Opinion wanted: Youth Sports Products

John Patrick

I've developed two custom products (working on more) that I'm going to be offering to parents for the spring soccer season.

First, is the custom magazine cover. At 8"x10", it has the player's name and team in the headlines. I made one for the coach's daughter and had many "Oooh!"s and "Ahhh!"s over it, from coach and wife, as well as others.



(Example features my daughter)



Second, is the custom "sports ticket". A 7" tall, 2.5" wide sports ticket customized with player's name and jersey number, as well as having date and opponent (with player's team in BIG BOLD) of the match featured on the ticket.



(Once again, example features my daughter.)

Opinions? Likes? Dislikes?

One of the things I'm planning on doing is offering a "Extended Family Pack" special: three magazine covers (parents and both grandparents), 8 tickets and then throw in eight wallets free. (2"x3" or 2.5"x3.5" super-wallets... which do you think?)


John

mercphoto

I got some success with the magazine cover idea in 2006 with motocross. I think I needed a flashier cover design and better marketing. But magazine covers and flashy collages seem to do well.

I've never seen the ticket idea before. I've seen trading cards but never a ticket. How do you get those made? Are they one side or two?

John Patrick

mercphoto wrote:

I got some success with the magazine cover idea in 2006 with motocross. I think I needed a flashier cover design and better marketing. But magazine covers and flashy collages seem to do well.

Collages will come later on, I'm sure. I think 16x20 is the best size for them, but framing/mounting may be a problem for some customers.

I've never seen the ticket idea before. I've seen trading cards but never a ticket. How do you get those made? Are they one side or two?

One sided, and I designed that ticket. All done by Photoshop actions. I crop, hit a button, and it makes one ticket. Edit the text, hit another button, it panelizes (two on a 5x7) and finalizes. Ready to upload to your lab of choice.

John

SitterS

I really like the ticket idea. Something different

John Patrick

SitterS wrote:

I really like the ticket idea. Something different

Thanks. I'm trying to come up with different (not necessarily unique) items that are reasonably priced (both for me to make and for them to buy) to help drive sales. As these are action shots and not T&I shots, I can give them something that the people doing the T&I can't give them.

Any opinions on the text?

Or any other ideas?

John

Dbl

John,

I honestly wouldn't change a thing. The tickets are perfect the way they are, the type style is right on, same with the magazine cover. I have considered doing simalar items, my posters 20 x 30 and 24 x 30 have been a huge success, but like you I am always looking for more ways to drive sales up. These look very nice.

Ann McRae

clapclap

Excellent - these are great. I hope you sell heaps!

ann

sanford tullis

The tickets are very cool, I've never seen anyone doing anything like them. As you know the Holy Grail of kid's sports is getting the shots no one else is getting, and offering new products. Great Idea! Good Luck

dbaker1221

I like them both .

I made a few of the covers for racing & soccer last year. They do seemed to be liked. Yours is crisp,simple & clean. good job. the ticket is different , I like it, it's interesting.
Good luck.

Hey...Your just down the road from me, small world.

Seefutlung

Good Stuff John. On the Ticket I might use Sec.- One, Row- One, Seat- One, as that may have more meaning or significance than your random numbers. Also I'd switch copyright with Name and Number and slightly modify the layout so the name and number have enough room to be bold. Then on Price .... maybe use "Cost" and instead of $34.00 have "Priceless" or something similar.

Just some thoughts which may or may not work for you ... I like your creativity.

Gary

jerryr

Hi -Love the sports ticket idea as well...
Good idea on the Row, Section , Seat - maybe change the numbers
to reflect the league/team/uniform #
good job ! - jr

John Patrick

Seefutlung wrote:

Good Stuff John. On the Ticket I might use Sec.- One, Row- One, Seat- One, as that may have more meaning or significance than your random numbers. Also I'd switch copyright with Name and Number and slightly modify the layout so the name and number have enough room to be bold. Then on Price .... maybe use "Cost" and instead of $34.00 have "Priceless" or something similar.

Just some thoughts which may or may not work for you ... I like your creativity.

Gary

Thanks for the critique. After thought, I agree with switching the name/# and copyright.



However, I'm sticking with the price thing right now, as I think the "Priceless" thing is just a bit too cheesy for my taste (but then again, it's the PARENTS' taste that matters!).

John

John Patrick

jerryr wrote:

Hi -Love the sports ticket idea as well...
Good idea on the Row, Section , Seat - maybe change the numbers
to reflect the league/team/uniform #
good job ! - jr

I've thought about that, but it's just too much to keep track of; I have the name, teams, date, and jersey # right now (although most of that is on the "order form" for the parents to fill out).

However, I will allow customization of the seat/row/section if the parents want. Probably even at no charge (GASP!).

John