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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Many business owners view the beginning of a new year as a time to relax after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, but for candy makers it’s just the halfway mark when it comes to holiday prep. A couple major candy holidays are on the horizon, which makes it a great time to share new and exciting happenings with the local media. You can expect the media is seeking newsworthy stories, why not let your business be the headliner?
Even if it takes you a couple hours, a well-written press release can offer more return on investment than any paid advertising. But before you begin typing, here's some tips to ensure you’re giving reporters what they're looking for.
#1 Get Personal
Consider ways to weave in a human-interest story (e.g., a customer-success story or recognition for a long-time employee). Both reporters and their readers like stories about real people. If you can offer this, your press release is as good as gold.
#2 Just the Facts
If you want to be taken seriously by the media, your writing should deliver the facts and explain why your news is relevant in an objective manner. As an overall rule, avoid subjective claims or marketing jargon such as “the best,” “revolutionary,” “magical.”
#3 Insert Quote Here
Back up the information with a good quote or two that further supports why the information is relevant from key players involved – this could be a company executive or even a customer excited about the news you’re sharing.
When requesting a quote, have an idea of what you want them to say and offer guidance to ensure the quote supports your story. Within a quote is the only place it is acceptable to use first person. Otherwise, leave “me” out of it!
#4 Wrap it Up
Reporters are busy and often on a tight deadline, so keep it short. It is best to limit yourself to one page. If you’re considering a second page, it’s possible you’ve lost your focus. Every line of your press release should be supporting your hook. If it’s not, let it go.
#5 Proofread!
Don’t underestimate the value of letting others proofread your writing. Nothing loses credibility faster than incorrect spelling and bad grammar.
If your high school English teacher isn’t available to proof your writing, a quick Google search will lead you to online proofreading tools like Ginger (gingersoftware.com). Ginger is a free proofing app that checks your grammar, features a built-in dictionary, translator and more – which can be streamlined through Microsoft Office, Google Chrome (i.e., Facebook and Twitter) and even your mobile devices.
Tags:
Holidays
Marketing
Media
Owning a Business
Press Release
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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The mention of freezing chocolate products not too long ago was looked upon by candy makers as taboo. The two main concerns were “the product will bloom” or “the taste will be lost.”
Today, with new freezing systems and a better understanding of how to freeze products, it has become commonplace in the industry. Some of the largest manufacturers freeze products to keep up with seasonal demands.
In this excerpt from RCI’s 2010 spring regional conference, RCI member Mike Koch, of Morely Candy Makers/ Sanders Candy, offers 4 simple steps for successfully freezing and thawing chocolate, plus maximum storage times for both filled pieces and solid chocolates.
Freezing:
1. Prepare the product
· Shrink wrap or wrap as tight as possible, making the package air tight.
· Double shrink wrapping stock boxes is the best method if you use that type of packaging.
· If you don’t have a shrink wrapper, a double layer of plastic wrap will work.
2. Maintain a stable freezing and thawing process.
· Most household or small commercial freezers can consistently maintain temperatures with short thaw cycles, if any.
· Opening and closing freezers increases humidity in the units, thus the need for defrosting.
· Larger operations should utilize freezers that have defrosting cycles.
· Proper freezer drainage and regular maintenance is key to ensuring stability.
· Evaluate defrosting time regularly. If this process takes too long, product packaging could get wet. If it is too short, the cost of freezing will increase due to the use of power.
Thawing:
This may be the most important part of freezing.
1. Remove product from the freezer
· When removed from the freezer, product should be stored at 60 degrees Farenheit, with limited humidity.
2. Create air movement around the thawing package
· Smaller operations can remove a stock box from the freezer and place it on a counter with a small fan blowing on the package.
· Larger operations can put a pallet on a rack with a fan blowing on one end.
· Do not open the package or remove the wrap until the product temperature rises up to the room temperature.
· When opened at room temperature, the product will look and taste the same as it did before freezing.
For best results, thaw and sell frozen products within the recommended times below.
· Filled pieces and truffles should be 3-4 months.
· Solid chocolate pieces should be 6-8 months
Freezing is not for everyone, but for the companies that do freeze and do it right, it is a major part of their planning and operations. You cannot cut corners or hurry this process. It is a way for smaller confectioners to purchase products and reach the minimum manufacturer requirement. It will increase your shelf life a few months and will not harm the products.
Tags:
bloom
Candy Making
Chocolate
Chocolate Production
Freeze
Holidays
Shelf Life
Storing
Thaw
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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As many consumers begin dreaming of sugar plum fairies and candy canes, the second largest retail season is not far off in many retailers’ minds.
Get ahead of the competition for Valentine’s Day 2017, with the following marketing tactics to increase sales from early-bird shoppers.
Ring in the New Year with Red
Starting the day after New Year’s, begin the transition to Valentine’s Day by incorporating red into your retail space, website and social media pages. While everyone else is talking about New Year’s resolutions, make your e-blasts and direct mail stand out with gift ideas for Valentine’s Day, keeping consistent with a red color scheme.
