Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello Everyone,
I own a printing and graphic design studio. I`m mainly a print broker (the guy who can get you the best prices from the best printers) and graphic designer. By being a print broker I can process around 200-225 jobs a day - which would be serious money. My problem is getting the work. I have thought a great deal about it and I realize that I`m a one man team. I need SALES PEOPLE!. So, if you or anyone you know is interested in selling printing to medium to large sized companies, please contact me.

Also, how do you all get the majority of your work? You just started a business, you know your craft, but how will you let other people know about your craft.

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Christopher Milas
Milas Media
Printing. Graphic Design. Web Hosting.
www.MilasMedia.com
Sales@MilasMedia.com
Business Phone: 215-512-0555

Alot of cold calls my friend!


Jackede


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Jack Edelman The Promotions Department, Inc. 10301 NW 18th Manor Plantation, FL 33322 954-257-3644 fax 954-382-0049 http://www.distributorcentral.com/websites/the promotionsdepartmentinc sales@promotionsdept.us "Call The Promotions Department, they`ll take ca

Really,
How do you go about getting their business information? Internet, yellow pages? And when you do call - say a big organization, who do you ask for, The purchasing dept? or the owner?

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Christopher Milas
Milas Media
Printing. Graphic Design. Web Hosting.
www.MilasMedia.com
Sales@MilasMedia.com
Business Phone: 215-512-0555

Chris,

I research companies, find out what they do, see what they have done in the past, (printing), call either someone in purchasing or marketing, explain what you have to offer and set an appointment. Show samples of your work, prefereably something that is related to what they do. Sell yourself... the quality of your work, and live up to your promises or commitments. Tell them that you want them to try you out... the printing business is pretty competitive, so you really have to do what you say.

Does that help...?


jack



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Jack Edelman The Promotions Department, Inc. 10301 NW 18th Manor Plantation, FL 33322 954-257-3644 fax 954-382-0049 http://www.distributorcentral.com/websites/the promotionsdepartmentinc sales@promotionsdept.us "Call The Promotions Department, they`ll take ca

Hi Chris,

Look at some of the books out there. There is all kinds of information
about this subject. One of the members to this forum, Jeff Fisher has a
very good book out titled "The Savvy Designer`s Guide to Success".
Another one I`m currently reading is titled "Self-Promotion for the
Creative Person". There are many, many books. Some others in my
bookcase include:

The Business of Graphic Design - by Ed Gold
Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers - by Crawford & Bruck
Artist & Graphic Designers Market - by Mary Cox

Here are several design forums that have a wealth of information:

Forum at Graphics.com[/
URL">

Forum at HOW Magazine

Lastly, network, network, network!

Hi Chris,

Congratulations on your venture! If you are about negotiating the `lowest` prices I am sure you want to keep your advertising costs low also. So my suggestions are as follows:

(1) Article writing (let people know what print brokering is all about through short articles. I never heard of it until today)!  You can write something like How To Choose a Print Broker; Benefits of a Print Broker vs. Using a Traditional Printer, Cost Savings for Small Business Owners or even larger ones for that matter. Then submit your articles on a free article directory such as www.ezinearticles.com

(2) Write a monthly ezine, electronic newsletter, and make sure you mention it to everyone you meet so that they will sign up to get your info every month. It is a low cost, proactive and non-intrusive way to keep in contact with prospective and existing customers. Make sure you have a standardized format and include something like `Monthly Special` or 10% off first job or FREE Print Services Consultation; inc a relevant article from a major media source that talks about printing or something closely related to what you do or how your services could have benefitted a customer; then include a case study or testimonial about how you saved a business gazillion of dollars which is equivalent to one persons salary for the year. Provide info of value and your list will grow quickly!!!

(3) I see someone above mentioned cold calling.  I think it is good when it works, but I have not found it to be the best use of my time. You also have to be pretty hard core with a bit of resiliency for some of the people who are extremely rude or for people you constantly get voice mail from.  I don`t think anyone really likes being in that position, whether you are an owner or an employee.  Instead of cold calling, I built a self-marketing program from a book called "Get Clients Now, By CJ Hayden" highly recommend it!! and used it in conjunction with the book `Never Cold Call Again` by Frank Rumbauskas, Jr.

(4) Providing special reports and how to tips from my website homepage have also worked pretty well for me as far as `capturing` prospective customers and visitors info. For an example you can visit one of my sites here: smartphoneinstitute dot com Just look on the home page and you will see what I am talking and how I tie in the FREE report to what I am doing. NOTE: I know alot of these things entail writing and creating and if you are not into writing you can get people to develop this content for you for very aggressive pricing on guru.com

(5) For finding salespeople, that is a bit challenging dependent on expertise. You might want to look at a Kinkos or in a related field for someone that is looking for a different move.  also dependent on the type of salesperson you hire they may want to take a `higher payout` via commission only and  no salary (so what they earn is directly reflective of what they sale) so you should consider that as an option as well.

(6) Another thing to consider if you want to expand and get really outside the box, you can use an online virtual employee service such as guru dot come or elance dot come if you want to find employees all over the place. It really depends on if they physically need to be in the place where you are located or not. I suppose this depends on your business model.

At any rate, I hope that you will find at least one of these suggestions of value.

Good Luck.

Shonika

Thank you girlwiredin,
That is really good information. I have taking everyones advice and it has gotten me 12 new jobs this week. I have been going into businesses, not taking up too much of their time, handing them a postcard of mine, and I got 80% calling me back! I even got an order from a pizza shop for 50,000 menus! Market price is $8,000 but I told him 7,500 and he said sure, he`s paid way more before. I want to thank everyone who replied for their input - I owe you all. And if you ever need printing, let me know, I will give you the greatest deal you ever had. Good luck in your ventures.

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Christopher Milas
Milas Media
Printing. Graphic Design. Web Hosting.
www.MilasMedia.com
Sales@MilasMedia.com
Business Phone: 215-512-0555