How do I get a product in to stores? If I wanted to get my product into Borders or REI who would I talk to?

Question

My product is a map. I want it to be in travel stores/bookstores, etc. I am a small start-up with not a lot of capital. Should I hire a marketing specialist or someone who is an expert at doing this? What should I expect to pay? What do I look for if I need to find a firm to market it?

Answer 1

If you're short on capital I'd check into a variet of options. Cafepress has some nice options for publishing and setting up your own store. You can build a reputation and client base this way. Alternatively look into cooperative publishing or just out-right contracting your map to one of the various publishers in that end of the industry. I realize you want to retain control, but the sale of THAT map could provide you with the income to build your business independently from there.

You can hire a PR/Marketer but they're not cheap. The best price I could find was $1,000 a month and that didn't get me much coverage at all. You also need to expect to do a lot of your own PR no matter what. It's just part of the "gig"

If you get a marketer you want someone or a firm familiar with your demographic - ie. your product and target audience. You can try finding a freelancer, but you might end up with less experience than necessary in such a tight market.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Bringing Your Product to Market: Fast-Track Approaches to Cashing in on Your Great Idea, 2nd Edition by Don Debelak
* Entrepreneur Magazine: Bringing Your Product to Market by Don Debelak
* Product Idea to Product Success: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Making Money from Your Idea by Matthew Yubas

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!