Facebook Giveaway Campaign Promotes Local Businesses

People like stuff. They especially like stuff when it's free.

That's the simple concept behind Northern Westchester Free Stuff. Marketing consultant David Fischer came up with the Facebook campaign in an effort to promote local businesses on a shoe-string budget. Fifteen businesses in Mount Kisco, Chappaqua, Katonah, Yorktown Heights, White Plains, Pleasantville, Cross River, Montrose and Ossining are participating in the pilot program.

Here's how it works: Go to the Facebook page and hit the Like button. You're now eligible to win a gift provided by one of the 15 local merchants participating in the campaign. A new winner is randomly selected each day, and the winner can choose whatever gift he or she wants – from a free manicure or dinner entrée to a discount on a doggie bath. The winner has two days to claim their gift.

The $25 gift certificate from Gail Patrick's Café in Chappaqua has been selected by 11 winners, making it one of the most popular choices.

Patrick Filacchione, owner and chef, said that signing up with Free Stuff has been a "relatively inexpensive" way to gain exposure.

Merchants pay Fischer, founder of Solutions for Growth, a flat fee to be part of the program. Fischer began the Facebook campaign three months ago as a test.

"It's growing very nicely," Fischer said. "Because of the affordability of online marketing, many small businesses are going in that direction."

Since the Northern Westchester Free Stuff Facebook page launched, nearly 650 people have become fans by "Liking" the page. When someone Likes the page, a message is posted on that person's Facebook Wall and shared with all of their friends, producing an automatic viral effect.

Since a winner is announced daily, people check the page frequently. Each day, the Facebook page posts that day's winner; what the previous winner chose as a prize; and plugs one of the participating businesses, so even if a merchant's gift isn't chosen frequently, the business still gets some exposure.

Some prizes are decidedly more popular than others, with free manicures and restaurant gift certificates chosen the most often.

Jason Kormes, the manager of Limited Unlimited Jewelers in Mount Kisco, said no one has selected the $50 gift certificate the store offers as a prize. But Kormes said the cost of joining the Free Stuff campaign is "low enough that it's not hurting business."

Woof n' Wash Interactive Dog Wash in Mt. Kisco has been more successful. Jason Leito said he joined the Free Stuff program about four weeks ago and already four people have selected a free dog wash, which typically costs $45.

Perhaps nothing is better for a business than a good review from a happy customer. Free Stuff winner Sheri Tolla Legeret wrote on the Facebook page: "I just got my dog groomed at Woof and Wash! They did a great job! So glad to be a winner!"

So far, Fischer has limited the number of merchants involved to 15. Based on the positive response he's received, Fischer said he may expand the Free Stuff program to include other Westchester businesses and communities.

The merchants and prizes available from Northern Westchester Free Stuff are:

Gail Patrick's Café in Chappaqua — $25 gift certificate

Passage to India in Mount Kisco – Free entrée and desert Monday-Thursday

Woof n' Wash in Mount Kisco — $45 dog wash

Limited Unlimited Jewelers in Mount Kisco — $25 gift certificate

Hand Perfection by Ellen Sirot in Mount Kisco — Free Hand Perfection Complete Day Cream (retail price $30)

Fine Lines of Katonah Stationer — $25 Gift Certificate on Stationery, Vera Bradley and Gift Items

Westchester Art & Frame in Yorktown Heights —$50 off any custom frame of $100 or more

Salem Nail & Spa in Cross River – Free manicure

Capri Pizza and Pasta in Ossining—Free cheese pizza

Youtopia in Montrose —$20 gift certificate

treat.frozenyogurt in Cross River —Free regular frozen yogurt cup with toppings

Design-a-Pad in Pleasantville—$20 gift certificate

Dr. Todd Herold in White Plains —One free month's supply of Super Omega-3 Essential Oils

Body Fit in Cross River —One month free pass to the Body Fit gym

Maid Brigade of Westchester County —Complete kitchen cleaning, including inside fridge and oven