The average consumer sees of 3,000 advertising messages a day.  With all this info out there how can we simplify our purchasing decisions?

When you are at the store do you find yourself pondering product choices?  Typically we shop by rote but economic times have forced us to carefully consider our choices. In considering new product selections we have to rely on what the packaging tells us about the product inside.

How much time will you dedicate to this pursuit? Not much, the average decision to pick up a product is made in less than 3 seconds. With all the products hoping to catch our eye I wonder if simplicity sells products better?

I’ve seen a lot of great new packages very compelling in telling their story in a minimalist approach. I’m not saying to go quite as basic as these packaging designs. Which are really very basic. I’m not sure this would induce anyone to purchase unless they were looking for bargain brands but it does really illustrate the product.

Via kitsuneoir.com

What about the written word on the product packaging that tells they story simply and with a compelling message about what is inside?  I love this packaging with no confusion about how to solve the problem.

Via helpremedies.com

In this example there is a play on words from a very well known brand.  Its tongue and check and very clever and builds brand loyalty just by its uniqueness.

Via brooklynfare.com

Or theses award winning examples very clear, succinct and to the point.

Jamie Oliver range by Pearlfisher, Gold:  Won Gold at the Cannes International Festival

These examples could have been done by the same person as they look remarkably similar. I love the little herb sayings that tell me about and what to do with them too!

Designed by Acorn Brand Design, Australia, via thedieline.com

There is no confusion about these packaging examples shown about what the product is or what is inside. Does simplifying your life count? Help you to make an informed purchasing decision while still extolling the products virtues? I think yes, simple packaging sells products.

If you would like to participate please email me directly at joann at packagingdiva.com for instructions and shipping details.

If you don’t have a package that fits at this time I’ll have another opportunity for you to showcase your packaging shortly.

Happy Packaging!
JoAnn Hines
Packaging Diva
Packaging For People And Products

QUICK, EASY AND CHEAP PRODUCT PUBLICITY

I know you’re all looking to save money, but you still need to make sure your products get sold during the all-important fourth quarter. And publicity can make your sales skyrocket.

Top publicist Margie Zable Fisher has put together her newest, easiest, most foolproof publicity program yet. It includes fill-in-the-blank pitches and media contacts that are looking for your pitches this month. For October, Margie has included pitches and media contacts for Oprah’s Favorite Things (deadline for product submissions is October 15), USA Today, the Associated Press, and more.

Plus, you get a great, f*ree report on how to make your product irresistible to the media, just by visiting the page.

You can learn more here: http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2630875

It took me thousands of hours to compile just the information you need to get started packaging your product. In the case of you packaging pros this is a great refresher course.

Simply put The Do It Yourself Packaging Workbook is a packaging guide you can’t be without.
So all you entrepreneurs, inventors, small businesses, WHAM’s and packaging professionals take a peek at
http://doityourselfpackaging.com
or you may ask for a copy of the Table Of Contents.

If you are still not sure think about what you will save in your time and effort to find out how to package your products all for a nominal price.
It’s at least worth a look.

Among the provisions in the draft legislation are:

• annual registration fees of up to $12,000 for all cosmetics
  companies, even if all you manufacture is a single bar of soap
  and even if you are a very small company
• stringent and burdensome reporting requirements that would make
  it impossible to run a small business
• requirements for compliance with one-size-fits-all
  manufacturing guidelines that small businesses cannot possibly
  comply with

The provisions represent onerous barriers to entry, will stomp
out competition and minimize consumers choices when it comes to
their personal care products.  It will also decimate businesses
that women have started and run successfully because the playing
field, at least up to now, has been a level one. This legislation
would change all of that.

The Indie Beauty Network (IBN) is leading the charge to oppose
the draft law. In meetings earlier this week at the Food and Drug
Administration and on Capitol Hill, IBN’s president and several
members put the small business position forward in the hopes of
convincing legislators to amend the draft law to make sure that
small businesses are not decimated by the law.

IBN’s blog post with video and Petition to oppose the law is
here, and you can sign the Petition by leaving your comment,
city, state and zip at the blog:
http://www.indiebusinessblog.com/indie_business/FDA_globalization
n_act_of_2008/index.html

Our July 24, 2008, IBN sent a letter to the Congress persons on
the House Energy & Commerce Committee:
http://www.indiebeauty.com/media/index.asp

At a time when small businesses are most vulnerable, especially
those run by women and families who are fighting to stay off
unemployment lines, IBN and many others believe that this
legislation is the wrong policy and the wrong law at the wrong
time.

Networking is what its all about and I have one of the best!.

Special Mention:

Joe Angel from Packaging World Magazine asked me to mention that
Greener Package Website and Sustainable Packaging Awards Competition
are launching in the fourth quarter of 2008. Check out
http://www.greenerpackage.com for more details.

http://www.profcs.com/app/?Clk=2486979.