How to Get Press for Your Product Brand (Even If You’re Not “Big Enough Yet”)

Press can feel like something reserved for “real brands” - the ones with PR agencies, big budgets, and perfect packaging.

But here’s the truth: journalists and editors don’t only want big brands. They want stories, angles, and relevance.

What press does for a product brand

• Builds trust fast

• Improves conversion

• Creates shareable credibility

• Helps with stockists and partnerships

Press angles that work for small product brands

• Founder story (why you started)

• Sustainability/ethics

• Local UK business angle

• Trend-led products

• Gift guides

• Data or insight (what customers are buying, what’s changing)

How to pitch (without being cringe)

A good pitch includes:

• A clear subject line

• 1-2 sentence hook

• Why it’s relevant now

• Links to images and product info

• Your contact details

Awards: the underrated visibility strategy

Awards can:

• Give you a badge of trust

• Create press releases and social proof

• Help you stand out to stockists

Make your website press-ready

Checklist:

• Strong About page

• Clear product/service pages

• High-quality images

• Easy contact info

• Press page or “As seen in” section

If you want a visibility plan that includes press, awards, and credibility-building, longer-term coaching support can help you execute it step-by-step. Get in touch for more details.

SEO for Product-Based Businesses - A Blog Strategy That Converts

If you’re tired of feeling like you have to post on Instagram every day to make sales, SEO can feel like a breath of fresh air.

SEO (search engine optimisation) helps customers find you when they’re actively looking - which is very different to trying to interrupt them mid-scroll.

Why SEO works especially well for product brands

Because product customers search for:

• Gift ideas

• “Best” lists

• Comparisons

• How-to guides

• Ethical/sustainable options

• Local or UK-based brands

The 3 blog post types that convert

1) Problem-solving posts

Examples:

• How to choose the right size

• How to care for your product

• What to look for in quality

2) Comparison posts

Examples:

• X vs Y (materials, options, styles)

• Handmade vs mass-produced

3) Story + behind-the-scenes posts

Examples:

• How your products are made

• Founder story

• Sustainability practices

How to choose keywords

Pick keywords with:

• Clear intent (someone wants to buy/decide)

• Relevance to your products

• A realistic chance to rank (niche beats broad)

On-page SEO basics (the simple version)

• Use the keyword in the title and first paragraph

• Use H2s that include related phrases

• Add internal links to products and services

• Add image alt text

• Include FAQs

A simple 30-day plan

• Week 1: keyword list + content calendar

• Week 2: publish 1 post

• Week 3: publish 1 post + update 1 old post

• Week 4: publish 1 post + add internal links across site

If you want a blog strategy built for your brand (and not generic advice), my coaching can help you map content that drives traffic and sales.

Pricing for Product-Based Businesses - Stop Undercharging

Underpricing is one of the most common reasons product-based founders burn out.

You can have a beautiful brand, a lovely community, and steady sales - and still feel like you’re running on a treadmill that never turns off.

Pricing isn’t just numbers. It’s strategy.

Why founders underprice

Common reasons:

• Fear of losing customers

• Comparing to mass-produced competitors

• Not knowing true costs

• Feeling awkward charging for skill and time

What your price needs to cover

At minimum:

• Materials and components

• Packaging

• Platform fees

• Payment processing fees

• Shipping materials

• Labour/time

• Overheads (software, studio, insurance)

• Profit (yes, actual profit)

A simple pricing method

1. Calculate true unit cost (COGS)

2. Decide target gross margin

3. Build pricing tiers (entry, core, premium)

4. Ensure wholesale pricing works (if relevant)

Discounting without damaging your brand

Discounts should be:

• Planned (not panic)

• Limited

• Tied to stock strategy

• Used to acquire new customers or clear old lines

The confidence piece

Pricing is also about owning your value.

If you’re building a brand with quality, ethics, and craft, your pricing should reflect that - and attract the right customers.

If you want help restructuring pricing and positioning, mentorship support can help you build a strategy that feels aligned and profitable.

How to Scale a Product-Based Business Without Burning Out

Scaling a product-based business is often sold as a glamorous montage: more orders, more followers, bigger launches, champagne.

