You want to get the word out that you are a sales rep in your area and grow your customer base but aren’t sure how or what to do. Here are a few ideas that have worked great for other sales reps:
Business Cards – there are a lot of different ways you can design and use business cards. They can be simple with just words, you can add logos and pictures, and you can make them one sided or two sided. You can advertise ongoing specials like free shipping on the first order or a free item after so many orders or so much product is purchased. The possibilities are endless! You can make your own or have a printing company make them for you.
Car signs / window decals – these are a great way to advertise your business while you are driving around. They can be one color or multi color. You can have them made with someone’s vinyl cutting machine, VistaPrint, or a local print shop. Here are a few examples:
Catalogs – Get at least one extra packet of catalogs each month and carry them with you wherever you go! I have a couple sitting on the dash of my car at all times so that when I am out, I will have one available to hand to someone who may ask for one or who I would like to share one with. Make sure to write down who you hand catalogs to so you can follow up with them to see if they would like to place an order.
Displays – display products in your business area, at another business such as a bank or salon, or any place where people can see different things that we sell. Make sure to have extra catalogs, information flyers, or even a signup list for interested people to be able to get a catalog.
Facebook Business Page – we covered this in a webinar, but I just want to reinforce that this is a great way to reach out to new people in your area! Have a drawing for everyone who likes your page! Advertise order deadline and ask if anyone would like to see a catalog. Share pictures of our products, recipes using our products, price comparisons with you local stores, pictures of meals you have prepared with our products, etc.
Fair Booths – Fair booths are one of the best ways to advertise our products to new people. You can display products, hand out catalogs, sample products, sell products, have a drawing and/or collect potential customers’ contact information! We will be covering this in more depth in a future Webinar or contact your RSM.
Flyers/posters – Informational flyers/posters are a great way to introduce Alison’s Pantry to new customers. These also come in a variety of options and can include lots of great information. These can be handed out with catalogs, at fair booths, tacked on public information boards, etc.
Magnets – Magnets for refrigerators are a great way to advertise your Alison’s Pantry business. Information that could go on magnets are – your contact information, the company logo, order deadlines for the entire year, ongoing specials like a referral bonus, etc. I downloaded the delivery schedule the office sent us and added my contact information and had these printed by VistaPrint.
Referrals – invite your customers to share an extra catalog (or theirs when they are done placing their order) with someone new. Offer some type of incentive to them if they do (such as a FREE item or FREE shipping or a percentage off their order) or, if the company is offering a Referral Bonus item, make sure to point that out to them. Word of mouth is often the best way to grow your customer base and advertise your AP business. Especially if you are providing great customer service to your customers!!
Samples – Besides offering samples of our products to your customers when they pick up their order each month, you could provide lunch or treats one day at your local school, doctor’s office, or anywhere a group of people work. Make sure to include product information of what you sampled with a couple of catalogs for the people to look through while they are enjoying the delicious food you have provided.
Shirts – have a shirt made up with the Alison’s Pantry logo to wear at fair booths or sponsor a little league team or group and get your name advertised that way. Below is an example of a black shirt with an iron on logo and the back of a shirt where I was one of the sponsors supporting an RSHS Cheer Squad event.
I hope these have given you some ideas on how to advertise your Alison’s Pantry business. Good luck!
Becky Price, RSM
Thank you Julie, I plan on using quite a few of these ideas.