Offline marketing idea - comments/criticism requested

[ssgcmwatson]

So, I've been working on a website for a few weeks now and I'm trying to get traffic to it on a VERY small budget. I had online coupons for free ads at Microsoft and Bidvertiser, those helped a bit, and posting to my school's message board helped, but still looking for MORE.

Today I had something of a brainstorm, and I'd love your input. Now that I'm past ten posts I think I'm allowed to tell you the site: www. freemysteryshopping.info. It's a directory site of mystery shopping / secret shopping companies. I'm hoping to monetize with affiliate sales and eventually PPC ads (I'm google banned due to an honest mistake, so I'm working on getting another good ad provider)

So, here's the idea:

1) Go to http://cafepress.com and design a t-shirt that says something like "I get paid to shop" and then has my URL. I could buy 1 for $15 to $20 bucks and wear it when I go to the mall, the county fair, or any high-traffic place.

2) Submit press releases to local news organizations, with a description of the site and a contest announcement: If you see someone wearing the "I get paid to shop" t-shirt, stop them and ask for a contest entry. The contest entry would be a business card with the URL and some sort of code. I'd have one code that would win something like a $25 amazon gift certificate or some such.

3) If the idea works locally, then get family and friends in other towns to help out and send press releases to their communities.


Comments and critiques gratefully appreciated!

[swapw]

ssgcmwatson,

Seems like a creative idea, however you have to remember and say to yourself "when was the last time that I went to anything when it was advertised on the streets?" I think the answer to 99% of us would say no, never. I think you would best be looking to optimize your web site. Remember, customers get to buy your product right away if they like it. On the streets, they can't even if they want to since the shop's on the web. Just my 2 cents.

-Swapw

[tdgac]

I love this place! What a great forum

That said, a friend of mine with a huge online business does lots of offline advertising of his online business - and makes big, big bucks combining the two.

I've got to admit I'm guilty of scrambling for a pen and a sheet of paper sitting at a stop light when I see a website of interest on a car or a billboard.

I think trying it on tee shirts is a great idea... you've given me ideas LOL!

All the best to you!