Pitching as a toy inventor can be an intimidating process, especially if you’ve never done it before. But what if you could get the inside scoop from an industry executive at a major toy company? Just imagine if someone from, say, Hasbro, told you exactly what pitching to their company is like, step-by-step. Or, if they let you know exactly what they want to see in your sizzle reel. Stop imagining! Because that is what today’s episode is all about.

Today’s episode features an incredible interview with Tanya Thompson, the Senior Director of Inventor Relations for Hasbro Gaming. Her division sees around 1,500 game submissions per year, so Tanya really knows what works in a pitch and what doesn’t. She shares information specifically on how to pitch directly to Hasbro, but she also shares tips that are useful for pitching to any company, like when to put text in your sizzle, how much information to share about where else you are pitching, and whether or not you need to make a prototype. This episode is a must-listen for anyone, beginner or expert, who wants to gain confidence with pitching or improve their pitching materials using tips from an expert.


EPISODE CLIFF NOTES

• Learn how Tanya went from school teacher to toy industry executive [01:01:16]
• Find out the differences in marketing  between specialty and mass-market games [00:09:20]
• Learn how pitching games is different than pitching toys [00:13:44]
• Find out the best time of year to pitch new products to large toy companies [00:17:12]
• Learn exactly how to pitch directly to Hasbro as a US or international inventor [00:25:44]
• Find out step-by-step what it is like to pitch to Hasbro, from first contact to optioning the game [00:29:46]
• Learn what information is important to disclose in your sizzle reel [00:39:04]
• Find out why prototypes can give you a competitive advantage [00:43:17]
• Learn exactly what inventor relations executives want to see in your sizzle reel [00:53:51]
• Find out what e-mail tactics to avoid when reaching out to an inventor relations executive [01:04:58]

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/107

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How can you weave your own personal story into your product and make a powerful connection? Telling potential buyers the reason behind your product or idea can increase interest and ultimately, success. Today’s guest, Cher Hale, founder of Gingko PR, shares her experience in helping diverse clients do exactly this. She also shares how she diversified her network and started working with the types of clients that she wanted to help to get their stories out there.

Cher shares her moving story about why she wanted to help people facing systematic barriers tell their own stories. She also shares how adding diverse voices to the mix through PR helps to create social change, why many people from a minority background feel uneasy about telling their stories, and some of her ideas on the future of PR. This is a must-listen if you’re interested in learning about the importance of your story, and how telling your story can increase diverse representation in the media.


EPISODE CLIFF NOTES

• Learn the inspiring story behind the name Gingko PR [00:02:03]
• Find out why PR can be so powerful, not just for businesses but also for social change [00:06:34]
• Learn how connecting your story to your product helps with marketing [00:09:26]
• Find out why it’s common for people who are minorities to feel uneasy telling their story [00:12:28]
• Learn how telling your own story can help other people feel more comfortable with their own [00:13:41]
• Find out how telling your story helps you get the interviews and opportunities that are a better fit for your product[00:17:07]
• Learn what it takes to diversify your network [00:19:21]
• Find out the value of LinkedIn for creating a diverse network [00:20:36]
• Learn why keeping your face or story out of your brand can be a disadvantage [00:25:45]
• Find out about forward-thinking PR opportunities to consider in 2022 [00:30:15]

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/106

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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With the Great Resignation of 2021 companies struggled to retain talent. And some companies more specifically recognized their inability to retain diverse talent. Noting that diversity is a major factor to innovation, many companies are in search of a way to attract and retain diverse talent on their teams. But how can they make that happen? If you are a company seeking to retain diverse talent, or you are a person of color struggling to grow at your current employer, this episode is one you can not miss. The guest on today’s podcast, Minda Harts, shares her personal experiences with racial microaggressions in the workplace and how they pushed her to the point of feeling like there wasn’t a place for her at work.

This adversity led her to become a thought leader in diversity and become a workplace and equity consultant. Minda explains the important difference between equity and equality, how mentorship adds value for both the mentor and the mentee, and how companies can create a more supportive environment for people of color. If you are ready to increase your awareness and understanding of issues that prevent equitable work environments, listen to this episode. You’ll walk away with actionable steps on what you can do to improve your allyship to people of color, or if you are a person of color, you’ll gain advice on how to deal with uncomfortable workplace situations.

