Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

How about sending them to magazines to be reviewed in their "what's new" or "new gadgets" or "best bets" sections?

-- TW

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

Just to let everyone know, I am selling all my products on Amazon.com.

I thought by doing this, if people buy them, then I can show the reps, as well as the retailers that people are willing to vote for my products with their money. Wish me luck.

Adman: I am sorry your items didn't make it to the big time. I have heard that the buyers for the chains can be brutal, but that is probably because everyone in the world wants their product in all the big stores.

That is why with my CORDGRIP, I wish there was someone who was already selling to wholesale distributors for the trades, such as heating and a/c, electrical, plumbing, etc and they would be willing to use their contacts to get me in the door.

I would be willing to give up most if not all of the profit for this product as long as I was the one the wholesale distributors and the reps who call on them got to know, so next time I had a product they would view me as someone they wanted to do business with.

I love your stories about meeting Ron Popeil and E. Joseph Cossman. I am actually very jealous.

The critiques that Mr. Cossman did for people who attended his seminars was great.

It goes to show that there were people who really made it and weren't afraid to give back to the little guy.

It is a shame they don't seem to be around any more.

I do realize that everyone had to pay to get in his seminar, but he could have been like most people who put on seminars. They do their speech from the front and then push you to buy their books in the back of the room, while they slip out the back door so they don't have to be bothered by us little people.

Did I tell you how jealous I am of your experience.

Bozo and TW:

Great ideas from both of you.

If you, our anyone else ever needs my help in any way just let me know.

If I ever make it, I promise that I will help others who are REALLY trying to get their foot in the door.

I hope someday all of you can hold me to that.

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

Bob,

Looking at the Hand-LR you might need to approach marketing it at a different angle.

Your target audience is going to be regions where people do more walking than driving. For example: In New York City it's not uncommon for people to walk to the corner store. In Los Angeles people drive to the corner store.

In low income areas people walk to the store, laundry mat, etc... In higher income brackets people don't walk they drive.

If someone drove to the store, then all they have to do is push the cart out to their vehicle. If someone walked to the store, then they would have to carry the bags back home.

I also think changing the name will give it a better hook. When I first looked at it, the first thing that came to my mind is, "That's an easy way to tote bags". So why not relabel it to, "EZ-Tote" or "Tote-Easy"

Instead of grocery stores or Walmart I would approach hardware stores. It's a tool that makes toting easy. Men will see this as a quick way to grab up multiple bags to see how strong it is or try it on other applications to see how much weight it can lift. Women on the other hand don't really want to act like a strong man and carry a bundle of bags.

Also you need to specify weight load. Instead of "Holds multiple bags", it should state at your website, "Holds up to 10 lbs or up to 25 lbs or up to etc..." If this device can hold up to "X" amount of pounds, then the buyer can visualize that and will be more convinced that your product will make it easy to tote different items. That's the sizzle, carrying items is not.

The other area I would consider is exclusivity. Think Vera Bradley exclusivity. Instead of trying to get it in big stores, think smaller stores where this product would only be offered to prequalified locations with protected territories.

The final item to mention is that your product is in direct competition with Totasak. Same product, same looking website, but a huge price difference. You offer 2 @ $9.99. They state "Retails for about $1.00!"

In today's marketplace, people will look at your product and see if they can get the same product cheaper and as I did, will do a search on the Internet. In this instance I was able to find your competitor's product in less than 5 minutes using your product's name Hand-LR.

That is why I am suggesting using the exclusivity strategy rather than trying to get your product into the bigger stores at first. Build a ground swell if you can.

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

L.B.:

I understand about the name change and will look into it.

I am also addressing the other problems that you mentioned and will have them cleaned up by the 1st of the week.

Thank You!!!

Just imagine if I could achieve a Toll Position or two. Then someone could use me as a modern example of a success story and it would be a great testimonial for them.

E.Joseph Cossman's is going to helpme to get my Toll Position
 

Adman:

Since reading your reply about meeting E. Joseph Cossman and Ron Popeil, I have decided to get Mr. Cossman's help in my journey to my Toll Position.

I know Mr. Cossman passed away a few years back, but I am still going to get his help by opening my Cossman briefcase and going through Mr. Cossman's course page by page and cassette by cassette as well as reread all of his books.

