VISUAL PRESENTATION IS VERY IMPORTANT...
AND GIVES YOU CREDIBILLITY.

May I recommend compilingall pertinent information regarding your slings in a three ring binder with plastic insert pages; include newsletters, articles, certificate. photos, etc. Mounting your poster, waering an outfir from SDNW for a professional approach that's both organized and attractive.

MARKETING MATTERS

Small Time Marketing Ideas with Big Time Impact
Our goal is to see you start making money right away without much investment. You have not only our permission, but our full encouragement in using our Name, Logo, Advertising, Video, Poster, etc. in any way, shape or form to promote yourself, as long as you are in fact selling our sling.

We’d like to share with you a few very inexpensive, yet very effective ideas for promoting your business and making your sales grow. We’ve always believed the personal touch to mean so much. Spending a little time instead of a lot of money goes a lot further, and in the end works out better. There is at least one tip here that will suit your personality and situation. Let’s make sure everybody knows what’s best for their beloved baby.

Labels-Order your own personal labels with your phone number in large print and sew or iron one onto the adjusting tail. This allows easy referral when total strangers ask your customers, "Where on earth did you get that?" All they have to do is flip of the tail and give them your phone number. (Be sure to include your area code.)

Referrals-Work your current customers for referrals. Never sell a sling without first slipping into the package a referral letter and a handful of your business cards. It might take a mom or dad more than a few times to really experience the true joy of their sling, but when they do, their gonna love to tell others about it especially if it means they might get a rebate for their referral.

Reach Out and Touch Somebody-Don’t give people your card or phone number without getting theirs! That way you can follow up and have a better chance of a sale. Real estate agents prove to us this is the number one way they develop their customer base and get new business. Call current customers back once a month to check and see if they are wearing their baby successfully. Or, if their baby has grown, and is ready for a new position you may be able to help with. Usually, this is received as a very thoughtful gesture and will remind them that they’d like to purchase another one for themselves or for a friend. (If they don’t mention it, offer them $5.00 off the purchase of their second sling, now that they know how useful it is). Also, when paying bills, or writing letter, always include your card or brochure - everybody knows somebody who’s having a baby.

Posters-Let your posters do the talking. Buy extras for just $4.00 each. Post in places for perspective purchasers to peruse. Examples: Chiropractor or OB/GYN offices, Library, Community Co-Ops, Local grocery store, Hospital waiting room, Mommy and Me exercise classes, and Preschools, just to name a few. Some of our top distributors started this way and today own baby stores based on money the made selling slings.

Presentations-Childbirth educators may let you do a presentation during the breast feeding portion of their series of classes. Most educators highly recommend the use of slings, but either don’t know where to get them or because of their affiliation with the hospital cannot sell anything themselves, but would love to have a representative bring them in to show and tell. Offer to speak at local area La Leche League conference, maternity tea, hospital reunion, how to care for your baby class, or a maternity fashion show, etc. That way you can educate as well as promote. It’s easy, all you have to do is show the 7 minute video, read a few health advantages and psychological benefits and comparisons, and give your personal testimony. You could also offer the hospital or educator a FREE sling as a commission for every 5 slings you sell as a result of their classes. (They love ‘give aways’ for free drawings).

Loaner-There is nothing more convincing than a live demonstration and trying one on for yourself. Dedicate one baby holder to being a ‘Demo’ or Loaner. That way they can try it out for a little while and discover they can not live without one of their own.

Exposure-Street fairs and swap meets, home and garden shows, computer and car shows. Wherever large crowds are gathered, will get you and your baby noticed! Although it’s a good idea to rent a space, it’s not always feasible due tot he cost. By simply wearing your baby and your ‘Ask Me About My Baby Holder’ button, I’m sure you’d sell whatever you could carry. It’s not unusual to sell $5,000.00 at an event like this if you make a beautiful presentation and love to pitch your slings! For the distributor who’s not shy, a more aggressive approach would be to stop moms in malls, parks, grocery stores etc. who are wearing those ‘other’ carriers and ask how they like them. Then, give them your OTSBH flyer or an explanation on why you think they would like yours better.

Co-op Advertising-Find another entrepreneur in town. Offer to include each other’s information in mailings or orders. That way you will be helping promote their item (toy’s, make up, Tupperware etc.) and she will be helping promote yours in areas and to people you would not currently be addressing.

Follow Up-Always follow up on the sale to make sure they are completely satisfied. Send a quick note thanking them for their business, and a follow up call to make sure they are thoroughly happy. That way you will know for certain that they were pleased and intend to continue doing business with you. This almost always generates a new sale.



TWO SOURCES for fast, affordable, referral fabric labels:
Ironing or sewing a separate label with your name and phone directly on each Over the Shoulder Baby Holder tail before you sell them to anyone will guarantee a referral will never be lost. It is absolutely the most valuable investment you can make to generate repeat sales.

ARTISTIC GREETINGS- http://www.artisticdirect.com/product.phtml?item=0741
Cloth Iron-On Labels: Set of 50 - 3 line (2"x7/16") $9.95 Part number 0741

NAME MAKER INC.- http://www.namemaker.com/html/labels/wovenname.html
Woven Sew-On Labels: 20 for $7.25

DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED...Every person you sell a sling to is like a walking ‘Billboard’ advertisement for you. Even though you probably mentioned to your customers that they can receive a cash incentive for referring people back to you, sometimes it doesn’t really sink in at first because they haven’t had the experience yet. But, as we all know, people do notice and your customers will get stopped or even stared at and asked "Where did you get that THING?" So, here is a sample of a letter that you can personalize to enclose with every carrier you sell along with a handful of your business cards. You can make the cash incentive:

Dear Sling Mama,
I am very pleased that you have decided to carry your baby in an Over The Shoulder Baby Holder. As you wear your baby in public, you will find that many people will inquire about your baby holder because you and your baby look so comfortable and carefree. Usually, several people ask questions on a trip to the supermarket, and sometimes a dozen or more will approach you at the mall.

Because of this response, I am going to make you an offer that could earn you some extra Mommy money. It’s an incentive program for every friend, neighbor, relative, associate or stranger you refer to me. Hand out my business cards to prospective sling purchasers and write your name, address and phone number on the back. When people call me to purchase an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, the first thing I ask is, "How did you hear of me?" If they say they received my card from you, I will mail you $5.00. It’s that easy!

Some parents refer 10 or 20 people a month just going about their lives; shopping, doing chores, taking walks, going to La Leche League meetings, childbirth classes, hospital maternity teas, home parties, church nursieries, etc.

As you use your sling more and more, and learn the subtleties of its use, you will often fall in love with it. If this is your situation, you can call me for a free ‘Ask Me About My Baby Holder’ button to spark an even greater awareness to the general public. In the meantime, I am sure you and your baby will greatly benefit from using your Over the Shoulder Baby Holder!

Happy Nurturing,
Your Name, Address, e-mail and Phone # here