November 15th, 2007
In our “Apprentice” type friendly competition on the b5 Business Channel, we’re following Kay as she sets up her business selling aprons and chefs hats for children. Last week, we posted, Starting a Business on a Limited Budget at Startup Spark, information on how to use $500 for her promotion. (This also gave some great marketing tips for any start up business.)
This week:
Kay just found out that the novelty buttons that she sews onto her children’s aprons and chef’s hats are manufactured by the same company in China that has been associated with selling toys coated with lead paint. She has received confirmation from the distributor that the buttons have been re-tested and do not contain any lead. The buttons are, however, clearly marked “Made in China.” Kay DOES NOT have the budget to remove the buttons and replace them with new buttons. With just six weeks to go before Christmas, she is worried about the potential hit to her sales if parents worry that there is lead on her buttons.
Half of her friends have encouraged her to go public about buttons and re-assure her potential customers that there the buttons are okay. The other half tell her not to mention the buttons at all because it will cause more problems for her than it would help.
What do you say? In other words, how proactive should you be when things go wrong in your business?
The solution: Leading a campaign for lead free toys and products, as well as promoting hers as lead free could gain her positive PR.
Here’s how:
Get the Facts on Paper
*Do some research. Each state and country has its own laws about such issues, so whether Kay has a brick and mortar store will affect how she deals with this. Also, since the distributor is from another country, you have to consider the laws of that country. Check all of this with a legal expert first before proceeding.
*Get the proper paperwork from legal experts, the distributors, and relevant government departments (like http://www.cpsc.gov/) that the products have been tested as safe and lead-free. Independent laboratories can also conduct research, such as Consumer Reports (http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/lead/)
If she has all of the necessary paperwork, she can proceed.
Update the Product
*She should add an attractive, readily seen tag that proudly proclaims “Tested Child Safe For Your Peace of Mind.” This tag doesn’t have to specifically be in the buttons. The tag may be written in two formats: one for authorities (with all the legalese) - and one for the customers, if they wish to seek more information. This way, she can cover both the concerned customers and the legal aspects.
*Another option: add a leaflet inside the packaging explaining her policy for child safe toys, and that she has confirmed the safety of these buttons with the distributor. (including excerpts from the legal documents and paperwork from the government agencies and the distributor).
Get the Word Out
*Hold a press conference, with the manufacturer (or the US rep) and announce that the product is safe.
*Send Out a Press Release announcing the products’ safety as well. Begin all marketing messages with a “Worried about lead paint?” type of question, then show that she is lead free and happy to share the certification.
*Find reporters doing stories on the recall issue - and show how a proactive business owner checks and double checks. Do interviews, PSAs, about the importance of lead check-ups for healthy children. Including tips for parents on how to look for lead-free certification.
*Host a Get the Lead Out of Toys Day, which includes tips from her and other experts; as well as a special Get the Lead Out of Toys Sale. She could not only feature her products, but other items the manufacturer has developed as well. She can even go hand in hand with other lead-free toy manufacturers in promoting each other’s products on this promo day. (See Kay’s Press Release on this.)
*As this is a topical issue especially with Christmas toy shopping, there may even be scope for a newspaper article and/or You Tube Video highlighting her approach and that she prides herself on stocking only child safe items, taking the peace of mind and safety angle for parents. She can do this by using some lead test kits and take a video of her testing her products and coming up with “lead-free” results. This may even attract new customers.
Since it is a kid’s chef products business, she could use the word “recipe” or similar to get her message across e.g. “Kay’s Recipe For Child Safe Toys” .What would you do if you were faced with this problem? Do you have any suggestions? Do you happen to be stocking “Made in China” items that you’re in a quandry about?
Related post: Great Advice for Home Business Startups
Tags:b5media+Business+Channel home+based+business Home+business home+business+competion home+business+PR home+business+promotion
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By Mary Emma Allen -- 16 comments
November 15th, 2007
Black Friday is “Get the Lead Out of Toys Day”
Kids Product Expert Provides Tips to Find Safe Toys for the Holidays
DATE-City, State- With the arrival of the holidays, children’s toys and products are flying off the shelves of retail stores. However, new dangers have been brought to the consumer’s attention about the high levels of lead found in some children’s products.