Set aside time to prepare your marketing materials as far in advance as possible, so you aren't stressed about it the week before Christmas. Schedule e-blasts and social media posts ahead of time and have direct mail printed and ready to go out after Christmas.
With your early promotional materials prepared in advance, you can spend the end of December and early January to work on targeted materials for last-minute shoppers.
Encourage Pre-Orders
Offer coupons, discounts or special add-ons to customers who place their orders in advance to aid in your holiday preparations and lock down sales.
Communicate Clear Last-Ship Dates
According to a survey conducted by Discover Card, only 10% of men wait until Valentine’s Day to purchase gifts, while 65% of shoppers make their purchases the week before Valentine’s Day. Use a call-to-action, such as, “order by February 3 to receive your gift by Valentine’s Day,” as a way to establish clear deadlines and avoid disappointment from procrastinators.
Tags:
Colors
email marketing
Holidays
Marketing
Merchandising
sales
Valentine's Day
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Did you know the day after Christmas is National Candy Cane Day? But don’t wait until December 26, celebrate this iconic holiday treat all month! In this throwback tip from 2013, we’ve shared five creative and easy ways (plus a couple new ideas) to incorporate candy canes into your product mix and presentation for the holidays.
Candy Cane Tree
Forty-four boxes of candy canes were used to make this impressive candy cane tree! Make an impact in your holiday window display or size it down for an eye-catching centerpiece for a tabletop display. Click here to view a step-by-step tutorial.
Candy Cane Sweetheart Pops
With a box of mini candy canes, a lollipop stick and a bit of added heat, mould candy canes into hearts to frame your favorite holiday bark or dark chocolate. Plus, with the right color ribbon, this could easily double as a Valentine treat and a good way to use up leftover candy canes. Click here to view recipe.
Candy Cane Marshmallow
Sold separately or aside your own blend of hot cocoa mix, these festive peppermint marshmallows would add a pop of color to your shelf when packaged in clear candy bags. Click here to view recipe.
Candy Cane Rudolph
Embellish these antlered treats with white jelly beans and black sugar pearls for eyes and red Skittles for Rudolph’s signature red nose.
Candy Cane Bark Popcorn
Save the plain popcorn for decorating the Christmas tree! Give out samples of candy-sweet popcorn bark to your guests and watch it pop off the shelf! Click here for more details.
If you have creative candy cane ideas to share, leave us a comment below!
Tags:
Bark
Candy Canes
Candy Holidays
Candy Making
Chocolate
Creativity
Displays
Holidays
Ideas
Marshmallow
Merchandising
Peppermint
Popcorn
Recipe
Seasonal
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Turn heads with this bountiful display, which can be filled with chocolates, chocolate-dipped fruits and other fall favorites. Remind shoppers through merchandising that this tasteful cornucopia would make for the perfect dressing for their holiday table or a welcome and thoughtful hostess gift.
Chocolate Cornucopia
Materials needed:
• (1) 12” wicker cornucopia
• (1) one-gallon plastic storage bag
• roll of tape
• pastry brush or latex glove
• vegetable brush
Ingredients:
• Peter’s Lenoir™ semisweet chocolate
• non-toxic, fresh salal leaves*
• gold and copper luster dust (optional)
*Commonly known as lemon leaves. Available through floral supply shops.
Directions:
Cornucopia
Cover outside of 12” wicker cornucopia with a one gallon plastic storage bag, fitting snugly; secure with tape. Using a pastry brush or latex-gloved hand, apply three thick coats of Peter’s Lenoir™ semisweet chocolate over the surface, allowing each application to dry before adding the next. Remove wicker cornucopia; peel away and discard bag.
Chocolate Leaves
Scrub non-toxic fresh salal leaves* with vegetable brush; rinse thoroughly and air dry. Use a small metal spatula to coat the back side of leaves with Peter’s Lenoir™ semisweet chocolate. Clean edges of excess chocolate. Chill until dry. Grasp leaf near the stem, gently pulling it away.
Decorating the Cornucopia
Trim ragged edge of the open end. Attach large chocolate leaves along open end, overlapping and extending them slightly over the edge. Use increasingly smaller leaves until entire top and sides of cornucopia are covered. Brush with gold and copper luster dust (optional).
Learn techniques like this and others at RCI’s Chocolate Boot Camp in Waterbury, Connecticut February 20-23, 2017. Register now at retailconfectioners.org/bootcamp.
Tags:
Chocolate
Chocolate Boot Camp
Creativity
Displays
Education
Fall
Holidays
Ideas
Merchandising
Photos
Recipe
Seasonal
Thanksgiving
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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The confectionery industry has the special privilege/task of enduring holiday bursts. Hiring a temporary workforce can help your business maintain consistent production levels and product quality. In this excerpt from a Kettle Talk article written by Jan Douglass with Esther Price Candies, Corp., we built upon three practical tips to help you hire smart for the holidays.