EPISODE CLIFF NOTES

• Learn how microaggressions at work lead to long term trauma for people of color [00:10:17]
• Learn why nearly 50% of people of color said they felt more at home within their companies during the pandemic [00:12:28]
• Find out how to be your own advocate in the workplace [00:16:09]
• Learn what allies can do to keep “the room” more diverse [00:17:03]
• Find out the important differences between equity and equality [00:17:57]
• Learn why some women of color feel guilty when they achieve success [00:20:12]
• Find out how mentorship can bring coworkers of color opportunity [00:22:40]
• Learn what companies that want to be more diverse really have to do to support a diverse workforce [00:30:35]
• Find out how to support diversity at your workplace even when working from home [00:44:35]
• Learn about HR’s role in dealing with diversity, equity, and inclusion issues [00:47:01]

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/105

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
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Want to know how to protect your products and intellectual property when dealing with Chinese manufacturers? Dan Harris, a lawyer who specializes in International law, with a focus on China, gives you extremely detailed insider tips in today’s episode. I learned a lot and I know you will too.

 Dan tells you why you should go with an NNN agreement versus a typical NDA when dealing with Chinese firms. He also gives great details about the most common mistakes American inventors and toy companies make when dealing with Chinese factories. He also shares how to avoid getting banned by Chinese manufacturers. Dan gives cultural insight into things Americans might find strange when dealing with foreign companies, like a difference between what the company will agree to verbally versus in a contract.

 This is a truly informative episode with extremely valuable information so make sure you take notes if you’re planning on working with overseas factories.


EPISODE CLIFF NOTES

• Learn how Chinese contract enforcement differs from the US [00:01:13]
• Learn what provisions to include in a contract to make a Chinese manufacturer most likely to adhere to the terms [00:09:43]
• Learn how to avoid having your case paralyzed in Chinese courts if you need to sue [00:13:40]
• Find out why solid contracts are more important for small and mid-size toy companies than huge ones [00:14:16]
• Learn how long it takes to make a manufacturing contract using a lawyer [00:16:16]
• Learn the 5 most important points to include in a manufacturing contract with a Chinese company [00:17:37]
• Learn whether it’s better to work with a broker (or “trading company”) or directly with a factory in China [00:22:26]
• Find out how to protect your IP when working with foreign manufacturers [00:26:34]
• Learn why an NNN is better than an NDA when working with Chinese companies [00:29:00]
• Find out why American companies don’t usually sign mutual NDAs [00:38:56]
• Learn one major contract pitfall that could prevent you from receiving your settlement even if you win a civil suit against a Chinese manufacturer [00:41:07]

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/104

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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Are you sure that toy you got is the real deal? The holiday shopping season brings lots of people to look  for the trendy “it” toy their kids are begging for, as well as fun games and collectibles for adults. However, counterfeit toys are on the rise. Counterfeit toys are a multi-billion dollar industry. Some people who purchase counterfeit toys do so purposely to save money, but others just see a good deal and assume it is the real thing.

Luckily, there are all sorts of things you can do to protect your intellectual property if you’re a toy inventor. There are also ways you can avoid buying fake toys, which could be dangerous, especially when it comes to baby toys. Listen to today’s podcast episode to find out how you can spot a counterfeit and how you can protect your toy ideas from counterfeiting. With online shopping growing during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is an issue that is not going away any time soon!


EPISODE CLIFF NOTES: 

• Find out why some people buy counterfeit toys instead of the real thing
• Learn the most common toy categories for counterfeits
• Learn how counterfeiters sneak into online marketplaces
• Find out how fake toy sellers make websites that can fool consumers
• Learn why fake toys can be dangerous for kids
• Find out how having counterfeits can negatively affect your brand
• Learn what to do if you see a counterfeit of your intellectual property on the market
• How much the value of a collectible lego set dropped when counterfeits appeared on the market
• Where to register your products to have the best chance at legal success in case of counterfeits
• Tips for how to make your products and packaging so unique it can’t be copied
• How to spot a counterfeit while shopping online and in stores
• Where you can report counterfeit toys to the government
• How to get fake toy sellers to stop using your online media

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/103

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Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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Once you make your toy idea a real product, how do you sell it? In today’s podcast episode we sit down and chat with Chloe Kershaw, the National Sales Manager at Hape Toys. Chloe didn’t start her career in the toy industry...she actually wanted to be a psychiatrist! But eventually, she began her career in consumer goods working in the warehouse of a handbag company. Her curiosity and enthusiasm for the work of the sales team at that same company, led her to discover a career path even better suited for her than tagging handbags.

