advertising and customers

[Deda]

Eczema and psoriasis are serious diseases of the elimination and respiratory systems of the body that cannot be benefitted by topical treatments...period.

Sue

nonsense

Thanks Carebear.

Waterwitch, you are seriously bordering on pushing the limits of this forum. I might suggest that you tone down the rhetoric, fast.
I've been reading some of the venomous remarks you have been making in your recent posts and am beginning to think 'TROLL'

Kindly, tone it down.

As for eczema and psoriasis, I was fortunate to have a grandfather who was a Naturopath, he commonly treated eczema topically. My current physician treats my occasional eczematous flareups topically. By the way, my condition is neither a disease of the elimination nor respiratory system, but Lupus, an immunologic disorder.

EDITED because I just have to add one more bit of info.

With your vast knowledge, and ability to quote the FDA I'm sure you already know this, but for the benefit of those who don't...

It is possible to legally market your product with drug claims. In fact, in the US it's almost scary how easy it can be accomplished. If your 'drugs' ingredients meet all the requirements in specific monographs and you closely follow all FDA guidelines, your lotion, balm, cream or whatever can legally be sold to 'treat or cure' anything from poison ivy to diaper rash, including dandruff and psoriasis.

 

[Lindy]

It is possible to legally market your product with drug claims. In fact, in the US it's almost scary how easy it can be accomplished. If your 'drugs' ingredients meet all the requirements in specific monographs and you closely follow all FDA guidelines, your lotion, balm, cream or whatever can legally be sold to 'treat or cure' anything from poison ivy to diaper rash, including dandruff and psoriasis.

I had no idea! Thanks for that info Deda - now I need to check on Canadian laws again....

 

[dagmar88]

funny to see how regulations differ. This is what I found out 8)
Where I live soap is considered a cosmetic. Before you start a business in making soap, b&b etc, you need to let your recipes and ingredients be researched by someone in a medical profession or an apothecary. They also check if the ingredients in your recipe are able to fulfill your eventual claim and your product has to be tested on several people before you are able to bring it into the market legally.

 

[rupertspal42]

Wow that's pretty crazy dag

 

[studioalamode]

for those of you who sell your soap and have done for a while....

what has been the advertising that has helped you get the most customers

is it a website, word of mouth/samples, flyers, markets, magazine/newspaper ads/.....?????????????
Emilee

I'm going to jump in here with a different perspective. This may be a bit long, and I apologize in advance. I'm not experienced at selling soap, but some things that were said in this thread make me make the leap from healthcare marketing to this...

If one of the target markets you mentioned are the people who visit their physician/dermatologist for skin conditions, then why not take a medical marketers approach and ask for time with individual physicians. Your soap may not cure a condition, but if it soothes a condition, I would think a physician would want to be able to offer a patient some comfort while trying to deal with the root cause/cure.

I've been marketing in healthcare for 15 years, and what I have found is if you can talk directly to a physician about specific patient needs, then offer a solution, you will get direct business. This could work especially well because you have actual product samples you could give to the doc for his/her patients, along with a brochure for purchasing a full-size product. I don't know anything about labeling, but I do know about results and how impressed physicians are when the "promises made" are "promises kept." A few successes, and you will have a growing client base through word of mouth, by far THE best advertising available.

Your biggest challenge may be getting past the "gatekeeper" - every office has one. If anyone is interested in how to market to the healthcare segment, you can pm me. I would be happy to help.

Janet

 

[Emilee]

thanks Janet, very helpful.


similar advice to what my mother in law said.

i think i've just been too scared to approach doctors etc, as i've felt like why would they even be interested in talking to me.

but i'm not shy, so maybe i'll just make some attempts to contact some doctors, and see where it gets me.

they can only say no if they don't say yes.

 

[rupertspal42]

That's some great advice there!

 

[studioalamode]

Another thing that can give you credibility with physicians is send them copies of any articles (from credible sources) about the benefits of hand-made soap. When you do this, attach your business card, and write a personal note: "Dr. Smith, I thought you might be interested in seeing this latest article..." or something like that. This will help you stand out as a professional/educator/resource for the physician.

Don't forget chiropractors (they do more than crack spines) and practice a holistic approach, as do osteopaths (you'll find them listed as DO's in the yellow pages or hospital medical directories... instead of MD it will say DO). Certain surgeons, in particular those who deal with burn victims, might also be a market for you.

 

[Tabitha]

The medical marketing approach is interesting. Just be aware that if you make medical claims, your product becomes a drug & you must meet the FDA standards for drugs.

If you claim your soap is moisturizing, you must meet FDA standards for cosmetics.

If you claim your soap may help heal (fill in the blank) you must meet FDA standards for drugs.

Here is some FDA info on that.

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-218.html

I am in no way saying it can't be done, just that it will take a little care & research to do it w/i the FDA guidlines.