How our photocopy vendor purchased a new house using this viral marketing strategy?

When we started studying in college, our college had one photocopy shop (Gauri Photostat) in the premise and he was playing safe with his monopolistic position for stationery and Xerox services. Though he never tried to overcharge but the competition rose next year when 3 more shops opened in the area. Students started moving to other shops for 3 reasons:

1. Try something new, a natural phenomenon

2. More waiting time at Gauri Photostat, it being overcrowded

3. New shops also sold snacks and had benches to sit while photocopy is being done

Gauri photostat was not in position to counter those 3 competitors so he created a strategy to offer following services. A few small changes in services brought him back to business which was giving losses after 3 months of competition.

1. DROP THE NOTES - Just drop the notes, these will be copied and delivered to hostel rooms, so it helped students not to wait for their turn. Students would just write what they want with hostel address and the job will be done in 24 hours.

2. PAY WEEKLY - Students were happy that they did could pay later and shopkeeper also felt it easier to manage less transactions. And he was not worried because students are studying, they won't run away.

3. VIRAL MARKETING - Gauri photostat just stamped first page of every photocopy content so that people remember his shop. This gives the best brand recall. Whether these notes are going to other students, faculties or even other students from different colleges, Gauri Photostat is becoming famous. This led him grow leaps and bounds.

And within 4 years he made huge sales that he purchased a new house in the town. This is a real case and I understood it when I started learning marketing - 4 years after his success !

Pro Tips

1. Always leave your mark wherever you go.

2. Have some style that's unique to you and people remember you for it.

3. Use # that signify your work/personality. Sooner or later, this will create your brand.

How would you like to recall yourself? Give it a thought...

#mohitspeaks #marketingskills