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Home » Blog » Take it to the next level! 5 Tips to grow your sales.

Take it to the next level! 5 Tips to grow your sales.

Posted Jul 20, 2012 in Printing Services with (1) Comments

1. Get Your Name Out There! 


Market your business in your community. Sponsor local events and youth sports teams. Place ads in community newspapers, neighborhood flyers, high school sports programs — any targeted, inexpensive opportunity will do. Consider the markets that could use wholesale printing. Local companies with sales kits will need business cards, stationery, sell sheets, brochures, newsletters, etc. Local franchise stores need posters and flyers. Restaurants, clubs and salons need club cards and rack cards to advertise and list their menu of services. Go door-to-door with printed samples promoting your business to see what printing needs they have. Don’t be afraid of the size of the company. Many larger companies or franchises love to go local. The more people that know your business, the more the word can spread!

2. Get It On The Web 


Make sure you promote your new print products and services on your website. Your customers will shop online and having an online storefront will give them the chance to compare your products and services keeping you at the top of their consideration list. (If you don't have a website, there are many low-cost options available for small businesses to get up and running quickly.) And make sure to include an email or online-form option for people to submit sales inquiries directly from your website — don’t just rely on them to pick up the phone or stop by.

3. Meet & Greet 


Networking is always important. Because there’s such a kinship among small business owners, it’s a great idea to join related small business groups in your area. You'll make good friends and find plenty of help. If there aren’t any small business groups near you, start one! But you should also look for larger opportunities such as print industry trade shows and other networking events on a regional and national level. For example, you might consider attending GraphExpo, Print Solutions Conference & Expo, Advantages Roadshow, and any of a number of AIGA events. You’ll gain inspiration from speakers and educational sessions, and learn new ideas and solutions for making your printing business more efficient. You’ll also make a slew of new industry contacts and meet potential new customers!

4. Join Forces

We’ll admit, this is not the most common way for you to grow sales. However, acquiring new customers by merging with or buying another printing business is becoming a growing trend in the printing industry. According to a Printing Brokerage in North America Survey, more than 95% of print resellers are one- or two-person home-based firms. Most of those are more than 55 years old and have no plan for what will happen to their customer base when they retire. Although fewer than 500 mergers of small resellers took place between 2000 and 2008, those who did more than tripled their average revenue and increased their profits by 20%. With those results, acquiring or merging with another established printing business could be a win-win for both firms.

5. Grow your customer value

It’s more cost effective to upsell existing customers than acquire new ones. If you are adding new print products and services to your already established business then it will pay to make sure your customers are aware of everything new you can offer them. Challenge your customers to extend their loyalty to you and try your new print services. You’re probably already familiar with your customer’s business card or other print marketing materials. If their business card is printed with flat ink or four color, show them how raised ink thermography or foil stamping could really make them stand out from the crowd. If your customer has a digital business, demonstrate how easy it is to make a print piece interactive with QR codes. Remember to always focus on your unique value to your customer when promoting your new services.

Share your best sales tactics in our comments below.

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