Promotion boxes are meant to promote individual sellers but there are three types of promotion box programs. In both types of promotion boxes, participants desiring to promote their store sends samples, coupons, and business cards to the coordinator who has been designated for the task. I find that business cards alone are a waste of time and money – after all, people want to see what you provide and unless you sell artwork that is displayed on your business card, business cards do not do it.

In the first type of promotion box is what I call a promo swap. Here, the participants receive a package of samples from other participants and cross-promote each other. So for example, twenty participants send in 40 samples. The coordinator sorts the samples such that she creates 20 boxes filled with two samples from each participant. This will mean that each box will have 40 samples. The coordinator then sends each box to one participant. Once the participants receive the promotion box, they can hand out the samples, business cards, and coupons to their friends, family, and customers.

There are several groups who coordinate promo swaps. For example, if you have a store on Etsy, several Etsy teams have such a promo swap program. I have participated in the California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE)’s promo swap which is directed by Yolanda. If you have a store on Artfire, wunderkrafts is trying to coordinate a promo swap with fellow artfire members here.

In the second type of promotion box or sample box, the coordinator sells the promotion box at a very reasonable price to customers that desire to sample products. In this type of promotion box, the participants must only send in samples since customers would not want to purchase business cards or flyers. This type of promotion box requires the coordinator to promote the sales of the promotion box. Often, the coordinator does not charge the participant since they make money by selling the box. You kind find these type of sample box at places like The Little Black Box and The Spotted Box.

In the third type of promotion box, the coordinator sets up a contest or give-a-way and the lucky winner receives your sample products! Or, the coordinator just gives the item away! This is great because the winner appreciates free stuff, will try out your product, and may just visit your store! Riskybeads seems to be hosting a monthly contest and is soliciting stores for items to be included in the give-a-way. SalvageNation is collecting items for her February 14 swag bag handout.

Give it a try!

Tags: artfire, Biz Advice - Get Noticed!, etsy, gorilla marketing, promote, swag bag

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