By Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach If you’ve ever taken a class with me or participated in my Business-Boosting program you know I’m a big believer in the power of handwritten thank you notes. I know this may sound like your mother talking, but they really do work! And you can do them in less time than you can imagine. I’ll show you how. First, in case you doubt that they are important, or that they really make a difference, read on… Ninety nine percent of the mail we get is computer generated , easy to dismiss and put in the trash, but a handwritten note always gets
Read MoreTarget Graphics Is New and Improved, Hosts “Tommy T-Shirt” Factory Tour
After moving into its new 45,000-sq.ft. printing facility in April, Target Graphics, a contract screen printer based in Naperville, Ill., has been on a roll. This is the ninth year the company is vying for the award for four-color process imprints on darks, which will feature its original artwork for the first time. “Right now, we’re doing a lot of research in-house to improve our printing process,” said Cole Lohman, sales and marketing coordinator. “We’re looking at all kinds of new foils, glitters and tough inks that we hadn’t previously considered.” Target Graphics has also gotten rid of set-up charges on orders with
Read MoreTips of the Trade: An Easy Way To Increase Referrals
By Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach I’m sure you know that referrals are the best way to increase your sales, and you’re most likely getting some referrals, but how can you get more? One of the best ways to increase your referrals is to reach out to referral partners. Referral partners are people who serve the same target market that you do but are not direct competitors. Examples of good referral partners for the promotional products consultants are: Meeting Planners Printers Trade Show Display Companies Graphic Designers Sign Companies Sales Professionals These are people who routinely come in contact with buyers that need
Read MoreColorado Timberline Offers One-Stop Shopping and New Online Design Tool
Colorado Timberline, Denver, offers a new One-Stop-Shopping program with the capability to order blanks, as well as state-of-the-art technical embellishments of direct-on-garment, laser and embroidery. The company has also enhanced its Web site. According to Dan Greene, president, the company’s Web site offers online ordering of blank goods and its proprietary Online Decorator Tool gives customers the ability to upload art, manipulate templates and clipart or upload a team’s roster. “It’s not just a way to put an order in; customers get to be the designer and create their own shirts,” noted Greene. “For the first time, they don’t need to fight with Photoshop
Read MoreSanMar Rated Best-of-the-Best By Adventures In Advertising
Seattle-based SanMar was recently honored by Adventures in Advertising (AIA) for its extraordinary customer service and partnership as a supplier. The awards were presented to Bess Konersmann, 2006 Apparel Customer Service Representative of the Year, whose team was honored at a ceremony at the Omni Center in Atlanta. “Bess was chosen because of her utmost dedication and constant support of the AIA network,” noted Krissy Preuss, supplier relations coordinator. “She continues to provide exceptional service and is a pleasure to work with.” Of SanMar’s 2006 Apparel Supplier of the Year award, Pruess said, “SanMar was selected based on its overall outstanding service, quality
Read MoreBook Company V.P. Receives SAAGNY Honor
Roni S. Wright, vice president at The Book Company, Delray Beach, Fla., was recently named the 2006 recipient of the Linda Robinson Scholarship. Established by the SAAGNY Board of Directors in 1995 after Robinson’s untimely death, the scholarship is awarded to one industry professional each year for the cost to attend the PPAI President’s Forum. “It’s an honor and privilege to attend the President’s Forum as the SAAGNY Linda Robinson Scholarship recipient,” said Wright. “Linda was someone I respected and admired greatly. She was truly an inspiration to me as I came into my own as an industry professional.” A 20-year veteran
Read MoreSanMar Introduces 2006 Holiday Gift Guide
SanMar, Seattle, will introduce its Holiday Gift Guide 2006 at the end of September. The 20-page guide features more than 50 gift ideas including outerwear, headwear and accessory options from Port Authority, Ping, Nike Golf and more. The catalog offers gift ideas for every budget and taste. It includes 16 new products for fall—from ultra-soft gloves and scarves to performance outerwear. For easy shopping, the Holiday Gift Guide 2006 has been divided into two sections: gifts for under $20 and more exclusive incentive items. The guide includes suggested retail prices
Read MorePPAM Raises $3,500 To Aid Children with Cancer
Promotional Products Association of the Midwest (PPAM) held its First Annual President’s Charity Golf Tournament in July, raising $3,500 for the Kares 4 Kailie Foundation, a St. Louis-based organization that provides assistance to children and their families affected by cancer. As part of her one-year tenure as PPAM president, Wendy Franklin of Franklin Promotional Group, St. Louis, chose to donate the funds to the charity because her 14-year-old friend, Chelsea Herbert, is battling leukemia, and the Kares 4 Kailie Foundation was established by the parents of Chelsea’s friend, Kailie Rhines, who passed away from cancer in 2004. “I couldn’t be more pleased
Read MoreTimeplanner and Norwood Reach Agreement
Timeplanner Calendars/Journalbooks, Charlotte, N.C., and Norwood, Indianapolis, have reached an agreement to settle the legal action filed by Timeplanner against Norwood. Timeplanner sought remedies for Norwood’s use of the trademark TIMEPLANNER®, a federally registered trademark of Timeplanner, in its current product catalog. Pursuant to the settlement, Norwood agreed to cease using Timeplanner’s trademark. In addition, Norwood has agreed to take steps to clarify in any of its existing materials that TIMEPLANNER® is a trademark owned by Timeplanner and not to use the trademark in any future materials. As a result, Timeplanner has agreed to withdraw its lawsuit against Norwood. For more information, call (704)
Read MoreTips of the Trade: Think Like A Client!
I don’t have to tell you how competitive business is these days. So what can you do to stand out and get noticed? Your clients are all listening to the same radio station—WIIFM (What’s In It For Me). The more benefits you can convey that are meaningful to them, the more sales you’ll get. What do your clients really want? What keeps them up at night? Hint: It’s not the lowest price! Sales are made on an emotional level. What are your clients’ hot buttons? For example, let’s look at two promotional products professionals: Pat and Chris. Chris presents numerous proposals to his clients
Read More