I know I will find things in his course and books, that I missed the last time I went through them.

Maybe this time I can find the one last little bit of insight that I need to become a success.

So again, Thank You!!! for telling me about your experience with E. Joseph Cossman.

Re: E.Joseph Cossman's is going to helpme to get my Toll Position
 

Bob,

And those who aren't aware...

Keep in mind Joseph's son Howard and his grandson Chris continue to carry on the E. Joseph Cossman international marketing legacy...

Click on on Howard's contact email and you just Never know what could come out of it... To be honest in regards to your posts regarding sharing experiences and helping... Going directly to the source Surprisingly works sometimes even Better than posting through particular forums... :)
http://www.entre-ed.org/_teach/cossman.htm
http://www.cossman.net/aboutus.html

E. Joseph Cossman also left behind a Great resource with lots of shared E. Joseph Cossman knowledge... Less than a $20. investment for those that may be interested...
How I Made $1,000,000 in Mail Order-and You Can Too! (Paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/How-Made-000-M...1990837&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/How-Made-000-M...&sr=1-1#reader

By the way Bob...

I've been meaning to suggest another Excellent HVAC and Plumbing resource to checkout... Not sure if you've already got it in your Swipe File...

It's a well respected Membership site within the HVAC, Plumbing and contractor industry...

Could make for some interesting Leads... Joint Ventures and other misc. Connections within the Network worth considering some Communications with... ;)
http://www.serviceroundtable.com/

Especially reviewing down this page...
http://www.serviceroundtable.com/about/founders.asp
http://www.serviceroundtable.com/freebies/default.asp

Phil

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

Phil:

Thank You!!! for all the great information.

I have been in contact with Howard Cossman on numerous occasions and will be contacting him tomorrow, thanks to your reminder.

I have ever book, CD, and tape that E. Joseph Cossman had put out including the information currently available on Howard Cossman's website.

Howard Cossman recently told me that they are going to bring out DVDs of his father's complete seminar. I will own them when they are released because I have learned so much already and want to learn more.

Maybe one of the modern Toll Position winners will put out a book or course and I will buy that.

Over my 54 years of life I have purchased 100s of marketing and business books but never until rereading Harvey Brody's manuals that I bought in the 70s and then really getting into E. Joseph Cossman's material have I ever really put my efforts into one direction. I have always jumped from one great thing to another.

But no longer. I am only going to work on getting a Toll Position.

I have to take a new look at all my products as far as marketability and their pricing structure.

From there I am going to figure out if it is time to throw in the towel.

I know the Service Round Table very well. It is a great organization.

Again Phil! Thank You for the advice. I always appreciate peoples help.

Cordgrip v The Competition
 

Bob,

Thanks for asking and sharing.

There is no Rule that says you cannot sell via some form of Direct Marketing. There is no Rule that says you Have to sell via Retailers.

Now with Cordgrip you really only have two Main markets for this...

Market #1: The homeowner Who is fed up with winding up their cord then having it lay around somewhere. They are the one who want extra Ground Space and would like to hang it.

Market #2: The tradesman Who is Forced, by construction site policy (which is really governed by insurance companies who offer lower premiums for Policies which promote safety), to Hang the cord off of the ground. Some sites provide these for use by tradies, others do not. General tradies who are not Forced to hang their cord will just loop up the cord, knot it and keep using the tried & true method of cord management.

For the homeowner some kind of Catalogue could work - as has been mentioned. And $2-shops and hardware stores. Could even try door-to-door. Check out the Miracle Polishing Cloth http://www.miraclepolishingcloth.com request their free sample. It comes with Instruction on how to sell it. This is ideally what Reps want - proven sales techniques.

For the tradie, you could find a tradie mag and run an ad. But I'd approach a highrise construction site admin building and ask for a copy of their List if Contractors (contractors list). If they ask why tell them you're looking for a job - sites don't generally hire off the street anymore so you won't be offered work right there and then. This will give you a list of Companies that are forced, at least on one site, to use Safe Cord Techniques. A letter sent to those companies selling maybe 10/20 at a time for them to give to their tradies might yield results. As too would a letter sent to the construction company who is running that job.

Here's some I prepared earlier...



