To start, contact your local Welcome Wagon. Find out which programs your community is involved with, and which would be most beneficial for you and your business to participate in. Just some of the programs that may be offered are:
- Community Welcome
- Birth of Baby
- Baby Shower
- Baby Welcome
- Bridal Showcase
- Campus Welcome
- Executive Welcome
- Plus Fifty
- Convention Welcome
Which of these (if any) would be suitable for your home based business? What products or services do you provide that would benefit the groups represented?
For instance, when I gave birth to my daughter in the hospital, I received a package from the Welcome Wagon. There were quite a few items from both local and international businesses that I would not have contacted otherwise had they not provided a free sample for me to try. Some of the items I received:
- Newborn diaper, from a local diaper warehouse, along with some coupons
- Coupon for two free loaves of bread from a local grocery store
- Diaper rash cream, (Desitin) as well as some coupons
- Flyer from a local Mary Kay consultant, as well as an offer for a free beauty makeover - to "pamper" me after the birth of my child
- Professional in-home photography shoot for my daughter from Canadian Baby Photographers, with one 8 by 10 - all for free
- Numerous coupons, offers for free magazines, and baby books from national retailers.
I contacted every single one of the businesses listed in that gift package - and I am sure that I am not the only one that did! There was so much free stuff, that it was greatly appreciated in the hospital. Some of the items that were in the package made for a more pleasant hospital stay - including things that I had forgotten to bring to the hospital. (Like diapers!)
However, you must be aware that there may be several guidelines to follow to be able to offer your products in conjunction with the Welcome Wagon. Here are some of the guidelines
