Full Version: Joining Promotional Products Association
From: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#20]
13 Jan 2006
To: Becca (BECLYON) [#10] 13 Jan 2006
Personally what works best for us is finding niche's that have needs. Find a niche that you can relate to (understand and speak the same language as the customers that fit that niche) that has a need, then target that niche with products that you know they can use.
The SAGE web site can be found at http://www.sageworld.com/
I am not trying to discourage you from trying to be a manufacturer for a SAGE or ASI, but you need to know that the margin's for the kind of work you will do for them are very low, so you need very efficient production techniques and equipment that is efficient to operate.......fast no nonsense production style equipment...
One thing that may work for you with a SAGE or ASI is to create a niche with something unique that no one else will be competing over.......Perhaps the best thing would be to combine the idea of a unique niche product and a SAGE or ASI.....Create a product that is unique to you (something unique that can be used as a promotional product that others aren't doing), and then market that product in the SAGE or ASI marketplace.
Brian G.
From: UncleSteve [#21]
13 Jan 2006
To: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#20] 13 Jan 2006
One BIG caveat that must be mentioned is that many, if not most, distributors are avoiding more and more, suppliers that are two faced... that is, sell both retail AND to distributors.
This is a big thorn in both sides of the transactions!
From: BobH (EGCI) [#22]
13 Jan 2006
To: RALLYGUY (RALLYGUY1) [#20] 13 Jan 2006
I'm one of those award shops in Southern Cal that has a laser engraver. Only the larger or older shops have two or more. Some don't need a 2nd but they buy a new one when it's time and hold onto the old one as a back up (good plan).
Selling to Promotional Products retailer requies you to sell at wholesale prices. When selling wholesale, the retailer should be supplying camera-ready artwork. That rarely gives you a file ready to engrave and you end up doing retail work for wholesale prices, especially from the retailers who don't do any in-house production. This type of retailer rarely knows much about our business.
I won't sell a personalized product to a third party seller unless I am given the right to speak to the buyer and get all artwork approved by them. Mistakes are much more frequent when selling through others. Big orders that are wrong are big losses.
Most corporate awards focused shops sell promotional products tp thier customers and join ASI or PPAI as a reseller. This works well if it's part of the business plan but I suggest taking the time to get to know something about embroidery and pad & screen printing as well as clothing before selling too many promotional products. Mistakes can be very costly.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#23]
13 Jan 2006
To: Becca (BECLYON) [#19] 13 Jan 2006
Rebecca,
I would have to chime in here in agreement that trying to become an ASI vendor as opposed to a producer might dampen your spirit and be a bit discouraging, but then again, Einsteins parents were told he was dumb and would never amount to anything and he was put in special ed classes......so what do I know.
Have you considered approaching some of the specialty gift stores in your area? That might be a better route for you to get your product out ( I'm a poet and didn't know it, cause my feet are long fellows..... :O :O )
Another avenue, would be to produce at night and do the craft fairs during the day.......
Just random thoughts from my cluttered mind.
Toss them back if you want :D
From: Becca (BECLYON) [#24]
13 Jan 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#23] 13 Jan 2006
Thanks for your feedback. I've talked to a distributor in the industry and he seems to say I could control what I take and don't take. And, that I have a good product for it. Yet, all of you are closer to fitting in my shoes, and response seems to be directing me to try something else. Needless to say, I'm undecided.
I really enjoy craft fairs, but loading and unloading our products (they can't be stored in a trailer because they are heat sensitive) for each one is a real whip. With it being just me during the day, I'd have to hire someone and my profits just aren't high enough at the smaller ones to afford it. It's a lot of time for several hundred dollars profit (at a small one). The craft fairs have brought additional business by word of mouth and that is good.
I hate cold calling and that's what I feel like I am doing going to stores asking them to resell my product. My husband says it's not, what do you say? I'm not a salesperson. I enjoy networking when there is an event or situation where it is expected or accepted. But, not selling outright.
