I visited my local vitamin shop last week and ended up sampling a free, ten-minute reflexology treatment. My feet felt wonderful. This got me thinking. Reflexologists and personal historians face the same marketing challenge. People have heard about us but don’t really know what we’re about.
Samples help people make purchasing decisions. So I plan to include some free samples as part of my personal history marketing repertoire in the new year. Here’s what I’ve decided to do. You can try out my plan for yourself or adapt it and see what happens. If you’ve other “sampling” ideas, why not share them in the comment box below?
The plan. I’ll suggest to my neighborhood book store that I’d like to spend a day offering interested patrons a free, ten-minute, digitally recorded life story interview. The interviews, I’ll explain, will be conducted in a quiet corner and will not interfere with the normal flow of customers.
The execution. I’ll have some ten-minute topics to suggest to a willing patron such as: Who was the biggest influence in your life? What are some important life lessons you’ve learned? What’s your favorite childhood memory?
After the interview, I’ll download the recording and burn a CD on the spot. I’ll tuck it into a protective sleeve or case and hand it to my interviewee, along with a brochure that outlines the benefits and services I provide. Prior to the sample sessions, I’ll burn a label on the CDs that includes a title, such as Memories and my name and contact information.
How will people find me? There are a couple of possibilities. I’ll encourage the bookstore staff to mention my free offer. If space permits, I’ll set up a chair with a sign above me that reads.
Preserving Memories Is An Act of Love. Get your free mini-memoir recorded here.
A footnote. Because the sample interview is a free offering, I want to keep my costs and time to a minimum. That’s why I’m planning to download and burn CDs on the spot. This ensures that at a later date I don’t have to deliver or mail out CDs. Besides, the interviewees will appreciate being able to take away their mini-memoir immediately.
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Hi Dan,
What a cool idea! Reminds me of Story Corps!
And we know that was/is a successful operation!
I hope you will keep us informed about how it goes.
Lin Joyce
Certified Ethical Will Facilitator
@Lin Joyce. Thanks for your comments. And I promise to let everyone know how this all works out. I won’t be doing the sample session until the new year.
Hi Dan.
How do you plan to contact the book store owner?
@ RJ McHatton. The bookstore is a small neighborhood establishment. I’m a frequent customer and I’ll simply talk to her when I want to set up my free sample day.
Hi Dan
I’m kind of new at all this, I would like to find out more about how the downloading and burning works. And what kind of recording equipment you use. The idea is great, I love it! I just need to learn about the techical part of it. Any help with that? Thanks, Peggy
@Peggy. Thanks for your comments. Space doesn’t permit me to go into any detail about downloading and burning. But I can direct you to a couple of sites that could help you.
Check out these two: http://tinyurl.com/83m6u
and http://tinyurl.com/ybla25a
As for recorders check out my twp previous post at: http://dancurtis.ca/?s=audio+recorders
Good luck! Let me know how you make out.