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I recently discovered some settings that could potentially restrict suppliers from posting in, or viewing certain areas of DistributorTalk
To be clear, suppliers should have the same access to DistributorTalk as ANY other member. If you come across any errors, or something doesn't seem right, please let me or one of the advisors know about it. We want to make sure it is fixed immediately.
Also, please take full advantage of the many forums where you can get the word out about your company. How to..., Product Research, Creative Ideas / Case Histories, etc are all great forums to reach out to distributors in many ways.
Thanks, and we look forward to more participation from our supplier friends.
__________________
Chris Miller, GMAS
(Grand Master Advertising Specialist)
Why don't ask all the active distributors to contact at least 3 top suppliers and get them to meet at a certain time next week (next Friday) for a friendly forum. Maybe the new suppliers will see how active we can get. I can get 3 for sure (new ones). Once they see it working, they might be enlightened! If we each find 3...that would be a lot!
Hi everyone, this is Mark,from China, we sourcing most competitive and qualify products from China,I'm a new in this forum,I'm a supplier direct from China,but i provide USA service!
Mark Zhu
skype:zhulq2008 email:markzhu2008@gmail.com
Hey Chris! Thank for making us feel welcome. I truely think -especially with today's posts on certain topics that we are all seeing much more about the workings and needs of both the suppliers and distribuitors. This can only lead to better working partnerships or a real good 'kicken party one of these days!!! Sincerely - thanks for the inclusion.
Before seeing this thread, I was just about to sign off from DT for good.
As a new supplier on DT we have made 2 different posts - one to introduce ourselves and one to offer free spec samples.
On June 17th we posted our offer of free spec samples and to date there have only been 29 views (2 of which were mine) and absolutely zero replies.
This is mind-boggling, considering the economy, and the fact that in another forum here, there are 335 views and 34 replies discussing how slow it is on Fridays.
"Economy affecting your biz?" has 1,461 views and 85 replies.
The average net value of the samples we are giving away to help distributors make sales is about $18.00 each. Our closing rate is 93% when a distributor presents one of our custom made spec samples.
It's a "no-brainer" offer.
Do you have any suggestions? We'd appreciate any input you may offer.
I haven't run into any issues with viewing or posting. Although I don't log in as much as I would like, we certainly have Distributor Talk included in our plans. I really think this site is an AWESOME vehicle for both distributors and suppliers. Keep up the great work!
One suggestion that I would make, and I think other suppliers might agree with is to just get involved as much as possible. Reply to topics, create others. The more involved you are, the more you can gain from the site. I know of several suppliers who have picked up a TON of business from DT.
From what I have seen, posts from "new people" are often overlooked but when people start to see your name more, they start paying attention.
You may want to "bump" your post by just posting to it again. This will bring it back to the top for all to see.
Hope this helps.... we look forward to you sticking around and joining us more! I'll look at your offer again and see if we might be able to utilize it.
Chris
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikepla
Chris,
Before seeing this thread, I was just about to sign off from DT for good.
As a new supplier on DT we have made 2 different posts - one to introduce ourselves and one to offer free spec samples.
On June 17th we posted our offer of free spec samples and to date there have only been 29 views (2 of which were mine) and absolutely zero replies.
This is mind-boggling, considering the economy, and the fact that in another forum here, there are 335 views and 34 replies discussing how slow it is on Fridays.
"Economy affecting your biz?" has 1,461 views and 85 replies.
The average net value of the samples we are giving away to help distributors make sales is about $18.00 each. Our closing rate is 93% when a distributor presents one of our custom made spec samples.
It's a "no-brainer" offer.
Do you have any suggestions? We'd appreciate any input you may offer.
Thanks!
Mike McNellis
Precision Laser Art
__________________
Chris Miller, GMAS
(Grand Master Advertising Specialist)
As a new supplier on DT we have made 2 different posts - one to introduce ourselves and one to offer free spec samples.
On June 17th we posted our offer of free spec samples and to date there have only been 29 views (2 of which were mine) and absolutely zero replies.
This is mind-boggling, considering the economy, and the fact that in another forum here, there are 335 views and 34 replies discussing how slow it is on Fridays.
Mike, you have hit the nail on the head & found where you have gone wrong... IMO. Your 2 posts have been all about you. That is not what this board is about. It is about the exchange of info & perspectives... and thus the building of relationships. The old adage applies here, the more you put into it, the more you get out. Too many suppliers think of this site as only a place to push their line.
So since what you have tried doesn't work, why not try a different approach first... before giving up. Jump into a thread & let people know what you really are like. These distributor jerks (oops ) love & need to hear about an issue from a supplier's perspective. Then once folks learn more about you & you build relationships, then you can expect more attention from them. I know most suppliers post their specials, like you did, and that is nice. I personally think it is smarter to start a discussion thread where you talk about how best to promote your line, what would be the best subject line for a blast, what do you think of this ad, etc. That helps to generate discussion, which these blow hards (oops ) love so much. You will learn from them plus get folks looking at your company.
