Discuss the process of getting your t-shirt line into brick and mortar stores and selling offline. Topics include industry tradeshows, events, line sheets, sales reps and other retailing tips and advice.
But as a small business owner (non-apparel mind you), we'd get things from our suppliers all the time with special incentives. And often there are deals to win people over to different brands.
Hmmm, "one" is not that big of an incentive. It might come off as too small of an offering and cause the wrong "first impression" to it. Just a thought.
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Maybe "amateurish" would have been a better word choice.
"BUY X GET 1 FREE!!", "Spend over $X to receive this free tote bag!", etc. is a retail prospect; it's what the store says to the customers who come through their door. It's not really what you expect to hear as a peer business to business.
It's not unusual to have sliding scale prices, so effectively if they spend over $X they're getting Y free anyway. But to express it in retail marketing terms, instead of wholesale's clear B2B communication terms, just seems crass to me.
If I was on the receiving end of that message, I would read the subtext as "I think you are an easily manipulated fool." As a wholesale customer, I don't expect to be treated like a retail customer. You just don't market the same way to both.
You need to know your customers and decide for yourself - maybe it would go down well. All I'm saying is I'd never do it.
__________________ "Ah, Henny Penny," said Chicken Little, "the sky is falling, and I must go and tell the king."
ok, I see what you all are saying and I realized one thing I didn't clarify... and that is that the shirt would be handed to them right there. Not sure if it makes a difference. I DO see how one free shirt included in the order might be cheesy. And maybe it's cheesy the way I'm thinking about it, too... Will have to mull it over.
ok, I see what you all are saying and I realized one thing I didn't clarify... and that is that the shirt would be handed to them right there. Not sure if it makes a difference.
To me that's still lame, because many people hand out free samples without orders anyway.
Again, this is just how I'd do things - it's not an objective right and wrong. You might have a different experience.
__________________ "Ah, Henny Penny," said Chicken Little, "the sky is falling, and I must go and tell the king."
To me that's still lame, because many people hand out free samples without orders anyway.
True. I came home with nearly a week's supply of tee shirt from the show, all in 'my' size so I could try out decorating and then wear them myself, give them a good test run. I came home with that much, and most samples I refused. Yeah, that's what they actually were, samples - not incentives.
It'snotthatbad, I'm not sure of where you plan to do this, if it is at something that is similar to the trade show. Where you are it might be handled differently from the show. Good luck in your decision.
__________________ Please ask Q's in the threads as I may not see your PM. A many wonderful folk will be willing to help you. Apologies to those not answered, as I sign on sporadically these days. Thx 4 undrstnding. Have a great day.
True. I came home with nearly a week's supply of tee shirt from the show, all in 'my' size so I could try out decorating and then wear them myself, give them a good test run. I came home with that much, and most samples I refused. Yeah, that's what they actually were, samples - not incentives.
It'snotthatbad, I'm not sure of where you plan to do this, if it is at something that is similar to the trade show. Where you are it might be handled differently from the show. Good luck in your decision.
It's the Atlanta Gift Market. I'll come up with something else. I'm just spening a ton of money and I'm trying to avoid spending much more!!!
A good incentive would be to provide marketing materials such as posters and displays to prove to the customer you're interest in helping them make money.
A good incentive would be to provide marketing materials such as posters and displays to prove to the customer you're interest in helping them make money.
I agree with this. Retailers, in my view, want to make money. They may fall in love as well with your product, but if so, you probably don't have to give one away anyway. I think essentially, if they like your shirts and more importantly, if they think their customers will like your shirts, they'll buy. I also don't think a single free shirt will tip the scales too often.
As you can see, I'm a total newb here, but I know a few things about marketing as well as strategy. No need to weaken your position in my view. If you believe in your product, let that come across if you know you have a good product and it's just a matter of finding the right match.
Buyer's incentive at tradeshow?? 
