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Last week I continued the discussion about Social Media tools, specifically Facebook. I acknowledged ways for you to reach and interact with your customers (and potentials). When I was brainstorming my next topic, it dawned on me that I have a tendency to assume that most of you have some general knowledge of marketing, yet that is not always the case.  Therefore, I am reverting "back to the basics." If you have little knowledge about Marketing or if you simply need a refresher course to generate new ideas for your business, then this is the article for you!

Every marketing principle/strategy must begin at square one: the 4 P's of Marketing. This is a basic concept that marketing students learn in the beginning. However, by analyzing your 4 P's, you can uncover new ways to better market your company. The 4 P's are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Today I will discuss product, check back each week for the next section!

Product

Since you already have a product(s) or service, this is when you should analyze the consumers' needs. First, who needs/wants your product and are you meeting all of those needs with your product? Is there an unmet need that you can target by altering your product? How is the quality of your product; could it be better?

How is your product packaged? Would you buy your product if it were sitting on a shelf next to the same types of products from other companies?

Do you stand behind your product? Warranties, installations, servicing, etc. are an excellent way to ensure the quality and durability of your products to your customers.

If you are a wholesaler or distributor, do you also sell the necessary display items your customers will need? This is a great way to add on sales and to ensure repeat business. You can also offer tips/ideas to your customers about how to most efficiently sell your product to their customers. By doing so, you will be building relationships with customers that are essential.

If you are a shop/reseller, do you offer complimentary items with the products? For example, if you sell personalized jewelry gifts, it would be a great idea to also sell some kind of jewelry trinket box or pouch.

To put this step in a nutshell, ask your self one question and be totally honest. Put your self into the shoes of your customer and ask your self, " Is this product appealing?"

Try looking at your company/product from your customer's view point, you may see something you have never seen before!

Danial

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In an ongoing effort to be the best parents ever, the current generation of parents with babies and young children are seeking to find the most organic baby products made of only natural and healthy materials. When stocking your shelves for these eco-conscious parents, consider popular wholesale organic baby items like this.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For The Tummy – Everything from organic apple juice to organic baby food and formula is popular with trendy parents.

Hint:  Look for products with natural ingredients grown with few or no chemicals.

Hint:  Always look for a certification with organic baby items.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For The Bedroom – If it's found in the closet or on the bed, it's a winner. Look for products like organic baby blankets and baby bedding, organic cribs (yes, they're out there), organic mattresses (material will be certified organic), baby quilts and other products that leave parents happy to let their children play in their rooms.

Hint:  Look for certification with materials used in organic baby bedding and other items. The materials used to create the bulk of the product are usually the certified items.

Hint:  Look for the use of organic or all natural dyes to color materials. The use of organic dyes and organic material is a winning combination.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For The Bathroom – All around the house and even to the bathroom, look for organic baby products like organic baby powders, toothpastes, organic baby wash, lotions and other items. If it touches the baby's skin but leaves no trace of harsh chemicals, it's a favorite.

Hint:  Look for the use of herbs and all-natural ingredients.

Wholesale Organic Baby Products For Fashion – Organic baby clothing is a big deal with eco-friendly parents. Note the use of materials for the many different types of organic baby clothing such as baby hats, dresses, diapers, outerwear, organic baby slings, diaper bags and totes and other items.

Hint:  Look for the use of organic or all natural dyes to color materials.

Hint:  Look for textiles manufactured without harsh chemicals. Many will have an organic certification.

Halloween costume shopping starts early, especially for retailers. Wholesale Halloween costumes are very important to the retailer wanting to cash in on holiday sales this Halloween. Instead of waiting until shoppers start wandering in, get ahead of the game this year by shopping for wholesale Halloween costumes now! To get a head start on this year's trendy Halloween costumes, here's what customers really want to see on the shelves (and on their children) this year:

The right Halloween costume accessories can make or break or break the costume. Capes, crowns, hats, masks, shields, swords, wands, skirts and other accessories push the boundaries between "good" and "great" Halloween costumes. For example, imagine a Harry Potter costume without a wand or a cape. It would seem very lacking and probably wouldn't be chosen. Halloween costume accessories like these will put the finishing touch on the decision to buy or to leave on the shelf for someone else.

