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Tourism idea of the day: envelopes

By Becky McCray

Tourism idea of the day: @nebraskatourism uses the back of envelopes to encourage visits.
Nebraska Tourism uses the back of their envelopes to list key attractions.

I got this catalog-size envelope from Nebraska Tourism. As you can see, the back is covered with driving tours, ideas for visits and popular attractions. Excellent use of an otherwise wasted space.

Let’s extend this idea for any destination.

Add a web address or URL for an info page on each of these categories. Putting that URL into a QR code would make it very easy for people to look up on their phone. (Need the QR Code basics? Read Steven Streight’s QR Code as Mobile Marketing Tool.)

Add some video to that web page, and mention that on the envelope. “Go to (URL) for a video of this tour.”

Add some color by using stamps or stickers. Here are some ideas for promoting with stamps and stickers that integrate with your high-tech promotions, too.

What would you add?

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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
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March 22, 2011 Filed Under: marketing, tourism

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Comments

  1. Raul Colon says

    March 22, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Becky,

    I see how they can probably add to the QR Code places of interest with links to maps and directions on how to get to them.

    I think using images would be very useful but linking those images to an experience would probably be the most valuable part.

    I guess with the QR Code or a link you can really given them many more options that can be saved on their smartphone so they don’t have to depend on the paper brochure.

  2. Jason Gregory says

    March 22, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    This is a fantastic idea for anyone looking to market their town, city, state, product or service. Envelopes give you extra space to market your business and, when used correctly, can significantly increase open rates.

  3. Becky McCray says

    March 22, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    Raul, you made a great point: link the images to an experience.

    Jason, that’s another good point: what’s on your envelope affects whether people will ever look IN it.

  4. Craig says

    March 24, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    Great idea. I’ve always used envelopes as an opportunity to display my logo, but never thought of anything beyond that. Great ideas!

  5. Tom Egelhoff says

    March 25, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Although they are not in wide use I would add QR Codes for tracking how effective this use of space is.

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