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Marketing Ideas
Look at the programs that you provide now. Besides the fabulous Bingo prizes that you have for your residents, what other programs have something that your customer can take “home” with them that says that they attended a program? If a resident goes to a current events program do they have something that they can take with them? When you go to a workshop or educational session, what do you take home? Handouts, a certificate that you attended, the brochure, nametag, business cards or a door prize. Have you considered having a door prize at random activities? Use those Bingo prizes that no one wants placed in a jazzy gift bag with a tag that says what activity the resident participated in.
Why do organizations give out nametags? So people can get to know each other. Every so once in awhile, nametags for residents will encourage interaction among your customers. Residents can make their own name tags while they are waiting for the program to begin. Tags can be made on a computer or bought at an office supply store.
At your crossword puzzle programs do residents get handouts that perhaps explain the history of crossword puzzles or a copy of the daily crossword puzzles? Perhaps providing small books of puzzles or inexpensive “dollar store” puzzles for each participant. This does not have to happen all the time, but on a regular basis.
Upon identifying the programs that you are going to market, think about appropriate handouts, brochures, nametags or door prizes that you can provide for your customers can take with them.
| Advertising Your Programs
Upon delivery of your number one marketing tool, your calendar how about providing coupons that residents can use during their programs? And remember that when we talk about programs we are also considering individual activities as well.
Coupons that let your customer know the special events coming up, a coupon that enters the customer into a “special drawing” or a raffle ticket for a special “take out” luncheon if they get them “punched” 5 times in a row for attending or participating in activities. A secret number that will be drawn during a pre-meal program in the dining room, must be present to win and have the ticket.
At restaurants you see all sorts of ads that encourage you to have that extra purchase. My, how those desserts look good! Table tents and menu holders encourage customers to spend more and eat more. The restaurants know that their customers will flip through them and talk themselves into buying a little extra with their meal.
Table tents used for a marketing tool can be made with simple plain index cards or purchasing the menu holders that restaurants use. Make sure that they are updated regularly or they too become “wallpaper” and just something else taking up room on the dining room tables.
| Special place mats announcing a program to your customers by simply using 11x17 paper on your copier will advertise your program. Placed on the dining room tables for dinner the night before will provide information that will encourage customers to participate. Some trivia questions, a puzzle, or a mystery picture to color while they are waiting will make them interactive and last longer in one's memory. A breakfast place mat will inform your customer about the daily events. Again, used every so often will prevent the ad from getting “stale”
Remember waiting for the “Tooth Fairy” to leave something for your tooth? Having staff leave an invitation in a residents room at night or an inexpensive item to encourage anticipation of a 1-1 visit will not only give the resident something to cue them about your program, but also encourage them to look forward to your visit. Just the anticipation of a special visit will advertise your program for those residents who are room bound. This also works for those customers who you have planned a program for.
Imagine a resident getting a playing card with a note attached to it for a Poker Game. The note explains that if the resident brings the card, they will get an extra poker chip. Perhaps finding a little envelope with an emery board and a perfume sample to let the customer know that today we will be having a 1-1 Beauty Cart coming to their room. Perhaps leaving a recipe of the dish that you will be cooking up in your program in the afternoon.
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