Okay so on the face of it giving somebody a free postcard to send might not seem revolutionary. And that’s the great beauty in this simple, but oh so effective, method of ‘discreet’ marketing.

Just get some simple postcards printed with a tasteful picture of the area, a fantastic view or even your accommodation at its spectacular best (a view of the ocean from your infinity pool always goes down well!) on one side and your property name, location and web address on the other. Then leave them for guests to pick up, write and send to all their friends and family. It’ll save them time and money too which they’ll love. You could then offer to send the postcards for them free of charge. This is a smart choice if your guests are like me and write them with the best intentions on around the 3rd day, spend a couple of days trying to find a stamp and post office and then just give up, forget about them and then find them at the bottom of their suitcase when they get home.

This simple form of marketing your property is very effective. You’ve already converted your guests, now why not convert some of their family and friends. Postcards often end up on fridges, pinboards or stuck to a PC for months if not years so there’s lots of life in them too. There’s lots of simple forms of marketing like this depending on who your audience is and how much you are willing to spend. I was once given a keyring bottle opener as an introductory gift which I’ve still got today. I never forget the name of the site who gave it to me because they etched it on the side. It’s useful and it serves to remind me of them every time I open a bottle of beer. The trick is to give them something that they will use regularly and that they can share with others. (My bottle opener incidentally does both!)

Printng postcards doesn’t have to be a headache either. There’s lots of cheap, fast digital printers around who can guide you through the process. I use Minuteman Press here in Cape Town but I also here great things about Moo.com which is based in London but delivers globally and charges next to nothing.

zoofish can also help you with this … just contact us and we’ll sort it out.