Comments on: How to promote cards that teach kids about clutter

By: Leslie

Leslie — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 16:47:18 +0000

Thank you so much for all of your ideas. I will use them all. Thanks again and look for Les Mess near you.

By: Julie Renee Callaway

Julie Renee Callaway — Sun, 21 Aug 2005 08:10:01 +0000

These cards look like a great way to help ADD/ADHD kids focus. These kids often have a real problem understanding how to organize and clean. Short, direct information like this can be very useful for some of these kids. There are parenting organizations and websites for parents with ADD/ADHD kids. ADD/ADHD is also hot in the media so it may be another hook for reporters who write about this topic.

By: Kathie Hightower

Kathie Hightower — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 19:08:22 +0000

Leslie–I’d contact NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers. Sounds like a great product for professional organizers to add to their resource list (and possibly product sales tables at events). Many of them write regular columns –might get some national mention that way.
Another idea is to submit your own “round up” type article to family mags. A short list of products that help children learn responsibility and skills, say. Your cards could be one of a short list of other products (there is a wonderful savings piggy bank for example with sep slots for savings, investments, donating & spending at http://www.msgen.com for example). If you want to send us a review sample and press release we’ll consider a mention in our workshops and columns for military spouses. (militaryspousehelp.com) Kathie

By: Malissa

Malissa — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 02:25:10 +0000

Ok–and one more thing–you could set up a store on Ebay and sell them there too.

I looked at your site–very nice–maybe if you had photos of kids with BIG smiles cleaning their rooms;)

By: Malissa

Malissa — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 02:23:13 +0000

If I were you;) I’d contact local children’s consignment stores, educational stores (teacher type stores), day cares–perhaps at a daycare if you gave them a small % of their sales (like a fundraiser) they would sell them for you.

I think your cards are a SUPER idea–market them to busy moms–where are they reading? Working mom magazine? Homeschooling catalogs?

I hope that is a few ideas to get your brain rolling!
Malissa

By: Katie Schwartz

Katie Schwartz — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 00:11:08 +0000

As a way to see how much my own teens have learned about marketing a small business, I asked them how they would market this product. They suggested it be marketed in one of three ways:
1. through stores that feature bed and bath products, or clutter control ideas
2. through services that market to those who are moving, such as banks with moving packages and realtors working with young families (as a promotional item)
3. in ads in magazines and e-zines geared to working parents, such as Working Mother, and parents who have home businesses

It could also be used as a door prize at elementary school PTAs.

They stressed that this child-friendly product must appeal to both children and parents

By: Dina Beach Lynch

Dina Beach Lynch — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 22:11:11 +0000

What a terrific idea! I wish it were available when my kids were small.

Your cards seem perfect for a joint venture program. You could find a local (or national company like Staples- don’t you love their back to school ads) company that targets parents with ‘back to school’ needs.

The company would purchase your product at a discount and either offer it free with purchase or at a discount to their customers. If you had another product in your line, you could include a coupon for that product in the packaging; or include the coupon as part of a follow up mailing with the sponsor.

You could also team up with a local school or two and offer the cards as a fund raising item. You’d get sales, visibility and coverage for being charitable at a time when most schools need additional funding.

I’m on a roll. You could also team up with a school to write for educational grants that the school could use to purchase your product. Some of my colleagues have used this strategy when a non-profit wants training but can’t afford it. Google for grant-making.

Sometimes I wish I had a product instead of conflict coaching/Ombuds services. It’s so much easier to market!

Best Wishes,
Dina Beach Lynch
http://www.workwelltogether.com

By: Linda Lipinski

Linda Lipinski — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 19:57:21 +0000

Leslie: Just came across another idea. Many family/parent magazines present products that they consider motivational, educational, or developmental or that parents can’t live without. Why don’t you write a short article about your product and send it to them. A few examples: Child, Family Circle, Ladies’ Home Journal, Parenting Magazine, Redbook, and Working Mother.

By: Miriam Silverberg

Miriam Silverberg — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 15:32:34 +0000

I would contact the parent-teachers’ associations at schools. Also any school fairs and street
fairs. As far as television, I would go directly to the booker.

By: Melissa Ringstaff

Melissa Ringstaff — Tue, 16 Aug 2005 14:26:12 +0000

Leslie,

I think you have a neat product, but I would suggest getting a professional website and logo created or learn how to do it yourself. I don’t care how great the product is, your store front is the first thing people see. Image is everything.

I would also suggest joining MOMPack.com, for inexpensive advertising to moms – your target audience.

Put together a great press kit with photos, cute kids and happy moms. Send it everywhere in your local area as well as to parenting magazines and websites. Television, radio shows, newspapers, and ask preschools and daycares about putting your brochures on their front desk – make it worth their while. Also, hospitals will allow you to put your brochures or samples in their gift packs they give to new moms – potential customers!

Create a good brochure. Make your product look as dynamic and unique as you feel it is! Happy colors bring smiles and happy moms will bring their money.