Are you skeptical about integrating AI into your toy business?

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade, also known as The Toy Coach, shares her AI expertise from this year's People of Play Innovation Conference and ChiTAG - Toy and Game Fair in Chicago, where she presented her talk on 'How AI is Making Toy Innovation and Pitching Easier Than Ever Before.' You’ll see firsthand how AI can significantly 10x your toy development process with a custom GPT solution.

Azhelle talked about identifying bottlenecks, researching AI tools, and planning, testing, and training your team to implement AI effectively. Take advantage of learning the five-step process to integrate AI seamlessly while preventing the pitfalls. Watch the full episode to understand how to employ AI from idea generation to creating compelling visuals and pitches that can streamline and potentially level up your toy business.

Listen For These Important Moments

• Overview of AI-Enhanced Workflows – [00:03:13]
• Integrating AI Without Overload – [00:06:53]
• Using AI to Refine Business Bottlenecks – [00:08:57]
• Custom GPT for Idea Refinement – [00:12:37]
• MakeItToyetic Custom GPT Demo – [00:13:52]
• Testing AI’s Effectiveness – [00:16:20]
• Enhanced Workflow with Cast Magic – [00:21:21]
• Addressing AI Concerns and Limitations – [00:25:41]
• Generating Toy Ideas Using ChatGPT – [00:29:34]
• Implementing AI in Teams and Processes – [00:33:29]

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<

Have you ever wondered how a simple office toy evolved into a toy phenomenon?

In this episode of 'Making It In The Toy Industry', host Azhelle Wade sits down with Aaron Muderick, the creative mind behind Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty. From a child's love for tinkering to creating a renowned brand, Aaron's journey is a testament to innovation, persistence, and passion. He discusses the importance of staying connected to your audience, maintaining product quality, and the critical lessons learned in balancing growth and focus.

Learn about the unique steps of toy design, the challenges of innovation, and what it really takes to succeed in the competitive toy industry. Aaron’s insights offer a behind-the-scenes look at toy development that every aspiring creator and toy enthusiast will love. From inspiration to production, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 00:36 Aaron's Journey: From Silicon Valley to Putty Innovator
• 02:35 The Slime Craze and Establishing a Permanent Footprint
• 04:02 Developing Thinking Putty for Adults
• 05:13 The Accidental Discovery of Putty
• 07:24 The First Steps to Entrepreneurship
• 09:27 Scaling Up: From Office Pool to Retail Success
• 15:51 The Importance of Focus and Specialization
• 19:41 Sustainability and Local Manufacturing
• 25:01 Navigating the Slime Craze
• 30:48 Quality and Consistency
• 35:19 Innovations and Future Trends

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Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<

Have you ever wondered what it takes to successfully launch on a crowdfunding platform?

Many creators go to the world of crowdfunding believing it's simply about having a great idea and posting it online. However, there's far more strategy involved than we realize. The process requires meticulous planning, audience engagement, and a strong narrative to capture backers' hearts and minds.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade talks with Lisa Ferland, a seasoned crowdfund consultant who has helped raise over $1 million for creators on platforms such as Kickstarter, BackerKit, and Indiegogo. Lisa shares tips on everything from evaluating if crowdfunding is right for you, to understanding the importance of community, and the critical role of storytelling in the toy industry. Discover why the pre-launch phase is crucial and learn specific strategies to keep backers engaged throughout your campaign. Listen to the full episode to absorb these insights and more—perfect for both seasoned and aspiring creators!

Listen For These Important Moments

• 05:25 Lisa’s Journey: From Editing Stories to Crowdfunding Consulting
• 11:22 The First Steps for a Successful Kickstarter Launch
• 18:47 Indicators That Crowdfunding Might Be Right for You
• 24:30 The Importance of Building an Audience for Crowdfunding Success
• 30:56 Engaging and Maintaining a Community of Backers
• 36:45 The Role of Visuals and Multimedia in Kickstarter Success
• 41:03 The Significance of the Pre-Launch Phase in Crowdfunding
• 49:20 Understanding and Navigating the U-Shaped Curve of Campaigns
• 55:12 Key Elements of Post-Launch Engagement for Repeat Backers

Send The Toy Coach Fan Mail!

Support the show

Popular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy Ideas
Your Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps
>> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass <<