Posts Tagged ‘marketing’
Made in the USA Stickers Make for Good Business
Kimberly’s business had just started, but already she was having a challenging time. It seemed that selling her custom made dolls was difficult. Kimberly was surprised; she’d always gotten compliments on her hand made dolls wherever she went. She thought starting a business was a wise decision. But the dolls just weren’t selling as well as she’d hoped.
It was Kimberly’s dream to make dolls as a living. Even as a young girl, she’d always loved dolls. And as she got older, she began to stitch and make clothing for them. Then she began to make dolls of her own. Family and mates admired her efforts. She gave dolls as gifts to children in the family, and women who picked up dolls. Everyone knew that Kimberly made wonderful dolls. But when her partner provoked her to make her doll making a business, Kimberly was both excited and startled; could she make her unmitigated dream? Would it actually work? Now she wasn’t sure.
“You need to stress the benefits of your products,” her sister articulated. “Why should someone get a doll from you?” Kimberly thought. It is a fantastic point. Her dolls were high quality and hand-crafted. But her dolls were also made in the U.S.A. Not all products were today. “I have an idea,” Kimberly recounted. “Let’s add Made in the U.S.A. Stickers to the doll tags. Everyone will know where the dolls were made.” Her sister smiled and nodded, and ordered the stickers instantly.
The red, white and blue stickers were attention-grabbing, in a foil design that simply got someone’s attention. Kimberly heard immediately about the dolls being Made in the U.S.A. from her consumers. “Where in the U.S.A. were the dolls made?” one client asked. “Here in New Jersey, at my dining room table,” Kimberly responded with a smile. The purchaser bought three dolls, one for each one of her grandchildren. She wasn’t the only one, as more stores started to order Kimberly’s dolls. Kimberly was satisfied, understanding that her new business was off to a successful start.
Kimberly realized that many American customers did want to show their patriotic spirit as they shopped. That buying Made in the U.S.A. products was important to them. And that some were willing to pay a bit more for a product that was high quality and well made, especially if it was Made in the U.S.A.. Kimberly felt pleased and excited, not only was her business successful, but she felt she was doing her part for the country’s economy. Selling American made products is an important way to improve the U.S.A. economy, and letting customers know that your product is from the U.S.A. can help them make an informed buying decision.
As Kimberly’s dolls became successful, she soon had enough funds to hire a full time assistant, to help create dolls with her. This helped to build her business even more. “You really found what made your dolls stand out from the others, didn’t you sis?” her sister asked. Kimberly was preparing the holiday dolls, getting ready for Christmas way in advance. She nodded as she stitched a red velvet holiday dress for one of her favorite Christmas dolls. “I’m so glad people have fallen in love with my dolls as much as I have,” Kimberly said. “Its like a dream come true!”
Lawrence Reaves writes for MaverickLabel.com – where American small businesses succeed with Made in USA Stickers and good old fashioned customer service.
Bumper Stickers for Fundraising
Kids’ sporting teams often look for good fundraisers. Finding that “perfect” fundraiser isn’t so easy. Not everyone has the money to buy boxes of fruit or bigger items. It also seems like there are many other fundraisers at the same time. You’ve got to come up with something different and original. Coach Greg knew he had to come up with something great for the Ladybugs.
The Ladybugs soccer team isn’t undefeated, but they are good sports and play well as a team. The girls on the Ladybugs enjoy playing soccer. Families come out to watch the games and cheer the teams on to victory.
But the Ladybugs playing field was in poor shape. With many teams playing on the same soccer field, every team was told they needed to do some fundraising. The Ladybugs Coach Greg wasn’t sure what they should do. Then he noticed his wife’s car, the bumper stickers for the causes she supports, like saving the whales and helping the environment.
“What about bumper stickers?” Coach Greg said.
“I think that’s a great idea!” his wife replied.
Coach Greg created a Ladybugs Supporter bumper sticker in white, red and black. It was easy to create, just a few clicks of the mouse. Coach Greg could order bumper stickers in a small quantity; he didn’t have to order a larger quantity of bumper stickers to get started. The Ladybug bumper stickers were ordered so quickly. They were shipped out to Coach Greg before long, ready to start the fundraiser.
