Question

Topic: Strategy

Marketing Help Required

Posted by Anonymous on 2/26/2007 at 3:33 AM ET 125 Points
A family member started the venture and now that the products are available we dont know how to go about marketing them. I have tried placing the products on shop shelves and it has worked to some extent, but the products are slow moving and we need to speed up things . What would be the best and most cost effective mode of advertising, initially how do we work out our advertising and marketing budget.help!!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by telemoxie on 2/26/2007 at 7:54 AM Member
    Thanks for visiting our forum. If you provide us with more information, we can do a better job of assisting you. For example, where are you located (e.g. which country, area?) What is the product? Do you have a web site we can review? What kind of retailers have you been approaching? Can you give us any figures, e.g. how many stores are you in, how much shelf space, selling price, etc?

    There are many on this forum with much more experience in retail than me (I'm a telemarketing guy) - but if you provide us with LOTS more details and information - and stay involved with this question by responding to future postings, I'll bet we can give you some specific and helpful advice.
  • Posted on 2/26/2007 at 12:30 PM Accepted
    Hi Rita,

    To follow up on what Kathy said above...

    In addition, or instead of doing a survey, you might want to start with a focus group. This technique would allow you to get more in-depth, emotional-level information that would allow you to begin to understand the basic need consumers have that your product(s) may fulfill. Whether you choose a survey or focus group, I think it's important that you also ask consumers about their impressions regarding competitive products. If your target market has a problem or need for which they are seeking a solution, you need to know what else is out there that has the ability to solve it and how you measure up against those competitive products in meeting this need.

    Good luck,
    Joy
  • Posted by Phoenix ONE on 2/26/2007 at 1:23 PM Accepted
    I think the first thing you must consider is "where is the business and/or marketing plan" ? -

    If one does not exist you must put something together ASAP to determine your goals, objectives and strategies. Don't spend another dollar until you get help.

    The plan can be simple for starters, but you must stop and view what it is you have, what you want to do with it, and how you are going to get there!

    You can then setup a marketing plan of attack and budget, but a simple forum answer cannot fix your REAL problem. You are in the dark and need a light to guide you.

    Find a solid professional and together develop the tools to succeed. Again you can start simple but start now.

    The time and money you will save by this strategy will more then pay for itself.

    There are many solid professionals on this forum who can provide you with safe & sound advice on building a marketing plan. Find them, call them and get their help.

    Good Luck & Happy Marketing~

  • Posted on 2/27/2007 at 6:33 AM Author
    Kathy, the products are made of an Indian gooseberry (and I am located in India)which is v good for health. A few of the products have no competition at all, like the pickle, chutney, ready to serve drink and squash, I have placed the products at chemist outlets right now and the daily sale is v low,seeing that there is no competition for these particular products i wonder why the sales are low. Our target customers are those who are health conscious .Feedback from customers has been good.
    Thank you all of you who have responded, though yes i still do not see the light! Though we are going to work on our marketing plan and put into place a budget!
  • Posted on 2/28/2007 at 12:12 AM Author
    Thank u Kathy and Puru . First of all this is just a family business (very small...though we are looking to grow!) each one of us is putting in their bit. I do not have any marketing background but I had approached some of the smaller grocery stores unfortunately was unable to get shelf space. Maybe a special scheme for the retailer would help, thank u for that suggestion. The products are not high end therefore tarteted towards the whole of middle class.At present we are targeting only one metro. We have put our products on attractive stands with the benefits of amla and our company name on them and are promoting with flyers. At least i can see that we are moving in the right direction, feels good. Thank you
  • Posted on 4/26/2007 at 5:57 AM Member
    Dear Rita

    For last 5 years I am marketing amla products in Mumbai and Pune under Nisarg brand name. I faced same problems that you are facing when I started. One mistake most of people do is to sell these products as commodity (amla products) than putting efforts on building brand. I am very sure your labels must have very big title such as Amla Chutney or Amla Pickle than your brand name. Also situation in Metros is problematic for new entrepreneurs as retailers associations try to robb new comers. If you like to have some help, I will be more than happy. I think there is agreat potential for these products and several companies can coexist for few more years.
  • Posted on 5/4/2007 at 10:00 PM Author
    Yes you are right. We are trying to sell Amla not our brand of products. Yes I do want some help, otherwise we are planning to close down. Please contact me directly at rita.amla@gmail.com
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