4 Things to Look for in a Promotional Products Partner

 

Promotional products are an extension of your brand. The quality, message, and product itself all shape the perception of who you are as a company or organization. Choosing the right distributor partner is essential to ensure your campaign is successful in not only delivering ROI but also preserving your brand reputation.

Any Google search can quickly return a dozen online sellers offering branded merchandise. Dig a little deeper and you’ll often find that these platforms lack human consultation and have limited opportunities to manage quality control. What if you have a tight deadline or unique shipping requirements? What if the products you purchase don’t live up to their online presentation or your logo is printed incorrectly? What if you need support planning a unique campaign?

These questions often result in problems when working within an impersonal, online marketplace. Problems that can be prevented or quickly solved when partnering with an experienced distributor.

Whether you are planning a gift campaign to build customer loyalty, need employee incentives, or want something creative that will leave a lasting impression at your next trade show, it is important to partner with a promotional products distributor that can live up to your expectations. As you develop your strategy, use this guide to determine what type of distributor experience will be right for your campaign.

Determine the Framework

While you might not have the entire campaign fleshed out, having a clear understanding of the basics will help you determine what type of distributor will be required. Do you need a custom kit or special inclusions such as a personalized note or video brochure? Will this be a one-off project or an on-going program? Will the products need to be shipped to different locations, or do you need things drop-shipped to an event location?

Curated offerings often benefit from an experienced resource that can work alongside you to ensure the campaign is executed without a hitch. As you research potential partners understand how you’ll work together and if there is a point of contact who you can turn to when questions arise or if you need help brainstorming.

Review Their Values

Today’s consumer is more conscious of company values and ethics than ever before. Your brand reputation was built over years of authenticity and commitment. However, these accomplishments can be quickly diminished by doing business with a dodgy distributor. Researching reviews and company profiles can help to uncover where they stand on the issues that matter most to your organization and your audience. Remember, if you don’t do our due diligence, your customers will.

Evaluate Product Availability

Promotional products provide a tangible brand experience. Poor printing, messy packaging, and low-quality products translate into a negative brand perception. Conversely, unique, high-quality, useful items create a positive and memorable experience. In fact, 88% of people who have a positive experience after receiving a promo product will remember the brand imprinted on those items. Working with a consultative partner allows you to specify unique items and can give you access to brand the top name brands such as Nike, The North Face, Vineyard Vines, CORKCICLE, and more.

Ask About Their Tech

Managing an inventory of branded apparel, corporate gifts, and promotional products can be a huge undertaking. A company e-store can help to streamline the process freeing up countless hours of manpower and reducing costs. An e-store provides a branded online experience where employees or affiliates can redeem merchandise, marketing materials, incentives, or rewards. The platform can be developed to support a single campaign or used as part of an on-going program such as distributing team apparel or uniforms. When considering a company e-store be sure to ask about warehousing, ordering, and distribution capabilities as well as the analytics of the program to determine if your potential partner can adequately support your needs.

Getting Started

If you’re ready to start a conversation about your next promotional product campaign, our team of strategists are here to help! We’ll work with you to create a meaningful brand experience that excites and inspires your audience. Contact us to learn more about our capabilities or to start brainstorming your next creative idea.