Question

Topic: Strategy

In Need Of Very Cheap Ideas To Promote Quality Bath And Candle Products.

Posted by Anonymous on 7/9/2004 at 12:54 AM ET 125 Points
I have just launched my website www.valhallaessences.com (feedback more than welcome) and I'm beginning to understand that it takes much longer than I anticipated to generate revenue. I am a company of one - meet the web master/bookeeper//manufacturer/graphic artist/research and development department/everything else.

With my limited knowledge, I have given my best shot at search engine optimization and submitted to Google, Yahoo! and AltaVista, but I won't know where I rank for another month. I have had campaigns with Overture and Kanoodle for a few days with plans to include Enhance and 7Search. Got a few clicks but no buyers so far.

I'm based in a small town in Canada where I conducted some market research in the form of a survey which, upon completion, rewarded the potential client with a sample essential oil blend of their choice. On this survey an option was given to be added to a catalogue mailing list, e-newsletter list, or to be one of the first to order Valhalla Essences products. I have sent out the newsletters and orders with good reactions but no addtional orders. Catalogues are being formatted and most of the population around here favors mail-order over internet shopping.

I am preparing a press release which should be a cinch to get published in town where the local hummingbird population is considered newsworthy. The problem is that I want to go bigger. Mall kiosks and the Farmer's Market are the best suggestions from the locals but I'm afraid of hurting my "brand" before anyone has even heard of it. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a very minimal budget - only $500 CDN right know. Please help!
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  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 7/9/2004 at 2:12 AM Accepted
    valhallaessences,

    what you need is a promotion campaign that get's your message out there quickly and powerfully. With all the hats you're wearing you're probably short on time which hurts the opportunity you to see or invision new ways to create inexpensive marketing campaigns.

    I'd like to offer a few ideas you need that will work in your favor (these are also ideas I've used, reused, recycled over and over again. (I can only testify that they have been key in my own personal success and they worked for me).

    Testimonials
    (are essential are a must have and all they cost you is the time you take to ask. I also recommend a book in paper back called the Aladdin Factor, by Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield, co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul. They teach the power of asking and how to approach the process of asking which is the real key to getting the things we want.)

    Endorsements
    (from key people locally from your community then nationally. All it will cost you is to Ask)

    Host Beneficary relationships

    An inexpensive but effective PR campaign can be started here at www.prweb.com If you need assistance in how to approach your press release I'll be more than happy to tell you how I did it. (See my profile and send me an email.) My PR rep has helped me get 221,929 visits to my press release & 2,094 on line news media feeds and well over 78 appearances on other people's websites. I think that's pretty good. I've made some major headway because of it (a few radio interviews, a few newspaper interviews that have gotten me online and offline exposure and you'll be surprised when I tell you how cheap I did it. Will this guarantee you sales? I can't say (it worked for me)... but it really depends on your press release.

    I visited your website and I like the feel other people might feel differently and that's okay. When I get a minute I'll send you an order and it better be "All That and a Bag of Chips" and if it is I'll tell all my friends and you'll have some orders. More than anything know that Deremiah believes in your dream but dreams require passionate persistant work to give birth to them. Also remember nothing comes to a dreamer but a dream. After you dream you've got to "wake up" and "Get to work". So get to gettin"

    I'll let my other marketing genius friends here at KHE who know more about marketing than me tell you the rest. I'm just a servant here at KHE that loves life and helping people. Thanks for letting me serve you. Is there anything else I can do for you?

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
  • Posted by Deremiah *CPE on 7/9/2004 at 2:28 AM Member
    valhallaessences,

    another great inexpensive book that will give you gang loads of ideas on free publicity you can generate without any money that I bought and use the heck out of all the time is "Six Steps to Free Publicity: And Dozens of Other Ways to Win Free Media Attention for You or Your Business" by Marcia Yudkin. When you read it you'll see why it gets a five star rating at amazon. www.amazon.com I hope this helps.

    Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE
  • Posted by SRyan ;] on 7/9/2004 at 1:27 PM Member
    Ivy, I just wanted to say Welcome Back to the forum here. I remembered your $100 question from April, and you obviously have made some progress since then. Don't get discouraged about how long it takes to generate revenue... and keep coming to the KHE experts for help. Good luck!

    Shelley
  • Posted by Blaine Wilkerson on 7/9/2004 at 4:47 PM Member
    Hey there,

    I have been following your question and thinking about some input.

    Michele nails it with regards to webdesign and I would be happy to give yu some tips on what you can do to change it.

    You spoke of brand concerns....anfter reviewing your site, logo, products and comments, I was about to say you have a very "holistic" vibe. "Valhalla", as you know, is most commonly known as the Nordic Temple of Odin, where slain warriors are kept. Of course, it is also, used to describe a heavenly atmosphere or state of mind. my point? Well, you may be limiting yourself with regards to religious folks who may feel as though they are buying something of sacrilage...especially with the likenesses of the crecent moon ( witchcraft and satanic reference).

    Now, I am not calling you a Nordic, satanist or a witch, but your name and logo contain references to such. it's the kind of thing you might see in a "gypsy-like/hippie" section of town where one goes to buy incense, holistic literature, and bongs.

    Plus, it seems quite obvious you are using a co-branding method for your products. I am going out on a limb to say there are likely several other companies who use the exact products and metal containers, but with different logos/labels. Therefore, your need for brand awareness and USP are phenominally high on the priorty list.

    The good news is there is an "alternative" district in just about every town, so I would target stores in these areas. Plus, it seems as though you willhave a lot more success targeting "open-minded" high school and college age women, versus going after the same demographic as Bath and Body Works.

    Please take all this as constructive...I do not mean to offend. I'm just shooting it to you straight. I too admire your tenacity and motivation to succeed. I believe you will...but the path one chooses with their brand has limitations. Rather than try to change the world and ignore how people may view your brand (like many failures do), try to capitalize on those who will be attracted to your brand and respect the perceptions of those who may not.

    Hope this helps!

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