Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

I Have A Business Idea - How Do I Get It Out There

Posted by Anonymous on 12/15/2008 at 6:55 AM ET 25 Points
Hi Guys
I really hope you can help me. Since uni i have always wanted to start some sort of sideline job/hobbie. During uni I used to work as a beauty specialist and i found that i had a real passion for the health & beauty industry. Recently, to earn some extra cash, I have started to organise make up parties - where i would offer a package deal e.g: 11-18yr old Slumber Parties - this would include free hair styling, temp colour hair streaks, nails, sparkly make up, temp tattoos - the package would also include party games and a complimentary goodie bag. I also want to offer various different types of packages for different age groups and occasions eg; hen night parties; prom parties; ladies night in parties.

I have done my research and there is no other person doing this locally within my area - so i feel that there is a niche for this idea. The only thing is I dont know where to start with regard to promoting this idea - i mean i have all the text book theory from college and uni - but i dont have a clue how to do this in practise and make it a success. I need a low cost method to advertise and promote this idea - i have the resources that i need (eg make up & brushes etc) to do this so that wont be a problem. I just dont know what marketing strategy i should use in order to target my consumers.

Id appreciate any advice from anyone who has had experience in this sort of field. Thank you so much in advance.

Regards
Elaine
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 12/15/2008 at 7:24 AM Accepted
    Hi Elaine,

    First thing first, are you ready to invest a little money to promote this activity? I think it's a great idea with a lot of potential.

    If yes, your first choice should be advertising on teens magazines. possibly local ones.

    If not, then flers with local schools and places where teens hang out. (this will cost you too, but less compared to advertising fees).

    Another way, is to do affinity marketing with other teens organizations of your area(ie. you give a discounted price to the affinity group in exchange for promotion).

    You can also do a news-release to local newspapers, school magazines and teens magazines, if your service is new and unique. That schould give you some buzz.


    Either way, it's a must that you back your service up with a fancy website. Not only it gives you more room for fully promoting your service, but it might be a source of reference for the teens themself and for their parents!! (Do not forget that probably the teens need their parents authorization for having parties. So have also them in mind).


    Hope it helps and good luck!

    Davide Pasini

  • Posted by Mikee on 12/15/2008 at 9:08 AM Accepted
    You will need to invest a little money in this.

    First find where your target group hangs out or what do groups are they members of. The schools are a great place to start; Cheerleading squads, chruch groups, theater groups, athletic teams, debutante's etc.

    Put together a nice brochure of what you can offer and pass this out at one of these events.

    This kind of business is going to thrive on word of mouth and referrals. Be sure you provide tools to you past customers to make it easy for them to refer you. Leave them post cards, business cards, etc. Be sure to ask if girls would like to be on your mailing list. Do this at every party so you can generate contacts. Maybe you can mail these folks special offers.

    To expand your business, think about allowing people to order products from you that they really liked when they used them at the party. This can generate some more revenue and keep people contacting you.

    Perhaps you can start a website and Facebook/Myspace group. This will allow girls to join your group and all there friends will see what they did. Perhaps find out about posting some pictures of the parties (be careful with permissions) on your site or on your Facebook page. This would give girls a reason to visit the site/FB page and generate a little buz. Perhaps you can offer discounts to those that find you this way.

    I hope these ideas help.
    Mike
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 12/15/2008 at 7:29 PM Accepted
    You can invest time and energy vs money and do it the guerrilla marketing way.

    Target your market and go lazar sharp in your marketing.

    If you are sure the tweens are one of your niches, facebook is a great low cost way to market. But it isn't lazar sharp. Fusion market with their dance and voice lesson teachers. Today, my grandkids are in modeling class after school. Work with the malls and kids clothing stores to create events.

    When you find a client, market the heck out of the referrals. That is the Mary Kay way-- its a good model. You get a referral and they get product. Look at other MLM's - even the exotic "toys" women's nights. Target brides. Do you have natural make up-- target gyms. Target baby boomers-- it was drummed into me at an early age to never leave the house without makeup. Baby boomers have money to spend-- shamelessly.

    I just came from my botox doc. Not for the usual things- but for my bday I got a free mini facial. It was so much more than the mary kay gimmick. He presented product and I just spent $125 more. Which I'll buy again and again and again.

    Sell Well and Prosper tm



  • Posted on 12/16/2008 at 4:13 AM Accepted
    Hi Elaine

    good luck with the project, if you look on the internet for a given search term - say hen party as you would like to gain a share of this market, you will find agencies usually dominate, this is because they have a huge marketing spend. So my suggestion is do this and then call them all up and offer your services! They will then spend the money and send you the clients!

    good luck
    Paul
    marketing manager in the UK for [URL deleted by staff]
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