While the husband went deer hunting, I was getting ready for a local small business event where I am able to promote my business. I am still growing my client list, and these public encounters really help. I had all of my swag and marketing materials boxed up. It was the usual stuff – pens, notepads, business cards. I also had ice scrapers, rulers, and flyswatters. Yes… flyswatters. I was hesitant about bringing them. After all, it is the start of winter.
Some of the goodies I had ready was some holiday decor, pest control equipment and products I commonly use. The truck was loaded and I was ready. I usually get nervous in public settings, but I knew this was going to be really fun.
Setting Up
I came prepared for a great event. My table was set.
My daughter Ashly and I had swag bags ready to go. Those that agreed to answer a trivia question (and got the answer correct) received a goodie bag. We made sure that no one walked away empty handed. We gave out rulers. Potential new customers needed to know that Horizon Pest Solutions really does “measure up”.
Not everyone wanted a cookie. “OMG! These have bugs!”, was a common response. I thought they were fabulously awesome. Two ladies who – I can only guess- were friends, used the flyswatters for a fight. This interaction was similar to children hitting each other with a Christmas wrapping paper tube. I did notice that a couple of alcoholic beverages were involved.
GIVEAWAYS
I wanted everyone to have a good time. I think the endgame was successful. I helped a friend of mine in her business, too. I purchased a couple of holiday wreaths from her to give away. There were raffles for pest control traps and other items. While I do have a pesticide dealer permit, no chemicals were included.
A lady who won a wreath came dancing all the way to our table to collect her prize. That’s the type of fun I was hoping for by participating in this event.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS
When I got the idea for trivia, I was worried that I couldn’t come up with enough questions that the general public could answer. I was so wrong. Once I started writing, I ended up with 90…yes, 90 questions. That’s only 10 fewer than what are on a Certified Applicator exam.
One by one, the participants agreed to answer some trivia. Some were uncertain they knew anything about pest control. “You know more than you think,” I told them.
True or False -“Robins can be kept as pets?” I asked. A woman answered, “You can not. Don’t ask me how I know.”
True or False – Spiders sometimes use cannibalism to survive. TRUE
True or False – Some types of soft ticks feed on rattlesnakes or turtles? TRUE
True or False – Pheromones are only used to trap insects? FALSE they are designed as a monitoring tool.
The State of Kansas has only 1 female Associate Certified Entomologist. Who is it? IT’S ME! MELISA ARNOLD
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