If you’re going to be in business, you need a web site, and product fulfillment is no exception.
In all likelihood, you already have a web site that showcases your product line and ordering information. However, there are other aspects of having a great web site that you may not be aware of. Having a checklist can help you touch up your web site so it’s more impressive than the competition’s and very client-friendly.
Despite whatever your personal feelings on ad placement might be, promotion is an important aspect of any business; you need to get the word out about your products and services if you want to be successful. If you’re in product fulfillment, there is a plethora of ways to do this that you can take advantage of.
When it comes to promoting product fulfillment companies and their related products and services, it can be hard to tell where to get started.
Many small communities pride themselves on their independent businesses. This ideology is understandable, as many retail chains appear to lack the heart and individuality of mom-and-pop stores. Modern technology hasn’t helped in this regard, as now you can buy everything online without any human interaction.
However, this doesn’t have to apply to a product fulfillment business. Not only can product fulfillment display a lot of personality, but by showing that quaint humanity to clients, you may be able to generate greater profits.
If you’ve ever failed to successfully negotiate a price, you’re hardly alone; embarrassing as it is, it happens a lot. That said, it’s a necessary skill for product fulfillment, as it saves a lot of money in the long run and establishes great business relationships that benefit both parties over time. If you’re in product fulfillment, you have to be ready to occasionally try and negotiate deals.
There are a lot of business schools that offer courses on negotiation techniques; however, you can develop your negotiation skills yourself. By knowing where to find deals, what to say, and what to offer, you can achieve greater success for your business.
Where did the summer go?
If you haven’t noticed, we’re now in the throngs of the leaves changing color, a bit more precipitation, and a drop in temperatures. Summer is behind us and winter is beckoning. Depending on your love of this sort of weather, you may or may not be enthusiastic.
If you work in product fulfillment, you should be viewing the new seasons with some enthusiasm. First off, you can get ready to spend some quality time with family and friends, and second, you’ve got some great business opportunities ahead of you.
The fall and early winter are a great source of business opportunities for those in product fulfillment. In the spirit of holiday fun, they can offer holiday-based specials to their clients. There’s also the option of presenting new product offers and creative services to clients, which will make them even happier.
With the holidays on the horizon, a mixture of hard work and fun is possible—but first, the business aspect…
When it comes to the holidays in product fulfillment, you have to get ready. Looking ahead is necessary, as is sitting down with your order fulfillment center to plan ideas. You have to be sure to cover both direct marketing materials and product offerings, plus any specials or discounts you want to offer.
Direct marketing leads and/or your customer database need to be combed to see who you can send your promo material to; the earlier you do this, the better. It’s good to whet the appetites of your clients beforehand, allowing them to organize their buying schedules ahead of time. Some people swear by last-minute shopping, but as a business, you can’t depend on this philosophy for success.
Once you’ve nailed down the promo materials you are going to make and who you are going to send them to, employ lettershop services for holiday-themed promo material; consider orange flyers for Halloween and Santa-themed or religion-based graphics for Christmas. Large catalogs are also good, although you might wish to offer both electronic and paper formats. There’s no such thing as planning too much, but creating your promo material well in advance is key and should be made a priority.
Once the business stuff is over, you can have some fun. Check your warehousing and distribution networks to see what gifts you might be able to offer clients as either order bonuses or simply to show appreciation for their patronage. Offer special services to clients that make high volume orders, such as product assembly, as another means of thanking them. You could even augment your web site material a bit with holiday-themed new colors or designs to help ring in the season and generate more interest in your business.
Incorporating aspects of the holidays into your product fulfillment work is always a great idea, as it can be enjoyable and boost your business. Customers like it, too, and they’ll appreciate your enthusiasm and commitment to their shopping needs.
Need solutions to your product fulfillment problems? Advanced Product Solutions has the knowledge and services to make your direct mail and product fulfillment ventures more successful. Contact Advanced Product Solutions by e-mail at [email protected], visit their web site at www.apsfulfillment.com, or phone at (954) 582-7450.
It’s not uncommon for a major company to try and predict what products will be successful, with everyone from beverage companies to music executives going to great lengths to see if they can figure out what the public will like next. They rarely get results, and when they do, the success is often fleeting.
Being in business means gambling; you have to be willing to stick your neck out and try new things to see what works. And if you work hard enough, you may begin to understand what clients might enjoy.
There’s the left vs. right brain debate; there are those who take the arts and humanities route while others do math, sciences, or trades; there are the people who go out of their way to break policy and those who actually function well within it.
When all is said and done, working at any job is a bit of a high-wire act between conforming to certain ideals and trying to incorporate one’s own ideals, effectively breaking certain conventions.
There is a term often applied to entertainers and performers if they followed particular career path. These people might have been obscure, had a small but loyal fanbase, and scraped by just to eat and keep a roof over their heads, but they were eventually recognized as being talented and were paid big money to have their creative skills used in commercials, endorsements, and more. They finally had money in their pockets, but their fans were angry at their decision to become more commercial.
The publishing world appears to be getting a little more technical—or rather, technological. There seems to be a shift from the old printing services we’ve grown accustomed to since days gone by to electronic print media. Now, we’ve got pop-up ads online and e-books with complete novels that are easier to carry in your back pocket than a paperback. It seems like the microprocessors have conquered another landscape, and the printing business is its new terrain.
Six Insider Secrets to Save Time and Money
with Your Product Fulfillment
We'll e-mail you our Free Special Report and keep you posted on how APS can help you save time and money with your product fulfillment with our free e-letter, Fulfillment Best Practices, sent to your inbox regularly.
You can opt-out any time. Privacy Policy
