December 10, 2011

1) Great people/products I’ve been supporting since Pitchmen came out. 2) Do you need help with your business? Let me help you!

As you all know, in the direct response world, those people (friends) I meet will always be a part of me and I will always think of them often. This being said about the people that I find that have products, as well.

After Pitchmen season one was over, everyone involved with Pitchmen (Sully, Arwen, etc) would post things about the ERA event going on in Vegas. People with products go there to pitch them to companies, it’s also a GREAT networking source, as well. (And, it always been in my (and my husbands) interest to go to that event… one day!) 

While in my divine on-going interest of this event, at the time, Livemercial was around and I was lucky enough to be talking with some of the insiders like PitchToThePros. They were amazingly patient with me when I told them “HEY tell so n so I said HI!” or “What’s going on?! What product is that? Who is that?” .. and so on. I had a lot of fun learning about that. LM would have a long list of little clips where Jennifer Crawford would host the product and find out what it does and everything.

Not only did I find some amazing friends on Twitter by looking up the product found on those videos, but I found some amazing friends AFTER the show, before the second season, after the second season and when I started this website (and when people found me via my personal site talking about Pitchmen).

Now, with Christmas being around the corner, the following items listed below are GREAT gifts to give!

During the ERA event, I found these friends (with products):

PORTAPOCKET – Kendra  - I’ve been following her since day one after seeing her on that Livemercial video. Her website is www.portapocket.com. Her product is used to replace having to put your cell phone/credit cards/keys in your bra if you don’t have pockets and don’t want to carry a purse. It is also wise to have if you are traveling in dangerous areas that you may end up getting your purse stolen, you definitely don’t want to have your phone/credit cards stolen. If you go to her website – she has a blog and can be found via Facebook and Twitter. You can also order the product via her website.

CELLY SMELLYS – Jessica – Celly Smellys are cleaning wipes for your phone, or can be used to wipe any personal electronic device (as recommended). They come in 4 scents, as seen on her website www.cellysmellys.com. You can order via her website or buy at various places (you can find those places on her about page). CellySmellys was just offered a spot at Burlington Coat Factory a little while back, so go look for it! Like all, you can also find her updates on Facebook and Twitter.

SASSAB – Tracy – I have been following Tracy for a long time. From the beginning she’s had products and talked about them, but we finally got to see one of her products come out about a few weeks ago. SassaB – the newest and hottest trend for kids/teens! It’s linkable charms for your hair. www.sassab.com You can actually purchase her product via Amazon.com. She’s also on Twitter/Facebook, so look for her! This item, in particular, is the AMAZING stocking stuffer for your teen/pre-teen/or little girl! They will LOVE IT. :D

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BANOODLE – Tania – I haven’t talked to Tania in a while, but her product was AMAZINGLY clever! You place the BaNoodle on the bag, roll it up and clamp the sides in. And, wah-lah – the food will say fresh and closed! This product was introduced on Pitchmen Season 2 but was sold on HSN with Sully pitching it. I’m not really sure what’s going on with this product right now, all I know is that I love both of the ones that I have! We roll up our chips with them and they DO stay more fresh than with the flimsy chips clip!

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FAN*NY SEAT – Becky – She doesn’t have a product out in stores but she has a prototype. I’ve been friends with her for quite some time, and have enjoyed talking about Pitchmen Season 2 and Shark Tank with her! It’s also amazing to be able to see some of the stuff she’s doing and following her story along to getting her product out on the shelves. I sure wish her the best of luck – as you know, it’s never over.

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ZIP N HANG – Dorota –  I also haven’t talked to Dorota in a very long time either, but see that she’s getting along well via her FB. She found my other website (www.karenmaeby.com) when I had the full list of Pitchmen products up, she left me a comment, and she told me about her product. I’m very glad she did. What is this Zip N Hang? Her product replaces the hook that you put a wreath on, or any other items you hang off the door. Her product does NOT damage the door like other products would. Buy 3 get 1 for free, $12.99 up on her website www.zipnhang.com GO NOW!

