Aside from raising a considerable amount of donations for the Salvation Army, we were struck by how much some simple bell ringing -- when done with conviction -- can provide insights into marketing any product or service.
1. Vary your volume. See those prospects in row 15 of the parking lot? Amplify that ring... make them notice you from afar, so they're ready to give (buy!) when they reach the destination. As they draw near, turn it down a notch, giving them a break from the otherwise earsplitting cacophony.
2. Mix up your rhythm. Who wants to hear the same ring pattern time and time again? Throw in a little variety to keep the message fresh, and to prevent your audiences from tuning out.
3. Find a prop. Sleigh bells? Nah, we went with an old school dinner bell from home. Its silver plating, deep wooden handle, and loud (LOUD!), deep tone made quite an impression versus the standard issue equipment. That, as you might expect, led to more than a few questions, which allowed us to...
4. ... Engage in conversation. Bell ringing is the 18th-century version of social media -- you're not just asking for a dollar or some coins, but trying to strike up a discussion. Once your audience knows there's some substance behind that smile, they're more like to give a little more.
5. Say thank you to everyone. Everyone, whether they give or not, receives a heartfelt thank you. They've taken the time to listen, whether they wanted to or not, and maybe -- just maybe -- they'll make that donation at another time.
Jumping out of the metaphorical world for a moment, consider giving of your own time or good fortune this week as the Salvation Army makes its final Red Kettle appeal. Click here to learn more!
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