Me Too Kids is a collection of stories of the "Me Too Kids" in the world; the hand-me-down kids, middle-children, babies from blended families. The kids who say, "Why aren't there any pictures of me?". We all know them, or are them. So tell me your stories; I'd like to create a coffee table book for the middle children. Who knows, this might even relieve some mother’s guilt if you didn’t complete a baby book for your Me Too Kid. If I use or change your story I will credit you in the publication.
At this point, you should have done the research, and tested your idea, concept, or product. If you received some sales that would be great; along with attending if not exhibitting at some tradeshows. Once you complete all of this, pull out your business plan & re-read it. Use it as your benchmark to assess what you have achieved versus what you said or thought you would achieve. Don't be surprised if these are 2 really different pictures.
Your business plan should be visited annually for the simple fact to keep your goals in mind and a process to accomplish these goals. Don't be afraid to change these goals and processes. That is learning. That is development. That is growth. THAT IS SUCCESS. That's all I have to say on this topic.
To test my own philosophy & processes I have outlined for you, I am going to implement this advise into another business plan. "What's your breed?"; its the hot, new dog-park pickup line. I intend to post all of the ups & downs for you here too. So keep in touch!
Putting a website design together can be a little intimidating, a lot of excitement, but mostly, a ton of defining. Why do you think I say defining. Simple. Its because you're trying to get your message out there; you may be unsure how to say it, and you don't want to forget anything. That said, take it down a notch or 2.
I'm sure you're wondering why I'm saying this? Let me cite an example.
Company A, a new entrepreneur, wants to invest in a website because she's got a great concept. Company A isn't a web designer & she wants to make a great impression on the world. She interviews designers, finds a couple that seem to talk the talk and gets a beautiful website. Everytime Company A asks a customer what their impression was of the website, the most common response was "I like the floating hearts". The hearts were cool, but that wasn't what Company A was selling. So while the site was beautiful, the message was lost. As a matter of fact, there was no message.
So, before you spend thousands of dollars investing in a website, use a template from one of the larger known sites; google, yahoo!, network solutions; and create your own website from their templates. Remember, as you first get out there and do the pitch, refine the message & start to create your brand or image, your site needs to reflect that and reinforce your brand. And if you spend your entire website budget on the first pass, well, that may be a problem.
Here's some links to the sites that have ready nade templates I mentioned.
I have a really cute story for you. Let's do this tonight. The manager of a local bookstore was helping me locate a business book & the next thing you know, she's asking..."What do you do?". Well I couldn't wait to tell her so I explained the books I wrote, described the concept & the next thing you know, she's telling me her me too kid story. Thank you Cathy at the CofC bookstore.
Tell me what you think folks.
"I had a lot of pictures for my first daughter, but never got to the the book. When my second one was born, well...she looked so much like the first, I just used some of the first baby's pictures for the second!!"
Its so much easier said than done. Advertising. Someone once told me that whatever your advertising dollars are, quadruple them. I thought they were crazy, but no they were right.
Let's start with a few little basics. What is advertising? Well its, the word-of-mouth buzz, the free press, the online ads, radio spots, focus groups, newspaper, magazine and trade journal spots. Its the trade shows and the brochures, price lists, hang tags, labels, giveaways and the free product sent to editors, sales reps, buyers and donations. And don't forget the website, blogs and all of the manpower behind the development, function, execution and support of these items. So in a nutshell, advertising is huge.
They were right.
So what do you do first, second...or last for that matter. This is definitely tricky. The best advice I can render is that you remain positive with all of your experiences. If you don't, you'll become too discouraged, too fast. So get used to the idea that everything has a take home message. You may do a tradeshow & low & behold, a major hurricane wipes out New Orleans & the attendance is WAY down. That happened to me. You may decide to do a trade show, without visiting it (a no-no), and out of a potential 65,000 attendees, you only get 100 business cards and write orders for the only half the cost of the trade show. Another situation is that "you're global" and you buy into the really expensive website design that doesn't quite speak your message or even clearly define your message because you haven't truly formulated it yet. trust me, there's nothing worse than someone saying "I like the floating hearts, but what is it you sell?". And then of course there is the advertising. Way too expensive for you.
