The Fearless Blogger

Times are tough and the folks at Mars want to help. How, you ask? Every Friday through October, Mars will give away free real chocolate to 250,000 people. That means you can enjoy your favorite Mars’ candy brands—M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, 3 MUSKETEERS®, MILKY WAY® and DOVE®— for free!

I wrote about this when the program first started – and have enjoyed my free M&M’s thoroughly!  Figured it warrants another mention for those who may have forgotten, or those who haven’t had a chance to check it out.  Free chocolate is not something I take lightly!

(For some reason you’ll need to provide your birthdate before getting to the page requesting the contact information.  The first 250,000 responses will get an email confirmation acknowledging that your free chocolate is on its way – expect to find a coupon in your mail a few weeks later.)

Get Yours!
Visit Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act .

Be one of the first 10,000 Cost Plus World Market shoppers to register and qualify for a FREE MOVIE ticket courtesy of Cost Plus World Market and Fandango. You will receive your email on August 6th.

Two “catches” to getting the free ticket (which doesn’t cover Fandango fees – but hey, who’s complaining?)

1. You need to enter by July 29th (today)
2. Since the contest is intended for CPWM shoppers, the entry requires you enter the passkey which you received on your purchase receipt.  You can either purchases something of nominal value (Cost Plus sells gum) or you could try the passkey “movies” which allegedly will do the trick.

Be one of those first 10,000!  Get your free movie ticket now!
Cost Plus World Market Ticket Giveaway

hat tip: sampleaday.com

Sebastian wants to bring you free Airborne

Missed out on your free Starbucks pastry yesterday?
Don’t fret! Here are some links to some quick & easy freebies to get you over the work-week hump!

Coffee
Nescafe says: Try It On Us. (Coffee snobs – it’s actually quite good iced, with condensed milk added – I think I saw a tweet from Chris Brogan with the “recipe” which prompted me to try it!)

Moo Card Sample Pack
Try a sample pack of 10 Moo Cards for free. If you want to order a complete set, get free shipping by using promo code M7Y7XV between now and August 31st (first time orders only).

Airborne
Some shirtless, loin-cloth-wearing dude named Sebastian wants to give you a free sample of Airborne.  After you place your request, you can track Sebastian’s progress.  When I last checked, he’d stopped in the woods to perform an impromptu flute concert.

From the Chick-fil-A website:
5th Annual Cow Appreciation Day Friday, July 10, 2009
Come into any Chick-fil-A restaurant dressed as a cow and receive a free combo meal.
Show your appreciation for the cows while eating more chicken. Put on your best cow costume and join us for free fun on Friday, July 10.

Don’t have a costume? Make your own using their handy starter kit.

Visit the site for more details

As an under-employed, aspiring blogger, it’s occurred to me more than once that I’d gladly help spread the word about local eateries in exchange for an occasional free meal.

It’s also occurred to me that businesses might do well to attract people to their establishments by connecting with active tweeters, bloggers, social-media addicts, etc. to help fill their tables on slow nights – and get some publicity in the process.

Seems that the good folks at TasteCasting agree:

TasteCasting combines socially networked people and the social media platforms and applications they use to help establishments build awareness, announce grand openings, introduce new menu items, distribute special offers and encourage people to visit the establishment.

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