This is a picture of what is used on construction sites all around Brisbane. So abundant are they, a walk around a site will often find one or a few laying on the ground discarded and unused. And as can be seen from the pic, they can be hung on a door handle, over virtually anything and have a tear-drop shapped thing for hanging on a wall. These are obtainable from Safety Shops like RSEA http://www.rsea.com.au/stock/categories

Michael Ross

Cordgrip v The Competition
 

Michael,

Thank You!!! for the great ideas.

You are 100% right when you said the only two markets are homeowners and the trades.

I never thought of construction sites before.

I will look into that idea.

All the feedback from everyone gives me hope.

Thank You!!!

A Free Tool you can use
 

Whenever I've created a Product or a Business Program....I've "used" the "services" of my "Local News Media"....Newspaper, Radio & TV.

These people are ALWAYS LOOKING for ways to "FILL THEIR SPACES"...either print, audio or video....why?....so they can SELL ADVERTISING!

Advertising dollars pays for ALL media....providing money to Execs, Shareholders, Employees and Stars of Shows.

The way I've "Used" them is....
Newspaper - Print a Story about my Product or Program
Radio - do an Interview of ME talking about my product or program
TV - do a live interview of ME Talking and Showing my Product or Program

Now...these Media Items in small local markets can then be used to get MORE "Free Publicity" in larger markets....and the MORE exposure you get, the MORE products or programs you can sell.

So...I will bet ya that a small, Local, TV Station has a program (I've even gotten MY products and programs ONTO the News Shows)....that will TAPE you talking about your product AND....they will GIVE YOU a Copy of the Tape which you can use to send to other TV Outlets.

All for FREE!

Don Alm

Re: Cordgrip v The Competition
 

Bob,

Just a quick point... Maybe a few tips and ideas...

When you were referring to Cordgrip... Google suggested that I checkout and review the following product...
http://www.thecordgrip.com/

As mentioned in other posts and threads...

Caution and innovation on the naming/re-naming and selection on the Endless world of marketing Specialized niche products... Toll Positions too...

It's always very important to Analyze just how other consumers and businesses use their Google tools before they decide on any Business dealings these days... :)

Here's a Great affordable Money making tool and resource when it comes to the Coining of names, words and Niche Keyword brainstorming... Fortunes still to be made in and with Domaining too... ;)
http://www.visualthesaurus.com/

Phil

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

Adman:

Great idea for free publicity.

Phil:

Great info on how to use Google to name a product and great money making tool.

Thank You!!! both.

RE:Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

This sure is a slow process.

I wish I knew someone who had distribution channels already setup.

I have some reps showing my HAND-LR to some retailers, but the process can take up to 6 months or even more.

I have a couple of reps interested in my CORDGRIP. They will be presenting it to heating and air conditioning distributors.

Also I sent e-mails to a number of companies that sell safety products but so far no replies.

This is not a get rich quick scheme.

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

Hello Bob, Your products reminded me of when i was a member of the Handyman Club of America, they would have products sent to me for testing and review.
Here is a place to start for getting your product included.
http://northamericanmediagroup.com/P...ngprograms.htm

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

M.Sturgis:

Thank You!!! for the great idea.

They are always appreciated.

Maybe it is towel time.
 

I just found from my sales rep that both Rite Aid and Navarro Discount Pharmacies have turned down my product the HAND-LR.

So far all I have been doing is spending a lot a money trying to promote my products with nothing coming in. Can't keep that up for much longer.

I guess I have been hoping that someone that has made it would finally give me the help I need.

But as we all know that isn't happening and why should it. Those that have don't who anything to those of us who haven't.

I know right now I am a bummer. But I have been at this a long time with nothing to show for it but a checkbook that is getting emptier and emptier.

I know I have learned a lot but that don't pay the bills.

Is it time to throw in the towel?

Re: Maybe it is towel time... Time for a little Motivation...
 

Bob,

Personally and business wise.... Life in general is Full of Risks and challenges...

We all need a little Re-assessment/Re-evaluation at times... A Fresh new influx of ideas...

Perhaps with a better Focus and direction to other areas of Diversification... Specialized products and Endless in demand niches and industries...

Including all kinds of Poorly marketed and Undiscovered winning ideas too... ;)
http://seo.site-reference.com/using-...word-research/

Time for a little Motivation... :) Hope some of this Helps a few passing through...

