Hello everyone...I'm trying to come up with some creative marketing ideas. One of my hobbies is making candles. I thought it might be a nifty idea to use them for marketing. I want to make some nice candles in trendy jars, and put a sticker version of my business card on it to give away to prospective clients, at open houses, showings, etc. I'm excited about this idea, but I'd like to hear some pros and cons (especially the cons - there are always those contingencies I don't think of when I get excited). The benefits I can think of are: 1.)It's inexpensive, 2.)It's unique, 3.)People enjoy candles - and sure don't mind getting a free one. The cons I can think of are: 1.)Don't want to burn someone's house to the ground, 2.)Don't want to break the law (i.e., at this point I'm not sure, due to lack of experience, what situations it would be inappropriate for me to give them away.).

I'd love to hear what you all think - thanks in advance!

I'm no marketing pro, in fact i dont even have my license yet. However, i would consider, rather than actual stickers, something that makes your card easily removable from the candle. I think its a great idea to get people to remember you, but to be honest, most people would want to rip the sticker off before they put the candle out in their living room/bedroom. Well, i dont know about you, but i can never peel a label off in one piece...

Great idea, just needs some tweaking.

I would go to every one you know on a first name basis and ask "If you knew someone who was going to move do you have a Realtor that you would refer them to?" If they said Yes, ask "Can I ask who it would be?" If it is not you then say "He/She is a good agent, I was hoping you would say me, because that is how I want to work is by referral only." If when asked about a Realtor that they would refer to and they answer No then say "Would you feel comfortable referring me?" Then say "Here is a gift I made, think of me every time you burn this candle or when you hear of someone wanting to make a move and please give them my card. I would really appreciate it. Could you do that for me? Here are some cards, can I call you to check in?"

I would concentrate on your sphere of influence first. Then the next month give them something else of value, an article, coupons from Restaurants etc. Stay in touch with them each month giving them something of value and ask "Have you heard of anyone thinking about moving?"

Cool Cat - I'm definitely going to work my SOI - that's a given. Most of my SOI knows about my candles, and I also figured it would be something a little nicer than just giving them a card and asking for a referral.
I was just braistorming ways to market to people I don't know in various situations, particularly open houses, previews, and the like.

TPA - good idea about the card instead of a label. I'll have to think of a compromise for that, maybe wrap the candle in a tulle drawstring bag with the card inside. Something like that.

I like the little bag idea -- and your business card could be the 'gift tag'. How much would you be spending, though, on the bags? Maybe some kind of elastic rubber-band thingy that your card could attach to, and it could wrap around the candle?

Great idea, by the way! Especially since just about every Open House has candles burning. But...yeah...you want to watch that 'burning the house down' thing.

You could buy some of that raffia at the craft store (comes on a spool), buy a small hole punch to punch holes in your cards, wrap the raffia around the candle and attach the card to the bow. In a past life, the company I use to work for did this with those little airline bottles of bourbon. They looked really cute!

Elecat - the bags are fairly cheap when buying in bulk. Maybe I could get them printed too.

Kentucky Realtor - yes, I have lots of raffia! Good idea.

Love it!

I love this idea. I think I'm going to try it this weekend.

fatmaxx - let us know how it goes!

I personally don't think you can go wrong with inexpensive and unique advertising.

If you find something that catches people's attention, they'll take into consideration that you're taking the extra step to meet the needs of your clients!

Keep up the good work.