What do you think?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#25]
13 Jan 2006
To: Becca (BECLYON) [#24] 13 Jan 2006
Rebecca, I HATE cold calling also, howver, this last Christmas I developed some geographically unique ( meaning they would sell here, but probably not elsewhere) Christmas ornaments.....I am pretty confident that they would sell, so I MUST overcome my fear of Cold calling.....if I want to get them into the stores...but the feedback I have received on them encourages me.....besides, what's the worst that could happen? Some store owner would yell at you and send you on your way. You wouldn't want to do business with them either. So, I'll make you a deal. If you will try cold calling I will, and I will even go first. Deal? ( insert laugh here)
As for ASI, if YOU think it would work well then go for it. The Wright brothers were told they would never fly, Neil Armstrongs early peers said landing on the moon was pure science fiction....how many failures did Abraham Lincoln have before he was elected President, ( about nine)......so TRY it.....but like someone else pointed out earlier in this thread......be prepared if you are successful......
You WILL do fine....just keep at it......
I'll let you know about my cold call.
From: Becca (BECLYON) [#26]
13 Jan 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#25] 13 Jan 2006
You are funny. I really think it WILL work, but I so respect my husband I don't want to go out on a limb if he is not with me. I really want to do it, but there is wisdom in counselors. I have health issues that flare up under stress and if it is mentioned that ASI will bring that, then perhaps I am better building more slowly by "cold calling". I may get in over my head and that's no good either. Better to face the fear, ya know! I really believe in my product, but those around me aren't sure. The rebellious part of me jumps out and says "I'll prove you wrong, let me at it. And, don't get in the way!". More importantly, I really enjoy the products we carry, especially the tributes/plaques. That counts for something, right?
Let me know how the cold call goes, I may just have to answer that challenge. :)
Rebecca
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#27]
13 Jan 2006
To: Becca (BECLYON) [#26] 13 Jan 2006
you said,
Its great to show em you did it, but do it because YOU believe it.
However, my personal belief is that NOTHING and I meantNOTHING is worth risking your health or family.
Nuff said.
From: Becca (BECLYON) [#28]
13 Jan 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#27] 14 Jan 2006
Thanks. I agree.
You sure do live in a place I would love to be right now. ;)
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#29]
14 Jan 2006
To: Becca (BECLYON) [#24] 14 Jan 2006
It sounds like you found a niche you'd like to explore, go for it. If everyone were doing it, it wouldn't be a niche market. It sounds like there are two main concerns.
1) too much business. You would need to turn it away, expand, or raise prices. (basic supply-demand curve)
2) too little business. Yes its a niche, but you have contacts telling you your product will sell. If the niche were too big, large competitors would jump in, this may be the perfect size for you. Given the potential and what you already have in place, how much of a gamble is the membership fee?
From: Becca (BECLYON) [#30]
14 Jan 2006
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#29] 15 Jan 2006
Membership fee is $750 per year. But, you also have to pay for advertising within the organization. I was going to do the trade show in Dallas for $2000 booth fee plus expected $1000 in martketing display materials. So, you're looking at $4000 just to get started.
I'm working on numbers of how much I could possibly produce in a month to see how much it would take to pay it off.
Thanks for the positive note.
From: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#31]
15 Jan 2006
To: Becca (BECLYON) [#30] 15 Jan 2006
I see nothing wrong with what you want to do. The problem as I see it is that you are ill prepared to do it. You need money to be a sucessful supplier in most cases. You generally would need more than one slow engraver.
If you are sure it will work, borrow the money and do it right. If you are not sure it will work, grow your business slowly and take the big step later.
Both ASI and SAGE provide a means for their distributors to rate suppliers. If you are late with your production schedule or fail in other ways to be fast and competitive, the distributors will give you bad ratings and when that happens very few will do business with you. So you have to be prepared to compete not only in price, but in reliability, customer service, and product quality.
From: Becca (BECLYON) [#32]
15 Jan 2006
To: Pete (AWARDMASTERS) [#31] 15 Jan 2006
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