It has been a bit over 6 months since I have started this adventure, I have tried quite a few tactics for sales and marketing and have learned a lot. Actually I know I am still learning daily and still figuring it all out, which I know will be a life long lesson. I have recently read a few books I believe will help me substantially in marketing and sales in the future. the books were The Power of Habit and The Tipping Point, both of these books have caused me to take a step back and methodically think about the choices being made in marketing and how to get maximum exposure to my products. Both Books were amazing and I highly recommend them.
I have begun taking my products to nutrition stores locally, I wish I would have done this months ago. Anytime I was able to talk to the owner of a store they were always very impressed with the ingredients and look of my first product Simply Focus just a little wary about the price points. I have created a high quality product and will always stand by that, but the downside is my wholesale price which is a bit higher than others, I just hope consumers begin to realize the uniqueness and benefits my products offer.
Good signs, I am seeing a steady increase in anonymous sales. at first I was selling quite a bit but only to people in my circle which made it easy because I was able to let them try the products which in turn made it easy to make sales. I am still looking into how to solve this issue of getting anonymous customers past the tipping point to buy, one recent tactic I have started to use is giving away free product to gyms and retail stores for them to try and allow customers to test as well. Right now I am stuck between using my time to push the product locally vs seeking out bloggers and doing more of a online marketing approach. I am moving to Alaska in about a month so that alone has persuaded me to push the product locally and try to saturate this market while I am here. When I move I will still have a regional manager in Florida which will keep our shipping site here, but I will no longer be able to seek new local opportunities as aggressively.
Milestones, I have a meeting Monday at Max Fit in Fort Walton Beach after a few weeks of talk, allowing them to sample the product, and negotiating I believe we have come to a deal, soon you will be able to find Simply Focus and MGN SuperHero Fuel in 3 local Max Fit stores in FWB and the surrounding area! Also we have just made our first sale on E-bay which is also very exciting.
I will continue to read to learn and push forward, when I settle in Alaska I will look for a mentor or a Entrepreneur group aggressively, I know that is one thing I am missing that can and will impact my progress greatly.
"See You At The Top"
Tom McConnell
http://www.mentalgiantsnutrition.com/index.html
