Well, I was driving home from holiday yesterday and got to thinking about Minti to while away the drive. This is what I have come up with for publicity:

• Instead of just the refer a friend email (which I have sent to friends, even with a message and they thought was spam), could we have a space on registration where a person could input who referred them, instead of relying on links through from the email. That way I can tell people about Minti in my own way and let them log on in their own time.
• Could Minti produce some leaflets, maybe A5 size, with a space for my name and username on, that outlines what Minti is about. I can then hand them out to other Mums at our music and toddler groups. Minti can send me maybe 50 or 100 and I can easily get these out to people.
• If this isn't an option, could we have a link through to a lovely page that tells all about Minti and that I can put in my email (although I much prefer the idea of paper so that I can get the messgae wider).
• For everyone who signs up through me, I get an entry to a monthly draw. I thought that an ideal prize / prizes would be an Amazon gift voucher as Amazon seem to be worldwide, they have a big choice of goods and there is no customs! The winner could chose books, CDs, films etc, or childrens books as they prefer. You can choose the number and amount of prizes so you know exactly what your outlay would be.
• When I win a monthly draw, the person who I signed up for that entry also wins - a Minti bag. This gets the message out, wouldn't attract customs charges, and is an incentive for people to put my name down on sign up. I have found the messenger bag to be really useful in size (although scary in colour!).
• I was going to suggest a monthly draw or random prizes offered for good articles, helpfulness etc, but I see you have beaten me to it on that one!
• Finally, although slightly to one side, Minti beginning a pro-forma 'reviews' section - anyone can review products in set categories using a pro-forma (pros, cons, costs etc) and free-text form. This would increase the number of hits to the website and hence the profile of the website.

That's all I have for now!