How Can I Find Sponsors For My Children’s Music CDs?

Products, Publicity

I compose and write children’s music and am in the process of completing my 4th children’s music CD of edutainment. I have marketed the music online, through articles and columns I write for Children’s magazines, music performances at book stores, malls, schools and community events and through the educational market. However I have found that the “mommy market” is mainly looking for things that are “free”. They love the music but don’t want to pay for the CD or downloads so sales are slow and I am not sure why. Because I like to give it away for free (it’s easy to give it away, much harder to charge for it!) I am thinking about finding sponsors who would be interested in getting their business name out their by sponsoring the products and benefiting by have their business in front of the many educators, moms and children I perform for with the music and books I write. In return for their sponsorship I would distribute my products with their logo on them, have their names on a banner at all my performances, provide them with an ad on my website and provide them with the opportunity to make a difference with young children who might not be able to afford a music CD or children’s book with a message about healthy hygiene and good habits like brushing teeth, covering your nose when you sneeze, etc. Currently I see about 20,000 children a year in the local market. My dilemma is that I have never done anything like finding sponsorship before and am not sure how to begin. Is there anyone who has marketed their products this way? If so any advice would be much appreciated. What is the best way to get your foot in the door with some of the larger companies of the medical industry that might benefit from children learning about healthy habits and hygiene through music. I have tested the music on a variety of different children in many different settings and economic groups to make sure it holds their attention, they enjoy the songs and lyrics and the mom’s and teachers enjoy the music as well. The response when they hear the music and the hits to my website looking for my performance dates show that the music works, so I’m perplexed as to what to do to increase product sales.

###

Jay’s Answer: Before you go off and try to find sponsors (which may be a very good idea), I’d focus on the sales themselves. Otherwise, you’ve just added another job for you: finding sponsors, making presentations, changing your CDs/marketing materials, etc.

You have some great numbers. It sounds like you have analytics installed on your site, so you do know that people are visiting. Consider the model that Amazon is doing: letting people listen to 30 second snippets of the music. Give them a reason to stick around. To continue to build your name, if your website doesn’t already, have an opt-in form. You can send monthly schedules of where you’ll be performing, a fun background story or activity to do with your child, etc.

Selling music at your venues is ideal. You have a captive audience who just heard you, and may want to remember your music (and share it with their friends). If you sell your CDs for $15 each, sell two copies of the same CD for $24 – you’d be surprised that the audience will work together to get the bargain. Provide free add-ons to each CD: activities, games, and other websites that reinforce the themes.

If people aren’t buying, then get a friend of yours to ask people at the end of the concert if they’re buying a CD (and why/why not). You need more information before you can create a viable marketing strategy.

How Should I Start HVAC Marketing Department?

Services, Starting Out

I’ve been hired by a HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) firm to start and establish a marketing department. Before my joining this company is working through its sales team who were doing good sales but the sales are primilary due to personal contacts of salesman or the discounts they offer to the customer. The CEO of this company wants to change the sales oriented approach into a marketing approach which he says is a much broader concept. plz help me out in starting a marketing department and moving this sales driven company into a marketing driven company. kindly list down main steps which in your view are required to do so.

###

Jay’s Answer: I’d start by interviewing your top sales people, and finding out what approaches has worked for them. They no doubt understand the competition, what the prospect is looking for, etc.

I’d next study your competitors (SWOT analysis) to find out how your company stacks up.

Your marketing strategy would start by targeting under-served prospects with something unique. Perhaps it’s an energy audit/guarantee. Or a free mold check. Or an annual maintenance program.

The full plan would include how to reach your prospects, measuring plan effectiveness, etc.

How To Train Your Goldfish!

Videos

Here’s a training course for teaching your goldfish how to do tricks using positive reinforcement techniques. Whether or not it’s a good investment is up to you, but it’s a business very suited for viral messaging:

What Is A Good Tagline For A Life Insurance Training?

Names + Taglines, Services

Hi, I am working with a bank, I am designing a name and tagline for a “life insurance” product training for our salesman. last time it was difficult to convince people to attend training so we are looking a for an attractive name and tagline for training program. product is “Life insurance” and training is to be given to salesman of the bank who helps in direct sellling of these products to our customers

###

Jay’s Answer: The name/tagline should provide a key benefit for your audience. So, why should the sales staff care about the training?

  • To learn more about new offerings (for their own sake)
  • To make more sales
  • To help their clients more

Here are some ideas:

  • What’s New In Life Insurance? (to learn more)
  • What You Don’t Know About Selling Life Insurance (to sell more)
  • What Your Life Insurance Client Really Needs To Know (to help clients)
  • Don’t Let Selling Life Insurance Kill You (humorous)

How Can I Reduce My Pay Per Click Cost For My Handbag Business?

eMarketing

Hi, I currently sell handbags (mainly) on my site [www.prooz.com] and current conversions seem to be in the 1/300 range. I was looking into certain pay per click services out there, however the average cost per click of most of these services are between 0.35 and 0.40 cents per click. Now if I take 0.35 * 300 it is equal to a cost of $105 per sale. Even with a site that converts at the usual 1 in 100, the cost would still be $35 per sale. Given that most of the handbags are only $60, how on earth can anyone call this a viable method of advertising. It just seems impossible.

