With this being the first time I have ever posted here and seeing some of the amazing and brilliant ideas coming from people on this site, I thought I should pick your guys' brain on this idea.

I want to start some sort of monthly letter club for kids. They would get a letter a month, I would create a make believe travelling character, who would travel to new places every month and write to the children about what they saw, and tell them interesting facts about the area. Or if it's the child's birthday, then the character would write to them about birthday customs for the area that they're in.

What do you guys think? I live in Northern Alberta,Canada so the city is quite small. Does anyone know how I would go about even starting something like this? I'd really appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

Hey !! That's what I do! LOL .. but there are plenty of kiddos to go around that's for sure so if you like I can tell you how I got started,and how it's all going, drop me a line :)

:7
Thanks for the reply! I would love any information on how your business is going and how you got started. It would be a definite morale boost.

Samantha
TSDrane@shaw.ca

>Hey !! That's what I do! LOL >:)

Hey punkster...you missed a great marketing opportunity here....
Do you have a website?

That I did .. lol .. the site is stil VERY VERY under construction but it's http://www.learningthroughletters.com
I do it locally with no problem so the site is new area for me.

Samantha, I love this idea! I've seen something similar, but not using the traveling character twist. That is what could make your idea successful.

I'm assuming you would send out an actual letter rather than an email? Kids love to receive their very own mail. I can see them devouring something like this with a character they would come to know and anticipate their next adventure. Love it!

Keep us posted on your progress.

I also think it is a great idea:D I have 3 kids and they are always asking if they have mail. Even when they get there check from our business I never know if they are more excited about the money or just getting mail. I tell them all the time if they want mail then they should write to someone so they can write back.
With this idea they would know that they will get something just for themselves in the mail...I think it is wonderful (as long as the price is doable). What would be a fee you are thinking of (or have you even gotten that far?) How about allowing the kids to write back to the character asking questions or suggesting places to go next? Great time to start it too since you can promote it for Christmas gifts...their first one being in December.:D

>I also think it is a great idea:D I have 3 kids and they
>are always asking if they have mail. Even when they get there
>check from our business I never know if they are more excited
>about the money or just getting mail. I tell them all the
>time if they want mail then they should write to someone so
>they can write back.
>With this idea they would know that they will get something
>just for themselves in the mail...I think it is wonderful (as
>long as the price is doable). What would be a fee you are
>thinking of (or have you even gotten that far?) How about
>allowing the kids to write back to the character asking
>questions or suggesting places to go next? Great time to
>start it too since you can promote it for Christmas
>gifts...their first one being in December.:D

Sorry that it took me so long to respond. My 22 month old daughter had gone into the hospital today for a sedated hearing test, and we got home late. I actually didn't think of allowing the kids to write back, I actually think that is a wonderful idea. As for the price, I was thinking of going one of two ways.

1) Doing the price as a monthly/yearly price.I don't know how I would come up with a price based on the number of children in the family.

2) Doing the price based on the amount of kids and base it on a set period of time.

While I was at the hospital waiting for my daughter, I came up with a variation for this letter of the month club. What if I offered the option for either a letter each month, or just a letter per holiday, including their birthdays. They would learn about different holidays all around the world and it would be like an extra present for them, yet they're still learning at the same time?

Thanks everyone for all your advice and help thusfar. It's such a boost for a young mother like me!

PS: Check out my jewellery site @ http://strykerdesigns.ecrater.com !!!

I still vote for the letter every month. You could still focus on the holiday if there is one that month (describing whatever they do in the place you are visiting). Then maybe for their birthday month they get a "bonus" letter (have a standard one that you send for a boy and one for girl). Just a Moms 2 cents:D

Laura

> What if I
>offered the option for either a letter each month, or just a
>letter per holiday, including their birthdays.


It's always great to offer choices, so I would advise offering both the monthly subscription and the holiday/birthday. This way parents and grandparents can choose which way to go. I'd bet you get many that want BOTH. Or even offer the birthday letter separately. That way the monthly subscribers could buy the birthday letter too, but may not want all the holiday letters.

I think you're going to have a big hit with this!

It's little ol' me again!

Just thought I would give you all a quick progress report.
I am currently developing a pamphlet and a website called "Global Treks" and based off of everyone's helpful encouragement and advice, have decided on different choices that I hope will please everyone. Right now, the site is still under construction and will be up fairly soon. I just wanted to extend my thanks thusfar to everyone that has offered their two cents, and know that it has been taken to heart. So Thanks again!!!!!

On a side note, I have just launched my handmade bead jewellery store, and would love for you all to stop by and check it out!

http://strykerdesigns.ecrater.com

Hello everyone!!!

The website is complete. After spending so much time trying to figure out prices and such, I launched it late last night. Please go take a look and I would love it if you would sign my guestbook as well.

The website is www.freewebs.com/samanthad25

Now before anyone asks, the web address will be changed to reflect the site, but it'll take some time.

One question, does anyone have any advice on how they promoted their first home business? My budget is quite small, and I have no ideas on where to start?

Thanks,

Samantha Hi,
I love your idea, visited your website and yes....you do need to register your own domain, now....you have a very unpleasant comment in your guestbook...although true, unpleasant. Can you delete it?
If you are like me, you are probably feeling a little bit down after such a negative comment....BUT take the positive part of it, try to develop tools that will provide safety assurance for the parents.


Please visit my website is still under construction.....I too am in need of advice and suggestions
:( If you have inconveniences accesing the website, please try it without the www. (this issue will be resolved) that is http://firstidnj.com

Regards,