A little grasshopper told me

Grasshoppernumber Thanks to the blog, I get some interesting mail.  But I have to say, chocolate covered grasshoppers might just top the list.

When I got it, here's what happened:

  1. It came in a FedEx package, so no one screened it.  It actually got to my desk.
  2. I didn't recognize the return address, so my curiosity had me open it right away.
  3. Once I realized that it really was chocolate covered grasshoppers, I started showing my co-workers.
  4. We visited the website on the card to see what the mailing was all about.
  5. We took photos, because I knew sooner or later I'd blog about it.
  6. We're going to have a "who will eat one of these" contest at work.  I'll let you know who wins!

Bottom line — it worked.  3-D mailings may cost a little more money — but they deliver big results when they are done well.

The folks at Grasshopper.com decided to send out 5,000 of the attention-hopping packages to entrepreneurs, bloggers, celebrities, journalists and customers.  They spent 3 months assembling the list and made sure the packaging and cross promotion (Twitter, YouTube, bloggers, their website, etc.) were all in order.

This was a very well thought out and executed campaign.  Bravo to the Grasshopper gang. 

P.S.  Grasshopper.com is actually an integrated virtual phone system for your company that includes toll free numbers, forwarding capabilities to home, mobile, office… and even online voice mail to email capabilities. Costs range depending on the package you would like – but they start at $9.95 per month and range up to $199 per month.

The URL on the package sent us to this video about the power and potential of being an entrepreneur.

 

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21 comments on “A little grasshopper told me

  1. Nice promotion, but in terms of branding I’d have had advised them to pick a brand name (and promotional item) that evokes good feelings from all customers, not just some of them.
    Grasshoppers? Chocolate covered grasshoppers?
    I can certainly imagine some customers being disgusted by this item.

  2. Interesting and well executed promo, indeed. What great free publicity.

    What puzzles me is how, reading your post, I had no idea what the campaign was about until the end of your post. And even then, other than the company name, there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between chocolate-covered grasshoppers and a virtual phone system. Three months of list assembly (why so long, grasshoppers?) and 5,000 packages later, and the service being promoted ends up in a postscript. A great example of a campaign (medium) overshadowing the service it promotes (message).

    Now where can I get me some chocolate-covered grasshoppers?

  3. Smooth Skin says:

    What an attention grabber and had it been me, it would have been escorted right out to the garbage dumpster. I commend/pity the one in your office which actually eats it NASTY.

    Marketing technique, excellent. Not only it got your attention, it is receiving word of mouth (well through blog formt) but still. It was a well thought out and executed promotion. Costly, yeah probably, but it worked in the end.

  4. Gabriella says:

    Like your other comments I was taken back when I found out what services they offered. Someone was creatively thinking (no doubt) I am just not sure the promotion hit the mark

  5. It’s always good to see company’s thinking outside of the box. I’m not sure how many virtual telephone systems this will actual sell, but it’s only through that campaign and your blog, that I have now visited their website.

  6. Duty Pipe says:

    It helps in developing marketing skills that i like to discuss in further thanks for sharing.
    Regards,

  7. I’m not sure how many virtual telephone systems this will actual sell, but it’s only through that campaign and your blog.Thank you,
    Regards – Darren

  8. I really Like your other comments I was taken back when I found out what services they offered. Someone was creatively thinking (no doubt) I am just not sure the promotion hit the mark

  9. I really Like your other comments I was taken back when I found out what services they offered. Someone was creatively thinking (no doubt) I am just not sure the promotion hit the mark

  10. I saw this post and tried to run away but the grosshopper caught me. The site grosshopper.com is doing interesting job. Well done.

  11. I had no idea what the campaign was about until the end of your post. And even then, other than the company name, there doesn’t seem to be much of a connection between chocolate-covered grasshoppers and a virtual phone system.

  12. acai berry says:

    Not only it got your attention, it is receiving word of mouth (well through blog formt) but still. It was a well thought out and executed promotion. Costly, yeah probably, but it worked in the end.

  13. True…the name and the company’s function are a big of a disconnect. But, as smart as they’ve been so far, I suspect they will help our brains tie the two ideas together.

    Look what happens when I say gecko. You say insurance? We are trainable!

    Drew

  14. Livescores says:

    Someone comes along and shows me how much I have to learn . Thanks

  15. chat says:

    in fact,to say nothing more on this subject, but still would like to thank for sharing respects
    Dear Admin, I thank you for this informative article. And I thank you for this I follow your vendors. It’s verry good. I wish you continued success

  16. This is an amazing idea. You need to have a bigger budget to realize it but I’m guessing it is worth it. So did you eat it?

  17. Interesting and funny, I don’t think i can win in these kind of contests but i don’t understand what is the chocolate covered grasshoppers related to the virtual phone system.

  18. Hello there, I’m having problems viewing your blog on my iPhone, the comment form isn’t showing properly for me. (Just thought you might want to know, I’m typing this from my laptop.)

    -Jessica

  19. Yap Not only it got your attention, it is receiving word of mouth (well through blog formt) but still. It was a well thought out and executed promotion. Costly, yeah probably, but it worked in the end.

  20. Tuning says:

    P.S. Grasshopper.com is actually an integrated virtual phone system for your company that includes toll free numbers, forwarding capabilities to home, mobile, office… and even online voice mail to email capabilities.

  21. HdFilm says:

    Ha, who would have thought it. Nice!

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