Chloe shares the steps she took to eventually cross over into the sales side of the toy industry including her joyfully offering to do the grunt work that her coworkers didn’t want to do. Learn what she thinks the heart of a physical product-based company is and why, and walk away with insights on why you might want to start working with a sales rep for your company.


EPISODE CLIFF NOTES:

• Find out what toy job will have you traveling over 200,000 miles per year. [02:50]
• The biggest demotivator to a sales-person [4:42]
• The difference between house accounts and a sales representative accounts [07:38]
• Get a peak and overview of a toy company sales catalog. [08:39]
• An email hack that will help you never leave out an important part of an email again. [16:00]
• What Chloe sees as the heartbeat of a company, and what professional experience taught her this [20:12]
• Chloe’s FAVORITE part of her job. [22:55]
• How the sales and product development teams work together at Hape [24:50]
• The different challenges for small entrepreneurs vs large manufacturers in setting up sales systems and processes. [23:38]
• What a sales rep group can do for your toy business? [29:04]
• Find out the innovative way Chloe came up with to showcase and sell product virtually before everyone was doing it. [35:12]
• What Chloe sees will happen in the future now that virtual events have started to come to the forefront of the toy industry [40:40]
• What draws vendors to virtual shows? [45:00]

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/102

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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Before you can build the toy business of your dreams, you’ve got to know the history of the toy businesses that came before you. In today’s episode I’ll be sharing insider information directly from the producers of the new History Channel series, The Toys that Built America! This upcoming series dives into the history of toy titans like Hasbro and Mattel, with expert interviews and dramatic reenactments.

During today’s episode you’ll get mini toy history lessons on Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars, Barbie, GI Joe, and Slinky! Everything discussed is just a preview of what you’ll learn when you watch The Toys That Build America, which airs on November 28th. Plus! If you tune into the series you might catch The Toy Coach teaching you some important toy history.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/101

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Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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Every week for the past 100 weeks I have shown up with a new episode designed to help you take another confident step forward in your toy journey. This podcast is filled with lessons from my decade long career, and the career of others. But for episode 100 The Toy Coach podcast is going to do two things. First we’re going to celebrate the listeners of this podcast with an audio montage of who they are and lessons learned from listening to the show. After we celebrate the impact made by 99 episodes of this podcast, I’m answering personal and professional questions that came directly from listeners of this show.

Today I’m sitting down to answer a list of personal and professional questions submitted through my website, instagram, and Facebook. These questions cover everything from my experience as a child actress on Sesame Street, to how I handled a shocking cancer diagnosis at a young age, and even how I go about raising capital for my growing business. Ever wanted to know more about The Toy Coach? Well, this episode is for you. After listening you’ll feel more connected and aware of the community that loves this podcast, you’ll know more about the vision behind The Toy Coach, why I do the work I do, and what qualifies me to be your guide.


MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/100

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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Finding the courage to pitch your toy or game idea can be challenging, so that’s where important industry events like the one covered in today’s episode come in. Today on The Toy Coach podcast you’ll discover yet another in-person pitch event turned virtual for 2021 because of the pandemic. What we’ll learn in this week’s episode is that there is a huge benefit to going virtual for toy industry pitch events.

Could the new norm be turning away from in person pitches to virtual? It seems that toy companies, industry professionals, and inventors are growing accustomed to this new method of pitching toy games and toy ideas even in a speed pitch format. Is it easier to make your voice heard on a virtual platform rather than a conference room? That’s what we’ll explore in today’s episode.

The Women in Toys Empowerment Day helped connect over 80 women inventors and entrepreneurs to decision makers and professionals in the toy industry. In this episode you’ll learn what this event is, who it’s for, and how you can make the most of the incredible opportunities It creates.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/99

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
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If you’ve ever had a toy idea or a game idea, it’s likely that you’ve wondered where you should go to get that incredibly groundbreaking idea in front of toy companies. Well, this week on The Toy Coach Podcast, we are going to learn about one of the biggest toy industry events for toy inventors and game inventors that you need to know about.

The event, formerly Chitag, is currently called the People of Play Innovation Conference. The event is entirely virtual for the second year in a row which makes it extremely accessible no matter where you are in the world. In today’s episode, you’ll learn what this event is, who it’s for, who will be there and why you should attend.

Toward the end of today’s episode, I’ll share with you how the event has changed since going virtual and what you can do on your own, to replace one of the benefits of the in-person show. This Innovation Conference starts mid-November, so if you don’t know what POP Week is, I want you to hit play and learn all about it ASAP.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/98

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<