SalesHQ

News >> Browse Articles >> Marketing

Advertising Entrepreneur Wears Your Shirt

Jason Sadler started a company, IWearYourShirt.com, which, as the name implies, is a service where Sadler wears your company shirt; uploads a video of him wearing your shirt to YouTube and Ustream.tv, posts photos on his blog and on Flickr, and tweets about it on Twitter.

In other words, he became a human billboard with a valuable social media following. With more than 17,000 avid followers on Twitter, people care about what Jason wears.

His pricing schedule was just as interesting as his service: on the first day of 2009, he only charged $1, on the second $2, on the third $3 and so on. By the end of the year it cost $365 for him to wear your company’s shirt.

So, have people bought these unusual ad spots? Of course they have! In fact, his 2009 calendar is entirely sold out, and he is already making reservations for 2010. And like a true social media profiteer, Sadler is doubling the value proposition for advertisers next year: he’s hiring a second walking billboard to wear shirts as well.

What’s the secret to his success? Small business owners want to take a risk on cost-effective advertising tactics with a huge potential upside, and large brands are always eager to experiment with new and interesting formats. Throw in the words “Twitter” and “Flickr” and big businesses are all but sold.

Speaking of sold: his unique idea has made him more than $70,000 this year alone ($66,795 before contests and deals are included). Plus, according to his publicist, more than 115 days of his 2010 calendar sold out within 24 hours of opening his appointment book.

Solid numbers and a well-designed website aside, I had a few lingering questions for Sadler. His answers may intrigue you.

QUESTION: What gave you the idea for I Wear Your Shirt?