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(Disclaimer: the above list are only of friends with products, I have made so many more friends that’s IN the industry without products, that only pitch them or are just friends of the show. So if I forgot you, I’m sorry! Plus, as you can see, I go on marketing sprees and like to market my friends when I get a chance every few months!)

Having said the above, I am ALWAYS looking for new and more inventors/products/business/entrepreneurs to follow. If you have suggestions, please let me know.

ALSO, even in my already busy schedule, I am looking for people who need help with their business or product – mainly ones who need advice. I WANT TO HELP YOU! I had an epiphany the other day regarding something that I want to do in the future and this will help me gain on evidence that it will work. I’m always going to be real with you, I don’t like anything less than that.

What makes me credible to help you? I have had four years of retail experience (4 stores, 1 year of management at 2 different stores), so I know the backhand of how retail AND business works. I was an eBay seller and administration for a guy who owned his own business for two years. And now, I am the Vice President, marketer and administration of the current company I’m working for – SDSkis. (I am also making my own brand with my name Maeby – as a published author, photographer, designs, blogging and anything else I can get my hands into doing. I am currently selling on eBay myself.) Over many years, I have studied and practiced (on my own and some in school) these subjects: writing, graphic design, photography, selling (as far as hands-on retail, other jobs), business math, marketing, business in itself, direct response industry and so on.

There’s a lot of things I keep up on with practice and reading. I have a lot to offer you just based up on my knowledge, so please give me a chance to help you! (Yes, for free.)

Need advice for your product? Let me know. Have questions about marketing? Let me know. Don’t know if your product is already out there or if it will stand out? Let me help you.

I’m here, even if I’m busy, I’m here – because I’m nice and that (what I’m offering you) is what I like to do.

Help me help you.

Feel free to leave me a message here if you need help!

(PS – please recommend me to anyone you may know in need of help, as well!)

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December 7, 2011

A line or two of how to get on track of properly branding yourself, your company, and name.

While working on items/logos/graphics for the company I’m working for, I decided it was time to write something about branding.

Branding is a way of marketing and if you can’t market your brand correctly, then you’re pretty much going down fast.

A couple of weeks ago while coming up with plans on developing ideas further, I wrote down that we needed a tag line. One that will catch someone’s eye or make them sing a jingle in their heads that make them remember us. By accident, I came up with the tag line the other day while mapping out the sticker that I’m going to make for our boxes. It might be cheesy, but it’s completely smart and will make people remember us.

As I read a LOT of magazines, articles and watch a LOT of shows that talk about marketing, direct response, writing, business and law…all of which helps what I’m doing, I am taking note of the most important ideas and basing my “to do this” upon that.

To me, the logo must be nice enough to always keep and never change. People build trust, when something as small as the logo changes, then boom…your company has an issue.

Customer service is the biggest branding, ever. Treat your customers well. Let them have several ways of contacting you, and work deals with them. The more you help them get what they want, the more they’ll be coming back to you in the future. They might also suggest people to you.

Give out free items with your logo on it. Even though people may toss it aside after they’ve used it a while, it may help in the future.

While thinking of this, I keep thinking of branding myself. It’s difficult because I’m trying to focus on the work (our) business is doing but trying NOT to lose focus on my brand… even though I am doing that, sadly.

PITCHMEN ENTHUSIAST was supposed to be a brand a part of “Karen Maeby” representation, KAREN MAEBY [dot] COM was supposed to represent me as a whole and MAEBYS TREASURES is also a part of “Karen Maeby” representation but ONLY for selling items and eBay-focused business. Yes, I have a lot going on.

What I wanted to do with my brands?

I wanted this blog (PE) to be so business-focused and I wanted to be known for it. That hasn’t happened yet because I haven’t had the chance to write an entry every day and find lots of people’s business blogs to comment on. I wanted it to actually be focused on the direct response industry but then have topics of everything.

“Karen Maeby Bates” brand was focused solely around writing and photography and anything artsy. I wanted people to KNOW me by my writing instantly and photos with my name on it has to speak poetry without the words. I put “Maeby” on my work because… (here we go with the tag line) ‘It’s never yes or no, it’s always Maeby’ or ‘Maeby, yes or no.’ No other one person has the name of Karen Maeby. People WILL remember that name because it’s unique. My work is also unique (only because I fight to do things difficult and the hard way but it always turns out the best). Not to mention, the whole pirate theme with me (21st century meets vintage pirate hooker/old soul). People will remember me if I am unique enough to the eye, mind and soul.

