How to Use Candy to Market Ideas to Co-Workers
Selling your ideas to complete strangers is hard enough, so imagine selling ideas to people who have an opinion about you---co-workers, for example. One way to soften them up is with candy.
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Things You'll Need
- Candy of your choice
- Decorative bags (such as baker's bags or colorful cellophane)
- Flier or pamphlet with your marketing idea
- Hole punch
- Ribbon
- Small name cards
- Pen, marker or other writing utensil
- Scissors
Instructions
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Create your flier or pamphlet so you're able to fit it into the decorative bags. This can mean that the flier needs to be square, round, triangular or some other shape. Insert one flier in the front part of each bag. When the candy is gone (or while it's being eaten) your co-workers will have something important to read and consider: your marketing idea.
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Insert your candy into the bags behind the fliers. You might use different candies for different co-workers, especially if you know what kinds of candy each likes. If the woman in the cubicle next to you loves Skittles, fill her bag with them.
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Write the names of your co-workers on the name cards you've purchased (or made). This will give each person a sense that you care about his or her individual opinions on your marketing idea and that you're not just trying to influence the group as a whole. Personalizing your gift could mean the difference between selling your idea and having it flop.
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Punch a hole in the upper corner of your name cards (left or right). Thread a small length of ribbon through the hole and tie the ribbon around the opening of the candy bag to keep anything from falling out. This adds to the visual pleasure of the candy and increases how personal the gift will feel to your co-workers. It may also be a good idea to punch a hole in your business card, layer it behind the name card and attach it to the bag. If your co-workers have questions about your ideas, they'll know right where to find you.
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Use the scissors to curl the spare ends of the ribbon to decorate it a little. You now have personalized candy gifts with your marketing idea inside to give to your co-workers.
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Tips & Warnings
M&M's offers custom-made chocolate candies that can be used to drive your message home.
Try using this marketing technique the next time you need to impress potential clients.
Always be careful when handling or using scissors to avoid injury.
