I am finally pursuing my passion as a natural hair stylist. I am very good at what I do (braiding, extensions, locs, etc) so why am I scared to step out and do this full time?
Well, I am hoping to open a beauty salon with booth rentals. I hope to rent to a cosmetologist, esthetician, and a manicurist. Renting to this professionals will make my salon a full salon because people can come and not only get their hair done but also get a facials, manicure and a pedicure.
The rent will range from $120 to $250 per week, the professionals buy their own products and bring their own clients. They only pay me for the space they are occupying.

###

Jay’s Answer: Don’t simply create “another” full-service salon. Yes, you want great, friendly, mature professionals renting from you. Yes, you want a great vibe when people come in. But more than that - target your audience better than your competition. For example, for busy female execs - guarantee that they’ll be in/out at a certain time, or their service is free. Or, have young girl days, where the music and vibe is better suited for them. Or, a man’s makeover day. The full-service part of your business is more than the sum of the services you provide - it’s the feeling they get when they’re with you, and how they feel when they leave.

After Eight years of production, I am finally ready to launch my first new patented product.

It aids the consumer, to creatively custom design their own hangers in a different manner, also instantly. Tools are not really necessary. It is design to help economize clutter closets space furthermore to travel light, to avoid air lines extra charges.

I am looking for: Launchers, TV network, Reps, Launch mentoring, Access to Distribution, etc.

###

Jay’s Answer: Before you create a website, get distributors, etc. first figure out WHO your target market is. I’m sure you’d want everyone that has a closet, but create a niche otherwise you’ll be doing mass market advertising that costs a lot and might not produce the return you’re looking for.

For example, maybe you want to focus on first year college students, who are bringing their stuff to a dorm and want to have enough room for everything. Then, you can focus your marketing message to campus newsletters and magazines for the demographic.

Once you’ve narrowly defined it, then you can find the best people to help you with that niche. Of course, you can then move to other niches, growing your business as you find success with each niche.

I’m looking for an economical way to get a leads list of Renters or Resident/Occupants in a certain area. I know you can purchase lists from vendors. Just wondering if anyone has found a way to get this type of lead without spending a lot of money.

###

Jay’s Answer: A few guerrilla ideas:

If you’ve targeted the buildings, then you can send/post a generic message ask the renters to opt-in to your list for the sake of a big upside (a free year of groceries, for example).

You could bribe/make friends with/co-market with the building manager/owner.

You could go door-to-door and ask for their names.

You could visit the mailboxes and record the names on each unit.

You could visit the parking lots of the buildings, and record the car license plates, running the information through the DMV.

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice. I am doing a seminar for moms as a way to get my name in the community as a resource for families when counseling is needed. I have spoken on many topics in the past. I would like to appeal to these moms as a resource for their general needs or more specific needs. The working title is Creating Balance in your Life as a Mom. I also need 4 - 5 bullet points to attract moms to this seminar. I currently have Improve Your Time Management; Eliminate Distractions; Finding a Routine that Maximizes the Potential for Your Family; and Giving Your Own Needs the attention they deserve. I would like something that is more catchy or would attract the most moms possible! Thank You!!

###

Jay’s Answer: Moms with children at different ages have different specific issues (toddlers vs. lower-school vs. high-school vs. college-aged).

“Creating Balance in Your Life” isn’t motivating. Contrast this to: “Have More Fun In Your Life”, “Play More With Your Family”, “Increase Joy”, “Feel More Vital”, etc.

I have recently been hired as a sales rep for a newly developed organic skin care line, which was developed by a friend of mine. The ingredients are all natural, without toxins, harmful preservatives, etc., and it is a very professional upscale looking product line. She wants me to market the product starting with doctor’s offices, pediatricians, dermatologists, etc. She thinks it is an untapped market and is where she wants to start with the line. I thought that we should try health food markets like Whole Foods, or other places that share the whole organic philosophy, maybe full service salons or boutiques, etc. I recently took some samples to the Center for Holistic Medicine, and asked to be contacted with their opinions about the line and whether they are interested in carrying some products. Any advice on where to go and how to start?

###

Jay’s Answer: It’s a big market, with lots of competition already. If you do get on the shelf at Whole Foods, yours will simply be another product on their shelves, and unlikely to generate many purchases.

Start by targeting under-served markets. Is there a skin problem that your products heal better than any other product out there? Maybe a location in the country where organic skin care hasn’t penetrated (and is the right demographic for you)?

Consider private labeling the product to high-end spas and private gyms. Also, cross-marketing with related products - high-end hair care, nail care, and even outdoors-related businesses.

You might want to sell B2C to get the word out directly. To get more consumer awareness, try doing something win-win: provide foot rubs for your local Avon Walk For Breast Cancer with your products (or provide the product for others to use).

Adding a new service to existing successful business. Looking for ideas on how to best introduce the service of prepared heart healthy & diabetic meals - we worked with local hospital to develop idea/menu. I want to target working adults who are caring for their parent(s) and those who are looking for healthy food option. Meals are gourmet but low fat, sodium, calories. I’m going to plan an open house to introduce new line of food. Who do invite and how can I advertise inexpensively? I need help to develop a marketing plan to make this aware to home health aides, doctor’s offices, and busy caregivers.

###

Jay’s Answer: Sponsor lunch/dinner talks and serve your food to them.

Don’t forget dietitians, small grocery stores, local gyms, and even PTA.

If it tastes good, and people believe that eating it will help their health, it has the right price point (”what is your health worth?”), great testimonials (like Jared, the Subway guy - “eating this food has lowered my BP and made me enjoy life again”), and you’ve done your positioning homework (knowing about your competition), then you have a good start.

I was wondering if anyone knows about the ROI that can be expected from performing a seminar to local businesses about a topic that relates to our business.

###

Jay’s Answer: If people attend, then they’re interested in the topic, and potentially your business. Unless you’re planning on renting out a hotel and providing a full meal, it’s a low-risk investment. The key is to provide information to position yourself as experts. Even if you don’t get a big turnout the first time, by advertising the seminars you’ve started the positioning in the eyes of the general public. Therefore, there’s a direct ROI for those that attend and indirect, for those that hear about you but don’t want to attend, but may be influenced by your seminars’ positioning.

I want a slogan for a water purifier to invites a press meet but water should not be mentioned on the slogan. and want to known how we can launch a new jewelry showroom.

###

Jay’s Answer: 1) A slogan alone will not generate any interest in your business, especially by the press. If you have a press-worthy story, you need to do a targeted press release detailing who you are, what you’re doing, when you’re doing it, what’s special about it, etc. If the press deems it interesting, then they might appear at a press event. Using a teaser (without mentioning your product) will definitely backfire – no one wants to invest their time without knowing why they should. What you need is a marketing strategy – a plan to generate interest, and more importantly, attract new customers.

2) To launch a new showroom, I’ll once again strongly suggest that you create a strategic business plan. Why? I’ve talked to thousands of business owners, and the number one issue is people being overwhelmed by having to do too much and not having enough time/money to succeed. By first starting with a plan, you’re forced to go through the exercise of understanding your competition, identifying your market, your strengths, your weaknesses, supplies, and pricing. You’ll be thinking through the issues on paper, before you sign a lease, purchase supplies, or even print business cards. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling jewelry or ice cream – you need customers to make your business a success. You need to figure out why someone would want to purchase from you, and attract them to you.

I am marketing portrait photography services in my community and one of our strategies is to set up community displays in local pediatrician, OBGYN and family practice physician offices. Basically I am looking to set up a small table in their waiting room with some marketing material, portfolio books and a contest for a free portrait session to collect names. Another option is to provide portraits for the walls of their waiting room and patient rooms with the studio logo in the corner.

So far I have just been cold calling the offices in person and asking if they would be interested. I’ve only tried about 10 and haven’t had luck so far. Are there any other methods you would suggest to make it more beneficial to them to agree?

###

Jay’s Answer: Your question is basically - how can I get a doctor to provide me with prime advertising space? Why should the doctor’s office be willing to give up patient waiting area to you? What about liability - kids & glass don’t mix well. What about aesthetics - it’s your display in their space.

Start with asking doctors you (or your friends’) know. What are their concerns? Under what conditions would they be willing to do this (and for how long)? Once you understand their needs, then you can being to cold call (ideally, warm referrals are better) with the knowledge of what the key objections are, and how to appeal to the office need in general. For example, ask about the art work in their office - when was the last time it was updated? Offer to visit their office monthly to rotate portraits among the offices - change is always nice. Perhaps have themed pictures (holidays, etc.) that go with their decor, etc.

I’ve done a lot of online research looking for a good training course, that I can take online, for interactive marketing. I want to become expert in:

• Email marketing and e-newsletters
• CRM segmentation and data collection
• Web design and usability
• How to make the most of RSS
• SEM and SEO
• Online surveys and incentives for customers to participate

This seems to be a hard course to find. Someone could make a lot of money if they’d create this type of course! Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated.

###

Jay’s Answer: There are categories such as: aware, knowledgeable, and expert.

Expertise is the rarest of qualities. It’s more than courses. It’s applying what you’ve learned to see what works and doesn’t (for you) over time. It’s being willing to continually learn new things, and research new ideas on your own to develop insight.

Knowledge is sitting down and studying. It’s taking courses to find the tools others have used to solve problems. It’s simple exercises to give you the feel for things.

Awareness is talking about the various problems/solutions, but not with much granularity. You’ll be able to understand the buzzwords and may have some ideas for how to solve problems.

All of the areas you’re asking about are currently "fluid" - there are few techniques that everyone agree are best for all applications. People are trying everything out to see what "sticks". And, as users get more sophisticated, the tools they need likewise change.