Know-How Exchange : Strategy

You don't need children to connect with local schools. Just call them and tell them you'd like to do a bag show, with a rebate back to the school as a fundraiser.

Go to the stores the dresses are and ask to put some on display either on consignment, or at a wholesale price (they sell @ retail for their profit).

Think of all the things a prom going girl needs-- hair, nails, dresses, shoes...-- contact them and fusion market with them.

Hi, Margo,

Social media is effective for the Gen Y and tweens. Use Facebook and MySpace for this. Forget about any SMS marketing to this group. As a rule, they don't respond (well, studies say 15% respond). However, even more so than most prospects, they love to buy, but resent being "sold to."

Another component of social marketing to use is Youtube. Make some viral videos. Aim them at your Facebook or MySpace site. Then aim your Facebook/MySpace sites to your eCommerce site.

You could have a Tween fashion blog, too. Give advice, review products, make yourself into an "expert."

In particular, they love "free." If you can find a way to "give away" your product, but make money on advertising through MySpace, Facebook, or even on your products, then this is a dynamite way to get at this group. This requires building a demonstrable following first.

Co-marketing might work, too. Find dress makers and shoe makers who might want to combine efforts. The trouble with this is that anyone with a ready following may require more from you than you are willing to give.

The key to success for you won't be any one of these avenues - it will be in all of them devised and used together. I hope this helps.

Wayde

Consider putting an ad on Craigslist. You're looking for local girls who would be your ambassadors to spread the word to their friends. You might even pay them a referral bonus for each sale they generate or for hosting a gathering of their friends, etc.

Facebook, Myspace for SURE.

Sponsor a Mrs. Handbag USA competition, picking one girl from each high school in the area. Offer a scholarship or prom dress as the prize.

Build relationships with boutiques, or alteration, hair and nail salons shops in the area.

Tell them that inside each of your purses you'll put any ad they create inside. So when the girls are checking out their new purse- they'll know where to set their glamor appointments!

You could make designer doggie tote bags- those are huge right now...

Or I'd build a line SPECIFICALLY for teens,and build a cute little site with BIG pictures, and video's of you making the purses.

Or YOU could market to mothers, grandmothers, aunt's etc. who want to have you personally design a handbag for their girls with a little tag inscription...

" To Kara, with love on your sweet 16, love grammy"

I visited your site.

I would have BIGGER photo's, prices in smaller font, and looking at your prices, I don't know that tween-teen age girls is who I would target.

I wouldn't spend $50-$100.00 on a purse for my daughter. AFTER the dress, the shoes, the hair, the nails, the tanning, the alterations-- it's insane!

You may want to target Junior College/ Universities.