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Newsletter #1035: The “On the Road” Issue

[Welcome back to the Damn, I Wish I’d Thought of That! newsletter. This is text of the great issue all of our email subscribers just received. Sign yourself up using the handy form on the right.]

There’s so much marketing potential in the quintessential road trip, in traveling, and in serving the people out on the road every day. But it’s about much more than flagging over those out-of-town visitors and people passing through with a bigger, flashier billboard.

Check out these three ideas for reaching people out on the open road:

1. Truckstop doctor
2. Traveling line dancers
3. Restaurant pit stops
4. Check it out: Google Feud

1. Truckstop doctor

One family doctor in rural Virginia posted up shop next to a truck stop to give care to truck drivers passing through town. Dr. Rob Marsh accepts walk-ins from truckers who don’t have the time to schedule an appointment or have a regular family doctor on record. And his convenient location makes it easy for truckers to come in and still make good time on their deliveries. In fact, they’re looking to open a full-service pharmacy in the gas station next door.

The lesson: What markets are underserved in your town? Don’t be afraid to break some of the usual conventions in your industry to reach them.

Learn more: NPR

2. Traveling line dancers

After Fort Worth’s Visitors Bureau discovered that many of the town’s tourists were coming from St. Louis, they sent line dancers from Fort Worth’s famous honky tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas, to the Taste of St. Louis event. The line dancers acted as ambassadors and showed St. Louis they knew how to have a good time in Fort Worth.

The lesson: Fort Worth did more than just send brochures or travel discounts. They sent an experience to St. Louis to give them a taste of what it’s like in Fort Worth.

Learn more: Ad Age

3. Restaurant pit stops

Recharging electric cars takes longer than your average fill-up at the gas station. So some restaurants like Denny’s and Applebee’s are taking advantage of the time electric car owners need to kill by placing charging stations in their parking lots. That way, when they pull off the highway to recharge, the obvious place to stop is the one that will also feed you while you wait.

The lesson: What one benefit can you offer to get your customers to choose you over your competition?

4. Check it out: Google Feud

This game uses Google’s autocomplete to create a Family-Feud-style game. Pick a category, and then enter what you think are the most popular suggestions from Google based on the word or phrase.

Check it out: Google Feud

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