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A Tristan Communications Ltd. Publication
Consistency and Customer Service Separate B.C.-Based Distributor From Local Competition
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n the promotional products industry, loyalty among clients isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t guaranteed. After all, if a customer is looking to place a relatively standard orderâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; like for pens, bags, or T-shirts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they know full well that they could just as easily go to the shop down the street as they could with you. Oftentimes, what separates your business from getting an order over your competitors can be consistency, reliability and the customer service that you are capable of providing on a daily basis. For Terrace B.C.-based Silvertip Promotions and Signs, the mandate of delivering top-notch customer service, professional advice and consistent quality work is what has helped make them the largest promotional distributor west of Prince George, B.C. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get some clients that come to us for an order and then for their next order they go to one of our competitors,â&#x20AC;? says owner Janice Shaben, who notes that these same clients usually end up coming back for the service, quality and experience they consistently provide. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That was one of my first goals when I came on board,â&#x20AC;? explains Shaben, referring to the mandate of growing the business. When Janice first joined Silvertip Promotions and Signs 8 years ago to help her husband Gord oversee the day-to-day, she admits that the company was relatively small. Gord originally started the business in 1985 & has been heard saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m 27 years into my overnight success.â&#x20AC;? However, once the promotional product division moved into its current street front location two years later, it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take long for the growth to follow. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would say that we accomplished (our growth objectives) by being consistent and always eager to help with friendly, expert advice,â&#x20AC;? she explains.
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Volume 19, Issue 5
Maximizing Custom Garment Sales at Events By Ted Stahl
If you had the chance to visit a county fair, festival, craft show, trade convention, sports tournament, race or any type of event recently, you probably said to yourself: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This would be a great place to sell custom garments. I should have a booth here next year.â&#x20AC;? Taking your heat press on the road is easier than you think. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not only a great way to profit from sales, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an excellent way to increase your visibility, build your brand, market your business and find new customers. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you maximize your custom garment ,][\WUQbI\QWV I\ M^MV\[ Q[ I U]KP [W]OP\ IN\MZ
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sales at events. SQL[ \ISQVO XIZ\ QV I 7M_ +ITIVKM \ZIKS IVL NQMTL
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FIND YOUR VENUE
If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t already found an event at which you would like to sell, there are a variety of resources online which will list just about every craft fair, festival, holiday gift show youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever heard about, and then some. You will be surprised at all the opportunities out there. In Canada, two sites where you could start your researching would be FestivalNet.com and Craft-Fairs.ca. .^MV\ -MKWZI\QWV ,WV\QV]ML WV 9IOM
Always Putting Customers First Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to note that Silvertipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth came at a time when most other companies in the area were struggling. Shaben explains that the economy in northwest B.C. has been depressed for a good number of years now; what was once a bustling area, Terrace B.C. witnessed its two largest saw mills close their doors
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WHAT'S INSIDE 8=3DBCAH =4FB
Get caught up on the latest industry news
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Mark Venit examines the criteria for selecting a name or renaming your company 6 <0G8<8I4 H>DA C8<4 0C CA034 B7>FB
Maximize your ROI of attending trade shows with some planning before, during and after industry events 12 8<?A8=C @ 0
Gunold Canada's Fran McAvity answers your embroidery questions in our Question & Answer series 16