Getting new customers can be difficult for small businesses. Marketing can be expensive. But it doesn’t have to be.
Did you know there is a free service that your small business can offer without giving away your products or services? It’s simple. Offer people traveling through your area a free overnight parking space without any strings attached, including services. You don’t have to do anything for them. Too good to be true? Not really. This article describes how it can be done.
Philosophy of Sharing
Thief Distillery
A company called Harvest Hosts offers this interesting marketing proposition. Consumer product/service businesses sign up as hosts for free and provide travelers a free night’s stay in their parking lot with no services (lodging, water, electric, or septic). RV travelers sign up as members (for around $100 per year) to stay in the free, no-frills parking spot (if still available on that day).
This is a win-win for both parties. There are no obligations (other than following Harvest Hosts code of conduct) but expectations are that the host can share what they do and offer products, and the member gets a free stay with no hassles from a campground or hotel.
Many travelers we encountered commented that they had more fun staying at Harvest hosts, which run the gamut from vineyards to breweries, cattle farms to heather gardens, and golf courses to eclectic art studios.
Almost all of the hosts we met said Harvest Hosts was good for their business and that they met the most interesting people who were genuinely interested in their products and services. The travelers also noted Harvest Hosts stays were more relaxing and interesting than other lodging alternatives.
If you’re interested in a great way to visit interesting small businesses across the country and stay for free with your RV, check out the Harvest Hosts website!
BTW, besides Harvest Hosts which apparently started the “free parking lot stays”, we have noticed that there are now homeowners and other businesses offering overnight stays for travellers as well. I will post this information in another post.
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