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Supplier Best Practices We LOVE!

Ideas for Suppliers (and Distributors) to Improve Efficiency & Customer Service

6/6/2019 | Rosalie Marcus, Promo Biz Coach

The promotional products industry topped 23 billion dollars in sales last year, the economy is robust, sales professionals are selling more and suppliers are busier than ever fulfilling orders. The stakes are high to get everything right, and mistakes do happen. I know, I’ve been on the receiving end and it can be incredibly frustrating.

Today, rather than focus on the negative, this month’s blog post is about the positive practices many suppliers have incorporated into their business systems, the practices that help sales professionals sell more efficiently and keep their clients happy and purchasing more.  

With that in mind, I recently posted this question in a popular Facebook Group for promotional products professionals.

“What are some supplier best practices that you love and help you make more money and work more productively?”  

I got numerous responses from sales professionals happily sharing their positive experiences and the practices they love.  

Below are some of the many responses I received.

(Suppliers please take note, if you’re not currently offering these services you may want to add them. If you do offer these services, please comment below and let us know.)

  • Sending a post-production sample or photo of the item to the salesperson

  • Sending a thank you note to the sales professional and random samples of your company’s product

  • Confirming the order has been received the same day it’s sent

  • Automatically sending tracking the day the order ships

  • Sending a time to repeat order reminder

  • Assigning one contact person to the distributor sales professional

  • The ability to pay for the order online

  • Multi-Line Reps to help with ideas, samples, and orders

  • Sending invoices quickly via email the day the order ships

  • Knowledgeable and well-trained customer service reps

  • Having case histories available at your website

  • Making unbranded videos and flyers we can share with our clients

  • Supplying niche marketing ideas

  • Sending free samples

  • Offering free shipping on some of your products

  • Supplying free virtual designs to help us secure the order

  • Quickly resolving disputes

Are there any best practices you would add to this list? Is there anything you wish every supplier routinely did? Please leave your comments below!

Until next month, happy selling!

Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach, is a promotional products business expert, coach, and speaker. Combining her skills and years of experience in promotional sales, she helps her clients sell more at higher margins to better clients. Get a free special report: 10 Proven Ways to Thrive in Promotional Products Sales… in Any Economy at www.promobizcoach.com. Contact her at Rosalie@promobizcoach.com.

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