I’m active on LinkedIn and my network continues to grow. I get all kinds of connection requests as many of you do. Generally, I’ll glance at a person’s bio to make sure the connection makes sense for me. I ignore the carpet cleaners and auto service businesses that are across the county who want to connect, but I always accept connections with people within our industry.
Recently, a distributor reached out to me and I have to say, I was impressed by his bio.
Phil Brakefield of UniSource says:
“I help small businesses massacre their promotional products challenges by delivering laser-targeted, response boosting items that help build brand and establish customer relationships, in a timely manner, at the manufacturer’s lowest published price…GUARANTEED.”
I love his use of power words. Massacre, laser-targeted, and GUARANTEED. In asking for Phil’s permission to use this, I noted the only thing I would change has to do with price. My personal business direction doesn’t focus on price.
Walter Kurt from 3K Consultants has a couple of nice tag lines: Creative Ideas at Your Fingertips and Purveyors of Fine Promotions. He also uses the word Consultants in his title, which positions his business as a more professional organization that assists clients with their promotional marketing needs.
In my distributor business, we’ve positioned our company as a solution provider, using slogans like: “We Don’t Sell Stuff…We Provide Solutions.” We also created a Pyramid Award-winning campaign based on The Marketing Toolbox… all the tools you need to build your business.
Taking note of how companies present themselves got me thinking about the diversity in our industry. We have companies of all sizes and personalities. Some are affiliated with large distributor organizations and others are distributors on their own. There are “mom and pop” operations, corporate structured organizations, and distributors who focus on Internet sales. Yet others focus on product safety, target markets, or eco-friendly products.
We also have “Trunkslammers” as illustrated by my friend Mark Graham from Commonsku and Rightsleeve. In this hilarious Stop the Trunkslamers video, we see that even Trunkslammers have their own unique brand identity.
This is an industry filled with all kinds of different business models and somehow they all work. We are in an amazing industry that offers many ways to be creative and share our brand message. If we are unable to do that for our own business, how can we help our clients? What business position or brand message have you used successfully?
As I’ve thought though the concept of business positioning, a revelation of sorts came to me. While selling promotional marketing solutions are important, at its core, this is an industry based on product and price. In my next Rant I’m going to share more about my Ah-Hah moment and what I am doing to help both suppliers and distributors. Watch the FreePromoTips Facebook Page or our twitter feed for more information as this unfolds.
Check out my Video Rant on this topic!
Mama Mia! You won’t want to miss this! 3 Three Things Every Business Person Needs to Know, a SuccessTracks Learning Experience is coming next Wednesday, April 24th at 10:00 AM PST. Award-winning Toastmaster Maurice DiMino, The Sicilian Mentor, will be sharing in this exclusive FreePromoTips event. Everyone who attends will receive free Italian cookware courtesy of Evans Manufacturing. This is the only cookware Grandma DiMino will use. Space is limited. Register now and log on early. Register here!
Jeff Solomon, MAS is affiliated with a Top 10 distributor company. The FreePromoTips.com website and e-newsletters he publishes are packed with beneficial information and exclusive FREE offers from a few forward-thinking supplier companies. Don’t miss out on what’s happening! Opt in to receive their e-newsletters! LIKE their page on Facebook and follow them on twitter.
