Companies to contact for donations/discounts for member rewards

[pmcgary]

I thought I would start out this thread....

diapering biz: green willow baby (I know the owner)
Bareware

I am a consultant with UBBs Natural Family Boutique and we could see what might be there (I am planning on doing something myself --- it is direct selling so there are a bunch of consultants out there. I don't think there are any others on this forum - but there could be.)

What else can you all come up with?

[CraftyMommaOf2]

I am friends with the owner of ButterbeanBabies (http://www.butterbeanbabies.com) . She's really nice :) Maybe she can do something.

[Arwyn]

I don't actually have an "in" with any of the following companies, and they may be too big/small/other to be interested (and I'm not really volunteering to contact them :bag), but I thought these might fit with WW.com:

Mothering Magazine (NOT forums)
Attachment Parenting International
Kittybids.com
Sewshoppe.com
LLL Int'l
Universal Mama

My brain's fuzzed right now or I could think of more. To do cold calls (er, emails) to these places (or others like them, where we don't necessarily have an "in" or contact), we need to know things like how many members we have, how many hits a day the site gets, how fast the forums are growing, etc. That is, present this place as professional, and as a place a professional business would find it worthwhile to put some of their advertising budget.

Just my bleery :two.

[littleturtlemama]

are we talking about for advertising, LOL? I know Inge at diaperware is always looking for places to advertise, you should check with her :)

[pamelamama]

T, It's not for advertising, (although it certainly COULD be), it is for companies that might offer a discount for members, or who might donate something for our members-only drawing prize pool.

For example, Jess at fabriconnection has donated a 10% discount for members. By becoming a member, you'd get 10% off all purchases at her shop. :brow

[pamelamama]

Oh, and Arwyn, :thumbs You rock :arwyn

[Arwyn]

Heh. Yea, me and my fuzzy brain thinking this was the advertizing brainstorming session... :yawn :roll:

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Question: does anyone know if you can advertise your page at hyena cart? Like, could Theresa advertise with her banner and have it link to her hc page? If so, could we contact those ppl?

[pamelamama]

we can contact those people for advertising and for donations for the membership drive ;)

I think we can start by contacting those people with free directory listings here. :brow

[Quinlonsma]

A publicized discount to members IS advertising with a coupon.

It can be collaborative marketing/advertising IF we allow them to put a banner on our site stating so OR if we offer a discount to their clientel.

Spelling is WAY off tonight....

Anyway....

Yarn and knitting supply places would be my first hit

then diaper companies are also an obvious as are infant toddler companies
EX:
StarBunz.com
babystyle.com

For membership drives I'd again hit the yarn/knitting places. But then look for similar thought groups like homeschoolers

WaldorfHomeschoolers comes first to mind

Vegetarian or alternative engery groups as well...

Ya know hippy mom stuff and crafty people.

Who's writing the letters?
What specifically do we want from these groups?
What are we offering in return?

What IS membership and what does it cost?

Just some thoughts but will help us know who to contact and what to say when we do.

[Quinlonsma]

oops didn't mean to overswhelm anyone.

I think the collaborative marketing and the membership drive should be 2 diferent points of focus.

I could write the intro and follow up letters for either or both.....

Well' that's not exactly true I would write the roughs and my husband who writes stuff like that professionally would write the actual letters ;)

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Pam, are there any companies that fit in with the values here that you would NOT like me to contact about this? I would like to do a mega email campaign tonight or tomorrow night ;) So far I have only emailed 3 places.

[BethyM99]

Ok, here's some thought and I'm nak so apologize for any incoherentness and misspellings in advance.

We need to contact those advertising with us already. Fabric Co is on board, as is Holy Sheep, and I emailed doodle jewelry because I thought of it about offering "member rewards". I have access to our advertisers and will contact them.

For member rewards, obviously places we want to shop. Logistically, we need to figure out how the discount will be applied. How will they know Sally is a paid member? Will it be by coupon code in a restricted forum? Will we share our member list with these sponsoring companies?

[CraftyMommaOf2]

My understanding is that there will be a special coupon code for members to get the discount.

[mamapez]

Is jmo or other techie in this group? I am wondering if it is possible to make the banners a mini-form...

...the idea is that when I click on it, my username (and perhaps member status) is passed to the company website. The company website can use that information to offer the discount - and know for sure that the buyer is a WWF member and not just someone who got/figured out the coupon.

[CraftyMommaOf2]

Do you think Peace Fleece could do something for members? That would be awesome!

[pamelamama]

Hey Amy, I totally missed your suggestions!

:mwah

Go Team Go!

I got a letter written in another thread. Can we run with that one? oxoxoxox

[pmcgary]

Hey what about FUll Belly Farms? We can dream can't we?

[CraftyMommaOf2]

I know this forum has sent them both alot of business, so they really may be willing to offer something :fingersx:

[pamelamama]

Great ideas all... I'm staying at MIL's house and will be home on Saturday. I'm checking in when I can. :wave

[pamelamama]

Can someone conact Vesta at peppermint.com... she's a friend of mine and might be willing to do something. xoxo

[pamelamama]

Uh... how about theresa! Someone ask Theresa!! :pink

[Deanna]

Your members can get discounts at my stores:) That could be my donation. Let me know if that will work.

I was also planning on a lifetime membership purchase.