17 Tips for Marketing Kids Products

Are you looking for tips and strategies for marketing kids' products? A little while ago we reached out to our community of entrepreneurs and asked them to share their best tip on marketing kids' products and getting products into stores.  Here are their best tips and strategies for getting your baby and kids product line out there!

Marketing Kids Products

Crafting your branding, imagery, packaging, and taglines are very important, but equally time-consuming,  costly, and challenging to get right the first time around, especially for products for babies where your decision-maker is likely the parent, grandparent or another family member. If you have a good product or idea, just get it out on the market as fast as you can. You will have to correct course along the way, but that is part of the fun and, in truth, is a never-ending process. Good luck.– Thanks to Martin Smithmyer of Americord Registry

When coming up with a product that will be geared towards babies and kids, one of the most important things to focus on is safety. Consumers and retailers are significantly more concerned about how the product is made when it comes to kids and babies. The last thing you want to deal with when marketing kids' products is a lawsuit or recall, which could shut your business down quickly. Odds are, you are probably getting a quote from overseas for your inventory. You need to be clear with the factory that you are working with that they must have all non-toxic parts and provide details on exactly what each material is made of. You will want the factory to provide you with a detailed QC report as well. Before releasing a kid/baby product to the market you need to be very confident that the product is safe for all kids and babies.  – Thanks to Cheri Garcia of Cheri Garcia Consulting

Being an entrepreneur is a creative endeavor that demands creativity and practicality. Baby and infant products are a major industry in the United States and I wanted to create a product that was versatile and could be sold to several markets.  The AbbyRoo bag is not only a diaper bag but can include travel, athletics, beach bag, craft bag and more.  The age bracket is also widespread from young dancers and cheerleaders to adults, both male and female. – Thanks to Peggy Hoag of Casby, Inc.

As a radio host, I get to interview hundreds of entrepreneurs and the one common thread to a truly successful business is hiring the best team you could possibly afford. Hire people who can do tasks better than you or that you simply don't like doing which allows you to spend your time doing things that you are good at and you truly enjoy. I've applied this tip to my own business and bringing my gLovies product to the market place is allowing me the feelings of joy rather than being overwhelmed. I have talented people who can't wait to do the best they can do because they are excited to see my company flourish. – Thanks to Josephine Geraci of My Mom Knows Best, Inc.

Remember your user: infants. Like NYC, babies are constantly growing, adapting and changing. Can your product adapt? Remember your buyer: moms. Moms are savvy, time-crunched multi-taskers who hold the purse strings. Is your site simple, easy to use and efficient? Does it answer all their questions upfront? – Thanks to Jak Burke of Baby Does NYC

When marketing kids products, consider how you will differentiate yourself from the sea of baby and kids products that already exist.  With parents feeling stretched financially, what does your product offer to them that makes it worthwhile to take a chance and purchase?  More so, consider how they will find out about it. Don't rely on one form of marketing alone (ex: press, social media, print, strategic alliances with other companies, etc).  How will you get their attention, and then, how will you convince them your product is the one to buy? – Thanks to Darrah Brustein of Finance Whiz Kids

As a manufacturer of food products geared to Moms and kids, we strive to have a facility that is free of all harmful, chemicals, pesticides, GMOs, allergens, gluten, and any cross-contamination. Our customer's health is priority one! Mom's know they can trust our products and our labeling and that is important for the continued growth of our company. What kids eat today is frightening and as a Mom and a food entrepreneur, I am on a mission to inspire all moms to know what they are feeding their children and to make informed decisions in their purchasing. – Thanks to Audrey Darrow of Earth Source Organics

The best products come from recognizing a need or concern and finding a simple solution to the problem. As an OB nurse, I recognized a parent need, invented and patented an innovative product to ease parent concerns over newborn cord care. New parents are instructed to air dry the umbilical cord – today's standard – yet all infant clothing confines the area restricting airflow and causing rubbing and irritation. I recognized the need for a new bodysuit that would provide umbilical exposure and a safer way to care for the baby's cord while still covering the body for optimal thermoregulation. – Thanks to Jonelle Krier of Assessables, Inc.

Practice gratitude every day. Remember to be thankful for the opportunity to make a difference for babies, kids and parents.  Anything that makes parenthood easier is a gift and makes the world a happier place!  What an honor it is to be able to contribute something of great value. – Thanks to Jacqueline Lawrence of TJL Enterprises, MAKERS OF COLIC CALM and TUMMY CALM

Focus on your purpose.  Remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing and be sure that is your guiding principle. There will be so many different opportunities and challenges that will come your way. You are managing manufacturing, sales, marketing, social media, intellectual property, warehousing, EVERYTHING! It is so important not to get overwhelmed, stressed out or worked up. – Thanks to Lori Bredemeier of Little Toader

Start simple and really target your niche market.  Most entrepreneurs are dreamers and can think big thoughts with unlimited potential, however, that can really bog you down in the beginning. If you created a product that solved a problem unique to your family or child, then target that particular market first.  In my case, I am marketing to moms that run with their children in jogging strollers.  Is my product great for all moms? Yes, but keeping a simple target makes it easy to stay on task.  Think of that market as your warm leads.  Once you've conquered that market, you can expand out into other circles. – Thanks to Susan Lowery of The MotrB

Create a 3-5 year plan and stay the course.  It is unrealistic to expect immediate results. When The Highchair Organizer was initially brought to market, we had an “if you build it they will come” type of attitude.  Any product needs to be properly marketed to the public (especially a children's product).  This way parents can be secure in the product's safety and performance. A well-executed plan will keep you on course, patient, and realistic. – Thanks to Abraxas Abrams-Pickens of The Highchair Organizer, LLC

Constantly “put yourself out there”.  Find other entrepreneurs.  They will understand you, your challenges, and common pitfalls. The baby and child business is dominated by women and the development of relationships is important.   Women are typically the decision-makers in almost every aspect, from the retail buyers to the manufacturers.  Always take the time to talk and listen to the people who buy from you.   The more you interact with store owners and buyers, the more real-time feedback you will receive. – Thanks to Laura Delzer of Fairy Godmother

Keep talking to moms and dads all the time so that you don't lose sight of reality in terms of the real needs of parents out there in relation to clothes. My line was originally for kids ages 2-9 but then after speaking to many moms, I realized that there is a real need for nice clothes for 10-12-year-olds since within that age bracket they are kind of in-between and it is hard for many kids to find clothes that actually fit them! – Thanks to Shouka Pelaseyed of SHOUKIE

When you are selling children's products it is vital to appeal to the children of course, but it is as important to appeal to their parents.  This is especially true for younger children and baby products.  Nowadays parents are more aware and caring of what goes into the products they put around their children and you must make sure to appeal to these sensibilities if your product warrants it.  Beyond this is nostalgia.  Parents will always have a soft spot for products that remind them of their childhood. – Thanks to Catherine O'Sullivan & Michael Galea of Wee Rock Toy Co.

Participate in trade shows as an exhibitor.  We've marketed our product, The Bamboo Brace, at conferences across the country directly to the professionals who will be using it.  The Bamboo Brace is a pediatric elbow splint used for multiple diagnoses so we attended conferences for physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, and surgeons who we could speak to directly and educate them on our product.  This is a wonderful way to network, get feedback and spark ideas.  And above all – provide excellent customer service. – Thanks to Sue Workman PT, MA of The Bamboo Brace