Day 17 of the 30-Day Challenge: Creative Movement:
Task: To send my online promotional packets to two educators (an assistant principal working with the elementary summer educational program I’d like to partner with and the coordinator for this same summer program) with my local school district. And, to deliver my promotional pitch (by phone) to both of these individuals.
Reason for Task: I have identified an educational program for young children that I would wholeheartedly be thrilled to work with this summer. The program is a one-month program for elementary school children geared toward providing them enrichment instruction in the areas of reading and math. I’m not going to be much help with the math part, but Degrees of Maternity product offerings would be absolutely PERFECT for the reading part of the program. Now, I just need to convince these two educators that my products would be a great fit for their students.
Duration of Task: Day 2 of a 2-day task. Day 2 was completed same day.
Outcome of Task: Well folks, I chickened out. Yes, you read correctly. I chickened out on some of the expectations I set for myself on this second day of the task. My original intention was to visit with the two educators over-the-phone about Degrees of Maternity product offerings that their students could utilize this summer and then to send them an email with details about the products.
And here’s where the “chickening out” stemmed from. I got to thinking that, if I got these ladies on the phone first, then they may listen to my pitch but then tell me they aren’t interested and not to send them a promotional packet with my introduction letter to Degrees of Maternity and the products and services provided through its different platforms.
Hmmmmm. So, I did the next best thing (second to talking to these educators). I simply went ahead and took my form letter, catered the form letter to each one of them separately, and then sent them both an online promotional packet with the items included (below):
- An introduction letter, discussing a brief history of Degrees of Maternity, the platforms I’m active on, the products and services I provide, the target audience that I serve, and the mission behind Degrees of Maternity
- A business card (all the essential contact info for all Degrees of Maternity platforms is located here)
- A flyer, promoting my first self-published book, Playground Instruction for the Growing Adult
- Three separate fliers, promoting the products I carry on my Etsy shop
- A “thank you” card
I decided not to give them a chance to say they don’t want me to send them a promotional packet and directly marketed to both of them through email. Neither individual knows me personally, but I attempted to address my connection with other individuals in the school district, my involvement as a parent of a student in the school district, and my association with the summer program of interest. That way, they would have some context about me and the relevance the public school system has to me and my son, Little Man. (In other words, I was trying to establish my credibility and involvement within the local community.)
As a people person who’s worked in professions, such as retail customer service and human resources, I miss having that one-on-one, in-person human interaction with other individuals. At one point in time (before COVID hit), I communicated my interest in volunteering and public speaking in the community. And, I think that working with school-aged children, regarding reading and writing initiatives, would be incredibly beneficial in my community (or in any community for that matter). There’s a need for such services and I would definitely feel fulfillment by participating in activities that truly add value to the upcoming generation of readers and writers out there.
And as some restrictions are letting up regarding COVID, who knows what the next school year will bring? But for now, I’m concentrating on what’s before me. And, that’s SUMMERTIME! So, my hope is to make a valiantly effort to connect with the school system through their summer program for elementary school children. What a dream come true! If I can get my foot in the door this summer, then I believe that the possibilities for future partnerships would be unlimited. This school system has served my family well. My youngest child belongs to it, and my husband, my adult children, and I have all successfully graduated from it. So, this partnership with the school district has a personal draw for me.
Practical Application of Day 17 for Your Life: I will tell you that I did receive an email back from the assistant principal and she indicated that the supplies they’re using at her facility have already been determined. She also indicated that she appreciated me reaching out to her and that she would keep me in mind for future purposes. Furthermore, she proceeded to send me her well wishes regarding my business.
Now, some may refer to the interaction (above) as a “dead end”, but I like to think of it as planting a seed. That seed my not result in an adult plant this summer, but it sure has the possibility of producing something flourishing on down the line, when it’s planted, watered, and tended to.
I’m so glad that I went ahead and sent the promotional packets.
When you cold call a prospective customer/client, you might want to try sending your media kit, professional portfolio, or promotional packet out to him or her first. If you have the individual’s or company’s email, then you have an immediate “in” and you can get your information off to that person lickety-split. (No USPS required.) And this method of marketing your business, brand, and self may, in fact, be the more preferable method to any other when it comes to reaching out to others.
Individuals on the recipient end have more of a likelihood to check out your stuff, if you’re willing to send them a sampling of it by email for them to review (when it’s convenient for them). And what I realized is that my pitch was actually delivered in my introduction letter and all the other items I provided through my online promotional packet. So, I consider day 17 to be a success.
Furthermore, what an easy way to deliver a little taste of what Degrees of Maternity has to offer. I now have an online promotional packet ready to go — a portfolio of my work that’s ready for others’ eyes to review. And, it’ll be easy to update the packet as I find more items that are reflective of Degrees of Maternity and its offerings.
Now that I’ve sent out my promotional packet several times, I’m not going to limit myself to my school district alone. There are local literacy programs, tutoring centers, library summer programs, child care centers, etc. that may have an interest in my products as well. So, it’s time to reach out and spread the love. The sky’s the limit!
degreesofmaternity.com 