You don’t have to thank us.
Over the course of the last year, yes, we’ve done the work for you. We made the phone calls, tracked down the information and basically annoyed anyone in our collective path—all in the name of quality editorial coverage.
But we understand if you might have missed a point or two. So, to jump-start your ideas, we’ve boiled down an entire year’s worth of stories into the best takeaway tips and most game-changing sales advice. Read on for words of wisdom from the industry’s top suppliers, distributors and sales trainers.
OK, fine, you’re welcome.
Try new t-shirt imprints: End-buyers are trying sublimation, discharging, foil treatments and embellishments to give logos a youthful pop.
—Alon Shafigi, CEO, Next Level Apparel
Get more bang for your golf giveaway: Leverage golf-ball purchases to receive discounts or free tournament giveaways from the ball companies.
—Mike Mitchell, genera manager, Pro Golf Premiums
Check into domestic savings: With larger or heavier products, the cost of air freight from an offshore facility can exceed the cost of the items themselves.
—Douglas Beckwith, director of sales and marketing, Creative Modeling & Design
Break into new markets for golf apparel: Consider selling uniform programs to high school and collegiate golf teams as well as to women’s leagues.
—Taryn Householder, graphics and marketing manager, Par One Golf Specialties
Increase experimentation on hats: Appliqués (metal, PVC, other fabrics) are growing in popularity. Also consider digital printing, liquid metal or sonic welding, as well as spray bleaching/washing to create custom effects.
—Tony M. Karlicek, CEO, Headwear USA
Sell luxury: High-end travel for the über-wealthy (resorts, tour packages, etc.) will better weather a
bad economy.
—Tim Warren, president/founder, Adventure Business Consultants
Focus on customer service: With technology promotions, value-added services, such as memory device uploads and an on-staff tech support, ease anxiety.
—Lindsay Hoylman, marketing specialist, Leed’s
Consider the details: Branch out from the private-label neck tag and brand a custom hangtag, zipper pull or buttons instead.
—Gina Barreca, director of marketing, Vantage Apparel
Play your cards right: Since many offices do greeting card promotions around the holidays, it’s a great time to sweeten the deal with a
calendar offering.
—Rob Marold, account manager, The Deerfield Collection
Find luggage that lasts: Ballistic nylon wears well, drum-dyed leather will keep its color and YKK zippers are the highest quality—all are indicators that luggage will last through a lifetime of heavy handling.
—Jamie Cimino, president, Canyon Outback Leather Goods
Understand what women want: Avoid purchasing a man’s shirt in a smaller size for women. Go for women’s apparel that is cut to fit in slimmer or curvier silhouettes.
—Taraynn Lloyd, marketing director, Edwards Garment
Bring logos up to date: People are moving away from left-chest logo prints toward more interesting spots, including the sleeve, bottom hem or collar line.
—Paige Cannon, director of marketing, Alternative Apparel
Embellish where appropriate: When using apparel embellishments, really thin fabrics aren’t good options because the glue can seep through the shirt. Also, the apparel must be able to withstand 350 degrees of heat.
—Brittney Haar, director of sales and marketing, In Your Face Apparel
Do a taste test: To determine whether or not your coffee promotion is high-caliber, turn down the heat. Low-grown (re: low-quality) coffee bitters as it cools.
—Richard Salzman, president, Richard’s Gourmet Coffee
Go one step further this holiday season: Personal touches on holiday greeting cards—“homemade” embellishments, a handwritten note—are a great way to show clients you care.
—Charley Johnson, vice president, SnugZ USA
Make them look good: With the rise of open kitchens in restaurants around the
country, a chef’s uniform is more important than ever to reinforce a brand’s message.
—Girisha Chandraraj, vice
president of marketing, Broder
Manage your time: Affer more value for the money with multifunctional watches that do more than just tell time.
—Jennifer Grigorian, director of advertising/marketing,
Sweda Company
Maximize marketing on a button or badge: Simple verbiage, a two- or three-color palette and a lot of white space will get the message across.
—Dino Bartolomei, vice president, Adco Litho Line
Facilitate corporate giving: Speak to mid-level managers and find out what they think will motivate their staff.
—Heather McCloskey, president and founder, McCloskey Partners
Appeal to every decor style: With kitchen and housewares, a modern aesthetic appeals to a broader audience. It lacks elaborate ornamentation and is less likely to clash.
—Antonia Pappas, senior product development manager, The Magnet Group
Be transparent with eco-friendly terms: The term “green” has no true definition, and so, saying you’re a “green” company or have “green” products isn’t entirely accurate.
—Jeff Lederer, executive vice president, Prime Line
Stretch a nonprofit’s budget: Get a larger business to co-brand with a nonprofit
to help pay for all or part of a product.
—Rose Shorma, VP of marketing, American Solutions for Business
Keep fabric in mind: Non-iron, stain-resistant and moisture-wicking fabrics are musts for business-casual apparel.
—Rhonda Johnson, director of marketing and merchandising, Hartwell Classic Apparel
Create networking opportunities: Ask to be a greeter at events to break the ice with a lot of people in a short period of time.
—Patricia Fripp, sales trainer and speaker
