Virgil Winston:Marketing Guru
I am a big believer in the idea that simple objects can do extraordinary things—or at least they can be used for things other than what they were originally made to do. I think I am actually making a simple concept more complicated than it needs to be, so I’ll just get to the point. If you find yourself short on cash, or simply want a new, creative way to use a familiar household object, this post is for you. I found a list of 28 uses for a few everyday items from realsimple.com and I picked 6 of my favorites to share with you.
1) Everyone knows that toothpicks are good for making sure one’s smile isn’t filled with cracked pepper or spinach, but did you know they come in handy for pressing a gadget’s Reset button? An ordinary toothpick fits perfectly into that tiny hole.
2) The BBQ master in me uses toothpicks to label meat. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks so you’ll never wonder if the burger you just made is well done, rare or medium.
3) Use multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to wrap a gift and add a modern flair to a small present. This one is particularly handy when you can’t find the tape.
4) Regular table salt is good for shining brass and copper. Make a paste of a few tablespoons of white vinegar with equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.
5) Play tic-tac-toe with Post-It Notes. Use a different colored sheet for each X and O. Peel them up and play again until they lose their stickiness. My six year old loves this one!
6) Seal an envelope with clear nail polish. When a flap won’t stay stuck, this lady staple does the trick.
Do you know what else is simple? Keeping your name in the minds of your customers. All you have to do is find a simple promotional item from Rush Imprint, put your name on it and get it into the hands of your clients. When you are looking to increase name recognition, simplify your approach and gift people with things they use everyday like an Alligator Clip or a Computer Mouse Pad. They’ll appreciate the freebie and you’ll be thought of multiple times a day. What could be simpler?
Well, I’ve got to go polish the copper—that’s what I get for letting Mrs. Winston read my blog before it’s published. Until next time, remember, Confucius says, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”