How to Pitch a Cosmetics Idea
When you come up with a great idea that a cosmetic company could use, it's important to know how to present the idea professionally. The materials you select for your presentation, as well as the method you choose to convey the information, could determine whether a cosmetic company decides to add your makeup, skincare or fragrance product to their inventory.
Before you make a presentation to a cosmetic company or retail location about your product, submit your product idea. Keep your proposal letter brief, and avoid telling the company that no one has ever thought of your idea for an organic makeup primer or lip gloss made from food ingredients. According to the Inventors Digest website, it's also not a good idea to suggest that everyone will buy the eye cream, lipstick or sunscreen-infused blush you're pitching, or that you've done considerable research concerning the product when you simply didn't see the cosmetic at your favorite retail locations. Send a typed proposal letter to the cosmetic company or retail chain with a self-addressed stamped envelope, or type the proposal and email it to the appropriate department.
Even though you shouldn't mention this in your proposal, do as much research as you can about all the ingredients in the product you're promoting. If you've created an all-natural lip gloss, be prepared to explain that the coconut oil in the lip gloss protects the lips from dryness, encourages gentle exfoliation and is a natural dental health treatment. It's also very important to try out the lip gloss a few times before your product pitch. This will make you more comfortable talking about the product, and you'll be able to vouch for its effectiveness first-hand.
Create a prototype for your product and give it to your business partners, friends and family members to try; however, the Inventor's Digest website asserts that you shouldn't send a prototype to the cosmetics company unless the company requests it. Give your product testers at least a few days to sample your product so you can get honest, accurate feedback. For instance, if you've created a fragrance, give small bottles of the perfume to women whose opinions you trust. Give them a week to see how the perfume meshes with their body chemistry or to determine if the fragrance is better for daytime or evening wear. Record the responses and include them in your marketing presentation to indicate that potential consumers are genuinely interested in your product.
Prepare to conduct a live demonstration when you're pitching your cosmetics idea. If you're pitching a hand cream with intense moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or apricot kernel oil, put a little of the cream in the hands of the marketing professionals you're pitching to and encourage them to feel how soft their hands become throughout your presentation. Or, record a video of yourself demonstrating how the product is used. This is ideal for cosmetics like an eyeshadow or lipstick you've created. Emphasize the point that the cosmetic can immediately update or refresh a consumer's look and that the cosmetic is easy to use.
When presenting a cosmetics idea, you should be clear about your marketing and sales goals. Hand out a written document detailing where you'd like the cosmetic to be sold and the demographic you want to appeal to. If you're giving the marketing team your business plan, highlight the areas that will make your pitch especially appealing, like how often you plan to market the product, innovative marketing methods and possible incentives for customers. This shows that you believe in the cosmetic you're pitching and are anticipating success.