Newbie to Sales - Want to start selling my products to wholesale accounts...

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Newbie to Sales - Want to start selling my products to wholesale accounts...

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willberich

posts: 8

Aug 12, 2008 3:45 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hi All:

I have a bath and body company that I am trying to get out there. I have finally come to realize that I am going to need to start working on the sales end of things. I did hire a sales rep firm for half the country (no sales yet, but they just started a couple of weeks ago), but I don`t have anyone for out here by me (NYC tri-state area). Anyway, anything I read about sales tips are for people who have been doing it for a while--i.e. how to improve your sales pitch. I have no idea where to even start--is step one showing up at the store and asking to speak to the owner, or calling, making an appointment?

I was hoping that someone could point me to some resources that could help a complete newby like me. If there is a place that I could hire a mentor, even better. I just need HELP!! Thanks much in advance.

willberich

posts: 8

Aug 12, 2008 9:26 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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That is my point, I don`t HAVE any clients yet!! lol!!

menappi

posts: 66

Aug 13, 2008 1:48 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I think that`s spam.. I think to be a salesmen you have to have a certain personality type. Maybe having the reps do that is better? I`m in the same boat as you. I sell my product online but ultimately want retail stores to carry it. Due to the nature of my item though, people are asking me if they can buy wholesale, so i guess I`m a little lucky there because i don`t have to go out and pitch it to people, although i am going to try to speed up the process. I think the best thing you can do to convince people to buy something is to just be confident in your product (maybe a little cocky) and not push them too hard....just an idea.

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1busymomma

posts: 4

Aug 14, 2008 12:24 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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What`s the difference from selling wholesale and retail. Someone educate me please!!

EmpowermentHR

posts: 28

Aug 14, 2008 4:24 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Will,

Welcome to one of the many hats you will be wearing as a business owner. As a new business we`d often love to stick with just running and growing the business but with little help or in many cases little funding we have to get down and dirty and start learning how to sell. After all, it is your business and in the beginning relying on others that may not be personally invested in the company may yield wasted time and disappointing results.

Start be developing a 30 and 60 second commercial. In a nutshell this is your verbal marketing piece that will tell someone or a vendor what you do and a little about your company. It can even be your intro in your phone call. The goal here is to Introduce yourself and your business and find out if there is even a need for a product or service like yours.

Once you have a plan ot 30-60 second commercial of your business and can confidentially speak about your company you should now sound more poised and professional when calling on wholesale accounts. After you present what you do then would be a good time to find out if it makes sense to continue talking or if you should just go away. This often lets down the guard of the person your talking to and allows them to either tell you bye, which you probably wouldn`t have gotten anywhere anyway, or they ask you to continue to learn more about your product.

Try it out and seee how it goes. Practice your commercial until you sound unscripted, confident and in control of your world and business. Have fun!

willberich

posts: 8

Aug 17, 2008 10:16 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Hey there 1busymoma - I learned the answer to that here on this website! Retail is selling your products directly to the endusers (For example, Sephora sells their stuff retail to individual customers), wholesale is when you sell your goods to another seller, i.e. when you sell your products wholesale to Sephora, who in turn sells it to individuals. There are typically different pricing structures, different taxing requirements involved, but that this the basic difference.

willberich

posts: 8

Aug 17, 2008 10:17 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Thanks so much empowerment, that is REALLY helpful.

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