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Martin78
member
| Joined: | Sun Jul 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Oslo, Norway |
| Posts: | 201 |
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Posted: Mon Jul 23rd, 2007 14:29 |
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Dear Ames & Paul
This is a great Idea!!
I just placed an order for a mug, 2 T-shirts and a sweatshirt.(Wanted design)
Nowadays young people wear all sorts of "crazy" logos/statements/animations with "coded/sublime messages" on their clothes so I really dont bother nor concern about someone not "getting" the message.
Most people will focus on the animation - which is a funny drawing.
If you are an "older" customer you should know that wearing clothes like this actually represents and signals values that you are young in spirit!
I actually also think that the items were reasonably priced, but I am from Norway and we are used to quite high prices overall.
Again: THIS IS A GREAT INITIATIVE!!!
As more people buy the products the "word will spread" and sales will increase.
You might also try to use facebook and other communities as marketing channels.
Be aware that one critical factor for sucsess is that the products are of good quality. The shirts shouldnt shrink when washed, and the logos should upkeep after "wear and tear". Many products of this kind (aka give aways) are of substandard quality...(companys often customize clothing with their logo and people stop using them because they are of bad quality).
Can you please specify how much of the revenues from each item that goes to the fund?
Mug?
T-Shirt?
Sweat shirt?
This should be informed to the customers.
You could also make a web site where the accumulated sales and revenues donated to the fund is shown graphicly to encourage M2M Marketing. Alternativly this could be emailed customers or posted on this thread by using an excel sheat that shows revenues.
Rememeber that the atributes of what you are selling is:
1) Philantropy (the good feeling of supporting a good case)
2) The item itself and its primary attributes (quality, fitness,comfort)
3) The political statement; consumers have a need for promoting causes they feel are important for them and that they mean the general public should be aware of.
These 3 attributes must defend the added value/price of the items when they are compared with the price vs quality ratio.
Well, enough marketing babble -
Good luck with your sales!
BR
Martin
PS: Regarding R&D (Product development)
In the future it might be a good idea to develop a couple of different "test" animations/messages/logoes. For example 3.
Before you start the design, ask yourself:
What do we want to express?
What is your message?
Which feelings do you want to provote?
And most importantly: WHO is your target market?
Young? Old? Male? Female?
People suffering from the dissease? Their families? The general public?
I strongly agree that Humour might be the right approach when designing your message.
When this is done you should design a questionaire. It should be simple and contain 5-10 questions. The questions should try to identify reactions and if the participants understand the message. keep it simple!! It is also extremly important that you ask 3-4 demographic questions. Age, sex,location. Some designs may appeal to young, and some to old, you will want to know which apeals to which.
Rememeber: Age is a significant factor with regards to humour as a tool for making statements. Think about stand up comedy for instance. Your grandmother dosent probably like Dennis Leary, reason beeing she dosent understand the humour.
What situation is the consumer in when he/she is wearing the product? Are they wearing "strange" glasses ? Most likely... so what about giving a funny explemation to this at the product?
I Norway, many people are dx with sarc in the age 20-30, this target market may be more open to ironic messages.
Marketing Research:
Then you could post the questionaire on this forum and encourage people to send you a PM with their answers(this is important- if people express their meanings/reactions in an open forum the results will be invalid/biased).
This may help you decide which new products/logos/messages/animations you should put up for sales. This is also a lot cheaper then "try and error" by putting products to the market.
Brainstorming:
Also: a techique I use when brainstorming:
1) Focus on creating as many ideas as possible, objective: quantity
2) Evaluate the ideas (quality)
But make sure you separate these two processes!!
Sorry If I get carried away, its just that R&D is kind of my proffesion.. 
Last edited on Mon Jul 23rd, 2007 18:14 by Martin78
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Sjøgrens Syndrome|Fatigue|wt loss|itch|Plantar Fac.|pain|ancle|legs|ches|irritat|depr| hypercalcemia|initial 125D 98|Probe Apr08|Valium| 25D30 Jan15.09|Ph1 Jan15.09|visit
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Martin78
member
| Joined: | Sun Jul 15th, 2007 |
| Location: | Oslo, Norway |
| Posts: | 201 |
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Posted: Tue Jul 24th, 2007 23:48 |
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Just moving this thread up again on the list since I'm so impressed by the initiative... come on folks!
Run & Buy!!!
 Last edited on Tue Jul 24th, 2007 23:48 by Martin78
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Sjøgrens Syndrome|Fatigue|wt loss|itch|Plantar Fac.|pain|ancle|legs|ches|irritat|depr| hypercalcemia|initial 125D 98|Probe Apr08|Valium| 25D30 Jan15.09|Ph1 Jan15.09|visit
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Ames
Research Team
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Posted: Thu Jul 26th, 2007 00:29 |
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Dear Martin,
Thanks for all your thoughts and great feedback. I can tell you work in this area!
First off, l can say that $6 to $7 of every item purchased goes to the ARF. As of 7/24, we have helped raise a total of $125.20 for ARF.
The quality of the products is very good, but if you're not satisfied with your product, the manufacturer will give you your money back-- or, if you're still interested in the item, they have a special team to work who will keep sending you the product until it meets your satisfaction.
Martin, we think your advice is excellent. Right now, we're waiting to see if we can get more of a response from patients before we market the product off the board seeing as patients on the site are our target customers.
Since we haven't gotten quite an overwhelming response, it's hard to send out a questionnaire when few people have bought the product(s). People are also encouraged to make their own products. One idea I had that someone else might like to implement is the full text of Trevor's article, "Sarcoidosis succumbs to antibiotics" on a magnet.
I like your idea of a shirt that talks about the glasses. If I think of anything clever, I just might make it.
We completely agree that these products are a great way to make a humorous yet powerful statement about chronic disease.
Thanks again for your advice, Martin. Hopefully we can implement some of it if sales increase.
Amy and Paul
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CFS/FMS/osteopenia/severe insomnia Non -MP meds: Gabitril (16 mg),Trazodone (150 mg),Tramadol (20 mg) for pain. Light: Noirs (outside and bright lights), thick layers, sunscreen
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jcwat101
Support Team
| Joined: | Tue Jul 20th, 2004 |
| Location: | Pasadena, USA |
| Posts: | 2047 |
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Posted: Fri Nov 30th, 2007 20:32 |
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Trevor recently reported that he received a check for over $100 from the sales of items that Amy and Paul designed at:
Cell Wall Deficient Gear : CafePress.com
Also, I wonder if many are aware of the new fundraising site
Joyce Waterhouse
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20 yrs with CFS/FM/Lyme/IBS, food sensitivities; 1,25D/25D 8/04:64/11 http://SynergyHN.wordpress.com
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