Get Lathered Up-five Ideas For Promoting Your Specialty Soaps And Bath Products
December 4th, 2008

Bath products are on the rise. You can get them in all shapes, sizes and fragrances. They range from bath crystals, bath oils, bath milk and of course specialty soaps. Their common goal is to make us feel relaxed and our skin soft and smooth.

If you're in the business of selling bath products or are thinking about selling bath products, below are five easy ideas to help promote your product:

1) Start an online store-The amount of online buying has been on the increase in recent years. People are able to purchase goods from the comfort of their own home. This is especially helpful for the elderly or overly busy person. Gifts, in particular are popular items to purchase online. When starting an online store, be sure to choose a professional web designer that allows you to view some of his work. You will want to look at a few up and running websites to see if he has the style that you're looking for. First impressions are lasting impressions. This is why it's important to choose the right web designer. Before creating the website, check out other web pages that sell similar items to get some ideas for a theme. You want it to look professional as well as creative. Depending on your personality or specialty bath items, you may want it to look bubbly and fun or more sophisticated and romantic. Either way, a good design makes a great promoter.

2) Describe the product in detail-Whether you're selling online, through a catalogue or by flyer, it may be hard to convey the fragrance and detailed appearance of the product to the potential buyer. Sometimes it's the fragrance that traps the buyer, so with this taken away, you must be sure to describe it in a desirable way. If it smells like chocolate, you compare it to hot fudge Sunday. If it smells like a flower, compare it to fresh picked wild flowers. Be sure to include high quality pictures that give attention to details. People love to see pictures. If there is something special about the soap such as the carving or packaging, be sure to get a detailed picture of it.

3) Have a home party-There are several successful businesses that sell items from make-up to home décor and it's all because of home parties. Women love to have an excuse to get together, so throwing a home party would be a great idea to market your bath products. This may be the most successful way due to the sensitive nature of the products. People can see up close what they're buying. Be sure to have at least one sample of your products displayed. This way, they can smell and even hold the product. It would be a great plus if they could even take some samples home to try out. This way, if they like the product, they can order more.

4) Try a hobby or craft show-Craft shows are very popular, especially in the south. You can check with your local Chambers of Commerce to see when the shows are held and what is expected. You will have to fill out an application and send photos of your item. Apply quickly because they fill up fast. The cost of shows can be pretty pricey as much as $150. If you don't have a lot of your product, this may not be the best route to take. You will have to create a booth that is enticing to spectators. Remember, this is a craft/hobby show and there will be lots to see. Therefore, you want to stand out. Proudly display your bath products. Place a basket of samples out that people can take home. It doesn't have to be anything big or costly to you. Something like small bath oils or carved soap is sufficient. Be creative and attach a business card to the samples. This way they can contact you easily. (Tip: Don't work alone at a show. There is a lot of work involved in setting up and taking down. You will also need to take breaks. It's best to have a partner to help)

5) Consignment/Specialty Stores-Lastly, you can try local stores that specialize in knick knacks and miscellaneous items. Consignment stores generally get a percentage of what sells and you can reclaim what doesn't. You need to draw up an agreement between yourself and the owner. Specialty store on the other hand may buy in bulk for a discounted price. Either way, have plenty in stock.

Promoting items, especially specialty items can be tiresome. It's not the most fun part of the job, but if the right steps are taken, it can be a successful business

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