The bumper stickers were passed out to families, asking them to find Ladybug Supporters for $5. As a thank you, they would receive the Ladybug bumper sticker. Ladybug bumper stickers were passed out to family and everyone who knew the team.
It was easy to support the Ladybugs with a $5 donation. Best of all, everyone loved the fun bumper stickers. Everyone would know that you were a Ladybug supporter when you put it on your car or truck. It was a fun way to support kids’ sports.
Soon Coach Greg had to place another bumper sticker order. The bumper stickers had become very popular. Reordering the bumper stickers was simple, the click of a mouse. He got them quickly; ready to send out more bumper stickers to find great Ladybug supporters.
It wasn’t long before Ladybug Supporter bumper stickers were seen all over town. Coach Greg would smile as he went to the hardware store, seeing the Ladybug Supporter bumper stickers in the parking lot. His wife saw them at the grocery store. And there were many of them at every Ladybugs game.
In just two months, the teams got together and tallied up their fundraising success. The Ladybugs had raised the most out of any of the teams. Coach Greg was pleased they could help improve the playing field.
“What’s your secret to success?” Coach Annie asked. Her team had sold candy bars.
“Bumperstickers let our supporters stick with the team!” Coach Greg said.
Want to find out more about printing custom bumper stickers, then visit Maverick Label’s site or check out this site and find out how to order custom bumper stickers.
Wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving from the Hunter Pumpkin Farm
Thanksgiving is an important holiday. And it’s quite important to the Hunter family, owners of a pumpkin farm. The Hunter Pumpkin Farm grows pumpkins that become delicious pumpkin pies that are served on many holiday tables during the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Hunter Pumpkin Farm pumpkin pie is like no other pumpkin pie you’ve ever tasted. It has a light, flaky crust and a thick, rich pumpkin center. The Hunter family adds a dash of nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and a few other secret ingredients to make their pumpkin pie so special.
Many families simply wouldn’t consider it to be the holiday season without their Hunter Pumpkin Farm pumpkin pie. It’s the pumpkin pie that melts in your mouth; it goes so well with that scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. And so many love to order this pumpkin pie because they know it is chock filled with freshly grown pumpkins – straight from the farm.
Mrs. Hunter wound up selling her very first pumpkin pie by accident. A neighbor came by several years ago, and Mrs. Hunter gave her a pumpkin pie. The family loved it! The neighbor begged her to make them another one the following year, offering to pay her for her time and supplies. Mrs. Hunter made the pie out of kindness and gave it to her neighbor. The neighbor invited her over for dessert and 6 other people ordered pumpkin pies! Mrs. Hunter said to her husband, “I think we could sell pumpkin pies at Thanksgiving time.”
The Hunter Pumpkin Farm has been known for growing large pumpkins. But adding something new to any business can be challenging. Especially when it is a different type of product. Baking pies is entirely different from growing pumpkins. Mr. Hunter was positive but also cautious. He encouraged Mrs. Hunter to do some research, and think about how they could start small with this venture.
Mrs. Hunter found personalized labels she could order in small quantities. It was perfect. She didn’t have to order thousands or tens of thousands of labels in a single order. She could start with a small order, to try out making pumpkin pies. The labels had every graphic advantage, looking polished and professional. “Why they look just like the labels you’d see in the store,” Mr. Hunter remarked. Mrs. Hunter nodded and smiled. They placed their first order right away to get ready for the Thanksgiving season.
That was four years ago. Mrs. Hunter thinks part of the secret of their success is the personalized label she’s added to the pie box. It says “The Hunter Pumpkin Farm Pie” and “from our table to yours” with a woodcut illustration of a pumpkin pie. The Hunters like the label because it is large enough to add the ingredients and even calories per serving, something just about everyone wants to know when purchasing food items.
We all know that Mrs. Hunter bakes a delicious pumpkin pie. But packaging it professionally helps her to present it well during the holiday time to her customers. What has started as a small venture for their pumpkin farm has become a successful part of their business. And it all started with a small order of personalized labels!
Looking to find the best deal on printing custom shipping labels, then visit www.MaverickLabel.com to find the best prices on ordering shipping labels for you.