Grizzly

Hi everyone

Thought I would share with you a LOCAL MARKETING idea that does 3 very important things!!
1. Market your products effectively and gives you almost instant work!!
2. Promote your business on a local level ....allows you to be SEEN!!
3. Helpful envolvement in your local community which gets you GREAT PR!!!!

Local Fund Raising Program.
Designed especially for schools....works wonderful for High School sports teams, clubs, and organizations.

What I have done is to create a program where by we will print samples....YES SAMPLES of apparel for a particular program...example: several kinds of apparel for a high school football team....with their graphic logo, catchy spirited phrases, etc.
They display these samples at their school, WITH/WITHOUT OUR COMPANY ORDER FORMS.....just depends on how you want to set this up....we find this quicker and cleaner to do it this way.
We pick up orders everyday...and deliver next day!! ( Honestly.....easy work!) The head of the organization you are working with is responsible for getting the apparel to the buyers!

NOW.....the beauty in this is the following:
A % of the sale can go to the organization....there by creating a fund raiser for them to earn monies for their program....God knows school really need this right now!
Selling point for them....THEY DONT PAY A DIME....meaning the organization you are working with does not pay any up front fees, or purchase out of pocket any stock!!!
YOU...get paid up front!!
YOU...also dont print any more than has been paid for!! NO OVERS!! NO WASTE!!

What happens is....once you have gotten IN...so to speak....other organizations within the school will want to work with you on apparel for their team, club, etc.

In time....you could be working with a football program, womens volleyball, school BAND, etc, etc.
It can become almost a year round account, providing you with some consistant work we all want ....and it so easy!

Side note.....every school district is different....some may not allow you to do this, unless first going thru the district first.
Most however.....do allow the head coaches, program leader, etc....to make independant decisions on their fund raising.

BINGO!!!!!!

This works well for other organizations as well...churches, non profit groups, clubs, etc!!


Design a flyer packet that describes the details and intent of your fund raiser program and drop them off to a high school in your area.....in fact...make enough copies that every teacher gets them in thier box!

You'll get a call ....

I wish you all luck and hopefully for those looking to market their business locally this will help!!


Kirk Smith
Grizzly Graphic Apparel

 

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Robin

This is an amazing idea Kirk!! Thank you very much for sharing it!

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Robin
www.buffalographix.com www.buffalographix.blogspot.com

 

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Grizzly

Your welcome Robin
I hope it may work for you....it really is easy to do.

 

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Grizzly

OH....one more thing...

MOBILE SETUP!! This program can lead to a MOBILE setup where YOU...if you can do this.....can attend a local football game....track meet, etc......and sell on location. ( Works great for heat press apparel)
I have a trailer set up with 2 presses, 2 printers, cutter, computer......and away we go!!!!!!!!!

Some school football games in certain geographic areas get a large attendance.....which can lead to a $2k-$3k evening if your prepared for it!!!!!

Just another thought.....to tickle your marketing stratagies!!

 

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Robin

Ive been thinking for a while about how to get into the schools. Anything Ive done before didnt work. This is very good!

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Robin
www.buffalographix.com www.buffalographix.blogspot.com

 

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knifemaker3

I've tried this in the past to get into some of the local schools. The problem in small town america is that whoever is buying the products will be hit by the local printer who has been in business for many years, usually is a member of the chamber of commerce, and most of the time is either on the school board, pto, or has family who is therefore making it very hard to crack the system.

I graduated from a certain high school in my area, have lived here all my life, and still can't get in because of the above mentioned system.

I would suggest you try and find out exactly who you need to talk to and set up an appointment with them instead of just dropping it in their mailbox at school. Also, maybe even set up a time to offer your services to the school board at one of their meetings. Some schools have a vendors list you can get on by contacting the super and filling out the appropriate forms.

The main thing ( and I keep telling myself this) is to keep trying. Don't give up. Just because they don't seem interested now doesn't mean they won't be later.

 

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Grizzly

Maybe I wasnt completely clear on WHO you talk to....not the school per say....but the teachers, coaches and leaders of organizations, clubs, teams, etc WITHIN the school....those are your targets to get around the red tape....whether that red tape is a district, principle, administrator.

