If you’re looking for a great PR idea that is both low budget, interesting and efficient, here’s one: the Gift Meme organized by Kdo.ro, an online gift shop that promotes special, unique gifts, and PRwave, the first online PR community and news site in Romania, managed by my friend Loredana Pascal.

The meme is simple: Loredana started by buying gifts for three of her friends, myself included. With the gift, we received a nice envelope describing the campaign and encouraging us to buy a gift for our friends and get a 10% discount for it. We could of course choose to write about the campaign or not, join it or not. From there on, you can consider yourself tagged when you receive the gift. Sounds simple, the budget is not big and it does not imply spending something to get the bloggers to write, it just entails a small discount.

Why exactly does this campaign work? And it does work, all three of the initial bloggers plus others have already joined. Here are a few reasons:

• Most of us love surprises! Although we knew of the campaign, no one knew what he/she was getting, and the Loredana made inspired choices.
• Once you experience something nice, you want to share it with those close to you. So imagine a day in the office, lots of work, and then a call from the front desk saying: “Alina, you’ve got a gift waiting for you over here!” Such a lovely change in your daily routine. I got a very pink Bathing Belle set Good hint I should stop and relax once in a while
• We all give presents to friends, sometimes because it’s a special occasion, other times because we just want to surprise them. So if we can have it ordered with a few clicks, delivered to their home or office and also get a discount for as many presents as we want, why not take the opportunity. The need or desire already exists, Kdo is just building the campaign around it.

The only downturn I can think of is that the Gift Meme is only limited to Romania. But I’m definitelly joining! I was planning on buying some cool gifts in March anyway. I won’t tell who the gifts will go to, simply because I want them to be completely taken by surprise. I don’t think I’ll be around them when they get the prizes, but I do hope they’ll have a smile on their face as big as the one I’ve had when receiving my pink surprise. Loredana, thank you again for such a wonderful choice!

What I think you shouldn’t have missed last week…

Today is Wolrd AIDS Day and also Romania’s National Day! Thank you all for joining me on this week’s monday reading list on such a special occasion!

We’re all crazy about all things social media, both general and niche. But while there are plenty of niche social media sites, only a few can be considered successful. What differentiates a good site from a bad one? Find out on Traffikd.

When you run a business blog, turning your readers into buyers is one of your major goals. Danny Thompson of Busines and Blogging explains how to achieve your goal without annoying your readers through shamless sales pitches.

Cath Lawson discusses the “Free” concept. Find out more about when and how offering free producs or services helps your business.

In a guest post on Women on Business, Mark Tewart teaches 4 politically incorrect lessons aimed at helping women succeed in their career. Go on and read it, it really is wonderful advice!

Businesses count on holiday sales to increase their incomes. But with this year’s recession on our doors, it looks like holiday sales won’t be as easy as before. So here are some tips from Noobpreneur to get sales in this year’s season.

Comparisons seem like the perfect way to get a clear image of our own accomplishments. Yet most of the times, given interests, abilities and fields are extremely different, it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Michael Martine explains why comparisons are not good for your blog’s (or business’) health.

The economic downturn is driving everyone to cost reduction. Costs are diminished, while also trying to boost sales. In this economic environment, consultants, coaches and creatives still need to maintain their current rates. Here’s a simple Q&A post aimed at helping you keep your rates and still get business from Barbara Rozgonyi.

Ian Lurie has done it again: another post that will make you laugh to tears yet still be extremely useful. A guide for an SEO’s wife/girlfriend/significant other to the perfect Christmas Gift!

Brian Fetherstonhaugh of OgilvyOne has launched an interesting theory on how the 4Ps of Marketing (Product, Placement, Price, Promotion) have become the 4Es (Experience, Everyplace, Exchange, Evangelism). To get you started, read Katherine Liews’s (Brand Curve) review of this theory first.

That’s it for today! Don’t forget to add your recommendations in the comment box