So what do you? Start really small; people like the hometown appeal; the root for the under-guy type thing. Use that to your advantage & make some mistakes. No make lots of mistakes. Before you know it, the press releases will become second nature; you won't hang on everyone's word; you'll develop confidence and your elevator pitch. Its a "must have" for all unknowns.
I could complete a dissertation on this topic, but, I believe I have made my point.
Advertising is huge. You need to play one aspect of the game & play it well.
This one is a pain...no really. I'll bet that if I took a poll, the majority of respondents would admit that the last thing they pay attention to is the accounting, the finances, the numbers of the business. Why do you think that is?
Well, for starters, I hate, no loath, no despise having to do the invoicing, inventory, payables, taxes, bank statements, you name it. Anything to do with the bookkeppeing side of the business, I'm a bad at. I don't know why this is because you would think I would get excited about the increase the $$$$ coming in instead of out. I don't.
I like to design, and create, & talk to people. It fulfills me somehow. Way more than number crunching. So I had to resign to this simple fact. I don't do this. I have to hire someone to do this. And its ok. It took me a while to figure this out, but its so well worth it. A word of caution however, do not settle with an accountant because Tommy Smith likes him/her. Make sure they are knowledgable in your area of business and ask them questions, lots of questions. If they stutter step or seem to get put off by your inquisitiveness; then fire them. There are lots out there & one will be a great fit.
Write the PLAN OK. We all know its easy to have an idea & wishing it into existence, but the real challenge comes from your actions. Its your plan, objectives, goals, roadmap, whatever it is that you want to call it...write it down. Why am I saying this? Here's why.
I have always been a shoot from the hip kind of a person, never understanding why it would be necessary to write down your goals. So let me tell you a story.
I have an idea. I want to write a book. Well write the book & sell it. Otherwise what will your customers buy? Your thoughts? I don't think so. They need a tangible product to feel good about giving you their hard earned cash. So, give the customer something to take home with them.
Here's a few more tidbits on the writing thing. Don't be afraid to edit it, start over, and delve a little deeper into an area that seems fuzzy. You may surprise yourself. You may latch onto a new area that didn't seem relevant before.
Finally, clearly state your goals & check them off as you accomplish them. This sense of completion will help build your confidence. Bear in mind that even though you may write an elaborate business plan, it must be reviewed yearly, just to keep you on track, re-adjust you goals, and define where you need to go next.
There are many resources to use to write a business plan. Here's one I like from the SBA http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writeabusinessplan/index.html and of course ENTREPRENEUR magazine http://www.entrepreneur.com/businessplan/index.html
OK. I need to start this one off with a little anecdote; its is such a funny "Me Too Kid" story.
Dawn from Michigan wrote me an email the other day with her "me too kid" story. Tell me what you think. "I have 3 boys. It was time to get to soccer practice. The oldest gets himself dressed & into the car. The 2nd, gets dressed, gets the ball & into the car. The 3rd (my ultimate me too kid), grabs his juicebox & crackers. He knows he's gonna be a while & needs to be sure there's some provisions!" A new twist to the latch-key kid. Its a to-go kid generation.
On to researching the market. OK. The concept is good. You have an idea how to produce it. Now, where do you sell it? Its a little trickier than walking into the local merchant and taking a long time to tell them who you are, what you have done & would they like to buy it? BUT, by all means do that. WHY? It'll boost your confidence, you'll get a sale (likely) and they'll recommend to you where to go (which market) you could be an exhibitor at to sell in. Once you learn of the trade market, google it, & you'll see what other similar markets exists.
