Sometimes it's a good idea to run a promotion simply for its own sake, rather than to increase the amount of money coming into your business. Look at running a promotion that will encourage customers to talk about and remember your business for a long time.
Two examples of outrageous promotions that I have seen include:
A radio station management team car wash
The management team at a local radio station had to set up a car wash and detail the station's advertising clients' cars. If the clients weren't happy with the job done, the cars would have to be cleaned again. This was a fun promotion, but it was also very clever. It showed that the managers of the station didn't place themselves above their customers. It showed that they were prepared to humble themselves in order to do a good job to the complete satisfaction of their clients.
Managers become delivery people
The managers at a furniture store became the delivery people for a day. In a series of television commercials they used the promotion, 'If you buy from us today, we will personally deliver it to you tomorrow', and true to their word, they did. Were they busy? You bet.
While these types of promotions can have a positive impact on sales, they do much than just that. They reinforce a commitment to customer service that is sometimes hard to get across in more conventional ways. It is the commitment from the top down which gives it even more value.
Various pizza restaurants have tried to do the same kind of promotion, where the meal is ready in a certain time or it's free. Once again, this shows a commitment to customer service. Look for ways to run promotions that will spread the word that your business is all about customer service. Don't be afraid to be a little outrageous from time to time.