Advertising and Intro -- sorry, long!

[Guest guest]

Hi everybody --

I joined during such a busy time, I did not introduce myself! I'm Liz

Jefferson, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and I am not in business (yet)

but I have really been rewarded by learning about making my own soap and

toiletries over the past year. I am really enjoying being part of this

generous list.

I had some ideas that I thought Janice or other people might like about

advertising. I worked in a small publishing company where everybody had

to do everything, so I did get some experience in promotions and trade

shows.

I don't know about your experiences, but in Canada it is tough for small

businesses to get money back from expensive print ads. It's better to go

where people are already spending their money on things that would

suggest they'd like your stuff.

If you want specific ideas, I would be happy to send some, Janice.

If you want to avoid reading this long rambling post, I am pretty sure I

saw a book in the Self-Help Business series about publicity and

promotion that had a great chapter on getting free publicity. That means

there are probably other books on the topic.

Plus, no amount of paid advertising will do the work that a

well-connected friend who believes in your product can!

Free advertising is the best, though -- depending on whether you have

the time, you can write " informative articles " for your local community

radio or newspaper -- eg. about skin care and the benefits of natural

products, seasonal issues like summer versus winter skincare, history of

toiletries, the benefits of particular ingredients etc.

Donated articles to fundraisers, community service groups, schools or

business groups can be expensive in the short-run, but is probably still

cheaper than paid advertising, and will reach a more likely group of

people.

Also, I am starting to suspect that doing basic workshops -- especially

targetted to topics like herbalism, heritage, etc -- will actually boost

sales of your finished product. I wonder if more experienced business

people can set me straight on this. I think many people who want to make

their own stuff will also realize that it takes time to make a good

product, they have to have it, and that they just don't have the time to

amass ingredients and prepare the stuff as nicely as you do.

I mention this, because my sales started in the first place after I

spent a happy de-stressing evening showing friends how to do M & P and

room sprays.

Whoa! Too long! Guess I have been saving up...

Have a great day, everybody --

Best,

Liz J