I strongly recommending attending the market only as a visitor at first. They can be daunting & overwhelming. You need to experience that buzz. Its a lot of fun & will surely inspire you. The reps there will fill your head with the huge numbers of attendees. You're seeing $$$ signs. BUT, don't be fooled, like me. There is so much work that goes into the pre-selling of your product. Stuff I had no idea about. Mailing lists, press kits, promotional give-aways, appointments, shipping, booth setup, signs, banner, oh my gosh , the list is endless. I would be happy to help anyone who is interested in what I have learned the hard way. Contact me & we'll chat.
Additionally, google the internet to get statistics on your product, industry, and trade reports too. Your local small business office may be of some assistance, but if its anyhting like our small town, take it for face value & go back to the internet. Again, this list is endless.
This is a reality check. This is very hard core. You need the number of widgets (like yours) that are sold, the potential # of persons who currently buy a similar thing, take 5% or less of that number & that's where you start. That's generous too. This is where the writing MUST BE put on the wall.
Tomorrow write it down. Don't forget....send me a Me Too Kid story. Lynne
I talked a little about tradeshows & selling to different markets. Remember its important that you find your niche, exploit it & then try selling internationally. the easiest way that I found this to happen was by using the services of the department of commerce. Here in SC, we have a fantastic trade export consortium that coordinates trade missions for small businesses like mine & yours. Thru a uniquely combined effort, the South Carolina's US Dept of Commerce (feds), and the State of SC Export office, the Export consortium of USC and, the SC World Trade Center all bring together & work collaboratively in creating effective communication, trade missions and business partners for international business. This is for any business; someone very small like me or a large, well established company. I would highly recommend utilizing these offices in your own state not only because they are effective, but they are an extension of you and can help create sales.
As a matter of fact, the return on investment for me to attend one of these trade missions was more profitable than some of the "best & biggest" US tradeshows that I have been sorely disappointed in.
If you want to be global, a route utilizing the US Dept of Commerce & their affiliates is the way to go. Here is a link I would recommend you start with. Lynne http://www.sccommerce.com/
Me too kid story There are so many times when I experience something, I want to blurt out a response, but don't. I suppose its because my mom raised me to be polite, speak when spoken to, and respect your elders. Well I have to admit, most of the time I do follow these rules, but every once in a while I blurt something out. I may catch the person(s) off guard & make them a little surprised. So I'm working on the blurting thing. I do think that this also has something to do with the fact that I am the 4th of 5 children. If you wanted to be heard in my family, you had to talk fast & loud.
To help me overcome this "issue" of mine, I started realizing that when I am recounting a simple story or situation that occurred in my home (I have 2 little girls {8 & 10}, a husband, 2 girl dogs, 2 girl cats & do not forget the occassional turtle, lizard, tree frog, crawfish, palmetto bug (more on those at a later time)) the truth is, I recall that the story was WAY funnier in my head. But why don't I/we see that humor when it immediately happens? Who knows. But rest assured I like this new dimension of mine.
Let me give you a quick example & maybe some of you can share a thing or too here.
My daughter (10 year old) was with me doing some random errands. We of course had the dogs because well because they're Sallie & Suzie & like most dogs - they really enjoy that wind in their face & tongue hanging 2 miles back behind the car. It so happened that at the store we were at there were also some turkey vultures (no really) & ducks & what I think some new baby duckling-vultures. Cute now, but we'll see. Anyway, my daughter decides to take Sallie & Suzie with her to look at them; against my advice. Well needless to say, she was towed by the dogs, on her backend in a sled-like position sans the sled & sans snow. The dumb ducks stood & watched & soon feathers were everywhere. Its the classic "slip on the banna" spill. Of course, I went to help but not without giggling.
The replay of this in my head is too funny, and I didn't blurt anything out :)
I am a mom of 2 beautiful little girls, divorced, inspired to create a business because of my children. I create memories; with a giggle. I manage the house, the kids, the schoolwork & work fulltime too (just like most moms). I juggle it all because when I reach someone who "gets" my book & me, its all worth it. So good ahead, tell me your "Me Too Kid" story. Please include your email so I can contact you and send you a free gift.
