marketing ideas for childproofing business in Illinois?

Question

my friend is trying to start up a childproofing business, offers retail sale of products with the option of installation. he has tried sales genie to get names of people around with small children and has done direct mailings, however, this accounts for only a small return. most of the stores around will not let any business cards or fliers to be placed within. tried leaving some trifold pamphlets in couple OB/GYN offices, but seems the staff really doesn't keep them out for long. he has surfed the internet and posted on all the free sites he can think of that would be associated with this type of service and has even set up a web page. however, most people do not even know this type of business exists, so...aside from standing on a street corner and attacking anyone coming by with a stroller does anyone have any other ideas?

thanks.

Answer 1

Your first priority is to learn what you want. Many businesses fail because they really don't know what they want, and then they can't set up a system to quantify whether they are being successful or not....so...what do you want? Do you want every mother in America to buy your products? And if so, how is that going to happen? How will you stop your competitors to take over YOUR business. How will you manage to create a business within your industry that will allow for not only expansion (which I'm assuming is necessary given the limited return per item), but also a culture of its own (which you will need if you want to keep your customers and not lose them to the competition)?

I would focus on your website first, which is an affordable way to create expansion and to voice your products at nearly no cost.

Try this: think of your business as being ridiculous. Think of your products and exaggerate them. I honestly don't care about the children aspect of your business RIGHT NOW. We need to think about the mothers here. As mothers, it is their nature to exaggerate the welfare of their children. So SHOW THEM that risk-prevention is nonsensical. My immediate idea for you would be to plug your car with a bunch of ridiculous things with some words saying: "The roof of my car is nickel-plated with X product because 99% of all automobile accidents on children come from tree branches falling on the car." I mean, go crazy with this. You need for people to have a relaxed attitude to your business, and not feel pushed (as the OB/GYN people felt) into advertising for you. You can't find people to advertise for you. You need to advertise for yourself.

Step 2: TAPE all your ridiculous nonsense products (the fake ones), and load the videos on your site. You are NOT going to sell products by putting them on a website and expecting people to buy them by only looking at them.

My idea is TWO COLUMS: A fake product, and a real product, and labeling each video accordingly, with a link to the real product's selling page.

ALSO: as a concerned mother - create a podcast about taking care of children, and implement it in your website.

This is your culture.

You have to think of your website as a larger extention of your business model, and you have to think of your LIFE as an invitation to your website.

Also: just for kicks and a few referrals - stay away from Sales Genie. If you want targeted ads, send a comic letter to a political representative. If you can make them laugh, they'll talk about it. Don't leave pamphlets at the OBGYN anymore. Pass them out to mothers with strollers on the street. AND DON'T SELL. Invite them into your culture. Invite them into your website.

If you own a business, I'm sorry to say, you have to be aggressive FOR THE BUSINESS, not BECAUSE of the business. Telling people about your products is not selling. You have to get to their funny bone, a.k.a, their emotions. And in this day and age, pictures don't work. Video does. So pump up on your cinematic skills and see what happens.

That's my QUICK opinion anyways.

Answer 2

I remember hearing about the law changing on the news. I live in Iowa, so I know that ppl are going out on the weekends over here now, instead of across the bridge, even though Illinois bars are allowed to stay open longer. I am trying to think of what would draw me to Illinois since I am a smoker.. there's always Sports, Poker Tournaments ( if it is allowed, not sure) Beer Pong challenges.... the classic wet t-shirt contests... I remember being at a bar that was trying to attract new customers and they offered everything you can drink for 10 dollars until midnight. We went there alot. I hope things work out for you.

Answer 3

Website would be the first, after that you will get the word of mouth going, u can always advertise in local papers too... Many people scan articles for sale, etc.. Also, you can set up a booth when flea markets come around,

Answer 4

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