Maeby’s Treasures (which actually used to be ‘likemybooty’) – I changed because I wanted “Maeby” in the title. While my main site is pirate-themed, ‘treasures’ is also under that category, so it only makes sense. I want the unique part of my name on something that I’m selling so I can develop those customers and my brand.

Now that I’ve said all of that, I’ve found two fonts to represent me (one business, one fun). I’m making logos (or headers) and trying to stick with it. I’m trying to make schedule to keep writing, I will have business cards some time to promote. I already have a book out, all of my photography is out on sites with my name on it (and more to come), I am trying to develop more design with my name (like, sketches, clothing, etc) and other things. I already have a good base on eBay.

While helping build our brand for work, I’m trying to make following examples for my own stuff. It’s coming out good. I’ve redesigned the banner on this website, on KarenMaeby.com and I do have a new template/banner on my eBay one.

One step at a time….

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December 5, 2011

Pointers on how to make your product successful and marketing your idea.

While helping a friend out about a business issue, I came up with some pointers that I thought would be important to make mention in my blog this week. These are the pointers that everyone SHOULD know – but sometimes forget – while caught up in the moment of their business / product.
If you have a product prototype (or even an idea that you haven’t *yet* developed), here are some key thoughts you should really pay attention to before submitting your product to companies:
  1. Stop. Think about your product. Come back. Ask yourself this, ‘What problem does my product solve?’ 
  2. Then ask yourself ‘What purpose does my product serve to the consumer?’ 
  3. Next, if your product serves a much needed purpose, does it pass the ‘is there something out there like it or is it totally unique’ test?
  4. If it’s NOT unique, then ask yourself ‘Will it be a better product than what’s out there? Better enough for the consumer to throw out their old product and replace it with yours?’ 
  5. Also, please please please – if your item isn’t unique – do your homework and find out how they differ from others that are out there. Use that as the key to point out, and hook the viewer. (Also check for trademarks and names to see if your name hasn’t been taken.) —- This stuff should be the number one thing, but I’ve seen a few people forget about this, as they were really happy about their product.
  6. If you plan on submitting your product to the direct response industry where they use commercials to sell, you MUST remember that your product has to be TV friendly.
  7. How do you know if your product is TV friendly? They have to properly prove on TV (and have people believe it works). They have to come up with a few different ways on proving that it works.
While being a part of a business from ground up, I am the marketer of this company. Here are some thoughts about marketing….
  1. I’ve heard it said to me a couple of times, by my boss, that ‘don’t get too caught up into doing work that you forget about your job.’ My “job” is to be vice president, the marketer and administration. The “work” is taking photos of items to put up on eBay and the entire business that deals with that, as well as some other stuff.
  2. Marketing – from day one, YOU MUST START MARKETING. If you *only* market when your product comes out, you’re actually way behind and you’ve lost “x” amount of time. It’s not very professional.
  3. Graphics – make sure you make a graphic (logo) that you like and stick with it! If you change the graphics and any other stuff that your customers are more liable to not continue following you.
  4. ^ That above: If you have to change your logo or your name or something significant of your company, you LOSE customer trust. This being said because they wonder WHY you’ve changed.
  5. If you make it right the first time, you save yourself a lot of trouble. Minor changes can come later and it’s not so significant.
There’s lots more thoughts but tonight is the night for a few pointers.

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November 11, 2011

The act of business success.

After making up our minds that we were moving to Florida back in the spring, I had an idea I would have liked my job search to go. I knew that I wanted to head for the direct response industry, or at least be near “the city of infomercials” here in Florida. It was a high interest for me, it is still a high interest for me and eventually, I will be writing commercials with/for some of my favorite people. However, it didn’t work out exactly to that – and you know what they say – we plan, God laughs. I was trying to plan where I’d like to be, then thrown off course, only to find some plans being written for me on the side… to pick back up where the empty space was making…empty space, so to speak.

