Creating Fillers

A filler for business is marketing materials sent to others and usually grouped together in packs. This is a great networking and marketing tool. These are great to hand out at vendor fairs with just your information.

A good filler has a business card, brochure or catalog, and a sample or promotional item. These should be neatly put together or attached.

Above you see a few ideas for fillers sent in to me recently to be placed inside a tote that will be given out during my local Relay for Life event on June 10, 2011. Some are simple while others are more elaborate.

You can join groups such as mompack.com and start your own filler packs. Include them in orders, hand out during customer or hostess meetings, pass out at fairs, or anytime you come across a potential customer. They are fun to receive as a little gift and makes you memorable. Of course when passing out filler packs be sure your own information is included. I like to add my business card to the outside of the pack I give out.

I use 6"x9" sealed cellophane envelopes. All fillers I collect must fit within this. I do not collect fillers for the same business or similar business I am in. I also am careful not to place competing reps within the same pack as well. I take in several at once so I can organize them easily and not overlap. I take 1 day a month to create my fillers. Because of this I only collect enough to give out in 1 month. One so I don't have tons and tons of fillers and two I don't have fillers for longer than I need that may have promotions and coupons that will expire before I can pass these out. At this time I only give out about 25 a month. Soon I will be doubling this so I will take more than this in the next few months. Some do not do this and that is ok. Everyone creates theirs how they choose. This is just how I create mine.

Filler packs are a lot of fun to assemble and pass out. They have brought me much success and are very appreciated by those receiving them.

Olivia Vidal

© 2009-2011

Get in the Habit

Getting those business cards can be difficult to get out there. You can never remember when is it ok to hand them out, who to hand them out to, when it is not appropriate.

Here are my tips:

Whenever someone asks for your phone number regardless of what it is, hand them a business card. I just hand them one and tell them its easy to to give you this and it has my email in case you ever need it.

When someone asks about my business I hand them one and tell them call me sometime and lets have a drink. It keeps it casual and keeps the gate open to a new customer.

I never leave them in areas that are iffy such as bathroom stalls. Some will tell you this is ok but I do not. Most times stores have policies against this and can just get you into hot water. Plus when the maintenence people come for a cleaning your cards go down the drain and possibly without one ever being seen.

I have a business card case which I have attached a magnetic version to the outside. When I am out having a drink with the girls or out to dinner I place this on the table. Most times the server will ask about it and I will give them a card. I don't leave a card because for me most times these just get throw away and never where I intended it to go.

When at the nail salon they have cards from others available. I will ask if I can leave some with them.

I trade business cards with my hair dresser. When someone needs a new stylist I had them a card. When he has a bride to be come in or hears of someone going to a bridal shower he passes on my card.

When I pass out cards I want to keep the ratio high when it comes to going into the hands of someone who will use it. I know not everyone will use them but I want this to be effective marketing.

What are your tips for passing out business cards effectively?

Olivia Vidal
© 2009-2011

WAHM Tip of the Week

Is that back of your business card blank? Add to it. Add a coupon, calendar, tipping guide, appointment scheduler, etc. Give your customer a reason to not only keep your card but to bring that card out from time to time. Get creative and create a business card that is also a frequent shopper card.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009
http://sochicbagboutique.com