In reality, it can look like:

• A kitchen that’s become a packing station

• A phone full of unanswered DMs

• A to-do list that breeds overnight

• A founder who’s “doing well” but feels permanently behind

The goal isn’t just to grow. It’s to build a business that’s profitable, sustainable, and run-able by a human being.

Step 1: Scale the foundations first

Before you push for more traffic, check these:

• Are your margins healthy?

• Do you know your bestsellers?

• Is your pricing aligned with your positioning?

• Can you fulfil 2x orders without chaos?

If the answer is “not really,” scaling marketing will amplify the mess.

Step 2: Simplify your operations

Operational simplicity is the secret weapon of calm growth.

Focus on:

• Streamlining packaging and fulfilment

• Setting reorder points for stock

• Reducing product range clutter

• Creating basic SOPs (packing, customer service, content)

Step 3: Build a repeatable marketing rhythm

Instead of reinventing the wheel weekly, create a simple cadence:

• 1 core theme per week (e.g., gifting, design, sustainability)

• 1 email per week (value + product)

• 1 blog post per month (SEO)

• 1 mini-campaign per quarter

Consistency beats intensity.

Step 4: Improve conversion before chasing more traffic

If your conversion rate is low, more traffic just means more people leaving.

Quick wins:

• Stronger product descriptions (benefits + story + proof)

• Clear delivery/returns info

• Reviews and UGC

• Better collection pages

• Bundles and cross-sells

Step 5: Add credibility and visibility

Scaling isn’t only about ads. It’s also about trust.

Consider:

• Awards (industry and local)

• Press features

• Stockists

• Partnerships

• Founder story positioning

Step 6: Decide what to delegate first

The first things to delegate are usually:

• Admin and inbox management

• Bookkeeping

• Basic content repurposing

• Fulfilment (when volume supports it)

A realistic scaling plan

If you want a simple approach:

1. Fix pricing + margins

2. Simplify product range

3. Improve website conversion

4. Build marketing rhythm

5. Add credibility

6. Delegate one thing

If you want a full-day deep dive to create your scaling plan, a VIP Day can help you map the next 90 days with clarity.

Product-Based Business Coach - What They Do (and When You Need One)

If you’re a product-based founder, you’ve probably had this exact thought at 11:47pm while answering customer emails with one hand and trying to update your website with the other: “I don’t need motivation. I need a plan.”

That’s where a product-based business coach can be genuinely useful - not as a cheerleader, but as a strategic partner who understands the moving parts of selling physical products: margins, stock, suppliers, content, conversion, wholesale, cash flow, and the emotional rollercoaster of being the person who does… everything.

What is a product-based business coach?

A product-based business coach is a coach or mentor who specialises in helping founders who sell physical products (eCommerce, retail, wholesale, subscription boxes, handmade, small-batch, or manufactured goods). They support you with strategy and execution across the areas that most commonly stall growth:

• Pricing and profit margins

• Product range planning

• Marketing systems (content, email, SEO, ads)

• Website conversion

• Stock and fulfilment

• Wholesale and stockists

• Visibility, PR, and credibility

• Founder time management and systems

The key difference vs a general business coach: product businesses have inventory, fulfilment, and margin maths - and those three things can make or break you.

What a product-based business coach actually helps with

Here are the most common “stuck points” a coach helps you work through.

1) Pricing that supports profit (not just sales)

Many founders price based on what feels “reasonable” or what competitors charge. A coach helps you price based on:

• True cost of goods (including packaging, fees, labour, wastage)

• Target margin

• Brand positioning

• Wholesale viability

• Discount strategy that doesn’t quietly bankrupt you

2) A product range that sells (without overwhelming you)

A coach can help you identify:

• Your true bestsellers (not just favourites)

• What to discontinue

• What to restock and when

• How to build collections or bundles that increase AOV

• How to create a “hero product” strategy

3) Marketing that’s repeatable (not random)

If your marketing depends on “when you have time,” it will always feel inconsistent. Coaching often focuses on building a rhythm:

• Weekly content themes

• Email cadence

• SEO blog plan

• Launch structure

• Simple ad testing (when you’re ready)

4) Website conversion improvements

Traffic is lovely. Conversion is cash. A coach can help you spot:

• Confusing navigation

• Weak product page copy

• Missing trust signals (reviews, FAQs, delivery/returns clarity)

• Poor merchandising (collections, bundles, cross-sells)

• Lack of clear CTAs

5) Systems that give you your life back

You don’t need to “work harder.” You need fewer decisions and smoother processes. A coach can help you:

• Create SOPs (even simple ones)

• Automate repetitive tasks

• Set up a weekly CEO routine

• Decide what to outsource first

Signs you’re ready to hire a product-based business coach

You don’t need to be at a certain revenue level. You just need to be at a point where support will create momentum.

