Working with Small Businesses
In the last year, many small businesses were hit hard and were even forced to close for good. However, it is not all gloom and doom as the pandemic also gave way for individuals to launch new business ventures. Many of those new endeavours will be smaller businesses that will be looking for ways to build up their clientele and brand awareness. As a distributor, understanding the types of branded merchandise campaigns that tie in well to these types of customers gives you an opportunity to not only assist small businesses in achieving their promotional objective but also to develop long-lasting relationships.
Budget
From the perspective of a small business owner looking for cost-effective ways to advertise, every dollar counts. Emphasize the affordability of your products and include items in your lineup that adhere to limited budgets. Office supplies are amongst the most budget-friendly yet effective advertising tools you can find. Think about offering products that have the ability to generate a high number of impressions for a low cost. Pens make great options as they are kept for a long period of time and even have a transfer value since recipients may give them to others. Small businesses will appreciate the exposure offered by products that remain visible and are used daily.
Speed
Another key to working with small businesses is speed to market. In the fleeting world of social media, the opportunity to use a viral moment for means of promotion is there one second and gone the next. Moment merch needs to be produced quickly in order to meet demand, that is why at Magnus we make every effort to reduce turn-around time by offering in-house print services that allow you to put the product in your customers' hands much faster. This is crucial for customers looking to quickly add a message to a bag or hat which then can be retailed. DTG printing is ideal for small quantity orders of highly detailed graphics and photo-realistic artwork.
Connect
Something to consider when working with small businesses is the tight-knit relationships that characterize these kinds of companies. As they are smaller in size this often means that higher-ups and owners are able to have a closer relationship with their employees. For this reason, you should offer products that do a good job at encapsulating the importance of a moment and eliciting emotional responses. Picture frames, bamboo boards, and other lifestyle products can be used to express gratitude, admiration, and appreciation, which is something that small teams can utilize to promote company culture.
Showing that you understand the needs of your customers is just another way to ensure they continue coming back to you for all their promotional needs. While many distributors are accustomed to working with mid-size companies and sometimes large corporations, they can’t forget about the little guys. As small businesses and their success are crucial for the recovery of our economy, it is more imperative than ever that you assist them in providing solutions that will help them stay afloat.