Donna Davidson and Laurel Simmons from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada write:
“We have a product that is a practical and very cool medication tracker, a pocket-size manual that lets people record their medications. It’s simple and low tech on purpose. You don’t need computers. It can be carried anywhere. It’s tear-proof and water-proof and great in all kinds of conditions. More info is available at our website.
“We are proposing to sell these as a partnership with the United Way, and so would like to have some really zany ideas about how we might do this quickly and effectively. We would sell them for $2 each. We thought of a ‘Fill the Hummer’ or ‘Fill the RV’ or something that would bring a lot of press, create a lot of fun, and raise a lot of money. We’re looking forward to hearing from you and all your helper Hounds.”
Partner up with the drugstore firm Shoppers Drugmart and ask them to sell at the cash out desk for a worthy cause.
Ask Monaca Madis on the local CTV news cast to feature the product on “Health Watch” . CTV is a big United Way supporter
Ask the politician (whose name I forget but they made news when having to leave the legislature early due to a mild heart attack or someting) to be a spokesperson and have them arrange a press photo op.
IT sounds like a great product… best of luck
The Publicity Hound says:
–This product is PERFECT for bloggers. Find out who’s blogging on health-related topics. Email them, tell them about the product and offer a free sample.
–Pitch health columnists. You can find a list of columnists in Editor & Publisher’s annual DIRECTORY OF SYNDICATED SERVICES. It’s a comprehensive listing of syndicates and syndicated news/features/services throughout the U.S. and Canada. Several sections within the magazine make it easy to find what you’re looking for.
–Read national consumer magazines. When you spot a particular reporter or columnist who has written about a topic that’s a nice tie-in, contact them and send a sample.
You might contact AARP as a possible promotional partner. This is a great story for their print and online publications.
From a credibility standpoint, it would be great to see a group of people who put the tracker to work so they could tell others how functional it is. You may consider health fairs as venues at which to sell it. And, don’t forget your website as a place from which to purchase for those who cannot make it to the fairs or elsewhere.
A concern for people who may take several medications is remembering to log information. Answer the question as to why the pocket-size medication tracker is easier than any alternative. Actual users could answer that question better than anyone!
Contact Health Maintenance Organizations. They might be interested in buying them in bulk to
give to elderly or chronically ill members. At $2 apiece it would save the HMO’s money in the
long run ensuring these elderly or chronically ill members remember to take their medication. If
they forget to take their medications timely, it would cost the HMO more money to treat them.
Another idea is to contact churches or synagogues who might also want to buy them in bulk for
congregants.
A zany idea would be to stage a “sit-in” outside a pharmacy with people being reminded to take their medications at all hours.
Hi to everyone who responded… thank you all for your excellent feedback. There are some great ideas here that we are in the process of implementing.
The actual website for the Rx MINDER is http://www.meds-minder.com
if you would like more info… which was not completed at time of our request. for help from all of you.
Thank you again!