Quick Tip: Track your Cold Calling

Most businesses at one time or another will have to make cold calls to drum up new prospective clients.  For some, it can be the single, most terrifying thing to do as it can be very intimidating to call people and pitch your product or service for fear of getting rejected or just encountering downright rude people.  But not to worry, we've all been there and know exactly what you're going through.  While some will never get "use to it" nor do they want to, there is one thing you can do to minimize uncomfortable situations when cold calling....keep track of your calls.  Make sure you keep track of who you have called and when and take excellent notes on what was discussed.  The last thing you want to do is repeatedly call the same business or person when they've adamantly shown no interest.  Doing this can quickly turn a cold call into a heated call.  Make sure your sales team is on the same page as to who's calling who and if a follow up is needed.  I can't tell you how many times we receive calls on a daily basis from vendors that want us to open an account with them.  The kicker is we already have an account with a lot of these companies which they would know if they kept better records of their cold calling efforts.  Cold calling is hard enough as it is....make it easier on yourself and take good notes just like we were taught in school.  Thoughts?

Quick Tip: Logo Colors

When designing your company or organization's logo, one of the more challenging decisions that will come up is, "what color combinations will work well together?"  Our quick tip today is to look to your favorite sports teams or colleges for inspiration.  The marketing powers that be at those organizations have already done the work for you.  If you're a Florida Gators fan, why not go with the BLUE and ORANGE?  Maybe you graduated from the University of Hawaii, then BLACK and GREEN it is!  As for our logo, I'm a HUGE Lakers fan but couldn't convince myself to go with a PURPLE and GOLD logo so I settled for BLACK and GOLD.  Hey, those are my high school's colors so I'm representing in some way. :)  So the next time you need to decide on a nice color combo, you'll know exactly where to look.  At the very least, you'll have a lovely background story as to how your logo came to fruition.  Already have a cool story about how you chose your organization's colors?  Feel free to share. 

Promotional Product of the Month: Zippered Portfolio with Calculator

What separates a person who knows exactly what they are supposed to do and where they are supposed to be from a person who's constantly doing 360s in the middle of the room?  A Portfolio of course!  Get organized or help your group get organized with this month's PPOM.  Have a trade show or conference coming up?  Why not arm your attendees with all their tools in one nifty zippered portfolio so nothing ever goes missing!  Notepad...CHECK, calculator...CHECK, pen loops...CHECK, extra pockets...CHECK and your company name for everyone to see...CHECK!

6408 Zippered Portfolio with Calculator

- Includes 30 Page 8 ½" x 11" Writing Pad
- Elastic Pen Loop, Card Holders, Mesh ID Holder And Calculator
- 3 Interior Pockets: One With A Zipper And One Is Expandable
- Outside Zipper For Security
- COLORS AVAILABLE: Black.
- IMPRINT COLORS: Standard Silk-Screen Colors
- APPROXIMATE SIZE: 10" W x 13 ¼" H

Normal Production Time:
10 Working Days

Product Size:
10" W x 13 ¼" H

Product Weight:
10 per carton @ 15 lbs.

Setup Fee: $35.00 per color

Min. order 20 pieces
$14.13 each 

*shipping cost not included

 

Quick Tip: Logo Design - Ask for Vector...

No, Vector is not a person, it's a type of file.  One of the most exciting things about starting your own business, aside from being able to make your own hours and having celebrities knocking on your door (just kidding) is seeing your company logo on things like shirts, signage, letterhead, stickers, pens, calendars, cars, etc.  Somehow, seeing your logo on real tangible items makes the dream more real.  If you've already started your business or are thinking about starting one up, you'll eventually need to have a logo created so that you can create a recognized brand and stand out amongst your competitors.  Whether you decide to design it yourself or hire a graphic designer, make sure to design or ask for your logo in a vector format (eps, ai).  Vector files are most commonly created in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw.  A vector file creates the image in shapes and curves so that the image can be resized without distorting the image.  This will allow you to use your logo for something as small as a pen to a full car wrap.  Files created in photoshop are raster files (bmp, jpg, png) and are created with pixels.  This is terrific for pictures as every pixel can be a different color but when you try to resize it for different applications, the image will become pixelated or blurry.  I'm big on metaphors so think of a vector file as a swiss army knife that is so versatile that you can use it for almost any application whereas a raster file is that plastic knife from McDonald's that is only good for spreading jam and butter on your morning breakfast.  Lastly, a vector file must be created in a vector-based program such as Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw.  Just like me calling my home charming doesn't make it bigger, simply saving a jpeg as an eps or renaming the file does NOT make it a vector file.  Ask for vector, you'll thank me for it later.  ;)

Source: www.eznetu.com

Quick Tip: Size DOES Matter!

Small text and details are the most difficult thing to deal with when it comes to embroidery.  We can embroider almost anything however there are some limitations.  I know that often times you want to say as much as possible but sometimes less is more.  Some people will want to put a whole paragraph worth of words in a small left chest design and that just isn't possible.  It takes two needle penetrations to make one stitch so size does indeed matter.  The easiest way to tell if the amount of text you want can be embroidered in the space you want, is to try writing it with a crayon.  If you can accomplish it with a crayon, chances are it can be embroidered. 

