Rembrandt's PR and Writing Blog for Startup Success – Savvy Mom Reveals Publicity Secrets

In a continuing effort to share real PR success stories from small business owners, I recently interviewed Laura Hamrick of 42Kids. She developed a great idea and turned it into a successful business. Here’s what she had to say about her publicity efforts:

Tell us a little about your business, your website address and what you offer.

I created a product called OnTray. I came up with the idea while grocery  shopping with all three of my boys.

OnTray is a container that makes shopping with young children more enjoyable! The container easily attaches to the handlebar of the shopping cart facing the child, allowing you to place their favorite snack or small toy in OnTray. With the children's snack or toys in front of them, OnTray encourages their independence and frees up our hands to shop! 

When did you start your PR efforts and why?

I started my efforts the day I launched my site, June 1, 2007. Since I finally had my product, something tangible to offer, I just went crazy with my PR efforts. Before that day, I didn't feel like my product was "alive" yet. That was holding me back in my efforts. I just cut loose on that day!

What kind of cost-effective publicity activities have you done to obtain press?

Web site or blog reviews have been a fantastic, cost-effective way for me to obtain press. I send a sample of OnTray, and the site writes up a review for all of their readers to see. I'm careful of which sites to choose, however. I became very savvy checking out sites in parenting magazines, or sites that had reviewed some other popular Mom-invented products. 

Some other cost-effective publicity activities were donations to the audience of a TV show hosted by Linda Swain, and also donating a couple items to Victoria at the SavvyMommy.com website. Linda frequents local TV shows in New York as the Savvy Mommy sharing tips and strategies to Moms. She was great enough to talk about OnTray in her segments.

Why did you pursue those activities?

Marketing is so much fun for me.  It's a thrill to chase a marketing lead and see it come to fruition.  I am so passionate about my product, and I love sharing my story.  I know there are so many other Mompreneurs out there, and I hope that I inspire them.  I also hope they like and buy my product!

Check back on Monday for more great tips from Laura!

Until then, please provide your comments below, or feel free to visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for more PR information. I'd be happy to answer your publicity questions!