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#271: Email Marketing Rules You Can’t Break
Are you sleeping on the money-making magic of your email list? If you've been pouring all your energy into TikToks, Reels, and likes… hold up. Because while social media might be where the buzz is, your email list is where the buying happens.
In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I’m showing you why email marketing is still one of the most powerful ways to grow your toy or game brand when it’s done right.
You’ll hear highlights from a special masterclass where I share a few of my favorite strategies to turn your list into a sales-driving, brand-building powerhouse. Oh, and yes... we’ll talk about subject lines that actually get clicks.
👉 Hit play, take notes, and let’s level up your email marketing game together!
#270: The Pricing Strategy That’s Getting Buyers to Say YES
What if your toy’s price point was the only thing standing between you and a “yes” from a major retailer? You’ve got the product, the mission, and maybe even a booth at Toy Fair—but if buyers are walking by without placing orders, it might not be your toy that’s the problem… it might be the price.
I’m sharing a powerful conversation I had at Toy Fair with Samantha Ong, founder of Joey Dolls — the World’s Most Diverse Asian Doll brand. Before launching her toy line, Samantha was a professional photographer, and now she’s built a brand that's not only beautiful, but mission-driven and retail-ready.
You’ll learn how to use trade shows to gather feedback that helps refine your pricing and packaging strategy, the exact price point that helped Samantha grow her product line, and which packaging details buyers actually care about. We’ll also get into how working with reps and consultants can seriously boost your visibility at trade shows.
Hit play and find out how a smart pricing pivot and trade show prep made all the difference for this toy creator.
#269: Thinking Differently About Toy Production with Lisa Doiron of Basic Fun
Before we dive into one of the most creative plush lines I’ve ever seen, we need to talk about something serious—TARIFFS.
In this episode, I’m kicking things off with an urgent update on the U.S.–China tariff situation and sharing what I’d do if I were launching a toy brand today—and why diversifying manufacturing is essential.
Then, I take you inside my exclusive Toy Fair interview with Lisa Doiron, VP of Global Brand Marketing at Basic Fun.
Lisa introduced me to ThreadZ—a limited-edition plush line made with excess fabrics, designed for Gen Alpha’s love of individuality and “get-it-before-it’s-gone” energy.
You’ll hear why now’s the time to rethink manufacturing, how to make your toy line more flexible, what Gen Alpha really wants, and how to apply a big-brand, small-batch strategy to your own biz.
Hit play now and get inspired by a big-brand strategy you can actually use!