My $76 marketing technique that generates a 33x return
Jan 03, 2024
I recently started a campaign that invites agency owners to participate in a survey. The survey is intended to explore how micro agencies are being run in 2023. I plan to leverage the survey as a lead magnet (or sell it) down the road but it will also give me insights into how to focus as an agency coach.
When someone agrees to take the survey I send out a templated email with:
1- Instructions
2- Link to the survey
3- My Starbucks QR code to get a free coffee
You may be thinking “Mike, you are crazy to pay for $7 coffees for 100s of people who take your survey.”
The truth is, that's one of my favorite and most cost-effective and impactful marketing techniques I have EVER deployed.
Here are the numbers so far:
47 - Survey links sent (working towards 250)
23- People who have commented positively or thanked me for the coffee offer (specifically responded with a message about the coffee link)
0- Coffees purchased
0- Spent
This is not luck, it's a fully proven system.
I do this 3-4 times per year. I will privately or publicly send my Starbucks QR code to 100s of people (via email, IG stories, dm).
It leaves with a simple message, “have an awesome start to your day, on me.”
It always creates a TON of positive responses and thanks. Why:
1- It’s unique and nobody else is doing it
2- It’s something that many people start their morning with and look forward to
3- It does not require any pattern interrupt to their day
On average, $76 gets processed on my Starbucks gift card when I do a mass send.
On average, 15-20 responses to my message.
On average, 1-2 sales calls get booked.
This is not to say that you can just buy people coffee and they will work with you. This message is going out to people who are aware of me and have some level of trust. But, sometimes a gesture as small as this can prompt people to move forward to work with you.
Hopefully, this inspires you to think about ways that you can create some pattern interrupt + shock and delight into your prospects (and customers) experience with you.
Some additional methods:
1- Send a loom or video message asking for an update on their life
2- Send food to their office (or home) via Ubereats
3- Send an Ubereats giftcard
4- Send a book you think they would enjoy
5- Send them a random note of appreciation
If you like the Starbucks method, here is the technical part:
- Download the Starbucks app
- Go to the “Scan” section
- Add funds (I typically keep $150 available on my card)
- Screenshot the QR code (and crop the screenshot so only the code is showing)
- You are ready to buy coffee
Protip: turn on “auto reload” so your balance never dips below a certain amount