Keep in mind my degree is in Biology & the Air Force trained me to launch nuclear missiles, so what do I know?
If you wish, give me a call & we can meet for lunch, you paying (oops ), and we can discuss this man to man... or BBQ to BBQ.
Before seeing this thread, I was just about to sign off from DT for good.
As a new supplier on DT we have made 2 different posts - one to introduce ourselves and one to offer free spec samples.
On June 17th we posted our offer of free spec samples and to date there have only been 29 views (2 of which were mine) and absolutely zero replies.
This is mind-boggling, considering the economy, and the fact that in another forum here, there are 335 views and 34 replies discussing how slow it is on Fridays.
"Economy affecting your biz?" has 1,461 views and 85 replies.
The average net value of the samples we are giving away to help distributors make sales is about $18.00 each. Our closing rate is 93% when a distributor presents one of our custom made spec samples.
It's a "no-brainer" offer.
Do you have any suggestions? We'd appreciate any input you may offer.
Thanks!
Mike McNellis
Precision Laser Art
Mike unless I am missing something I do not see your web site listed in your signature or in your information. Yes I know it was in the original post. This might help you out as well as the points the others have made.
Think of DT as a networking group, would you go to a networking group twice and expect to get an order? Posting twice and expecting to get an order is the same thing IMO.
__________________ I Refuse To Have A Battle Of Wits With An Unarmed Person.
Thought of the Day: Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
Mike I saw your offer and reviewed a list of my current clients to consider whether any of them were worthy of your offer.....I sell to a lot of "mom and pops" so your products would not be a sure fire sale....And though they may be "free" I do not take that lightly.....If you want to invest in my business, the least I can do is give you a reasonable shot at success.....
As far as DT....Hang in and contribute to the discussions and you will be rewarded.....Take some one like Jim at Dooley....Even though his posts are suspect at times (just kidding) he has met many new clients over his years here....
PS....Please put your web address in your signature.....Make it easy for us "fools" to find you....
Right now I think so many people are giving free things away that it does not give the impact it once did buy just saying I have samples. Plus most people sell promo stuff and have more freebees then customers. Personally I rarely will take or want a sample of anything. After 22 years I have way too many samples.
Try some one on one meetings and phone calls. Social networking. Give people a reason to want to do business with you that is mor ethen one more giveaway. Make a connection
Anna(-:
Super Embroidery And Screenprinting www.superemb.com
facebook: superemb
Hi Chris. i couldn't agree with you more...., The more involved you are, the more you can gain from the site.----, But, i think it'll take a long time to gain..., for me, this is not just a forum, and it's a place meeting and making new friends....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Miller
Mike,
One suggestion that I would make, and I think other suppliers might agree with is to just get involved as much as possible. Reply to topics, create others. The more involved you are, the more you can gain from the site. I know of several suppliers who have picked up a TON of business from DT.
From what I have seen, posts from "new people" are often overlooked but when people start to see your name more, they start paying attention.
You may want to "bump" your post by just posting to it again. This will bring it back to the top for all to see.
Hope this helps.... we look forward to you sticking around and joining us more! I'll look at your offer again and see if we might be able to utilize it.
Chris
__________________
Custom Promotional Products Supplier Yiwu China,Promotional items Yiwu wholesaler,Yiwu China logo Corporate Gifts wholesale. Pioneer Promos is one of large professional supplier and exporter of promotional items,Imprinted Corporate Gifts and Promotional Products in Yiwu,China. Magic 8 ball professional supplier in China. www.pioneer-promos.comwww.pioneerpromotion.cominfo@pioneer-promos.com
I find that the threads on DT are so informative and I do my best to offer promo advice (even with experience with 2 suppliers; sometimes you have ideas for products/taglines that you don't sell--that's the MARKETING part of our business). That is the way to get to know other suppliers and distributors which is engaging in a dialog; which is what social marketing is all about. This forum also makes tradeshows much more fun because you already "know" the people on the other side of the aisle and I find that most of the posters on this forum purchase from each other, too.
When I was the Marketing Manager at CHBC, I used to tell distributors in my tradeshow booth that the primary responsibility of a marketing person at a supplier company is "TRAINING" the distributors on how to sell the products that the supplier has in their line and which markets to target. I still think that it is my primary responsibility in my job
Being a supplier on here is not about posting specials or being a "product pusher" all of the time (even though I do it sometimes), but it about being committed to the industry and helping all of us profit, from friendships and by purchasing items.
SM
__________________
Sarah Manley
Marketing Director
Universal Promotions/UpLine
Hi Chris. i couldn't agree with you more...., The more involved you are, the more you can gain from the site.----, But, i think it'll take a long time to gain..., for me, this is not just a forum, and it's a place meeting and making new friends....