But, in the meantime, I knew what I want and I knew that I would get it some how. Today, and the last few days, I have been given some news that could possibly change mine (and Dan’s) life for a good little while. I don’t really want to discuss any details upon private matters, not really open for discussion and keeping tightly sealed lips. With having said that, I can tell you that this is going to be a positive thing going forward in my career.

I have come to find out that waiting it out has paid off.

I already knew that… hard work pays off AND miracles don’t happen over night because it takes a good little few couple of YEARS to make the money wanted in a business. But, being very patient and believing and working hard.. yep, it pays off. Or, will pay off eventually.

I have always put faith in small businesses and love them above corporate. I’m 100% for little mom and pop shops and pushing to keep those alive in the 21st century, although they were fancier decades back. As you all know – I’ve been supporting entrepreneurship for a couple years now after having met some of the BEST people I know that works in that and the DR industry.

My love for the direct response industry and PITCHMEN alone has brought me up to speed with being ahead of a lot of people in business. Today, I was told that I was very smart in the business area. THAT makes me happy because I have 0 college degrees regarding business, and not only that, but I was music/English major in college… and I didn’t even finish college or leave with a degree. Sometimes, I wish I had a degree in English so I can professionally write, but, I do not at all regret not finishing school.

The DR industry is MORE than just a favorite thing. It is a part of me, it has helped me grow intelligently and I am very thankful that I do know quite a few people from there. It IS a passion.

When I watch Pitchmen or any other business show like that (Dragon’s Den, Shark Tank and even the Pawn Stars-type shows), I study them. I study what’s going on, how they presented it, the information given, what kind of a product, if it’s going to do any good, the business plan and what the ending result is. I watch everything and take note of it. People may assume I’m crazy just because I keep mentioning my favorite shows or ALWAYS watching it. Not only that, but, those shows are the motivation to keep me going and believing in what can happen. Hey, my favorites are MAKING IT because they “MADE IT” — so. can. I!

With every note I take, I become that much more knowledgable about the subject of ‘business’ overall – no matter the subject. I then know what to do or what not to do. That’s why I do business carefully, that’s why I like to break down all of the barriers and see everything. That’s why I question all that I do… and so on.

And, I have always kept my days of retail in the back of my mind as HUGE examples of “what not to do” – ever. It’s not about policy anymore, it’s about what the customer wants and what’s easier on them. Contact if there’s a problem and work it out to solve it. Simple, if you go about it the way you’re supposed to.

With all of that being said, there’s just a huge chance that I will be a part of something good and great and incoming in the near future. Like I said above, I don’t want to talk about it too much to jinx it…but, I have a feeling it’s going to be good and I will unfold it all here as I am allowed to.

I owe a huge simple thank you (for indirectly teaching me my now knowledge) to: {Billy Mays, RIP} – Sully, Arwen, John, AJ, Kevin, Terri, Tom, Tracy, Jen, Lou, Sug, Daymond, Becky, B3 — and EVERYONE ELSE of the Direct Response Industry (SulProd, Telebrands, TV Goods,etc.), entrepreneurs and small business owners. YOU GUYS ROCK and thank you for the support you all have shown me, as well.

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November 6, 2011

SassaB – the newest and HOTTEST upcoming kid trend!

My friend Tracy, that I’ve been friends with for a few years now, has FINALLY released her product. Unfortunately, I was too busy in the last week or so to write about it here as it happened…. so I’m here now!

Tracy’s blog has always been PRODUCT X. Well, she took the time to write about her journey as a creator of this product and shared her ups and downs with us (and she’s still doing that – sharing her journey after releasing a product).

So, what is her product? Here is SassaB. You can actually order online Amazon.com just search for SassaB or find the link on her website. For $17.98 you get four charms, 2 rubberbands with link and 2 bobbypins with link.

SassaB: linkable charms that you can link on hair accessories, belts, shoes and so on.

The main gist of it is unique and to “create your own style”.

This IS the next hottest trend for kids and pre-teens! Please go buy your children some of these! GREAT stocking stuffers!

If your child likes being unique and wants to be THE trend setter in school, this IS the perfect gift!

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