Life-work balance coach Joyce Dillon of Atlanta, Georgia writes:
“I’m promoting a Costa Rica Retreat Feb. 4-12 for women who want to create the life they’ve always wanted. I’ve sent an email blast and will send a press
release to the travel section of the newspaper in Atlanta.
“Do your Hounds have any hot ideas on how I can further promote this retreat? You can read more about it at my website.
Joyce should pitch herself to local and national morning TV shows as an expert on surviving the stresses of the holiday season. A segment idea such as “How to Find Balance During the Holiday Season” or “Ways to Unwind During and After the Most Stressful Time of Year” could help get her in front of the camera.
Appearring on TV would be a great business opportunity generally (think of the potential clients out there!) and I’d bet that most segment producers would allow her to mention the retreat on camera.
I would target Gynocologists and Therapist with a brochure. I would also make contact with Health food and holistic stores. Yoga and Tai Chi classes would also have a large interested target group. I would also approach your areas women in business and the chamber of commerces. good luck sounds like a great opportunity for the lucky ones who can go.
Hi,
How about partnering with a compatible, yet different business and cross-promoting to their client list? People who deal with stress-reduction techniques, women’s organizations (especially for entrepreneurs who have more flexible schedules most of the time), organizations that deal with women in transition, etc.
Costa Rica in February sounds great to me, too!
Perhaps you can get the Atlanta newspaper to offer a contest to its readers for a prize, having to do with the retreat. You say the event is for those who want to “create the life they’ve always wanted”.
Would it be too costly to offer a free trip to the retreat, for a deserving woman who could be a sort of “Queen for a Day”? Other prizes (beauty, health, or a tie-in with a local spa) could be part of the deal. And the trip to the retreat is also scheduled the week before Valentine’s Day. This is another great tie-in. Come to think of it, if this contest gets on local TV the expense of offering somone a free trip through a contest might be worth its weight in gold.
Joyce, I would create an eBay username that sounds a lot like your website, and post an auction for one or two registrations at the retreat! Whatever your charge is to go, that’s the price you list it for. Then, you create a free “ABOUT ME” page where you promote your website (you can’t do this in the auction itself). It’s a fabulous way to get international exposure for your business and the retreat itself at a very minimal cost.
Why limit yourself to Atlanta? Send your press release to other states, Florida residents and other states. Don’t forget womens organizations (corp/national headquarters and travel writers groups. Lots of ezines and professional and civic groups have websites and ezines they can pass along your trip to their members.
Submit your information to the editor of the Journeywoman newsletter (www.journeywoman.com). Your retreat is a perfect match for this! Good luck!