On The Shelf: How To Get Your Products Into Big Box Retail!

This past week a colleague of mine sent me a meme on Facebook called Mark Cuban’s 12 Rules for a Start-Up. I took a look and thought it might make a great Start Your Week Wisdom discussion. Today and tomorrow’s podcast covers these 12 rules and provides my thoughts on each subject. Even those each topic is actually relevant we had some fun with it and hope you will also. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this weeks, Start Your Week Wisdom, we cover the importance of remaining consistent with your programs. From social media to buyer contact, remaining consistent, persistent and stedfast are the keys to success. Have a great week! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

Welcome to our first Podcast post on Libsyn. We are excited to be here. Today’s post was prompted by a question from one of our clients. The question was, “When bloggers email us asking to review the product should we send them one to review?” This is a great question and one that needs a complete and strategic answer. If bloggers have not come calling regarding your product, they will. Take a listen and learn the 4 requirements every blogger should have before reviewing your product. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

Don’t start your week without listening to this weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom”! These just might be the words you need to hear to keep you in the hunt. Leave us a comment and let us know how we are doing. We would love to hear how the podcast has impacted your strategy. We would also like to hear if you have any issues or roadblocks in your way that we can help with. Have a great week! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

After participating in over 100 buyer pitch meetings in multiple countries, I have some definite do’s and don’ts that I find critical to my clients’ success. In todays episode we will focus on 5 things you never want to sell to a buyer in a pitch meeting: Never sell yourself Never sell your future marketing spend Never sell your products sales potential Never sell your products future look Never sell your friends opinions of the product What does all this mean? Listen and find out. Have fun and don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a comment. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom” we talk about understanding who your customers are so that you can strategically market to them. We use a recent case study from one of our TLB Clients to drive this concept home. Don’t miss this episode as there is some bonus material at the end that you will find interesting. Have a great week. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

We are using this weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom” to discuss the specifics of how our Costco meeting went last Friday and what the outcome was. Don’t miss the play by play!! Note: In the Podcast I mentioned that I would place an image here of the Costco main lobby in Canada. The system woudl not take it, which is why it is not here. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

Don’t miss this opportunity to come along with us as we prep for, excecute and recap a real live meeting with a buyer from Costco Canada. We are flying to Canada folks and it’s going to be cold, I mean really cold. However, what better reason to brave the freezing cold, than a meeting at Costco. Our hope is that coming along on our meeting will help you prepare for yours. It will be fun! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

During this Monday’s Start Your Week Wisdom, we cover what to do when a buyer is not responding to your communication. Sometimes going Old School is just what the Doctor ordered. Feel free to leave feedback as to what methods you use when trying to get the attention of retail buyers. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

If you sell products into retail you will eventually need to email a retail buyer. This weeks podcast covers 5 Key Topics to include when emailing buyers on behalf of your product. Enjoy! What key items do you include in your buyer emails? What has worked best for you in the past? Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

When speaking to a retail buyer does no really mean no. Listen to this weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom” to find out. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this episode you will learn how to master any trade show and get out of the show more than you put in. I would love to hear your comments, questions and stories. TLB Blog Link: 9 Strategies to a successful Trade Show Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

Happy Monday Everyone and welcome back to “Start Your Week Wisdom”! This week I share a somewhat embarassing story that drives the point home about always being prepared and never letting your guard down when calling retail buyers. Enjoy!! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this weeks main podcast we take a deep dive into the world of manufatures reps. What they are, what they do and should you use them. We hope you find the episode helpful in your quest to get your products on the shelf. Please feel free to leave us a comment, question or tell us about an experience you have had using a rep in the past. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

For this Monday’s “Start Your Week Wisdom”, we are talking about Napolean Hill’s advice on how you should never quit if you believe in what you are doing. Don’t miss this one, it is a great way to start your year. Key Links: Think and Grow Rich Three Feet From Gold Napolean Hill Foundation Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