#1: Build Relationships with Staffing Agencies
Staffing agencies can be a great resource for filling temporary positions. Building relationships with reputable staffing agencies and other local organizations (e.g., county or state job centers, developmentally disabled adult centers, etc.) can help to source reliable individuals for seasonal work and unforeseen sales bursts. When working with staffing agencies it is important to practice open and honest communication. Start by taking the time to discuss open positions rather than simply providing a job description. If a recommended candidate isn’t a good fit, providing concise feedback on why that was the case will help staffing agencies identify better candidates in the future. These simple steps will ensure the staffing agency feels well equipped to find the right fit, right away.
#2: Training is Key
They may only be with you for a brief time, but a temporary workforce can be vital to keeping with the ebbs and flows of seasonal business and make it less painful when you must reduce your staff at the close of a season. Be aware, however, there can be downsides to a temporary workforce, such as high turnover rates. Increased turnover can result in more training hours, risk of production and packing errors and additional work for human resources. Minimize those risks by having sourcing organizations pre-screen individuals and clearly communicate the job expectations to candidates through digital recordings of the candy making process. Successful training can also lead to the return of seasonal staff year after year.
#3: Stay Current on Labor Laws
Make sure to brush up on federal and state labor laws before hiring for the holidays, as many regulations that apply to full-time employment also apply to part-time and seasonal employment. The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Employment and Labor Law Guide is a useful resource when hiring. Be aware of your state’s legal requirements for benefits such as unemployment, social security/medicare and workers’ compensation. Check with your state’s department of labor for exemptions for employers who require temporary staff for periods of 10 weeks or less. You will also want to familiarize yourself on your tax reporting responsibilities according to IRS regulations and state tax laws.
Tags:
Chocolate Production
Employee Management
Holidays
Labor Laws
Owning a Business
Productivity
Training
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Get things poppin’ this summer with the surprising addition of Pop Rocks® to your favorite summer recipes! Put a little unexpected zing into your truffles or sprinkle on top of chocolate-covered potato chips, chocolate-covered strawberries, barks or really anything, by incorporating this fun and festive candy into your Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day celebrations! The fun nature of the Pop Rocks makes these products great to sample during busy traffic days or promote on social media.
Keep in mind, Pop Rocks may react to the water content found in heavy cream or other ingredients used in the above recipes. To avoid this, simply coat the Pop Rocks in cocoa butter to protect the “pop” until it hits consumer’s mouths!
Tags:
4th of July
Bark
Candy Holidays
Candy Making
Holidays
Ideas
Labor Day
Memorial Day
Patriotic
Strawberries
Truffles
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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For many, the truffle is the ultimate chocolatey confection. Made with high-quality chocolate and cream, traditional truffle centers are minimally processed offering rich flavor and a velvety mouthfeel.
Try a variation to the traditional truffle recipe, which will quickly become a new customer favorite.
For a light and airy melt-in-your-mouth truffle center, whip the cooled truffle center in a mixer until it becomes fluffy. With the incorporation of air, the color will become noticeable lighter. The final density will be approximately 0.75 gm/Ml giving your truffles a completely different texture, while keeping the same great flavor.
This is an excerpt from the first quarter issue of Kettle Talk in 2014. Click here to view the full article which offers more tips on making delicious meltaways and truffles as written by Randy Hofberger of R&D Candy Consultants, LLC.
Tags:
Candy Making
Chocolate
Chocolate Production
Holidays
Ideas
Recipe
Seasonal
Specialty
Valentine's Day
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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For many companies, this is the busiest time of the year. Likely you’ve been preparing (in one way or another) for the holiday season all year long and, at this point, you’re just holding your breath and bracing yourself for Valentine’s Day. In the midst of all the bustle, remind yourself why this is the greatest time of the year.
Here’s wishing you an abundance of peace, joy and love this holiday season! May you take time to enjoy all the little things that make the holidays so special!
Merry Christmas, sweet friends!
Tags:
Holidays
Membership
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Posted By RCI,
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Updated: Wednesday, April 29, 2020
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Photo credit: Stever's Candies, Inc.
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Looking for a new idea for your fall product lineup? How about a Smash Pumpkin?
Smash Pumpkins are simple hollow pumpkin or jack o’lantern moulds that are filled with goodies of your choice. Hence the name, customers get to “smash” the pumpkin open after purchase to see what’s inside.
Package your pumpkins in cellophane with beautiful bows and, perhaps, a small wooden mallet tied with a coordinating ribbon. Smash pumpkins can be a fun activity for parties or a welcome holiday gift.
At a glance, it may not be obvious that the pumpkins are filled with candy. For this reason, it is important to clearly communicate what’s inside the pumpkins, so the customer understands what they’re purchasing. Consider displaying packaged smash pumpkins around an over-sized, pre-smashed pumpkin with candy flowing out of the cracks and onto the table along. A small to mid-sized chalkboard with a brief product description should get the message across and create a fun display leading up to Halloween.
Tags:
Candy Holidays
Candy Making
Chocolate
Fall
gifts
Halloween
Holidays
Moulds
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