Getting your product noticed

You have poured your heart and soul in your designs, and now you are showing them to the world. You have a website, you are signed up to do local trunk shows, and maybe you even got a mention in a newsletter. Now what? The world of retail is just that, international, and its extremely easy to get lost in the sea of designers. Targeted marketing and free press can help the world know your product is there. How?

One factor many small designers don't know is that magazine editors are bombarded with new products every day. By sending press kits with not only content that editors can use, but also print and web ready images can highly increase your chance of getting free press. By working with a skilled photographer and copy writer you can help create segments that editors can virtually copy right into there magazines, giving you free advertising in the form of "what's hot or new" categories and more credibility. Creating a small kit that can either be mailed in the form of a CD or better yet set to download from your website can enable both editorial present your product very professionally with ease. magazine editors are busy folks and making a job a little easier will help your press get mentioned and your efforts will be appreciated.

Where do I find these editors? I like to advocate taking a stroll to your local bookstore that has a good sized periodical section. I'm amazed and excited to find how many industry publications are available out there. Take a seat and find which ones fit your product. Don't be afraid to branch out a little. Then, write down the magazine's contact info from the masthead. The Internet is anther great source. Do a search for say "today's hot children's trends" and see what comes up. Do your homework and start building a list. Then, by keeping these folks up to date of your new lines and accomplishments you begin to build a brand. And branding builds business.

Its all about the baby steps...