If you’re like most Americans, your midnight television channel-surfing adventures have landed you on one of the many home shopping networks. Millions of people tune in every day to learn about new products on the market or to “shop” for Christmas and birthday gifts. Unlike shopping on the Internet, home shopping networks can be entertaining to watch, and unlike brick-and-mortar stores, you can find the products you want without ever leaving your couch. But what about the other side of the coin?
Entrepreneurs all over the country are clamoring to get their products featured on the largest home shopping network: QVC. They know that a spot on QVC will expose their products to millions of people who otherwise would never have seen them. And if Dan Hughes or Mary Beth Rose endorses the product while they host, then you’re bound to make a few sales to boot.
Fortunately, QVC is supportive of the start-up entrepreneur and they routinely feature products manufactured by entrepreneurs – particularly women. If you have a product that you would like to have featured on QVC, follow these tips:
Get Your Product Featured on QVC: Your Product Must Fit QVC Guidelines
Although QVC does present a wide array of different products, they do have certain guidelines that all products must follow. First, the product should be topical or timely, which means that it should be of use to customers right now. It should also be of use to a wide audience, as QVC is broadcast across 50 states and does not promote regional products. QVC also requires that your product be easily demonstrated in the studio. In other words, you should be able to show an audience how it will benefit them. Further, QVC products should solve problems for the average American, should be unique and should have a retail value of more than $15.00.
Get Your Product Featured on QVC: Your Product Must Already Exist
QVC is a retailer, which means that they do not assist inventors or help entrepreneurs to manufacture products. The product that you want to feature should already have been created, and should be on the market. Also, because QVC sells millions of products, you should be able to manufacture at least $20,000 worth of product to ship to QVC for storage in their wharehouse. They require that product already be available before it is presented to their audience.
Get Your Product Featured on QVC: Submit Your Product Via QVC’s Website
To get you started on the road to QVC success, you should visit their website and submit your product. Usually, a clear photograph (or multiple photographs from different angles) of the product will suffice, along with a description of the purpose of your product. QVC will request a sample if it passes the first stage of the review process with their buyers. If your product is accepted for further review, QVC will test it for quality control, which is one of the cornerstones of their program. It must be safe, effective, and it must do what it is advertised to do.
Get Your Product Featured on QVC: Write an Interesting Description
QVC receives thousands of submissions each week, so yours must stand out against all the rest. It should place your product in the limelight as a revolutionary addition to the retail market. Your description should be only 1-2 pages long (similar to a query letter) and should highlight the most important aspects of your product.
Get Your Product Featured on QVC: Annual Product Search
Every year, QVC holds their annual product search, which usually starts in January or February and runs through September or October. There are prizes to be won, money to be made and recognition to be had if you are interested in gaining a little bit of extra exposure for your product. The submission procedures are similar to that of a regular product query.
Reference:
- www.qvc.com, www.qvcproductsearch.com, QVC: The TV Shopping Network Sells the Best Clothing Online by Katie Chase
