give me you 2 cents

**philv** · 10-16-2007 08:38 PM

ok....so i got the idea for a kids (toddler) toy product...

i got a manufacturer....

i got the name

i got the domain name

i got the slogan

What I need is to register the business...get all legal aspects taking care of

Here is what I am looking at...2500-3000 pieces which include packaging and shipping at X price...

do I try in the beg. to get retailers, or create a very very very nice looking site with my own store and promote the hell out of it through parent websites, local papers, WOM (word of mouth) and even try to sponsor events kids....

or do i try to take it to major or even small retailers, or do both retailers and online retailers as well as my own store?

eventually when my name spreads i wish to sell it on qvc since i have contacts there...but i want to grow it small to semi to large....

so what would you guys do if you had everything in placed and got the toy...?

also..someone punch me and say dude just go after it...im always ancy

**teabenny** · 10-16-2007 09:33 PM

I'd say hold an event and test it out, let the kids try it. Let the parents order one from you. Get their testimonials (I believe Akula refers to them as love letters). Ask if people can contact them. When you've sold a hundred or whatever from this one event, take it to retailers. Show them how it works, demonstrate a proven demand for the product. Give them a sample. If it truly has potential, they'll place an order.

They'll want to know about ordering lead time, discounts for bulk orders, warranties, safety information and so on. Make sure you have all the answers. Be professional. Remember, they're making an investment.

**philv** · 10-16-2007 09:37 PM

thanks, you def. gave me some input...

one thing is...how can i get a group of parents and young kids together?

**teabenny** · 10-16-2007 09:47 PM

Why not approach a daycare centre and make a deal? You hold the event after school on their premises - do it up nice, have some samples for them to play with, a big banner, some music, a couple of friends to help you, a uniform (nothing fancy, just wear the same clothes [jeans and white T-shirt?] and make a couple of badges) - and have some in packaging ready to sell. Already, you should have an audience assembled, when parents are coming in to pick up their kids. In return, you offer the daycare centre a bunch of free toys for their use.

Otherwise, do the same thing in a shopping centre on a Saturday morning. a 2-hour promotional event. Get attention. The point is to demonstrate a demand for the product. Who knows, if the retailers there get wind of it, they might just approach you.

**philv** · 10-16-2007 09:53 PM

haha teanny that is why i thought of the whole event planning part of it...me and my mother have worked in daycare for a combined 20 years hence the toy idea...

good stuff! i appreciate this....seriously

my mind is frozen from work and school everyday and trying to think of ideas

much appreciation!

**teabenny** · 10-16-2007 09:57 PM

No worries. Good luck!

**philv** · 10-16-2007 10:16 PM

yeah thanks..i plan on starting it on my birthday....june 25 of next year

**philv** · 10-17-2007 10:34 AM

any other ideas on where or how to promote a toy for toddlers?

i got event/sponsorship
i also work at costco so i can set up a booth there

any other ideas on how one would do this....

and also would you try to sell online first or go after retailers

thank ya kindly

**teabenny** · 10-17-2007 08:41 PM

The majority of people don't do their shopping on the net. They go out, go shopping.

**philv** · 10-17-2007 09:44 PM

well i belive most people are tuning to the net to shop as well as tv such as qvc...traditional shopping is losing steam no?

so should i focus on getting retailers and or do my own site?

is it possible to sell a new product strictly online? with a great marketing plan and good investment?

**philv** · 10-18-2007 12:25 AM

its a stuffed animal...i guess its a toy..but nothing plastic or so on

well since i work at costco....and i want to hit a diverse market..its perfect...we got like 20 percent white 20 percent asian 20 percent black 20 percent indian and 20 percent other

i could do that at diff costcos around new jersey

trade shows are good also

**deep_impression777** · 10-18-2007 04:18 AM

You would get a lot of potential retailers and distributors in fairs and trade shows. Website is good, but it cannot give an on hands experience of your product as much as a trade fair can.

**philv** · 10-18-2007 09:00 AM

yeah ive been starting to look at trade shows...

my mother suggested fairs for schools and communities in the spring time

and even during labor day and 4th of july maybe do a sponsorship of some sort since there will be alot of people

what I hope to do is create a buzz about the product...sorta like baby einsten and back a big investor

thanks

**teabenny** · 10-19-2007 09:01 AM

I have a question. Who can tell me about patents? I've come across a prototype device - a copy of an existing device with a US/Canada patent. The manufacturer (Chinese) assured me that their version of the product could be sold anywhere outside the US and Canada. Is this true?