Has anyone had any luck with ramping up sales by using promo models to distribute marketing materials to pedestrians?  There's a busy intersection in Charlotte that is conveniently located to the two major financial institutions: Bank of America and Wachovia (well, maybe Wach is not so major anymore).  We're hoping that the models will generate a buzz by distributing postcards that has our name/logo/branding, but they will also be prepared to explain our services and capture contact information for follow up.

 

Has anyone had any luck using this method?  Please let me know -- we'd like to know others' experience before we make the investment into marketing materials and hiring the spokesmodels.

I have actually created a business doing the hand-to-hand post card thing, and sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. (In Katy, TX this didn't work too well, so I have had to close up this division of my company.)

 

I will tell you this: in some cases, you pay for models and materials, then you get ran off by the cops or business owners.

 

Also, when doing hand-to-hand, 750 is not enough. You are probably not going to get a .67% return. We always distributed 5,000 flyers over 3-4 days. This will actually create a buzz about the information on the flyers. We also had success with products or services for the general public. If you are pushing specific services, this is probably the wrong approach.

I just looked over your site to see what you are selling, and I think you could spend your money in better ways. You have a unique business, but you don't want to give off the wrong image. Your target market wants an extremely professional company, and sometimes post card distribution doesn't scream elegant and professional.

 

Think about different ways to get your target market's attention. If you are going pay models, dress them up in unique costumes carrying really large billboards that say quickly what they would be doing for clients, then run them around a busy, high-end location like downtown. You want people talking about your crazy models and hitting your site for more info.

You hit the nail on the head -- promo models handing out postcards doesn't scream elegance, which could backfire on us.

 

But you just gave me another idea: what if the promo models were "protesting" our services?  For instance, they would have picket signs that say, "We have TOO much time now!" or "I miss going grocery shopping!" or "I want to plan my own parties!" 

This would be comical and would certainly stir a buzz (I think).  Any thoughts on this idea??