Example....Head football coach for High School.....put in front of him....he doesnt have to do anything but delegate off to the team, or parents who can RUN the fund raiser......like any other fund raiser is done!!
District allows the coaches to choose APPROPRIATE ways of fund raising....this is certainly one that raises money for individual organizations...as well as promote them!!

Of course in isolated areas this may not work at your OLE HIGH SCHOOL....but for most.....it does, and its so so easy!!

 

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Robin

I cant tell you just how much I love this idea!!! I printed off your orginal post, so I can study and figure out how to do this for ourselves.

I may want to pick your brain about it later. (in the next couple weeks)

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Robin
www.buffalographix.com www.buffalographix.blogspot.com

 

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Grizzly

one more thing....IT DOESNT COST THE ORGANIZATION ONE PENNY!!!!
Once you do it for 1 club or team, others will folow as the year goes....
DID I SAY IT DOESNT COST A PENNY??? oh....I did.

That message gets across loud and clear.....it's a win win situation for all involved.

Do some districts have policies as to WHO vendors they work with....yes! This however is not for the District...it's for a singular program such as a schools football team, womens volleyball, chess club, or the scholl band.
Other fund raisers such as ESPN Magizines, other magizine subscription companies, cookie dough, cheesecakes......on and on.... are commonly used...INDEPENDENTLY by individual clubs, teams.....without any approvals needed by a district, or even principle.
I know this as I was a High School Track coach for years.......

Anyway.....it works well.....does alot for our local kids, schools who are hurting for money to fund their activities......and of course....it is profitable for you....and great PR!

 

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knifemaker3

Quote: Originally Posted by Grizzly Maybe I wasnt completely clear on WHO you talk to....not the school per say....but the teachers, coaches and leaders of organizations, clubs, teams, etc WITHIN the school....those are your targets to get around the red tape....whether that red tape is a district, principle, administrator. Example....Head football coach for High School.....put in front of him....he doesnt have to do anything but delegate off to the team, or parents who can RUN the fund raiser......like any other fund raiser is done!! District allows the coaches to choose APPROPRIATE ways of fund raising....this is certainly one that raises money for individual organizations...as well as promote them!! Of course in isolated areas this may not work at your OLE HIGH SCHOOL....but for most.....it does, and its so so easy!!

Kirk, I don't mean to come off as negative on your idea. And like you said, you need to know who to talk to. I was just relaying what has happened to me in my situation. That is why I stated to not give up. Keep trying 'cause you might just find the way to crack the bubble.

Sorry if I sounded negative or defensive, just letting others know 1 scenerio that I've had happen to me.

Thanks for the post by the way. I was just thinking the other day of new ways to try and get into schools.

Craig

 

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lgiglio1

I have been working with the schools since I started 2 years ago. I currently do this for the local middle school. They call it their spiritwear sale each year. I have them pick a design, make samples and they hang them in the school. They then take orders for a certain period of time and then I collect them, make the products and return them with their percentage check. It has worked great.

i also deal with the sports teams. Most coaches do this on their own and you only need to get in front of them and offer something. I also create all order forms and pick them up and sort the money and the order myself. Coaches have told me this takes a LOT of time off of their hands and hassle.

It is probably 90% of my business.

I love it!

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Lisa
Visual Creations

 

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Tee-flirts

Glad to hear this is working for you guys. Could I ask what sort of percentage to you give back - it obviously has to be attractive to the organisation but not so much to take all your profit.

 

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Grizzly

Robin:
just drop me a line.....happy to help you

 

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Grizzly

Mark:
I offer 25%.....realizing the prices can be set to still make a fair profit. Realize....this can produce a nice volume....and once done for one organization....others usually follow. This gives you a consistant amount of work the year long to compensate any down times....or fund any growth you may be wanting to accomplish.

The local "marketing" effect is tremendous as well....You can include promo materials that can lead your customers to your web site....ebay store.....or your business location....
A flyer/Add can be inserted with any sale.....

 

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txmxikn

Quote: Originally Posted by Grizzly Mark: I offer 25%..........

I am assuming that is 25% of the total sale not profit?

 

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