Isn’t It A Shame That Kmart Isn’t Really Into Creative Sales Ideas?Part Two
As you previously discovered in part one of this ongoing series about how any savvy retailer, including a bohemian like the once mighty Kmart can and should proactively use some non traditional, think outside the box, creative sales ideas to get their balance sheets back in order.
First of all, it would be really great for the overall moral of (both) senior and junior management and the extremely valued employees as well. And a little renewed optimism about their stocks performance, wouldn’t hurt investors confidence as well.
But first things first; (entrepreneur) you might be thinking, why all this talk and conjecture about floundering Kmart, when it’s Walmart that’s at the top of the hill.
And wouldn’t it make more economic/marketing sense, to pursue some type of marketing arrangement with them first, right?
Well, it’s because Walmart is so darn successful, that you’ll have an extremely hard time cutting through the literal layers and layers of bureaucracy and mountains of red tape before you would ever be heard, let alone taken seriously!
On the other hand, since Kmart hasn’t exactly been shattering sales projections on Wall Street lately! Their probably a little more open to at least considering, how a few non techie think outside the box, type of creative sales ideas,just might help them (over time of course!) get back in Wall Street’s good graces!
And thus part two of our ongoing saga continues…
Why Kmart Or Any Other Savvy Retailer Could Truly Benefit From Some Think Outside The Box Creative Sales Ideas!
(And How You Can Too!)
As you recall from part one, creative sales idea strategy # three involved Kmart (or any other savvy retailer) for that matter, to start implementing an annual book drive, with a percentage of the proceeds to be donated to local charities.
(Note: In one of my comments, a reader of mine the absolutely brilliant SEO wiz Sangbaran Karmarkar of myseobenefits.com fame, asked if I could further elaborate on strategy # three, in order to fully connect the dots!
BTW, you should be sure and check out his latest post about the many benefits of effectively using the commentluv plugin.
And I promised (to at least) attempt to do so! So Sangbaran Karmakar! This follow up sequel is in response to your request for further clarification of strategy # three, from part one.)
Who Says You Can’t Mix A Little Business With Your Fund Raising Activities!
That said, as you recall, Kmart (or major retailer X), decided to start implementing an annual book drive.
So what they would do is (either email), text message or snail mail, plus run one page inserts in their local Sunday newspapers announcing that every customer that donates at least three hard or soft cover books in fairly decent condition to Kmart,(subject to Kmart’s approval) Kmart in turn will donate the books to (both) their local libraries and charities.
And in turn allow the charities to sell these books(and used DVD movies) and keep 100% of the proceeds. However, in order for Kmart to lead generate like crazy, Kmart adds this one little condition to the marketing mix.
In order for Kmart to benefit as well, from these potential customers that purchase these books from (either) the local library and or charity. Kmart has the both participants to include a one page flyer (and simply) place it inside every book along with the purchasers receipt.
And of course, this one page flyer directs the purchaser to come to Kmart’s WordPress blog and enter their free monthly drawing! Each month, Kmart will give every subscriber a special 90 day VIP 20% off discount coupon card, just for entering the free drawing and joining Kmart’s opt in email/mobile marketing list!
Plus, each month Kmart will also give away ten $1,000 dollar gas cards and ten 65 inch state of the art flat screen TV’s!
And each month, one grand prize winner will also win a $5000 dollar shopping spree at Kmart’s! Plus, each month, the $5,000 dollar grand prize winner also gets a year long movie pass, where they can bring at least one other person and both can attend a local movie theater all year, as much as they want for free!
Entrepreneur, in other words, Kmart is dead serious about building their -future money making-opt in email list! Don’t you agree? And since they still have literally thousands of stores nationwide, think about how big their potential opt in/mobile marketing list might become!
There Is Most Definitely A Proven Way To Make Opt In Email More Attractive!
(Don’t You Agree?)
And by offering these eye popping goodies, word will quickly spread on and offline (and all over social media) about this massive monthly giveaway and people will start scrambling to Kmart’s blog (daily) in order to subscribe and get involved! Don’t you agree? But here’ the kicker. (So please pay close attention!)
Hopefully, this has partially connected the dots. The main point for you to walk away with in part two is this; Kmart is using this fund raising marketing tactic as a proven way to also build their opt in email list!
And their employing the help of both the local libraries and charities, in order to help them do so! And that’s how these simple think outside the box creative sales ideas, can and will help improve their bottom line. Don’t you agree?