“It’s a scary time for parents, who are looking to provide fun, but safe toys and other products for their kids,” says Kay Smith, creator of Kay’s Kid Cooking Creations (www.kayskidcookingcreations.com). “That’s why I felt it was important to make Black Friday – the busiest shopping day of the year – Get the Lead Out Day – to create awareness of kid-friendly products that are lead-free.”
Smith has designed a variety of pint-sized aprons and chef hats, with certified lead-free buttons and adornments. She offers the following tips to keep kids safe and get the lead out this holiday season.
1.) Check the toy box. Make sure already owned toys and products have not been recalled due to containing lead. Visit http://www.cpsc.gov/ to get the full list of recalled items. “Conduct regular sort-and-toss session, discarding toys with chipped paint, deteriorated plastic or other broken or damaged parts,” she says.
2.) Avoid toys made in China, unless the company can prove they do lead testing independently from their Chinese contractors.
3.) Buy age appropriately. Kids two year old and under are the most likely age group to put things in their mouths, which could lead to lead poisoning. “It’s important to be aware of not only your child’s age, but how they will interact with the toy or product,” she says.
4.) Clean up. Make sure that floors and play areas are clean. Wash toys frequently to make sure no lead debris gets on them. Wash children’s hands after playing on the floor and with toys.
5.) Get tested. Use lead kit test to test products you currently have for lead.
“With the recent scares, it’s important to be extra diligent this year when looking for holiday items for your kids,” says Smith. “Taking some time to prepare before you head out with your shopping list can keep your child safe for this and many holiday seasons to come.”
For more information on Get the Lead Out Day, including addition tips and resources, visit www.kayskidcookingcreations.com.
About Kay’s Kid Cooking Creations (www.kayskidcookingcreations.com)
Founded in 2007 by Kay Smith, Kay’s Kid Cooking Creations provides children with the accessories to use their imagination to create the cooking experience of their dreams. The product line currently includes custom aprons and chef’s hats. For more information, go to www.kayskidcookingcreations.com.
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(This press release is part of the solution post for Kay’s problem..week 2… in the Business Channel “Apprentice” type competiton.)
Tags:home+based+business Home+business home+business+PR home+business+promotion
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By Mary Emma Allen -- 6 comments
November 5th, 2007
Developing creative promotions for your home business adds interest and draws more customers, or in the case of blogs, more viewers and participants. Some of these will encourage customers to visit your walk-in shop. Other promotions can increase customer awareness of your online presence.
Noreen at Hankering for Yarn has developed a promotion around a doll she created, Tottie Tomato. A whole world has around Tottie, complete with stories and activities.
The most recent? Noreen and Tottie invite you to a virtual tea party, where you can enjoy a cup of tea with other artists and crafters. Also, invite someone to tea with you and share your favorite arts and crafts stories.
Noreen even has a gift for some lucky guest…read more about it at Hankering for Yarn. You’ll also find there links to all the activities surrounding Tottie.
This may give you ideas for promotions you envision for your business.
*A mascot
*A story or ongoing ones
*A contest
*Special decorations
*Theme prizes…to suggest a few
Tags:home+based+business home+biz home+business+advanages home+business+PR home+business+promotion
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By Mary Emma Allen -- 2 comments
October 4th, 2007
Over at Startup Spark, Shannon Cherry posts some great advice on avoiding PR scams to gain publicity for your home business. In Careful of Scams to Get Media Coverage, she relates the experience of a client who was contacted and interviewed by a company rep who claimed they would put her on big name television…for a fee.
This scam technique apparently is cropping up, and unsuspecting business owners and individuals find their excitement squelched when they learn it’s only a moneymaking scheme…for the person/company approaching them. Read Shannon’s blog post so you’ll be aware if you are contacted.
Tags:home+based+business home+biz Home+biz+notes Home+business home+business+PR Startup+Spark
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By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments
August 26th, 2007
When we mention press releases, or getting news out about our business, a new product or service, we think of sending them to as many publications or media sources as possible. However, Eric Eggertson of Common Sense PR mentions another technique in his post, If You Can Give a Journalist Exclusivity, the Payoffs Are Big.
“Information about your organization [home business] has relative value. The more journalists you send the information to, the less value it has for each of them.”
Eric discusses the value of a well-placed story rather than diluting it through numerous short pieces in many media sources. This is something to consider when you’re introducing something new about your business.
Tags:business+promotion Common+Sense+PR Eric+Eggertson home+based+business home+biz Home+biz+notes Home+business home+business+PR home+business+promotion
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By Mary Emma Allen -- 2 comments
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