promotional items
I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but I don't mind paying a little bit more to send my kids to camp if they get a lot of freebees. By freebees what I am really talking about is promotional items, things that advertise for the camp and yet are still useful and functional. I have sent my kids to several camps and I just love the stuff they get. My one son went to 2 soccer camps last year, and at the first one he got a shirt, carry bag, and a mini soccer ball. At the second camp he got a full size soccer ball, 2 t-shirts, and a hip bag. Then my 2 children went to a week long camp and they got a DVD and t-shirts and water bottles, plus the crafts that they had worked on all week, including a few painted ceramic items. I know that they give out these things to get their information out, but some of the items are so cool that it almost, in my mind makes paying a little more for the camp more tolerable. This year at soccer camp, my son got a T-shirt, sports bottle, a poster and a pedometer. I can't help but be excited to see all the goodies when they return from camp.
I think that I enjoy it even more than they do because they don't have to pay for the camp, I do. I don't mind walking around advertising for people as long as the freebees are good. As a matter of fact I have collected over the years several promotional items that I have found very useful myself including pens, carry bags, jackets, T-shirts, water bottles, and umbrellas. I do confess that I do like to get something for nothing and I find it exciting when I get stuff for free. Pretty much I would advertise for anyone for free as long as I didn't feel that their business was ripping people off or scamming people, that is definitely where I would draw the line.
I just have one thing to say, if you are a company and are interested in getting your business some cheap word of mouth advertising, then be sure to keep those freebees coming, I assure you I am not the only one out there who will carry the umbrellas, travel mugs, and wear the t-shirts that support your business. We live in a world where very rarely can we get something for nothing, and I think that most people would be glad to use your promotional items for you.