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  • Where’s Your Fortune Cookie Moment?

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    fortune cookieOne of the delights for many who dine at Chinese restaurants is the fortune contained inside the little cookie desert.

    Finding little hidden gems inside a surprise package takes us back to the fun we had at birthday parties and opening presents during a holiday.

    I think businesses can tap the fortune cookie tactic in their own little way to create good feelings and the subsequent word of mouth that comes with a nice little surprise touch.

    The thing is, it’s not really that hard.

    My wife and I hit a sale at REI, an outdoor store that thankfully has not yet made it to our community, and she found a coat that she loved. She purchased the coat and off we went. Last evening we went to an outdoor event and she took the opportunity to wear her new coat. As we went out the door she reached into the pocket and found a little slip of paper. She pulled it out fully expecting to read a note that said something like “inspected by #48,” but instead it read “You are a goddess!” That little simple note kind of made her day as it was so unexpected. So, immediately we’re both thinking, who made this coat? And now here I am gushing about and checking out the website of what turns out to be a very cool little company located in Burlington VT called ISIS.

    So the point is, what can you to add a fortune cookie moment? How can you add a creative twist that makes people pass the word on? Why stop at one thing, maybe you can hide all kinds of surprise moments in your products and services just waiting to create warm feelings and smiles.

    Share your fortune cookie moments – those you’ve experienced and those you’ve done in your own business.

    Image credit: The Truth About

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    Posted by: John Jantsch on Aug 31, 09 | 6:06 am
    Category: Marketing Strategy, Referral Marketing, Vision | Tags: , , ,

    Comments
    • You know how to get the creative juices flowing.
    • My family volunteers helping disadvantaged mothers from Brazil create and sell handmade products (http://h2h.2wtx.com/). My mother always "hide" something in the package (a key ring, a scented sachet) with a little thank-you note from our project.

      Our customers (mostly from the U.S.) always write back to say how happy they were with the purchase and the token gift, and by the number of referrals we get from them, I'm sure the little surprise works as an incentive to spread the word.
    • Cool story.

      I don't have any examples that can match that. But I will say that we try to go out of our way for our clients. In our industry, web development, the skills involved are a commodity. So it's our service that has to set us apart.

      We're hoping that our availability and willingness to go the extra mile are as good as a fortune cookie!
    • I have a similar story from the outdoor sports industry. I just picked up a new whitewater kayak from the Jackson Kayak factory in Sparta, TN. There's a little "assembled by" hang tag on the front wall in the cockpit that has the signature of "Steve Z." Having paddled the boat twice already, the thick paper card is wet and shredding but here's the cool part - the only thing you left on the card is Steve's signature that was apparently signed in a sparkley water-proof ink. Everything else dissolved but the Steve's signature. By the way, Steve did an awesome job with my boat - try to honor his work every time out :)
    • If you buy Lucky Brand Jeans (I do), you also get a fortune and lucky numbers in the pocket. The jeans are great, but that little added extra has kept me very loyal.

      Also, when I order Fluevog Shoes, they always enclose a hand-written note thanking me for my purchase.

      When there is SO much choice, the little things make a big difference.
    • Wow, that is an idea I could use. Perhaps a nice note inside or with my products along with the url directing them to my blog?
    • markallenroberts
      Great post,

      Your comment about it not being all that hard connects with me, particularly today.

      A couple of years ago some of my netwrok challenged me to write a book on how I help companies grow that anyone could understand. I am not a writer but I did it ( our male ego's get us in trouble some times) .

      So I shared my book for free.About 4500 free downloads...

      It took about 6 hrs to write, I hired an editor and graphics, and "just did it" with the goal of serving those who ready it.

      For a while I have not known why...

      Today I learned an audio book company wants to turn it into an audio book, and the same company is launching it, me , to their audience of 50,000 entreprenurs. You can get a feel for the content at my blog post : 12 Mentor Moments to help leaders grow their businesses profitably http://nosmokeandmirrors.wordpress.com/2009/08/... and click on #5.

      Just do it!

      thank you,

      Mark Allen Roberts
    • SuzanneFalterBarns
      Hey John ... As a proud 'outer-Burlington VT' resident, I'm proud to call Isis one of our own. Their annual factory sale is to die for, as they say. Cool inspiration on the unexpected touch. Thank you! Suzanne
    • SuzanneFalterBarns
      sorry ... repeated
    • susann
      I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

      Margaret

      http://lotterymegamillions.net
    • Great little story. You could take that to a new level and create a complete line of women's handbags called.. FORTUNE COOKIE. Every bag has a fortune stitched inside the bag.

      Maybe add women's blouses, or hats. And they all have a fortune stitched somewhere on the inside.
    • jamesbosch
      Have you ever been to a Chinese restaurant, got a fortune cookie and really liked the fortune message hidden inside? Instead of collecting all those fortune paper slips, now you can save and access them in one place at FortuneKookie.com.

      Come check us out at http://www.fortunekookie.com/
    • You know a fortune cookie is a guaranteed 92% read rate, so you literally can use custom fortune cookies for a direct marketing campaign. Or just to have a stand-out hand out at a trade show.
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