Of course it's marketing, it's part of your marketing mix as has already been pointed out.
£1 for a spotter and give out 200, can I ask anyone but especially Mike did you get just one new job, referral or additional work from those that you gave out.
I know its a broader question than the original but its important that we don't lose sight of that fact that everyday we are marketing and selling,every day.
Yes, I can't remember the exact number but I did get some work from handing them out, but if I had walked in with nothing I bet I would have still got the same work, the spotters just gave me an introduction and reason for walking in the door..... "Hi! I just wanted to poke my nose in and give you a free bottle of stain remover "
I've done lots of free gift introductions some may remember a couple of years ago me posting about handing out free cans of de-icer or the free newspapers or the free ice scrapers, it's a tested marketing concept but I'm not daft I always do the maths and work out if it's cost effective. Spotters are not cost effective, they cost too much money, why spend £100 to get £500 if I can spend the same £100 and get a £1000.
If you want your name to stay in your customers minds then put a sticker inside the airing cupboard door, or like some do on the Hoover, or ask for thier address book and stick it in page 'C' for carpet cleaner. stickers cost £50 a 1000, tell them...." that's my number, anytime you need me just call"
If I were actively looking for work, which I haven't need to do for donkeys years, I wouldn't use a spotter as an introduction, instead why not use a technique I call, 'show - don't tell.' So instead of telling people what you can do for them - show them.!! You can do this with a small spotting machine if you're into hwse and a minitex or a battery grinder type thing with a pad on it if you're into encap. That way they see what their carpets will look like when done, which far more effective than merely telling them. Only takes a few minutes and costs you nothing.
The difference between stickers and spotters is that stickers don't take stains off carpets and so a sticker is far less of a benefit to a customer.
I can't remember how many customers have commented on how good the spotter we left them was, which means they use them, gain a benefit from them and get reminded about us every time they use them.
Simon