Character Halloween costumes are always fun. Halloween costume ideas usually follow the entertainment world of books, movies and television shows. This year expect to find many consumers wanting a Harry Potter costume, Michael Jackson costume, Dora The Explorer costume, The Backyardigans costumes, Cavemen costumes and other character costumes. Follow the famous entertainment in a particular age group and there you'll have the most popular kids Halloween costumes and teen Halloween costumes for the year.

Traditional Halloween costumes cannot be overlooked. You'll always have someone wanting to be a ghost, zombie, pumpkin, witch and other scary things. Tradition is tradition for a reason so look for many consumers wanting Halloween costumes like these.

Adult Halloween costumes often focus on something sensual or also follow entertainment trends. Sexy Halloween costumes fly off of the shelves when adults are doing the shopping for themselves.

Believe it or not, Halloween costumes for dogs are also becoming very popular. While Jack and Jill go trick-or-treating, Fido waits on a leash for his share of the stash. Well, it would look more like Fido on a normal day but this Halloween little Fido will be wearing a dog Halloween costume. Trick or treating is more fun with an angel dog, a devil dog, or a puppy pulled straight from the Old West.

Last but not least, look for new parents to come in search of the perfect Halloween costume for their infant. Baby Halloween costumes can be anything from a traditional costume like a ladybug, pumpkin or angel to something more unique like a character costume.

What are you doing this year for the pumpkin rush that strikes invariably during the fall? When September and October roll around, will you be ready with Halloween pumpkins for the customers who are interested in carving jack-o-lanterns? When August brings a close to summer and welcomes fall, will you have pumpkins, squash and gourds for fall decorating?

Pumpkins Are The Most Important Part of Fall Decor

Fall decor is a popular part of what makes autumn so fun to experience. As the seasons change and fall comes into view, pumpkins are the most popular product on the shelf. One glance at a pumpkin is an instant reminder of fall and all of the wonderful things that it has to offer:  pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, jack-o-lanterns on Halloween, falling leaves and fall displays. For this reason, consumers gravitate toward pumpkins because these large gourds seem to embody what fall is all about. Along with a hearty helping of red, yellow and orange leaves, no fall decor is complete without pumpkins.

Spice It Up With These Great Wholesale Pumpkin Products

To please your customers who crave pumpkins, think just outside of the gourd this year. There are many products that have the taste or scent of pumpkin. For example, pumpkin cookies and pumpkin bread are becoming a favorite around the dinner table. These sweet gourmet treats have the delicious taste of pumpkin but just enough sugar and sweetness to make kids eat their least favorite vegetable.

Pumpkin spice candles and similar pumpkin scented home fragrances are huge during the fall. Pumpkin scented oils, candles and sprays delight the senses with a warm scent that makes the room seem cozy and inviting. As the weather turns colder, a cozy room with the fragrant scent of pumpkins is a welcome retreat for everyone.

Wholesale products that feature pumpkins and kitschy pumpkin designs do not stay on the shelf for long. Pumpkin home accents complete the essential fall decorating that everyone does between late August and November. When your customers begin to search for fall home decor, point them toward your home accents featuring pumpkins.

Displaying wholesale pumpkins and pumpkin products is easier now than before. Simply find the pumpkin display rack that is right for your store and watch it empty quickly as your customers began making their fall decor come to life!

You can't swing a chicken without hitting someone who has fabulous party idea. By the same token, those people need party supplies when they start to plan their party! Partyware is booming and it's no surprise that a few key party supplies are taking the lead. When you are interested in partyware for your customers, consider these popular party supplies.

Plastic & Paper Party Plates – Whether licensed paper plates or solid color designs, party plates are a must-have for any party.

Party Balloons — Party balloons keep fun flying high! Licensed mylar balloons and latex balloons make the room feel like a party palace.

Party Favors – It's such a great party, why not have party supplies that helps remember it? Party favors are huge hits, especially functional party favors.

Party Invitations – Skip emails and text invitations. If the party is off the chain, party invitations are the way to go. Look for options like seeded party invitations, recycled invitations and other eco-friendly options.

Party Games – Party games are not your typical party supplies, but definitely something no party should be without.

Party Decorations – If they match the rest of the party supplies, decorations will be a hit. Party supplies like confetti, garland, balloons, pinatas, stickers, streamers and more fall into this category.

