Often, I'll pen a line of rhyme on a wine bottle and send it off to get a prospect's attention. In this case, the golf pro at 20 different area country clubs received a brand new 5 iron with only their name and phone number hand-engraved on the shaft, just below the leather grip. I signed my name very small, but legible, on the reverse side of the shaft.
My purpose was twofold. To let the pro know I could personalize clubs for the members of his country club and to bring awareness of the importance of knowing the owner of the golf club. Often during the high-fives, fourth beer, or the sinking of a 40 foot putt, the chipping wedge or putter is forgotten and left on the froghair around the green. When found by someone later, they know how to find the owner.
When I knew my plan, I got on the web and located 20 area country clubs. I got the name of the golf pro and the club's phone number. Then, a brief personalized letter of introduction and explanation was typed for each recipient of a 5 iron.
Now you ask, "WHERE did you find 20 brand new 5 irons?" I located a place that specializes in replacing specific clubs of almost any brand when that club has been lost or damaged. (Wrapping around a tree after a flubbed shot, for example!) Told the owner my plan and asked if he had an overstock of anything, cheap. He did. He had too many of one particular brand of 5 iron. "My best price for 20," I asked. He told me five bucks each. I told him to bring them up!
Back at my Studio, I began engraving the clubs with the name and phone number of each pro. When that was done, my business letter was put, unfolded, inside the big red, white, and blue envelope, along with my business card. Taped on the outside of the big envelope was my business envelope, addressed with the pro's name in a beautiful script from my Mac, and the rest in block type.
Three holes were punched along one side of every envelope. A cable tie was poked through each hole and tied securely to the club's shaft.
In the photo, I had them all gathered up and was headed for the post office. When there, I laid the 20 clubs down at the clerk's window. With a wry smile, the sweet little postwoman weighed the first one, multiplied by 20, and told me the total. There was not even a question or comment about the fact they were unwrapped. She put a postage strip...seems it was about $4.95 each at that time...above my business envelope taped on the front of the Priority Mail envelope.
Off they went that afternoon.
A few days passed and I got a call from a pro in Frisco, Texas. He loved the idea, asked some questions, and right away booked me for a member-guest tournament coming up in the near future.
From that one mailing I booked numerous similar tournaments; at each I'd be put out near the first tee box, ready to quickly engrave the name and phone number on any club, for anyone in the foursome about to start a round of golf.
In addition, I was booked for other functions at several clubs who responded to my promotional idea. It was an investment that paid off handsomely! And still does!
My total cost was around $235. for clubs, postage, a few cable ties, and a bit of driving around looking for golf clubs to support my idea.
BOTTOM LINE:
Country clubs have activities going on almost every weekend. In addition to the golf tournaments, wedding receptions, anniversary parties, company functions, bridal events, and more, there is a gold mine of potential at these places.
Dream up your own promotion, or try this one where you are. You can bet, NOBODY will have done anything like it....unless you're in my neighborhood.
Good Luck!
Ken