremely well. Everyone who was anyone wanted to be there, which was great for the Standard, all the people they needed to meet beat a path to their roof every Friday.
It was a very inexpensive way for them to accomplish many objectives, not the least of which was to have people associate good times, meeting people they wanted to meet, and the Industry Standard. Lots of subscriptions, great articles, and advertisers came out of those "free beer" Fridays.
And hey, I clicked the Free beer link, ya got me!
March 10th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
John just curious, do you know why/how the magazine went under?
March 10th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
A hair cut and a free beer. This is a new concept that Spectra for Men a New Zealand based company, is offering to its customers. Spectra for Men offers a free beer along with a modern hair cut, even has x-box and ps2 consoles to keep entertianed while you wait! Great idea thats got me going back, even though you probley pay for the beer through the price of the hair cut?!?! :p after all, where else can ya get a beer with your hair cut
March 10th, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Become an active member of a website which gives free beer, like an annual subscription offer, only if the user uses the website frequently. How frequent?? shud depend on the revenue generated!! it can be any site…..it can be a search engine….discussion forums…anythin!!
March 11th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Great Idea, Maybe we could set up an course with my
new invention either run, or fast walk and the winner would get free beer. Design-A-Curve.com
Free Beer Nation
Richard
March 11th, 2006 at 8:51 am
Free beer to encourage civilian space flights!
March 12th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
I enjoyed reading the "original" post … although it seems to me that the "Free Beer" idea was an initiative to "think outside the box" … and to start a discussion on "thinking outside the box" vs "conventional marketing methods".
At GoTruckStop.com , we have done just that with our GoRecruit program. (and it will soon be at our website, http://www.GoTruckStop.com , also.)
Here’s one of our news releases about GoRecruit … tell me what you think …
[link=http://www.topix.net/content/cj/16409228148439867898' target='_blank']GoTruckStop.com Announces New Marketing Partnership Program[/link]
1/12/2006
Mesa, AZ
GoTruckStop.com has introduced GoRecruit, a marketing partnership designed to enhance the recruiting and driver retention efforts of trucking companies and carriers.
With the introduction of this unique marketing partnership, GoTruckStop.com, Mesa, Ariz., is offering trucking companies an opportunity to attract quality truck drivers to their company recruiting web sites, as well as offering their existing drivers additional discounts and special sale opportunities at GoTruckStop.com’s on-line store.
Recruiting budgets are being stretched as high driver turn-over continues to restrict the growth and profitability of the trucking industry. With GoRecruit, trucking companies will have exposure at GoTruckStop.com’s web site, with not only free rotator banner ads, but also the ability to be featured through the use of GoTruckStop’s unique "video hostess" program. Custom designed scripts are read by "video hostesses" at strategic pages within GoTruckStop’s web pages, directing drivers to visit GoRecruit members’ web sites for driving opportunities.
"Research has shown that Internet visitors are more apt to retain information that is interactive. That is where GoRecruit fills the niche for trucking companies," said Terry Kolb, director of customer service for GoTruckStop.com.
Not only do trucking companies have another resource in recruiting and attracting quality drivers, but GoTruckStop.com’s GoRecruit program also offers carriers a unique driver retention tool. GoTruckStop.com will provide to each of its GoRecruit partners direct marketing materials offering additional discounts to their drivers when shopping at GoTruckStop.com., at no charge.
Thomas Graff, founder and director of sales and marketing, said "GotruckStop.com’s goal is to be the best on-line trucking store, providing trucking related accessories and gift items, with prices that are 10 - 25 less than in traditional truckstops."
With the introduction of GoRecruit, GoTruckStop.com is well on the way to addressing that issue, as well as providing a new and exciting program for carriers to enhance their recruiting and driver retention efforts.
————————————————-
March 12th, 2006 at 8:10 pm
TJ that is exactly what the original entry was to help initiate…outrageous ideas (marketing or otherwise).
I guess top on the list of new Trucker hiring is a way to find out if there backgrounds measure up, considering the huge discussion around the ports situation.
Much success with your new marketing efforts.
March 13th, 2006 at 5:55 am
Great idea, T.J.
My brother’s a truck driver and changes companies about every two years. And, from what I understand, that’s not too unusual.
I’ve often wondered what the economic effects were on the company. There has to be a market for this.
March 14th, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Matt S., there is a market for it!! In fact, mid-size trucking companies spend anywhere from $15,000 - $50,000 per month for media buys … to recruit drivers. It costs approx. $5000 to replace a driver. The small and mid-size trucking companies can’t compete with the Swifts, the Schneiders, the US Xpress’s of the the industry in spending … to recruit drivers.
So GoRecruit was born … to help those companies compete for drivers.
And in the mean time … GoTruckStop.com is introduced to drivers and their families … at a very low cost for customer aquisition.
A miilion dollar method of marketing, eh?
[link=http://gotruckstop.com' target='_blank']GoTruckStop.com[/link]
March 17th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Today would it be [green][b]Free Green Beer[/b][/green]?
March 23rd, 2006 at 11:47 am
Speaking of million dollar marketing methods, here’s one I wish I’d thought of first:
http://www.musicofamillion.com
This guy is letting people download his music for $1, then place a sound clip and link on his site. Interesting way to share music and make money.
I’ve already placed my ad on his site–I expect it to snowball soon, and I think it was $1 well invested.
March 23rd, 2006 at 12:44 pm
While not a beer drinker myself, I can’t get Joel’s outrageous idea out of my mind.
What do you all think about the idea of offering a product online at a below market price for an introductory period to gain some buzz in the marketplace? The website would say right up front that the reduced price is intended to get them to try the product.
Has anyone seen that sort of thing online and has it worked?
March 23rd, 2006 at 12:54 pm
Hey Steve–
Actually, a software company I’m working for does a spin on the lower price introduction–a free trial version.
And, of course, we’re hoping to hook up long-term use.
My only word of caution is that if you have a reduced price it may become "fixed" in the customer’s mind and when you shift to your regular price you may get a negative reaction.
You might want to consider some kind of coupon or discount to get the buzz.
And then it won’t be a case of sticker shock when they want to buy more.
Just a thought.
Matt S.