Party supplies truly make the celebration. No matter what type of party it is, providing the party supplies that your customers want starts with finding the right partyware.

Summer has almost arrived. Are you prepared to please customers looking for outdoor furniture? This is the time of year when grilling out on the barbecue and splashing around in the pool trumps most other activities with friends. Families gather outside with a frisbee, a baseball mitt and glove or some other gaming toy. Next comes the food, the fun and the festivities. At the core of it all is love; a step up from that is outdoor furniture.

Wholesale outdoor and patio furniture is something that many people take for granted. However, consumers are starting to realize how important it is to make the most of these sunny moments. Sitting around the picnic table, resting in lawn chairs–it's all part of the big picture.

Look For These Trends In Wholesale Outdoor Furniture — Your Customers Are!

• Comfortable Patio Furniture — If your customers can't picture themselves relaxing in the lawn chair, waiting for bbq on the upscale bench, sitting on the lounge chair, or sipping lemonade on the Adirondack chair, don't expect them to buy it.
• Modern Outdoor Furniture — contemporary is in with outdoor furniture design. While "space age" isn't the way to go with outdoor and patio furniture, definitely think "upscale outdoor entertaining" when browsing wholesale outdoor furniture.
• Eco-Friendly Outdoor Furniture — oh yeah. Eco-friendly is back in a big way when it comes to wholesale garden and patio decor. The wicker, bamboo or other materials used to construct the furniture are part of the appeal. Plus, eco-friendly fabrics used for cushioning and support only seal the deal.
• Sealed Wood Patio Furniture — Wood furniture is very popular during backyard outings. Whether outfitted with a cushion or not, many pieces of wooden outdoor furniture are designed to be relaxing and appealing without them. Consumers have found this out and spend a lot of time in their comfy wooden patio furniture.

When you stick to these simple outdoor furniture trends, you'll hit dead-on what your customers are wanting to find in their backyards. Summer is almost here. Let your outdoor furniture make a splash with customers this year!

Eco-Friendly Containers Are All The Rage With Trendy Consumers

It's probably a shock to no one that eco-friendly containers are sweeping the nation as a leader among popular containers. It's also no surprise that environmentally friendly containers come in several forms, making them easy to find and easy to love. When looking for the wholesale eco-friendly products that will get your customers excited, take a look at eco-friendly containers like these.

Biodegradable containers – are great because they are made of materials that break down faster, leaving less clutter and waste in our landfills. Environmentally conscious consumers tend to stray from plastic things because they break down much slower. Offering biodegradable containers alongside standard gardening pots and other containers will keep your eco-friendly consumers happy while avoid alienating this valuable niche.

Recyled containers – are extremely popular because they are made of materials that would otherwise go to waste. Soybeans can now be restructured into food, clothing, candles and containers. Other fibrous materials can be used to make containers for a variety of purposes. Recycled plastic containers are just some of the many options for your customers. Others include containers made of recycled aluminum cans, plastic soda bottles, glass and more.

Even basket and papier mache containers will satisfy the desires of your eco-friendly consumers. The most important things to look for when shopping for these "green" products are:

• Organic or eco-friendly certification – Though some may not have this, it's always valuable to check the origin of the products to ensure that they are truly living up to their eco-friendly label.
• Functionality and quality – Most eco-friendly containers are every bit as good if not better than their standard counterparts. However, as with shopping for regular containers, consider the design and certification when purchasing wholesale eco-friendly containers.
• Memorable quality – are the wholesale eco-friendly containers you have in mind easy to brag about? Eco-friendly consumers love to say "check out what this is made of!" If you can find something memorable, functional, and certified–you're on your way to making your "green" customers very happy.

If your store is going green or your customers are favoring an eco-friendly lifestyle, consider eco-friendly containers. They're hugely popular because they can be used in just as many ways as standard containers. Gardening, planting, holding keys or spare change…whatever the function, eco-friendly containers are where it's at among consumers in 2009.

So what are the big buys this year for pool side entertainment? You probably won't be surprised by any of the top favorites. The secret to making wholesale pool supplies work for you is finding the unique version of each; something extra special that sets each pool product apart.

