How to Start a Small Business With Promotional Items
Promotional items are used by all sizes of businesses to brand and promote their products and services. Launching a small promotional items business can present a challenge because of competition in the industry. Be prepared to begin slowly and have another source of income. Maintain persistence as you build a clientele. AllBusiness.com suggests that businesses should use promotional items to keep a company name in front of a customer.
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Instructions
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Find reseller options for your promotional items. Contact suppliers by phone and ask to speak to their channel manager about becoming an affiliate or reseller. Obtain reseller agreements with three to five suppliers to provide various product choices for your customers. Examples of promotional item suppliers are Promo Direct, Brand Comet and Gallant Gifts.
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Visit the online marketplace for large firms such as Proforma or Branders. Pay attention to how large firms like these price similar products to what plan to sell so you can price your product competitively.
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Speak to your suppliers about what kinds of promotional items are moving. Have a portfolio that's in tune with the seasonality of products. Offer summer- and beach-related items when it's hot and winter- and snow-related items when it's cold. Carry an organized portfolio of your promotional items to easily demonstrate at any time.
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Develop a web presence for your products. Create at least a one-page Internet website featuring your top products and information about yourself. Learn the basics of search engine optimization (SEO), which allows your web page to be more easily found when local businesses search for promotional items on the Internet. Speak to a local web company about how to create a website and develop SEO.
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Join the local networking or "tip" group and the chamber of commerce to enhance your direct sales efforts. Make direct sales efforts by introducing yourself to local business owners. Ask your prospects (as well as existing clients) if they have any upcoming company events or promotions at which they can offer your products. Become a knowledgeable and reliable branding consultant by asking clients about their marketing goals and making item suggestions specifically related to their events.
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Tips & Warnings
LeTip is an example of a national lead group that may have a chapter in your area. Local newspapers also have listings about local networking groups and events.
Remain diligent and allow yourself at least a year to ramp up your small business. In his book, "The Little Red Book of Selling," marketing guru Jeffery Gitomer says it takes 50 phone calls to find one opportunity.
Avoid product confusion by presenting no more than three promotional item options for each specific company event or promotion. Product confusion occurs when too many product options are presented to your customers at the same time.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit promotional pen image by Kalani from Fotolia.com
