Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Takes Effect: What Apparel Sellers Should Know

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) took effect on June 21, targeting goods produced in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region. The region has been a topic of debate in recent years, as human rights groups claim the Chinese government has forced the Uyghur minority into labor camps. In response, U.S. companies that source apparel from China should brace for disruption…

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Which Side of the Promo Brain Are You? (Secrets to High-Performance Teams)

Today’s post-pandemic client expects more from you: more consultation, more creative ideas, more unique services. Given that your business now needs a high-performance production team in addition to a high-performance creative team, it’s critical we understand what each role needs in order to function at a consistently high level. Here’s a glimpse of what each area needs for success…

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How One Distributor Uses Printed and Promotional Products for Winning Direct Mail Promos

Did you know that promotional products have been around in the U.S. since the days of George Washington? This isn’t a history lesson, but Linda Neumann, owner of Brilliant Marketing Ideas in San Diego, likes to include tidbits like that in her self-promos. With a personalized letter that’s both informative and entertaining, she’s found a way to meld print and promo for direct mail beyond just a flier…

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Sales vs. Marketing: How Do You Get Clients?

With all the extra work getting all the logos and items you need when you start a new client, you’re really busy for two or three weeks producing these orders, and you stop networking and cold calling. So when the orders are completed, your pipeline is empty and you have to start all over again. I call this the cycle of doom. How do you get out of the cycle of doom? Simple: marketing your business…

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7 Fun and Unique Promo Products to Fit Your Client’s Specific Needs

We always try to shine a light on the products that make us think, “Wow, I’ve never thought of that before.” Products that fulfill a need end-users might not have known they had, or just stand out because of their individuality, are a good way to ensure that people hold onto them for a long time and have a more favorable view of your client…

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Plugged In: What’s New and What’s Selling in Tech Promotional Products

What seemed like groundbreaking technology not so long ago (like the iPod) is now out of date. So you’d be forgiven if you’re behind on what end-users are looking for in their tech items. But that’s what the experts are here for. We spoke to a suppliers about what tech products their customers want, what trends are driving this demand and more…

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Can I Still Buy QuickBooks Premier as a One-Time Purchase? (And Why You Should Be Careful With One-Time Purchases)

January 31, 2022 was the last day that Intuit permitted one-time purchase of QuickBooks Desktop products. All future sales of QB Premier will be by subscription only. But be careful if you find something you think is a one-time purchase. I had a client who bought what he thought was one-time purchase of…

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Tips for Selling Ballpoint Pens, a Perfect Promo for Your Clients

As we celebrate National Ballpoint Pen Day on June 10, it’s a good time to reflect on one of the promotional industry’s best sellers. Here’s why I recommend ballpoint pens for cost-effective, memorable branding and why you should suggest them for your corporate clients…

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Matters of Convenience: Is Your Company Policy for the Client’s Benefit, or Yours?

How often do we say our decisions or policies are made for the benefit of the customer when the reality is they are self-serving? In business, one of the keys to fostering long-lasting relationships is transparency. People may not like specific policies or decisions, but they will accept them when they are carried out openly and honestly…

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