Promotion & Distribution Ideas for Calendars

[Guest]

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[KivanSteven]

I was sitting here considering who I was going to send 19 of my 20 calendars to and it was extremely difficult to narrow down the choices...needless to say I wish I had purchased another bundle or two...but I wanted to start this thread and have it devoted toward answering the question, what do we do with our calendars?  If anyone has ideas on who to send them to, now, next year, or beyond that...what to include with them, who they actually sent them to and any feedback or lack of it they want to share...also any creative ideas pertaining to getting the word out about them...really any conversation that has to do with the calendars after we receive our own personal orders...this thread will be intended to be used throughout the year and is especially reserved for post production calendar ideas next year...that way it doesnt become so mixed up with the discussion concerning the creation of the calendar, as it did when the first calendar was created...it should provide a little more structure.

So Ill start with a few thoughts...I find myself continually leaning towards sending these to teachers and those who might be a little more well off than those who I know really aren't in much of a position to loan at the moment.  Also I found myself including 2 or 3 for people who are extremely involved in charity causes, in hopes they will pass the extras on to a couple people they know well that could really make their own strong impact through Kiva.  I think we all know people who themselves know people in positions that we ourselves dont know, or who might be in a better position to share information and knowledge of Kiva and micro-lending, and its almost as if I am somewhat extending the responsibility of spreading the word to a few who I know will jump right on the chance...by giving various people a few calendars each I think it gives people with a strong and active voice the perfect opportunity to get involved by sharing the calendars themselves.

Im also including the smaller of the two Kiva.org pamphlets, and small introductory letters with each calendar, but with the material geared towards whomever the recipient is.  With teachers, a more educational approach, with friends and family, a more personal approach, whatever will better appeal to them based on my personal relationship with them or what their profession might reveal about them.  The more I think about it the more I feel that the calendar by itself, which is more a marketing tool than an informative tool, is not enough to entice as many people as possible.  Thats not a slight on the calendar, Im all for it, but there is only so much it can include and say, thats all I mean...so if anyone does have calendars left to send out and they havent already, do consider including a letter or Kiva pamphlet of some sort if you feel it might better entice the recipients to check out Kiva.

[JoanW]

I missed out on the calendars - but I know what I would have done (and have on my list for next year).

• Send a calendar with the  Kiva Gift Certificates I gave at Christmas
• Send a calendar to some of people who I do business with over the year - this is not really a stretch as I work in social services and so most businesses I work with are of a giving heart to begin with.
• Give to some friends in addition to Christmas present

This would take care of 15-20 calendars.

Of course I would save a few to give to other Kiva Friends who may join too late to get in on the calendar and want one.

[KivanSteven]

That reminds me Joan.  I think more so than some of us holding on to a few calendars for a rainy day when someone who missed out needs one, I think KF should keep a small stock of these to be made available upon request throughout the year. 

I personally have sent out 5 or 6 calendars to people I didnt intend to send them to...not that I minded at all...that was sort of the plan...saved for what hopefully might be a few teachers or KF requesting them.  And there have been plenty more who wished they had a calendar but would rather it be used on someone else. 

So keeping a stock of maybe 50-75 might be a good idea.  If its a good idea then the number can be discussed so we get a good figure that makes sense and one that doesnt see any of these sit and go to waste, though Id imagine we'd make good use of them if the year was getting old.  It probably wouldnt be too high.  I just hate seeing enthusiastic lenders come here and wish they had a calendar...maybe thats what Kiva feels like with everyone coming there and wishing they could make a loan!

[Wood Fairy Glenda]

Quote from Steve: the smaller of the two Kiva.org pamphlets

What pamphlets, and where do you get them?

[KivanSteven]

Sorry Glenda...youve probably seen them before.  They are on kiva and located at the following link:

http://www.kiva.org/about/promote/

"Kiva Flier One" or "Kiva Brochure"...(although I hate the name brochure for Kiva...sounds like Im making plans to travel to some island called Kiva.  Pamphlet sounds better maybe.

[Dottie b]

Those who've sent out calendars personally - what is the US postage for one calendar?

Dottie B

[Henry]

Depends on if it has a 'hole' or not Dottie! 
 

grin!

[cpbailey]

Henry,

Do hanging chads make a difference?   

Colette

[QueenOfHearts]

According the the USPS web page the minimum postage for a large envelope (one that would fit a calendar) is now $.80. 
I weighed a calendar on my scale at work and it reads 4.2 oz.  That would cost $1.48 for first class mail.

Queen

[KivanSteven]

Lol 
Thats about what I paid as well Dottie when I shipped out some of mine.