Quick Tip: Tone-on-tone Embroidery

To be seen, or not to be seen, that is the question.  A lot of times, customers will say, "my logo is blue so I want to purchase blue shirts."  That's not a problem if you want to do tone on tone embroidery which is matching the the thread color closely to the fabric color.  However, if this is not your intention, choose a contrasting color for your garments.  This little tip will help you tremendously in maintaining the desired color of your logo.  :)

Product of the Month: Customized Microwavable Popcorn

Did your staff have a phenomenal quarter?  Or did they all stay overtime to complete a project?  Why not reward them with a movie night w/ popcorn and all!  Pop in an all time favorite like Office Space and pass out these customized microwavable popcorn bags to your whole staff!  Nom, nom, nom!

Customized Microwavable Popcorn 9474

Filled with gourmet butter flavored popcorn. • U.S.A. grown, processed and packaged fresh.
• Bag features graphics designed by you!
• Product color: White or Kraft (brown). If bag color is not stated on order, a white bag will be used. Please note: the gray susceptor plate, which transmits the heat to pop the popcorn, may affect the overall appearance of your artwork.
• Standard imprint color: Black, blue 072, brown 464, green 347, orange 021, pantone blue, pantone green, pantone purple, pantone violet, pantone yellow, red 032, red 185, reflex blue, rubine red, warm red or yellow 109.
• Imprint area: 5"w x 9−1/4"h overall; when designing your bag we recommend using our template which can be downloaded by clicking the link below or obtained by contacting the factory.
• Packaging: Individually wrapped and bulk packed 100 bags/case.
• Product weight: 27 lbs/100
• Over/under runs: maximum/minimum of 10 percent.
• Shelf life: One (1) year; must be stored in dry, cool conditions.
• FOB: Indiana; No C.O.D. shipments; UPS service only. 

Setup Fee: $35.00 per color

Min. order 300 pieces
$1.40 each 

*shipping cost not included

Product of the Month: Bag Recycler

Many cities such as Seattle have banned bags that are being defined as "single-use" bags that we are accustomed to getting from the grocery store.  I don't know about you but I don't see these bags as "single-use" at all.  People reuse them as trash can liners, to pick up dog poo, to bag clothes to be donated and a zillion other ways.  Going green is great and I have nothing against the ever popular reusable woven bags but for those of us living in cities that still allow these "single-use" bags, we can continue to contribute to protecting the environment by using these bags multiple times.  Lucky for you, there's this nifty Bag Recycler that you can embellish with your company logo and distribute to your best clients.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

45829 Bag Recycler

Compact bag stores all your plastic grocery bags.

Made from 100% cotton Top handle slides over most door knobs for use Shopping bag saver / organizer Remove bags from bottom slit for re-use

Materials: Natural Canvas

Product Size: 6"w x 17-1/2"h

Product Colors: Natural

Price Includes: 1-color, 1 location imprint

Standard Imprint Method(s): Screen Print: Front, 4"w x 6"h, 3 color(s) max

Production Time: 5 Business Days

Setup: $50.00 per color

Min. order 72 pieces
$4.82 each 

*shipping cost not included

Product of the Month: 3-month View Desk Pad

Welcome to 2012!  It's a new year so what would make a better gift than a calendar?  A desk top calendar that your best Clients will have on their desk for the whole year!  Of course, I could've made this December's Product of the Month but it was so busy during the holidays that I didn't post a blog last month!  Shhhh...don't tell the boss.  So start off the year right and order these today!

8820 3-Month View Desk Pad

This lightweight, affordable, 4-sheet desk pad is a convenient size with a ruler at the bottom of each sheet for quick reference. Top markets include financial, retail, manufacturing
2013 Calendar 3-Months at a view 4 sheet plus backer
Product Size: 17"w x 10"h
Price Includes: 1-standard imprint color, 1-location
Standard Imprint Method(s): Offset: Bottom of Calendar, 16"w x 1"h, 4 color(s) max
Production Time: 10 Business Days

Min. order 150 pieces
$2.66 each 

*shipping cost not included

November's Promotional Product of the Month: Metallic Luggage Tag

The holiday season is in full effect now so you know what that means...HOLIDAY TRAVEL!  Make sure your employees or best clients have something functional and something that they can use over and over on their travels.  You could give them some cheap and disposable item but why do that when you can deck out their luggage out with these AWESOME metallic luggage tags!  They come in three pow-wow, yeah that's definitely my bag colors to make finding their luggage that much easier.  And don't forget, you can print your business name on it as well so that they'll always remember who gave them that pimped out gift.

45722 Metallic Luggage Tag

This bright, metallic tag makes your logo pop!
Metallic colors make your company's logo (and luggage) stand out in the crowd Cardboard I.D. insert included
Materials: Metal and ABS
Product Size: 3-5/8"w x 1-3/4"h x 1/8"d
Product Colors: Blue, Green, Silver
Price Includes: 1-color imprint, 1 location
Standard Imprint Method(s): Pad Print: Front, 2"w x 3/4"h, 3 color(s) max Setup charge: $50 per color  Min. order 50 pieces $5.41 each *shipping cost not included
Production Time: 5 Business Days