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The key to successful guerrilla marketing is in embracing not the
concept of competition, but the beauty and advantage of cooperation.
Fuse for fun & profit. One of the most rewarding, inexpensive,
underused, and effective methods of marketing is to tie in your
marketing efforts with the efforts of others. In the U.S.this used
to be known as "tie-ins." A recent Business Week cover
article referred to it as "Collaborative Marketing," In
Japan and by guerrillas worldwide, this make-everybody-wealthy marketing
tactic is called "fusion marketing."
Fusion marketing is the guerrilla saying, "Hey Sara, if you
enclose my brochure in your next mailing, I'll enclose your brochure
in mine." "Randy, put up a sign for my store in your business;
I'll put up a sign for your business in my store." Sara and
Randy immediately see the wisdom in the guerrilla's offer. Their
marketing exposure has just been expanded. Their marketing costs
have just been reduced. Hey, this is a good idea! Of course it is!
Why do you think you're watching all those McDonald's commercials
which turn into Coca-Cola commercials and end up as Lucas film commercials?
Why do you think so many members of frequent flier clubs have learned
that their airlines have fused with hotel chains, auto rental companies,
even cruise lines? Because there's a whole lot of fusing going on.
It's happening very visibly among the large businesses, but it's
happening more frequently among small businesses.
The gas station fuse with the video store. The restaurant fuse
with the clothing store. The sporting goods store fuses with the
ski area AND the tennis club AND the golf course. It's happening
all over! Many organizations that have leads know that other organizations,
marketing different things, have the SAME kinds of leads. So what
do guerrilla organizations do? They form Leads Clubs. At the end
of each month, they trade leads. Who wins? EVERYONE. Who loses?
Nobody. That's why fusion marketing is such a HAPPENING guerrilla
marketing tactic. And that's why you'll love it so doggone much.
The purpose of a fusion marketing arrangement: Mutual profitability.
Glad we're clear on that one. Realize that almost everyone in your
community is a potential fusion marketing partner, that almost all
of them will see the wisdom in your suggestion of a tie-in together.
So why aren't they doing it yet, wise guy? Because YOU haven't suggested
it to them. Once you do, you'll see the utter simplicity of SPREADING
your marketing wings while REDUCING your marketing costs. Okay,
go out there and FUSE!
(C)2000 Jay Conrad Levinson
www.gmarketingcoach.com
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