Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Okay guys, I got the first draft of the graphics for my packaging back and I need some help.  I love it and everything is coming along and coming together nicely but as usual, I need my village!!  HELP!  Okay, the front is basically a "window" to see the Charms, along with my logo and tag line.  It is interesting enough for the JohnQ consumer to pause a nanosecond and actually pick up the package.  Now that they have it in their hands thinking... "this is kinda cool and different" the next thing they will do is turn it over.  This is were I (will) have a photo of the Charms in use, and there is enough space for about 50 words of explaination.  Not much when trying to explain a completely new product... This is what I have....  Revise away!!! 

"Grill Charms™ are the grilling equivalent to the popular wine charm.  Grill Charm™ your food prior to cooking to indicate steak temperature, food seasonings / spice or to address health or allergy concerns.  Your food is personalized before, during and after it’s cooked, the way you want it each and every time!"

 

I know some of you don`t like the "wine charm" reference, but it really really is that exact concept.  I`m having a hard time getting the idea across w/o using that reference.

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

Can you compare it to tagging? Everyone knows what a name tag or label is.

"How do you avoid mixups on the grill? With a Grill Charm, of course! With Grill Charms, every item is labeled so that you can easily distinguish your dad`s well done steak from Aunt Mabel`s medium rare."

OK I`m kind of in the middle of writing so I`m not counting words and it`s a bit off .. but maybe it`ll spark someone else with the idea of it?

I`m one who will tell you to ditch the wine charm reference.  I like the name tag or labeling references better.  Go ahead and say what Grill Charms are and what they do, not what they are similar to.  I also don`t think the wine charm market is the same as your target audience.

Ahhh yes... name tag or label, very similar.   When you`re so involved with something it`s hard to step outside the box sometimes.   I have been "stuck" on the wine charm thing.  Label or tag... yes, yes Nik and Steve... I can get behind that.  That`s why I come here!  I know I can count on my friends who are outside the box to show me the way.  I can`t wait to see what Craig will come up with.  Waiting........

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

You don`t need the "TM" if you have either the symbol on the front of the box in your main name, or you have a line "Grill Charms is a trademark of (your company)." In descriptive copy on the back it`s just distracting.

(49 words)

Thanks Craig!!!!  Always an inspiration 

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

Leslie, you hit the challenge to package design exactly on the head.  You have a matter of seconds to grab their attention AND quickly communicate the features and benefits of your product to the consumer.

That`s why I would NOT use any lenghty sentence, paragraph or anything that requires them to stop and read on the package anywhere (front or back).

We always use features and benefits in bullet form.  QUICK AND EASY TO READ.

v     Grill Charms personalize your food… just the way you like it!

v     Helps to eliminate concerns of allergic reactions from cooking

v     Stainless steel material will provide years of Charm

v     Fun to dress up your table for your guests

 

 

Place the most important features first and work down accordingly.

And you can make the bullets themselves the designs of your charmers.

 

That`s my nickels worth.  Just food (charmed) for thought!

 

Forgot to add.  Pictures are OK.

But, I would NOT associate my product with another product/company. 

The consumer may have bought wine charmers in the past and realized that they didn`t really use them.  So that`s what they`ll think about yours.  Not needed.

What if suddenly bad press about wine charmers or its company?  Now you are associated with that bad press too.

Your building goodwill in your brand.  Don`t take the risk by associating it with anyone else.

 

OK, that`s two more cents

Oooooo.... great point drvag...  Didn`t think about that!  Love the 2cents! 

The bullet points are on the side, I was just afraid that if I put them on the back, people still would not "get it".  I`m not sure if my product can be explained in bullet points can it?  I`m a very wordy person and I think that EVERYTHING needs a narrative (which is why I think Craig and I were related in a former life) so I`m not a very good judge of this kind of thing.  Does anyone else think the bullets should go on the back?  (Knowing this is the first and maybe the last place people will look when they pick up the box?)

The side w/ the bullet points looks like this...

"Charm your food prior to cooking to distinguish spices and flavors, steak temperatures or to avoid health and allergy issues.

* Serrated to stay in securely while flipping and moving

* Made of high quality, heat conducting stainless steel

* Food cooks evenly around the Charm

* No fuss clean up, just throw in dishwasher basket

* Works with chicken, steak, fish, vegetables and more"

Should those be revised?  Should they be moved to the back?  Wow.... so much pressure for a little box!!!

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms