You will want to choose a promotional products consultant who understands the importance of merch and swag as a cost-effective way of advertising and reaching marketing goals.
Here are ten key factors to consider.
1. Promotional products industry knowledge
Your new consultant should demonstrate a solid understanding of promotional products and marketing. They will have a broad background as a professional who procures promotional products for a variety of promotions and events (e.g., trade shows, team building events, and special promotions).
2. Knowledge of your industry
Your consultant should ask detailed questions to learn about your industry. They should show a willingness to do research to round out their knowledge.
They should show that they’re interested in your business. They definitely aren’t simply an “order taker” referring you to product catalogs so they can quickly take your order and move on to the next customer. They show that they are concerned with your success and meeting your needs.
3. Learns about your target audience
The consultant asks the right questions to make sure they understand your target audience for the promotions you are planning. The target audience can include certain types of prospects, customers, employees, donors, students, or other stakeholders in your organization.
Your consultant will also ask about your marketing goals and how you want to use promotional items in your promotions to reach your target audience.
4. Stays current with product trends for different budgets
Your consultant keeps up with trends in promotional products. They can suggest popular products that are cost-effective, and that align with your brand and marketing goals.
5. Design and customization expertise
The consultant will have a solid background in product design and customized solutions for promotional products. They will likely have a portfolio of past design projects on their website.
They will point out that products with unique designs are more effective for marketing promotions than simply picking a product off-the-shelf and printing a logo on it.
Does your consultant get excited when talking about creating designs for your promotional products? You will definitely want a consultant who offers creative ideas and design solutions, and who makes the design process collaborative and fun for you.
6. Access to a broad range of quality products
A good promotional products consultant is also a distributor who works with several suppliers and reputable manufacturers to assure that the consultant can meet your diverse needs for promotional items.
They will demonstrate the ability to recommend quality promotional products. In many cases, they will have samples available to help you assess products and quality.
7. Fair pricing for products and custom design services
A good consultant is a savvy distributor and knows where to find the best prices for the products and quality you need. Their prices are competitive.
The consultant is able to provide creative design services at a reasonable cost that make your promotional products more effective.
8. Weighing overall value when choosing a consultant
While price is important, simply choosing the consultant with the lowest price may not be the best choice in the long run. When choosing a promotional products consultant, you will want to look at the overall value of the promotional products they offer (product quality plus unique custom designs).
9. Smooth production and delivery
You’ll want to be sure that your consultant 1) can handle your order volume, 2) can meet your deadlines and deliver your order on time, and 3) has a quality control process in place to assure that you get the quality you need.
10. Outstanding customer service
You will want a consultant who values customer service. They will be responsive and communicative. They will work closely with you throughout the promotional products procurement process—from concept to delivery.
The right promotional products consultant will help you choose popular and trendy promotional items that boost your brand, generate leads and sales, keep customers happy, and energize your events.
Michele Carbaugh is a promotional products consultant and distributor in the Southwest.
She will partner with you to produce popular and trendy merch and swag with custom designs that your customers will love and be eager to use for years to come.