This year the trend in pool supplies and pool products lies in those that can be described as "convenient," "fun," "unique," and "interesting." For instance, beach towels are something that everyone owns. Breast cancer awareness beach towels–now that's something that will guarantee a second look.

Turn Up The Fun With Pool Supplies This Summer!

Other fun pool side products are things like umbrella covers for patio tables. Not everyone enjoys sitting in the sun. Sometimes relaxing with a glass of lemonade at the patio table is just as fun. To keep the shade in ample supply, keep patio umbrellas in stock also!

Pool toys are always a hit with customers who have children or enjoy throwing youthful pool parties. It's easy to make a splash with other pool supplies such as chairs and tables for the center of the pool. These are unique ways to get everyone into the pool for a refreshing break while the burgers cook.

Cool Wholesale Pool Supplies Keep Summer Heat At Bay!

What your customers want this year are fun, interesting pool products that make going for a swim entertaining. They want to have something unique that makes them want to call their friends over for a pool party. They want the convenience of being able to relax pool side without having to lug around a bunch of heavy equipment or cumbersome toys. Wholesale pool side products make it easy for you to supply your customers with what they really want this summer. Have them diving into your store for the unique pool products that they crave.

Not surprisingly, the hottest new garden and patio trend for 2009 lies with eco-friendly garden and patio products. Believe it or not, the hot Hot HOT garden and patio products are those that keep Mother Nature calm, cool and collected.

Most eco-friendly consumers take great pains to determine the level of environmentally safe practices and ingredients go into producing eco-friendly products. This is true even with standard products such as patio decorations and garden furniture. No imitations will do. Only the highest standards of earth-friendly quality will suffice. After all, as most remember from the classic commercial, "it's not nice to fool Mother Nature."

So what are your consumers looking for with eco-friendly garden furniture? Look for products made of easily biodegradable materials such as wood, bamboo and other plant-based products. Also, soybeans are being used to create quality fibers that is already being used in clothing. These materials can be found on many porch swing cushions, chair covers and other outdoor furnishings.

It's not just garden furniture that has eco-friendly consumers turning their heads. Environmentally friendly garden and patio products such as eco-friendly insect repellant and animal repellant are also rising to popularity. These products eliminate the pests at the family cookout but without the guilt of harming the creatures or polluting the air.

Other eco-friendly garden products that trendy consumers love are things like recyclable planters, environmentally friendly landscaping timbers, whiskey barrels and other containers. These types of planters and garden containers are just as durable as plastic planters but are more quickly reduced to their natural sources. Eco-friendly containers and garden planters are commonly formed of wood or other biodegradable materials that allow easier decomposition. In this way, these gardening favorites are no threat when left in a landfill.

Everyone wants his or her home to smell good. A home with a fresh, clean scent helps unwind after a long day at the office. Home owners are often encouraged to keep their home smelling of freshly baked goods so that buyers will be reminded of kitschy moments spent around the oven. Whatever the favorite smell or the reason for loving it, buyers today are leaning toward a very particular product for spreading the aroma around.

Two Great Reasons To Offer Reed Diffusers

Fragrance diffusers have risen to popularity once again. The effects of reed diffusers can be sensed in many homes and offices across the country. This type of diffuser is especially popular because of their duality. Reed diffusers are a very efficient and environmentally friendly way to disperse aromas because they do not consume energy through burning like candles or incense. More than just a scent spreader, aromatic diffusers like this serve as beautiful home decor. This other function of reed diffusers can be largely attributed to their rise in popularity.

Forget The Decor:  Diffusers Go With Everything!

Reed diffusers and other aromatic diffusers go with nearly every home decor theme. The natural look of reed diffusers make these especially popular for Asian inspired home decor. The particular shape of the scented oil holder makes many reed diffusers the popular choice for contemporary home decor styles as well. Whatever the theme, today's consumers have found a way to make this type of diffuser work for them.

Don't Get Burned By The "No Burn" Rule

A rise in city dwelling leads to more customers looking for ways to decorate apartments. Collegiate life, rather dormitory life, also leads customers toward the same type of decorating ideas. Many apartment owners have a "no burn" rule that prevents the resident from burning candles or any other object with an open flame. Diffusers are perfect in this situation. The same great smells without the sulfuric smell afterward plus the appreciation of the landlord makes for happy apartment dwellers.