Bates: In tough times, creative businesses stand out
Published: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2014 5:30 a.m. CDT
I really enjoy sharing about the creativity of chamber members. Creativity that takes advantage of opportunities can be the difference between success and failure.
One such innovative entrepreneur is Glen Gilmer, owner of True Blue Coupons and Glen’s Lawn Service. Gilmer established Glen’s Lawn Service as a successful lawn care company during the 1990s. Diligent and reasonably priced with references to boot, Gilmer was and is well thought of by those who use him. Yet when 2008 hit, Gilmer found his business, Glen’s Lawn Service, needed new customers to replenish some lost through the recession. That was when Gilmer followed the old adage “adversity is beset with opportunities” and True Blue Coupons was born.
Gilmer creatively spearheaded True Blue Coupons, an affordable coupon flyer, as a way to advertise Glen’s Lawn Service to the community with other organizations sharing the cost. He distinguished his flyer by its unusual blue color and 11-inch by 15-inch size that cradles all other mailers. Kudos to Gilmer for developing a cost-effective way to get the good news to the community about Glen’s Lawn Service and other companies using True Blue Coupons.
True Blue Coupons prints and distributes a bi-monthly mailer to homes and businesses along with the regular mail. Specific zip codes are targeted with each mailer so merchants can target a very specific geographic area. We send mailers out to an ever growing area. Currently we cover McHenry County Illinois.
Our 11 x 15 inch mailer is designed to be scanned over quickly so your ad doesn't get lost among several pages of coupons and specials. In fact each mailer only has enough space for 14 ads, each measuring 3 .5" x 5.25" inches. It is not folded or stuffed in an envelope or newspaper. It cradles the daily mail when slid into mailboxes and lays flat when set on a desk or table. It is great direct exposure and something people will save in a draw for future reference.
Local consumers are already growing familiar True Blue Coupons and have come to associate it with great savings.
Because we network local business together, we can offer prices of less than 4 cents per coupon mailed! This is so inexpensive, that many advertisers prefer to combine 2 ad spaces to display a larger 3.35 x 10 inch ad.
Decrease Your Shopping Expenses
With the ongoing downturn in the economy, consumers have been looking for values and bargains in the purchasing process. Online texting coupons have become extremely important in marketing almost any product. A dollar amount, percentage off sale or other offers have proved to be attention getters.
Here at True Blue Coupons, we see online coupons increasing in popularity as consumers remain thrifty even after the economy has started becoming stronger. Online research is now viewed as an extremely important tool in the purchasing process.
Coupons are a big hit and they are becoming more popular. According to comScore, a global internet information provider, 62% of consumers are using coupons to help cut back on their shopping expenses. A survey by eMarketer, a market research company, shows that 59% of consumers will be using coupons to decrease their shopping expenses.