We bought a 3-size button press machine and I’m so excited! I have to get the OK from Nathan but I think giving away the smallest ones at other cons and events in Reno would be really wonderful marketing because unlike fliers, people tend not to just throw away a button. Yeah, some will get tossed, but it’s something of value (albeit a small value). People put buttons on their lanyards at cons, on their backpacks, jackets, car seats, stuffed animals . . . all over the place!

So I want to give out 1-2k of free buttons this year, maybe more, and back off the fliers. Of course, fliers are insanely cheap. We got 15k for $335 – double-sided and color. Another thought is to attach buttons to fliers and then give the buttons out. They toss the flier after reading it, and keep the button.

The buttons will persist through the years not only reminding the individual who keeps it about the con, but friends and family of that individual who happen to come in contact with that button. That is totally worth more than a flier.

I love buttons. I’m so excited.

We can also use them as prizes/awards because we can buy ribbons which attach to them and use the 3” ones as specially designed awards. We can use them in all of our contests. =D

And, of course, to help offset the cost of the machine and supplies, we can sell the 2.25” buttons. I figure we can sell designs related to the new achievement system and of course buttons with the annual theme and other things we like at the 2.25”, and 3” sizes.

Finally, I’m excited because I can buy my own supplies and make buttons! I love buttons. I can make some for fully unscripted and PictureNV and just myself. Of course, I’d never use the SCIENCE supplies, but if I’m making thousands of buttons this year for SCIENCE/SNAFU, then I have no problem letting me use the press for my own handful of buttons.

Oh! Maybe we can give an at-con prize or discount if people bring the button in to reg. Something like get $1 off your registration for next year if you bring a marketing button. . . . Or an entry into a drawing for a free registration. Or both! Just something to encourage people to keep them.

Once we get some designs, there will totally be a button-making party at my place (invite only)!