Article by Sarah Shaw | Entreprenette
Sarah teaches people how to take their “big idea” and turn it into a bankable tangible product.

As funny as this may sound, it struck me today as I was drying my hair that we are our OWN best advocate.  I know this deep down inside but I often forget, or just don’t think about it. Note to self: Think about this every day all the time! We know our products best and should be talking about them, working them into conversations and GETTING them into the hands of potential users as often as possible.OK back to my hair – I have curly hair but really prefer straight (the grass is always greener right?) and drag out that blow dryer and products galore to get it that way.

So last weekend I held a seminar about the 10 simple steps to starting a product line and I was given a leave-in conditioner sample to try out by a woman there.  I have to say – I  was immediately suspicious when she said, “This is the best  detangler, static controller, frizz stopper you will ever try and on top of that, it has all kinds of vitamins and stuff to make your hair shiny.”  “Yeah right” I thought!  Anyhow, a week later when I realized I forgot to try it – I tried it today…… I am amazed!

IT WORKED!
IT WAS A MIRACLE

She was 100% correct.  I am hooked.  I wrote her the gushiest note ever and she now has a client forever!  She took the time to hand me a sample, follow up with an email and see where it got her?

IT WAS A MIRACLE

She was 100% correct.  I am hooked.  I wrote her the gushiest note ever and she now has a client forever!  She took the time to hand me a sample, follow up with an email and see where it got her?

Talking about your product (or idea if at that stage) will only help spread the word and attract new buyers.  You have the passion and commitment to make this happen more than anyone; more than your sales reps, more than your stores, more then your BFF, your significant other, and more than your mom.   If you want your hair to look as great as mine did (does?) then click here to buy her Vita Plexx.  This is a total shameless plug and she has no idea I am doing this!

Be BOLD, take action steps today to reach out to the people you are most afraid of.
Is it stores? The media?

Here are a few pointers to ATTRACT your next potential customer:

1.    Create a list of “dream stores” - Call them all and find out who the buyer is.                                        A few ways to find these stores are:

• Magazines (online and in person)   example: Luckymag
• Look at competitors websites and “borrow” their list.
• Google Google Google ex:  Boutiques Denver – you will see how many retail stores come up - then call call call.
• Trade lists with a friend in similar industry

2.    Make sure your catalogs are up to date and looking good.
3.    Stay on top of your current stores – call or email, check in from time to time to see how sales are going, make friends with the buyer.
4.    Reach out to the media.  If you don’t want to go sit in a bookstore and find the contacts yourself, you can join seeking designers.com for $20/month and they provide media lists and PR opps FREE with your membership + you get to build a little store on their website for more exposure. Awesome right?
5.    Join helpareporterout for FREE PR opps 3x  a day.
6.    Join some networking groups that cater to products or your demographic.  I like smartyla and savorthesuccess
7.    Twitter, Facebook, Linkden, etc……….
8.    Send email updates with specials from your website
9.    Offer an incentive to get them to sign up on your mailing list.  I offer 25% off on Simply Sarah
10.    TALK about it with as many people as possible all the time.

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As a Momprenette it is hard for me to find “down time”.  I feel like I am always working be it at my mom stuff or my work stuff.  I look forward to the weekends these days as I have decided that I really deserve time off  and have promised myself that I can do whatever I want for at least 3 hours a day while the girls are napping.  And of course, because I am an overachiever,  I try to do as much as possible in my 3 hours.   I live in Los Angeles and the weather is usually gorgeous - as it is today.  My roses are all blooming and I plan to soak up some sunshine and admire them in their full glory, perhaps prune a few and definitely cut some for the house.  I have a girlfriend stopping over for a quick visit after lunch, then I am going to catch up on a few magazines like Real Simple and Martha Stewart, and hopefully doze off for a quick cat cap before the girls wake up.  We have plans to meet some friends and their daughter at the park towards the end of the day for a playdate and early picnic.  I know to a lot of people this sounds like a crazy way to spend my “free time”, and that if you were me you’d probably just take to your bed and relax, maybe catch up on some TV.  Don’t get me wrong - I do that on some weekends too.  I try to do my girlie upkeep during the week when the salons are empty and prefer to spend my weekends at home or at the park with friends and their kids.  We all work so hard at life and business that we need to rest and rejuvenate in the ways that resonate with us personally.  If you sit for a minute and feel what your body needs today  it will come to you.  Maybe you need to take a walk, take a yoga class, cook, read a good book, craft, sew, talk to a friend, cry, create, invent or just sit quietly.  Whatever it is, do it.  Take the time for yourself today - you deserve it.

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