It struck me the other day that convention season is truly upon us. Many of my friends did the whole Romantic Times thing in April and now many are spending their weekend at the Lori Foster event. Convention season has officially kicked off and many more are right around the corner. Me? I'm doing Ellora's Cave's RomantiCon in October. I would MISS this huge, fun party. EC will celebrate their ten year anniversary with a Roaring 20's theme that will be over the top entertaining and personally, I can't wait to hook up with my friends again.So when June hit, I suddenly realized it was only four months until the event and I'm thinking....what the HELL am I going to bring? Promo! Ack! I already know I'm putting together a big basket of stuff to offer up as a door prize. Last year, any time we were all congregated together gifts were handed out and wow, some of the prizes were off the charts cool. So yeah, it was a no brainer for me to decide to contribute something this year.
The other night I visited my friendly Vista Print, bought new business cards, picked up some magnets and postcards. I realize the postcards will make nice bookmarks but most likely they'll eventually be tossed in the trash. So now I'm looking for more promo ideas. I'm needing things that are relatively small and easily toted onto a plane for my cross country trip. Pens are good. I like pens. But I'm definitely ordering more magnets because, frankly, I just like them. I have an entire side of my fridge covered with magnets I've collected from different authors over the years. Truly unique ideas are hard to come by though and I'll be the first to admit, I'm running out of idea. So what do you think?
17 comments:
I know I won a promo item that was cool but I have NO clue where she got them or how much they cost. It was a poker chip. I keep it in my purse...kind like for good luck...plus loved the book. (Laura Breck) I love magnets too.
I can't wait to hug you at Romanticon and yeah, I'm a hugger so prepare yourself. LOL
I'm looking forward to seeing what folks write, as I'm stumped as well. I've been told pens and notepads are good as everyone uses them... but something unique would be cool. That poker chip idea sounds neat.
Anyway, if I can brainstorm something grand I'll let you know...here's hoping the others have more meaningful and helpful info for ya.
Kris
I'm bad with promo items. Pens? Or those collectible pins like we give the kids for soccer and softball? Headbands with a wolf on them? I think magnets are pretty good. I do keep magnets I get from authors.
Cindy Spencer Pape handed out these great foot scrubbers at Romanticon last year. I keep mine next to the bed and use it often--it's great and it keeps her name in front of me.
I love promo stuff! I've gotten a bunch of stuff with things I've won and they do help me remember names if I didn't know them.
I put the magnets up at work and friends ask about them.
I'll see if I can come up with any ideas for you. :0)
I agree about the pens and maybe the pins the head band idea is kind of cooo and i have one of thos epoker chips which is also cool
I have a thing for posters and things i can hang on the wall so anytime i get a book cover thats big enough to put in a frame i do it
another neat idea would maybe be glasses shot or just regular drinking
i keep all magnets and pens i get from authors
and book thongs i love them
just a few ideas
from a fan
Connecting your promo to a release is a good idea. I like that.
Ohhhhh I'm a hugger too. This must be why we get along so well. LOL
Kris, I think as we get further into the summer we'll start picking up on more and more ideas. I can't wait to hear what people come up with. I remember Cindy (Spencer Pape) did pedi files with her name on the handles. Neat neat idea.
Yeah, Julia, something 'wolfy' would be good.LOL. I need to think about that. Hmmm or something TEXAN. I could do that so easily.
SNICKER. Teri, my bad, didn't see your comment until I'm mentioned Cindy's pedi files, too. Weren't they awesome? I'm going to have to ask where she got those.
Thanks, Connie. If you come up with some cool idea, tellllll meeeeee.
SINn...book thongs. YES. Love that. So you like the oversized postcards. I think I got regular but I'm going to order more. Last year I did a bunch of oversized postcards and they are BEAUTIFUL. Hmmm. Yeah, I keep all pens and magnets too. Love them.
Here's an idea...I was checking out your twitter page and saw you have a book coming out in August with the title Trouble in a Stetson... maybe you could have cards or magnets done in the shape of a Stetson?? It would be distinctive.
I always love pens. I bring them to work and give extras out. I have a button with a cute saying about demons that are a big hit and I see people at conferences wearing them. I had them made at http://www.everyonelovesbuttons.com They designed them for me and were very reasonable. See you at Romanticon.
Three things I thought were great promo ideas at the Lori event.
1.) Several authors printed their cover, then stapled an excerpt to it. Sort of like a mini book. I saw a few of these at the event and they totally caught my attention! What a great way to generate some buzz about an upcoming release! I don't know why I never thought of it.
2.) Sasha White gave away a bunch of water bottles with her name, tagline, and website addy printed on them. What a great idea! And since we're heading into summer those water bottles will come in mega handy!
3.) Hand sanitizer, the little purse sized ones, with the author's name, tagline and website printed on the front. Another thing that people always carry with them. And if you're like me you just keep the one and refill it. I don't throw it away. I use hand sanitizer all the time!
My head hurts when I start thinking of promo items. LOL. There are so many to chose from and its hard to decide what people really want.
I have a tip chart on the back of my business cards -- it's something they can keep in their wallet and it just happens to have my info on the other side, facing whoever is across from them while they're looking to see what they should tip. I've seen a lot of customers use tip cards.
You can put info and photo on M&M's; tea bags, chocolate, etc.
I love magnets, too. I have large and small ones holding things on my fridge. You can do your logo, or bookcovers.
What about holders?
Vista also has key chains.
I heard things like fangs were done a year or so ago.
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