I bet you did’t know your retail product had a sex, did you? Well it does and in this discussion with Tracy Hazzard from Hazz Designs we talk about the different ways you can capitalize on your product’s sex in the marketplace. Don’t miss this as it is a critical part in your overall strategy to get your porduct on the shelf. Key Links: Hazz Designs Website Twitter Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom” we cover the importance of recognizing and celebrating the little victories that happen everyday in your quest to get your products placed in a big box retailer. Happy 2016! It is going to be a great Year! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In Ep. 15 we cover the pros and cons to selling products on Amazon as a seller and also selling product to Amazon as a vendor. Don’t miss this key information that should be part of your sales strategy at the very beginning. Happy Holidays to all of our current and future listeners. Sincerely, TLB Consulting (On The Shelf) Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

For this weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom” we answered a listeners question, “Should I answer my phone no matter what I am doing, in case it is a buyer calling”? Have a listen to hear the answer and other insights into doing business wherever you are. Happy Holidays from TLB Consulting and On The Shelf!! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

We hope you enjoy this interview with Jamie Robinson from Mahogany Squared. We cover all aspects of Social Media and how to get started including some tips and tricks from the expert. Key Links: MahoganySquared Jamie’s Twitter account Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this “Start Your Week Wisdom” we talk about the importance of working your Social Media all year so that when you really need it, at Holiday, it will be there for your business. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this episode we take a, not to deep, dive into margin, what it is and how to get more of it. This will round out our 3 part series on pricing. Web links from the show: Sponsor: Egoiste Cafe Noir – The best coffee ever: – they are currently giving away Coffee For A Year, don’t miss out on signing up for that. Other links: Margin Calculator TLB Consulting pricing strategy Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

This weeks “Start Your Week Wisdom” is all about getting information and paperwork back to buyers in a timely fashion. Don’t miss your shot because you were fumbling with paperwork! Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this, our 9th episode, we cover all aspects of retail packaging with Branding and Packaging expert Ellen Rudy from POLYPHONY BRANDING. Don’t miss this deep dive into the essentials about your packaging and how doing it right can make or break your products success. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

Welcome to our first Monday Podcast as part of a new weekly series called “Start Your Week Wisdom”. This Monday series will be short tid-bits of information to help you in your quest to get your products On The Shelf. The information is designed to help get your week off to a great start and push you to think in new ways. Our 1st SYWW is called “Please Tell Me No!” and is 100% about getting through 100 No’s to get that 1 Yes. Inspiration this week was pulled off a recent Shark-Tank episode so don’t miss it. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this 2nd Installment on Pricing learn how to determine your products Cost & Retail. **Correction** During this episode we reference it as our 6th episode when, in fact, it is our 7th. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this fantastic interview with Tracy Hazzard you will learn the subtile and not so subtle differences betwen selling products online compared to putting them on the shelf of a brick and mortor store. Special Guest Tracy Hazzard who has spent more than 20 years living and designing together with her husband Tom. For clients they solve the problem of what to make and most importantly, what it takes to make it competition-proof. Collectively they have designed and developed over 250+ consumer retail products that generate more than $750 million dollars in revenue. Their experiences are taught in an entrepreneurship course at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. In the last year, Tom & Tracy have added WTFFF?! 3D Print podcast hosts to their list of joint credits. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In our 5th Episode we begin a 3 part series on How To Price Your Product For Retail. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this show we cover key challenges to consider when evaluating your products viability from a retail buyer’s perspecitive. If you want to get your product into big box retail you need to view your product as a buyer would. This episode will give you the tools to do that. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this our 3rd episode, we will explore the 7 crucial questions to ask youself before approaching retail buyers with your product. Learn how to incorporate these key elements into your overall strategy. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this episode we will address this difficult question. Which is harder, getting into retail or staying in once you are in? There is valuable information in this podcast for manufactures trying to get in and for the ones trying to stay in. We cover key topics such as: The need for persistance. Are you offering a company or a product? Do you know your retailer business model? Pricing Social Media How to stay relevant. We also cover these 5 key topics: Logistics Quality / Returns Merchandising Promotions Packaging Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram

In this episode we will cover 3 main aspects that can affect the overall time it can take to place your product into a big box retailer. We also cover average timelines based on real client data and provide insights into shortening “Your” product timeline. Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! ·      Here’s How »   Join the On The Shelf community today: ·      Ontheshelfnow.com ·      On The Shelf Now Facebook Group ·      On the Shelf Now Facebook ·      On The Shelf Now Twitter ·      On the Shelf Now Instagram