Advertising Tip: Mouse pads.

[JosephLeo]

Here's a nice little advertising tip that's not too over expensive, and is guaranteed to bring you return business from existing clients.

Mouse pads.

Not just any mouse pads though. Branded mouse pads. Getting custom mouse pads costs around $2 per mouse pad at about 100 mouse pads (you can get better price breaks for bigger bulk though) and is a surefire way to get you return clients.

How? Well, how does a client know that they need to call a technician? They're usually using their computer, and how does a client use a computer? With their mouse and keyboard. (exempt laptops from this one in most cases) so then- when someone notices their computer isn't working, or it's running too slow- they already have their hand on top of your advertisement.

I used to give away mousepads with my logo, address and phone number and I noticed an increase of about 6 average return customers more per month (mind you I was a very small operation at the time...almost on par with pizza-tech levels) and I think it's attributed to the mouse pads. So, for about $2 per client, I made an additional $100 per return. 2 return clients would pay for the mousepads alone.

Anyway, that's just another advertising tip for the TN community.

 

[kagman]

Great Tip.. I have been using pens and when ever I give them out to people they love them.. Plus its easy to carry around with 50 pens in my bag.

But the mouse pad idea is something to look into... thanks for the idea...

 

[dk99]

Here's a nice little advertising tip that's not too over expensive, and is guaranteed to bring you return business from existing clients.

Mouse pads.

Not just any mouse pads though. Branded mouse pads. Getting custom mouse pads costs around $2 per mouse pad at about 100 mouse pads (you can get better price breaks for bigger bulk though) and is a surefire way to get you return clients.

How? Well, how does a client know that they need to call a technician? They're usually using their computer, and how does a client use a computer? With their mouse and keyboard. (exempt laptops from this one in most cases) so then- when someone notices their computer isn't working, or it's running too slow- they already have their hand on top of your advertisement.

I used to give away mousepads with my logo, address and phone number and I noticed an increase of about 6 average return customers more per month (mind you I was a very small operation at the time...almost on par with pizza-tech levels) and I think it's attributed to the mouse pads. So, for about $2 per client, I made an additional $100 per return. 2 return clients would pay for the mousepads alone.

Anyway, that's just another advertising tip for the TN community.

Great idea. I would like to do this where did you get them made. thanks

 

[JosephLeo]

Great idea. I would like to do this where did you get them made. thanks

I think it was a place called discount mugs. More specifically this page.

$204 for 100 9.25"x7.75" THICK mouse pads. That's just $2.04 per pad. I've found cheaper suppliers, but I've also found that their quality is generally low and their customer support is even lower. Also as a graphic designer I'm elidgable for broker discounts at many places, if that website offers such programs I personally can probably get them for around $1.50+

Edit: Some quick snooping around shows me that they have a 10% commissions program. So I guess the best I can do is get them for $2.04 and then make $20 off the deal-- I don't like their program.

 

[Y.F.N.C.G.]

That's definitely a good one. Most people now-a-days have optical mice, which don't necessarily need mouse pads, but most folks don't know that ;-)

Some other ideas to keep your business in the minds of customers:

Custom wallpapers
Shortcut to your website on the desktop
Pens (people normally keep these by their computers)
Stickers (place these on the back of their laptops or on the desktop units so when they go snooping around to see if something's wrong, they're reminded that they already know a competent computer professional that can fix it for them!)

-Matt

 

[iisjman07]

Custom wallpapers

A local competitor has watermarked wallpapers and they look tacky and feel invasive. I wouldn't recommend it, but all the other ideas are good.

 

[wimwauters]

That's definitely a good one. Most people now-a-days have optical mice, which don't necessarily need mouse pads, but most folks don't know that ;-)

That all depends on what surface they are working on: some surfaces are too smooth or shiny for the optical mouse, other surfaces are too cold for the human wrist/hand.

 

[Y.F.N.C.G.]

A local competitor has watermarked wallpapers and they look tacky and feel invasive. I wouldn't recommend it, but all the other ideas are good.

I agree, especially for residential clients, but some small businesses like the contact information for their computer support person to be readily available and don't necessarily care if their desktop background is pretty.

 

[Y.F.N.C.G.]

That all depends on what surface they are working on: some surfaces are too smooth or shiny for the optical mouse, other surfaces are too cold for the human wrist/hand.

Very true...those clear glass desk tops sure do look sleek and modern though!

 

[jccrcomputers]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I considered buying in bulk a load of branded USB pens but it was working out at hundreds of pounds so I decided against it, also if the USB pen broke the customer would blame it on me. But pens and mouse pads do sound like a good idea.

 

[shugie]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I considered buying in bulk a load of branded USB pens but it was working out at hundreds of pounds so I decided against it, also if the USB pen broke the customer would blame it on me. But pens and mouse pads do sound like a good idea.

I like the idea too, seems you can get them for under a pound for a thousand in 4 colour, albeit that is the "budget" version. I'm tempted to get some then try putting them through the doors of local business when I've got a quiet weekend.

 

[techtrend]

I like this idea of targeted advertising with branded mouse pads! Thanks!

 

[FoolishTech]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I considered buying in bulk a load of branded USB pens but it was working out at hundreds of pounds so I decided against it, also if the USB pen broke the customer would blame it on me. But pens and mouse pads do sound like a good idea.

USB pens are crap. So bulky and not as convenient as they sound. I would use regular pens...

I also love the mouse pad idea for home users.

For those using mousepads, where are you getting them and how much are you paying for a customized pad? Are they quality mousepads or do they have a cheap look and feel to them?

 

[dipper]

I"m on to my second design for mouse pads and clients seem to love them.

Just remeber that you will need to appeal to end users with the design and colours.

 

[4ycr]

talking about mouse mats I just seen this on youtube

it might be good for business clients

 

[Jeffreynya]

You could go a step farther and do something like this:

http://www.branders.com/product/promotional_items_Mouse_Optical_Mini?prdid=70395

Its a little more expensive, but may well be worth a the 6 bucks or so. Maybe need to have a limited purchase or something to get it.

 

[wtigger]

I use magnetic business cards, professionally done, cost me $0.50 each in 300 unit quantity. Everybody sticks magnets on the fridge, and I always look for mine when I revisit existing customers, always see it there New customers love it, they think it's a great idea... I put it on the fridge for them... Business customers stick them on file cabinets or desks... Better bang for the buck.