Nick Vujicic...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4uG2kSdd-4
http://www.google.com/search?q=Nick+...ient=firefox-a

Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
http://www.sowpub.com/forum/showthre...t=last+lecture

We all need a break sometimes...

ENJOY THE RIDE...
http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

Phil

Re: Where are you on your journey to getting your Toll Position
 

Phil:

Thank you!!! for the motivation.

The one thing I want everyone who wants to make something of themselves either through a toll postion or any other means to not only remember, but to live by is something that Harvey Brody talks about in his course from the 70s.

Always have a Safe Harbor and then your journey will be far easier.

Re: Maybe it is towel time.
 

Thanks Bob for taking action.

Here is the problem I see...

You took action. Which separates you from the majority of folks out there. But you took the path that is very very hard.

In essence: you started out with the product. And not the market / demand.

So... fix that and you'll be well off.

1. Tag your product to something that is in demand. Be the bonus as I talked about earlier.

Try running a campaign like "buy a ball organizer and get a football free." (Charge $25 for your ball organizers and see where you can get $15 footballs on consignment basis...)

Or try contacting an office supply store or a tech store and ask them if they would like to give away your Cord Grip to all their customers as a bonus... it would cost them $x per Cord Grip - but it would have their logo on it which would remind folks about them all the time.

2. Or give the whole toll position thing one more try. But first find where there is a need in the market. And then go find which product - that meets that need - you can get exclusive rights to.

Go with the market flow. Or expect a very hard struggle and a lot more failed attempts. Because leveraging existing demand is a lot easier than creating new demand.

Re: Maybe it is towel time.
 

There are a lot of successful people who consult with folks for a fee. Just find someone who goes through the entire speaking / consulting route and specializes in licensing or patents and hire them.

Don't wait for someone to help you for free.

Pay for consultants. Or create a board of directors for your company and ask successful people to join the board (for a fee or for equity).

Look up Bob Serling. He had a licensing product out. See if you can hire him and pick his brains.

----

There are a lot of smart successful people willing to help. But yes - you have to put on your marketing hat and ask: what can you give them that would make them willing to help you.

TW's "9 Most Powerful Words In Marketing"...
 

"Who Already Has The Audience I Want To Reach?"

and the most important word OF those 9 is...

(((drum roll here)))

"HAS"

Because "HAS" refers to the FLOW of messages that is FROM the "who," *TO* "the audience."

In other words, who is ALREADY ACTIVELY DELIVERING MRKTNG MESSAGES *TO* the audience you want to reach?

That word "TO" means the FLOW of messages is FROM the marketER *TO* the marketEE (the audience you want to reach) -- NOT the other way around!

Answer that q, then see if you can JV with whomever you come up with.

In other words, search for already existing CONDUITS of information (mrktng msgs) -- where the msgs are flowing from whomever TO your intended audience.

Cheers.

-- TW

Re: TW's "9 Most Powerful Words In Marketing"...
 

Not sure if that helps Bob here...

Bob knows that supermarket chains has the audience he wants to reach. But he has been unable to convince these chains to allow his message to reach the audience.

I see it as an offer problem. Not a medium problem.

Work on making the offer better. Making the offer something that many people wouldn't have to think twice to buy. And then work on how to get your message to your audience.

Can we please bring new posts to this thread, to THIS side of the screen?!?!
 

PLEASE!

Thanks!

-- TW

A "Piece of Advice" that Joseph Cossman gave me...
 

I've been fortunate to have been able to attend 2 of Mr Cossman's Seminars AND...after each one...he had a Private Meeting with people who had products they wanted him to Evaluate and Provide some Marketing Suggestions for;

He started out both meetings with the following statement;

"DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR PRODUCT!"

He went on to explain that MOST "Inventor's or Product Creators"..."fall in love with their products" and will spend their last dime and minute of time, trying to find a way to make money from it.

His suggestion was....if you've Tried Your Best...Tried every avenue...and you've come to a point where Bob Blagg is now....then....it's probably time to "give it up"!....before it "takes you over the cliff"!...as harsh as that sounds.

Don Alm....who's had to "give up on many products"...before they took me over the cliff.