That said; wait to you see how Kmart absolutely hits it out of the park, in part three! Pleas stay tuned!
Please list at least two simple spin off concepts (in the comments section below) that you can apply to your business, product or service in the next 30 days or less!
As always, if you got any value out of this post, please Digg or tweet this. Thanks!
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Hi Mark,
Thank you very much for the details and a special thanks for mentioning me on this post… 🙂
Now, I have a clear idea about the point… It is something like using their Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) to bring more loyal followers and Brand visibility…
Am I right?
Regards..
Karmakar recently posted…CommentLuv Review: 10 solutions in 1 Blog Commenting Tool
Bingo Sangbaran!
And the added benefit as you mentioned, is that the corporation can also
see tremendous gains in terms of positively promoting and enhancing their corporate image and
being seen as helping their local community at large as well!
And it certainly doesn’t hurt their stock holders confidence if all this creative and pro-active
charitable fund raising activity, helps boost their bottom line in the process!
Thanks for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts! And for your continuous support!
Both are greatly appreciated!
Mark,
I don’t yet have an answer for you but I can see that in thinking outside the box you are finding ways to provide value. You offer something that your customers, clients and potential customers find enticing. You involved others, like the charities, and give them all the proceeds. But because you are including something that links back to your page and your offers, you are building your own list – but in a subtle way that does not cause resistance.
Thank you for giving me so much to think about. Your case studies are so helpful because they leave a strong image in my mind.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted…For the Love of Your Game and Your Practice
You’re so welcome Dr. Erica!
But I’d say from what I’ve seen on your blog so far, you certainly are doing pretty darn well in the marketing department!LOL!
All of those appearances on local and national TV shows, as well as your radio and pod casts etc!
That’s some pretty awesome stuff!LOL!
But I like where you pointed out how, by creatively structuring your charitable fund raising activities, the participants are
far less likely to have or show any push back, provided they are being supported in a way that doesn’t shamelessly
promote your business, product or service!
That is a huge (but subtle) aha moment and insight, that sadly far too many short sided marketers and or cash starved entrepreneurs, simply
may not see and or fully appreciate!
And thus, (more times than not) they simply chase the short term nickels and dimes of any potential marketing opportunity,
while simultaneously stepping over the really big potential long term money making possibilities!
(Tell me I don’t sound like a student of the King of kaching!LOL!) Anyway…
You can see and appreciate the fact, so I’d say that qualifies you as an extremely savvy and sophisticated marketer/business owner!
Thanks as always, for stopping by, sharing your extremely valuable real world insights and for your continuous support!
It’s all much appreciated! Take care!
Although owned by a different company, we have a chain of K Mart stores in Australia too so your headline caught my attention.
I agree that struggling businesses need to think outside the box and come up with new creative promotional methods. What better than ones that benefit charity as well as customers.
It would change the public perception about the company’s philosophy too.
Our KMart runs a Christmas “Wishing Tree” appeal in conjunction with the Salvation Army. A Christmas tree is placed at the entrance to all of their stores each year, decorated with tags. Each tag has a description of an item needed by a child from a struggling family. Customers take a tag and buy an item for that child – a book, toy, clothing etc and leave it under the tree.
Ecards are now sold on their web site. Proceeds from this and any cash donation is used to purchase KMart Gift Cards which are distributed along with the gifts by the Salvation Army.
Sue Bride recently posted…PAC Power Into Your Blogging Buzz
I agree with you Sue!
BTW, that is an absolutely awesome marketing/great community gesture on the part of Kmart that you shared,
referencing their Christmas “Wishing Tree”collaboration with the local Salvation Army!
And as you also pointed out,an additional crucial point that I neglected to mention, that being,
it really helps to raise their standing within their local communities!That’s a really great point and benefit to
them as well!
And the Ecard component is fantastic too! That’s what I love about reading/studying and implementing (or at least trying to implement!)
really solid, creative marketing strategies, techniques and strategies etc!
They really get my creative marketing engine revving! Thanks so much for the creative jump start!
Just to let you know, between both yours and Marquita Heralds comments, I definitely feel I have enough solid how to
marketing info, a third installment!LOL!
And I plan to reference your blog address as well! Thanks again Sue for sharing your powerful real world business/marketing solutions
insights and for you continuous support!
Both, as always are greatly appreciated!