You have decided on a marketing strategy and now you are looking for promotional products distributor that can help you implement it. There are thousands of companies to choose from. That is why you have to use a clear set of criteria to base your choice on.
What ideas do you have for your company's promotional products?
This is the first question that you have to answer before starting your search for promotional products distributor. Today, you can pick from anything from jackets and jeans to kitchen utensils. There are traditional choices such as pens, notebooks, diaries, mugs, totes, umbrellas, t-shirts and caps. You can also go for more extravagant options such as cupcakes with your logo, stuffed animals or electronics such as MP3 players and calculators.
It is important that you devise a strategy so that you can make the most out of your work with the distributor. You have to have a budget as well. It is recommended that you outline your ideas, requirements, preferences and budget in a brief which you can provide to any distributor that you consider hiring.
Shop around to find the right promotional products distributor for you.
There are hundreds of companies to select from, so it is better to make them fight for you as a client rather than wasting your time with an endless search. Check out reviews and ask around to select around ten distributors that have good reputation and match your main criteria. Then request quotes from each and every one of them. Send them the brief that you have prepared without the budget part, of course.
Evaluate and compare the offers of distributors. The offers should include the types of products that can be made, details on them, their design and their quality plus prices and shipping rates. It is important to base your choice on all of these criteria.
Evaluate the art and design potential of each promotional products distributor.
The distributor's job is not only to place your logo on one or two products. It is best if they can provide and implement some artistic ideas that can make these products more attractive. Check whether the company has an artistic director and at least one graphic designer. They should be able to deliver to your needs. For instance, if you want to present your products as eco friendly, you may want to have your logo in green on a white and green umbrella. The distributor should be able to come up with a proposal and complete the project.
Assess the quality of the promotional products offered by the distributor.
It is the supplier's job to find the most affordable products that are of very good quality. Existing and potential customers will judge your company on the basis of the promotional items. If a promotional bag's handles get detached or if a mug gets cracks after being put in the dish washer, the user may think twice before going for your product or service again. That is why it is best not to rely on online pictures of the products only. Go see them for real or ask for samples to be sent to you before you place an order with the respective promotional products distributor.
How reliable is the promotional products distributor?
The supplier should be able to deliver all ordered products timely. It is important for you to discuss the time the distributor needs to make and distribute the items. Timely delivery is not the only factor when it comes to evaluating reliability, however. You should be able to communicate effectively with the supplier sharing your ideas and getting informed about the progress of the project. It is best if the company provides weekly or perhaps daily reports on the work done together with pictures so that you can be certain that everything is going smoothly.
Compare the prices carefully.
Figure out what promotional products you will get for the set price. Their quality and the quality of the promotional design should match the requested sum. You should definitely ask for discounts, especially if you are ordering a large number of items. In general, it is recommended to go for the most affordable offer for top quality products.
Once you pick promotional products distributor, you need to sign a contract ensuring that your interests are protected.