The online space is under constant change, and the promotional products marketplace continues to transition to new ways of doing business. In today’s multichannel world, marketing is not a linear process, and modern customers have instant access to information about products, brands and competitors. With that in mind, here are the trends that are shaping distributor business marketing…
Read MoreCollection: Newsletter Blogs
Our 5 Favorite Promotional Products of the Week: Mass Transit Merch, Spooky Can Coolers and More
We’re not quite ready for Halloween, but we can celebrate the changing weather. We can also celebrate some promotional products, whether they’re extremely autumnal or not. This week, our collection includes some spooky brewery merchandise, all sorts of public transportation-related gifts and more…
Read MoreCritical Lessons From Baseball Cards
For decades, Topps owned the baseball card market. The company had an exclusive contract with Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association. A few weeks ago, Topps was blindsided when MLB and MLBPA announced a new exclusive contract with the online sports merchandise retailer Fanatics Inc. There are two big lessons here…
Read MoreHow Trade Associations and Strong PR Can Grow Your Business
Franchise-builder David McKinnon discusses his passion for franchising and key advice to grow your business. As co-founder of Service Brands International, he built nine brands with nearly 2,000 franchises in eight countries. Here, he talks about the importance of trade associations and his involvement with the International Franchise Association…
Read MoreWhat Is a Chart of Accounts?
A chart of accounts is a list of financial accounts set up in a company to record financial transactions. Accounts fall into six general categories. When your financial transactions are recorded into your accounting system, they are assigned or recorded into the appropriate categories…
Read MoreThe Problem With Jim Beam (a Lesson for Promo Businesses)
In the world of promotional products, many make the mistake of trying to be like Jim Beam, thinking that simply because “everyone” buys branded merchandise, everyone is a potential client. But trying to be everything to everyone is a precarious position that undermines your brand…
Read MoreWhy You Should Keep Sales Forecasting and Budgeting (Even If It Feels Impossible)
While sales forecasting and budgeting can be a draining process with so many unknowns right now, the positive side is we are now taking a new and closer look at our businesses than during “normal” years. We are spending more time strategizing and being reflective of our businesses and our own careers…
Read More2 Shifts You Should Make in Your Marketing to Grow Existing Clients
Since selling has shifted to digital-first and digital (mostly) interaction, we need to not make the mistake with our marketing by relegating it to lead-gen only or reduce it to branding, image and identity. Marketing is the key driver of new business and existing client sales. Here are two shifts we should make in our marketing to grow sales…
Read MoreThe Power of Confidence and Taking Risks With the Former Executive Leader of Coca-Cola
“Don’t be afraid to take risks. Be innovative and differentiate yourself,” says John Sheppard, former executive leader of Coca-Cola’s international divisions. Sheppard discusses his experience working with both private and public companies and offers advice about effective communication, building confidence and knowing when you need to adjust your leadership style…
Read MoreHow to Increase Conversions on Your Distributor Website
Getting people to your distributor website is a challenge in and of itself. Getting them to take action and convert to a prospect is a whole other story. But there are ways to increase the number of enquiries coming from your website from the traffic you are currently getting…
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