You’re likely ready if:

• You’re selling, but growth feels chaotic

• You’re busy, but profits aren’t matching the effort

• You’re undercharging and you know it

• You’ve outgrown “winging it”

• You want stockists, press, or awards but don’t know where to start

• You’re stuck in the weeds and can’t see the next best move

What to expect from a good coaching session

A strong session should leave you with:

• Clarity on what matters most right now

• A prioritised action plan

• Practical next steps you can implement immediately

• Accountability (if you want it)

• Support that feels tailored - not generic

How to choose the right coach

Ask these questions:

1. Do they understand product margins, stock, and fulfilment?

2. Have they built a product brand themselves?

3. Can they show proof (results, case studies, credibility)?

4. Do they offer practical strategy, not just mindset?

5. Do you feel safe being honest with them?

A simple way to start

If you want to test the waters, start with a focused session (a “Power Hour” style review) where you look at your business holistically and identify the fastest path to improvement.

If you’re a product-based founder who wants a clear plan (and a calmer brain), explore The Founder’s Atelier services and choose the level of support that fits where you are right now.

Bootstrapping a Small Business in the UK (What No One Really Tells You)

Bootstrapping is about building and growing your business using your own savings and the money the business makes, rather than relying on investors or outside funding. It’s a hands-on, creative way of reinvesting what you earn back into your brand so it can grow at a pace that feels right for you. This means you’re reinvesting your profits instead of paying yourself and celebrating all the small wins like “I can afford better packaging this month.” I’ve been there - and I still believe it’s one of the strongest ways to build a resilient business.

My top tips are:

1. Reinvest Before You Reward

For years, every pound went back into Dainty London. New designs. Better photography. Improved branding. It wasn’t exciting - but it worked for me.

2. Learn Skills Instead of Outsourcing Everything

I taught myself:

• Basic SEO

• Social media strategy

• Media pitching

You don’t need to be an expert - just good enough to move forward.

3. Track Every Number

Cash flow matters more than likes or followers. Know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what’s left to grow with.

4. Build a Support Network

Even bootstrapped founders shouldn’t work alone. Find peers, mentors, or networking communities where you can ask honest questions.

Final Thoughts

Bootstrapping isn’t about doing everything cheaply - it’s about doing things intentionally. Every decision should move you closer to the brand you want to build.

How to Get Your Brand Featured in Magazines Without a PR Agency

Getting your product-based business featured in publications like Forbes, Stylist, or Grazia might feel impossible without hiring a PR agency. I know - I’ve been there. I bootstrapped Dainty London from £5k and learned to pitch to magazines and editors myself. In this little guide, I’ll show you how to get noticed, build credibility, and attract opportunities without a huge marketing budget.

1: Identify the Right Publications

• Target outlets that match your brand and audience.

• Keep a list of magazine editors, journalists, and bloggers who cover products like yours.

2: Create a Compelling Pitch

• Focus on your founder story, unique product offering, and any awards or milestones.

• Keep emails concise, professional, and personal.

• Include high-quality images or press kits to make life easy for editors.

3: Timing and Follow-Up

• Pitch seasonally and allow time for editorial calendars.

• Follow up politely if you don’t hear back. Persistence pays off - I’ve landed multiple features this way including Grazia, Stylist, The Times, and Tatler.

4: Leverage Your Features

• Share your coverage on social media and your website to build credibility.

• Include features in outreach to stockists, agents, and collaborators.

Conclusion

You don’t necessarily need a PR agency to gain visibility. With the right strategy, storytelling, and consistent effort, your UK product-based business can get published, increase credibility, and grow its audience organically.

The Ultimate Guide to Pricing for Wholesale (UK Product Brands)

Pricing your products for wholesale can feel like a minefield - I’ve been there myself. When I started Dainty London, I bootstrapped my jewellery business and learned through trial and error which pricing strategies actually worked for UK product-based businesses. In this guide, I’ll share practical advice so you can price for profitability, scale sustainably, and maintain brand credibility.

1: Understand Your Costs

• Track every material, labour, and overhead cost.

• Know your break-even point before setting wholesale prices.

• Tip: Reinvest profits strategically to grow your product-based business without overspending.

2: Set Wholesale vs Retail Pricing

• Rule of thumb: Wholesale is often 50% of retail, but this depends on margins and brand positioning.

3: Factor in Growth and Scalability

• Consider pricing that supports expansion into new stockists, agents, or markets.

• Ensure your pricing strategy aligns with your long-term growth goals as a product-based business mentor would advise.

4: Test, Review, and Adjust

• Use a trial-and-error approach to find what works for your audience.

• Document what’s profitable and what isn’t - this is how I grew Dainty London from scratch to a multi-award-winning brand.

Conclusion

Pricing for wholesale doesn’t need to be intimidating. With clear strategy, careful calculation, and a mindset focused on sustainable growth, your product-based business in the UK can thrive.

How I Bootstrapped Dainty London from £5k to a Multi Award Winning Brand

When I first started Dainty London, I had £5,000 in my back pocket and a head full of ideas - and, if I’m totally honest, a fair bit of naivety. I didn’t have investors, fancy offices, or even a business mentor who’d walked the walk. What I did have was determination… and a stubborn belief that I could make beautiful jewellery people actually wanted to wear.

I bootstrapped every step of the way. Literally every pound I earned went straight back into the business - buying materials, testing new designs, paying photographers, and occasionally bribing myself with a latte for surviving another day of trial and error.

Learning by Doing (and Often Failing)

I quickly realised that starting a jewellery brand isn’t just about making lovely pieces - it’s about knowing who to work with. Some photographers were amazing; others… well, let’s just say I learnt the hard way. I discovered the ones who understood my vision and could make my pieces shine, and that made all the difference.

Pitching to stockists and the media was another steep learning curve. I wrote endless emails, learned how to follow up politely without sounding desperate, and slowly worked out what made people actually say yes. It wasn’t glamorous, and there were plenty of “no thanks” moments, but each one taught me something valuable.

When it came to growing my collections, I didn’t have a strategy - I had a trial and error approach. Some designs flopped spectacularly, others sold like hotcakes. Over time, I learned which styles resonated and how to adapt to trends without losing the essence of my brand.

Social Media Without Spending a Penny

I’m often asked how I grew Dainty London’s Instagram to 20,000 followers without spending a penny on Influencers etc. The short answer? Consistency, authenticity, and shameless engagement. I showed up regularly, shared behind-the-scenes stories, connected with my audience, and slowly built a community who genuinely cared about the brand. It wasn’t instant, but it worked.

Teaching Myself the Techy Stuff

I’m not naturally techy, but running a business taught me to learn on the job. I taught myself AI tools for design ideas, SEO for website traffic, and how to optimise listings so my jewellery could actually be found online. Every skill I picked up saved me money and helped the business grow - even if some lessons came after a few head-desks and cups of cold forgotten about coffee.

Juggling Motherhood and Business

And then came motherhood - because apparently life enjoys adding a challenge just when you think you’re getting the hang of things. Managing a business while raising small children requires serious organisation, patience, and more coffee than I’d care to admit. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. Motherhood forced me to streamline operations, focus on what really matters, and delegate when I could (or when bribery with biscuits and Bluey was required).

Day-to-day, I balance product development, customer service, marketing, and admin, often in between nursery drop-offs and the school runs. And while some days feel like chaos, the beauty of running my own brand is that I get to set my own pace and priorities - even if that pace occasionally involves working in my PJs while my children build Lego towers in the background.

The Takeaway

Bootstrapping a business isn’t easy. It’s messy, slow, and sometimes terrifying. But every challenge teaches you something you can’t learn from a book. From figuring out which photographers and suppliers to trust, to learning to pitch, post, and optimise online, to juggling life as a mum - it’s all part of the journey.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: reinvest in your business, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to fail. And if you can do all that with a cup of tea in one hand and a toddler in the other, well… you’re probably doing better than you think.