Aside from being a "non-ethical" form of marketing to some, I wonder if this would work and if there could be any ramifications to doing it. So, I subscribe to Netflix. Each week, I get 2 - 3 movies that I then return to get watched by someone else. What if I slipped a business card in the sleeve of the movie or better yet, a printed card with a list of my website URLs before I return it? I highly doubt that Netflix checks each sleeve. Their system seems to be very automated so when a movie is returned, it's immediately wrapped back up in an envelope and shipped off to the next person. What would you do if you received a Netflix movie with a business card in it? Would you care? Would you visit the URL? Would you tell Netflix? Now before you chastise me for this idea, remember, it's an idea. I haven't done it, but I won't say that I 100% won't. The demographic is certainly there. There's a huge age range and each one of these "prospects" has internet access and some level of online experience or else they couldn't sign up and actually rent DVDs. I'd consider them an above average internet user. This kind of plays off the old idea of placing your business card into books at bookstores and libraries. Final thought: I wouldn't like it if 10 subscribers stuffed an ad into a sleeve that I received and I'm sure Netflix wouldn't either, but they couldn't do much about it other than checking each sleeve before it's shipped back out. But, if I received a single business card, I may keep it for later or throw it away depending on what it was for. What are your thoughts? Another way to market or Netflix spam?
If they do complain, netflix will probably be able to find that the last person to send it was you, and they might get mad at you (Could they sue? Dunno...) They'd most likely probably just cancel your netflix account if they found out....
I don't condone this, but- You might do better writing one of your site addresses on a sheet of paper like a post-it note. If Netflix catches it they may just think someone left one of their notes in the case.
Maybe I'm just immoral, but I don't see anything wrong with that idea. I think the worst thing that could happen would be netflix cancelling your account.
LOL. You my friend should think little more straight. If they sue you you are lucky. You should at least try this just to get sued.
Well there is nothing immoral about it or anything netflix could sue you for. (but to be certain read their TOS) I doubt they would cancel a paying customer who is not breaking any rules. I would say though that in order for you to get significant results, you would have to rent out a lot of movies.
That's good out-of-the-box thinking. But how scalable is it really? If an average of let's say 1 person sees your card, promo flyer or whatever PER movie,dvd box. You'd have to watch 200 movies a month to get 200 "hits" on your flyer, an even lower percentage will eventully respond. Let's say 5% respond and come check out your website or whatever. That's 10 people out of 200 movies. And let's say 5% order (I'm being generous here). You'd need 20 people on your website to get 1 sale! So if you watch 400 movies a month, you'd get an amazingly cool 1 sale! Genius
I think someone checks that they've got the right dvd back, so I reckon they DO check every return. So any card would be removed. Sorry.
It only takes 1 lead to make 1 sale, not that I would expect 100% conversion, but that card could be handed to many others or become the start of a conversation. "Hey, check out this card I got in my Netflix sleeve." That viewer "may not know" that it came from another viewer. Netflix always includes a tear-off ad built into the envelope with previews, upcoming releases, coupons, etc.
They only check when there is a complaint. There's a form on their website to fill out if you receive a different or damaged movie. There's no way they can physically check thousands of returns they receive a day. It would have to be done manually and I doubt they have the staff for that. They may do some spot checking, but not every movie.
Like I said, it's good out of the box thinking. Quite original, and it could very well be a starting point to a grand idea. I don't want to be condescending, or negative or anything like but.. I'd doubt it would work. If you've been marketing online for any time now you'd know that getting a 5-10% response rate (on targeted leads that HAVE responded already) is an amazingly good number to have in most markets. And this is with complex, elaborate and effective salesmanship in print, multi-step sequences crafted by very experienced marketers... (which a flyer is not!) But I like the renegade thinking there