The New School In Promotional Products: 5 Ways the old school differs from the new school

According to Brandingmag, the first known example of promotional products being used purposely was in the US, using commemorative buttons. Produced to celebrate George Washington becoming the first President of the newly formed US in 1789, they are generally known as the first proper use of promotional merchandise.

We are constantly surrounded by a whole range of products that advertise a brand in some way.  From pens to pins, t shirt to hats the amount of promotional products options are truly endless. But has anything really changed since 1789?

According to PPAI, there are over 30,000 promotional product distributor firms. So how do you set yourself apart? How do you show your clients that you are NEW SCHOOL?

Offering a personalized touch to our promotional product line is a great way to set yourself apart… actually it is the only way to set yourself apart.

#1: Get Personal By Getting Onsite

Old school: You sell pens, mugs and some t-shirts to a local dealership for their grand opening. You don’t attend the grand opening and wait for them to call with their next order.

New school: You show up the day of the local dealers grand opening celebration with your engraving system and the 100 custom logo keychains they bought from you. You personalize the keychains at the event, in the parking lot.

Your personal opportunity:  You look like a hero to the owner of dealership, you meet new prospective clients, you gain more business through the dealership, you are asked to come back for their next event. You personally created a way to gain more business, meet new clients, and to show off your unique opportunity.

?#2: Increase your income

The promotional products industry has a complex way of using the alphabet to determine how much percentage you can profit from. Getting personal allows you to add an additional income stream. Sure you will still make your B, C or D percentage on the products but giving your customers the option to have their promotional products personalized gives you a way to make an extra $2-10 on each product.

Old school: Sell your promotional bag tag to a local golf course and make C (40%) on the product.

New school:

INCOME #1  Sell your custom logo bag tag to the golf course and make C (40%)

* INCOME #2 You engrave the members name on it for an additional $5 a name

*INCOME #3 The golf course calls you because they want to have their own engraving system to personalize the guest bag tags that they need you to supply, so you sell them an engraving system and receive $500 for commission.

Your personal opportunity: Make the commission plus engraving service fee on each piece you engrave - whether from the comfort of your own home or onsite at an event. Don’t be limited to what you can and can’t do.

#3: Get them to call you… a lot

The more you can get your client to think about you for any of their promotional products needs the better off your relationship will be.

Old school: A client wanted to order 500 luggage tags for their sales team. They purchased the luggage tags from you and then  took the 50 to be personalized to the local engraver for their top sales leaders.

New school: The client purchases the 500 bag tags from you, has you engrave the 50 for an additional $7 engraving service fee. In 2 weeks calls you to let you know that they will need another 17 personalized, and while they have you on the phone need to repeat their last pen order through you.

Your personal opportunity: The more you say “yes I can do that” to any customer will keep you on the forefront of their minds. Every time they pick up the phone to order a promotional product, make it be you.

#4: Stand out from the crowd

The ability to engrave does not mean everything has to be personalized. The intention of having the engraving system allows you to have a unique offering. With 30,000 other distributors knocking on doors and buying from the same website, standing out in a crowd is the best thing you can do.

Old school: A client calls to get a quote for 250 money clips for their annual meeting. You quote them and are told the distributor before you beat the price by $.50 so they are going to go with them.

New school:  A client calls to get a quote for 250 money clips for their annual meeting. You let them know that for a certain price you will not only supply them the money clips but you will also be happy to personalize them with initials for no additional charge.

Your personal opportunity: Use your personalization opportunity as a way to thank your customers for their business and support. This is a great way for you to extend your olive branch to grow your business.

#5: Create your own brand

Promotional products distributors, all 30,000 of them, are trying to build brand awareness on a daily basis. Promoting your own brand is hard to do when everyone is so similar. Adding a unique offering under your own umbrella will help create a buzz that will build your brand quickly and without breaking the bank.

Old school: Put on your tie, head to the desk, make the call, hope for a sale.

New school: Pack up your engraver, head to a local event, shake some hands, head back to your home office and call the leads you got at the event.

Your personal opportunity: Market your identity through onsite events and word will spread quickly that you’re the only game in town.

With so many promotional product options on the market and over 30,000 distributors in the same field (I can’t get over that number) setting yourself apart can be as simple as GETTING PERSONAL. The Jupiter and Company venture kit is a great way to get your brand built into a unique and financially viable position. If you are interested in adding this to your line please book an introductory appointment today to learn more.

Click here to book your appointment today or call Heather at 401-206-9120

Jupiter and Company

www.jupiterandcompany.com

401-206-9120