###

Jay’s Answer: Start by first improving your conversion rate.

For your organic searches: make sure that you’ve got your site well keyword optimized. For example, on your site have the alternate spelling of “jewelry” (not just jewellery). You’ve done good work getting backlinks.

You can get cheaper links if you do your PPC campaign targeting a country other than the U.S. For example, I noticed that your site has free shipping to U.K. It would be a natural to start your campaign for them, and see what clicks cost. It’ll save you money and build your experience.

How Should I Advertise My Website/Logo Design Business?

eMarketing, Services

I have a website and logo design company, and I am interested in targeting small business owners who do not have website, and offer them one at a nominal price.

What do you think the best e-mail campaign would be?
Should I rent a list? who to go to? any specific list?

###

Jay’s Answer: It’s tricky, because if they have an email address, they might already have a website. I’d target the emails that are @yahoo.com, @msn.com, @gmail.com, @comcast.net, etc. Most of the rest will probably be a domain name that they own, which means they might have a website (you could manually check each one).

Your second problem is that if they have an email, but don’t have a website, there may well be a very good reason they don’t, and you’re unlikely to make them reconsider (especially via email).

I’d instead suggest focusing regionally. Find businesses that are just starting up, and see if they have a website/logo. Networking face-to-face with the right people is likely to produce better results than a email blast.

Also, don’t forget to place an ad on Craigslist – it’s the logical place for small businesses to look for something inexpensive.

What Is A Good Name For My Urban Feminine Boutique?

Names + Taglines

I’m looking for a name for my boutique in development. It will cater to urban 25 – 40 year olds and focus on being feminine and pretty, but not ‘extreme girly’. It’s geared for professional women who rock power suits but want a softer side at another time or to mix it up at work or elsewhere.

There will be a clothing, accessories, makeup and jewelry in a mix of trendy and classic. However, no racks of jeans, tailored suits or formal dresses…..mainly casual to casually elegant. Some pink but also a palette of colors, fabrics, trimmings and embellishments. Price range is reasonable to moderate but not uber-expensive.

Would like a name with a feminine tone, but not too saccharine. Ideally short and sweet. Thought of the usual ‘pink’ stuff such as ‘Belle’, ‘Blush’, ‘Bliss’, ‘Femme Corner’, ‘AquaBella’ as well some less ‘sweet’ stuff like ‘Suite92’, ‘Sanctuary’ and ‘ Maven’. However, nothing has stuck as yet.

###

Jay’s Answer:

  • Femi9 (Femi+nine)
  • The Whole Package (Boutique)
  • Soften Your Edge
  • For Your Softer Side
  • Flirty

How Can I Attract Real Estate Agents To Purchase Our Closing Gifts?

Services

We are a home decor etailer using offline marketing methods to promote our products and ecommerce website. Many of the products we carry are appropriate housewarming or home closing gifts. Real estate agents could therefore become a key audience.

We have been afforded the opportunity to set up a lunch and learn session in a real estate office for 2 hours. Our objective is to show the agents that our company and our products can add value to them and that our gift items are appropriate for their clients.

Question
1. How can we cut through the clutter of other FREE lunch and learn sessions and attract as many agents as possible to this session?
2. How can we help them to see that we can be a value add to their business?
3. What strategies can we use to pique interest and get them engaged while on site? What can we do that’s different and unique with a limited budget.

Some agents have an interest in the lunch only.

Note: We don’t speak at this. We simply set up a display in a boardroom and wait around for agents to come in and out.

###

Jay’s Answer: (Temporarily) Redecorate the boardroom using your products! Create a vignette of a living/dining room, and show your products – not in a catalog – but physically.

For dessert, create a cookie bag, and put your materials in with the cookies. Or, create your own fortune cookies. Or, have the cookies baked in the shape of your logo, etc.

What you’re offering isn’t a value added service to their business – it’s a thank you gift. You’re not making it easier for them to sell homes, find buyers, or find sellers. The after-gift can be nice, but it’s the treatment during the home transaction that their clients remember. If you can show statistics showing that people remember their agents more favorably, give better referrals, etc. because of your gift – you’ve got something very strong to offer.

How Can I Get More Students For My Tutoring School?

Services, Starting Out

I started my own business called StudySmart Academy, I teach students how to study as their individual brains prefer according to the Assessment they would have taken. It is for any age starting from 10 years up.My main market is 14-18 years of age. Schools are seeming impossible to get into as there are so many people constantly approaching them with something. How else do I reach these ages if schools wont let me in? Most methods of marketing&advertising isn’t targeting my market. In my town people dont want to help as they wan all the students to themselves even though I am the only person doing what I do-so no affiliations yet. Ive tried newspaper, flyers, banners, competitions. Thing is that when I reach parents they purchase the program & the students grades improve, so my problem is definitely reaching my Target Market when schools arnt letting me in. I feel I have done all possible but need some opinions.

###

Jay’s Answer: Word of Mouth is the key. If your program works, then you want to have parents recommend your services to other parents.

Sponsor a child’s sports team, getting your logo on their jerseys.

Finally, you’re key benefit isn’t making learning fun — it’s getting students better scores. That’s why parents would enroll in your program.