« January 2007 | Main | June 2007 »
Let us help you get that business by preparing you a virtual samples. Tell us a bit about your program / opportunity and we'll choose some items and accessories. If you have art - great, let us have it - but if not, we can pull from your client's site. For a virtual sample, low resolution art is fine.
Here are some examples - these are PDF's you can download.
PPB Full-page - April, May, June 2007
Need some extra help getting that appointment? Try our Door-Opener VIGNETTE.
I got the idea for this program one day when I was coaching a distributor on how to get that appointment with a new client. I suggested that he email his branded web-link (that will show the full GalleryBoard packaging line) -- but as we all know, so many times emails get caught in spam.
So I suggested he try the 'old-fashioned' way and send something remarkable to get the prospect's attention. My recommendation was that he order a VIGNETTE from our no-minimum group and have us print his client's logo -- and that was the birth of the Door-Opener Vignette program.
What is it? Item 40-60 R-3 Mini-Folio in Black Cord with a Square Vignette (art can be CMYK with bleed). Priced in column as a 1 color (this is a SoHo priced item)
Tip: This folio holds our mini catalogs perfectly. You can order these catalogs branded w/ your co name and tel#.
The Door-Opener Vignette can feature a logo - or multiple logos - and some copy. For example - you may want to feature your potential client's logo or yours along with some copy like " I'd like to Get to Know you Better" or maybe just do something simple like your company name or your name.
Here are a few ideas - and what works for one client may not work for another. Since there are no minimums - you can change it up for each new target.
Tip: If you want a Door-Opener VIGNETTE on some other packaging item - it's fine - choose from our no minimum selection or pick any other item. These items will be priced at column as a two color.
Your Mother was right - you should always send a thank-you note. And now, we can make this a great way to establish yourself as a promotional packaging expert (while earning your kudos for your etiquette).
Introducing the Thank-You vignette pack.
Item 40-60 R-3 mini-folio [7 x 5 x 1") sized perfectly to hold one of our catalogs (branded w/ your name of course)
+ square vignette with Thank-You graphic (we update this all the time - current is shown above)
+ shipper box so you can mail it easily to your client
The price for a set (folio + vignette + catalog + shipper) is SoHo item column pricing with a 2 color; click thru here to see pricing: 40-60 R-3
Tip: If you want a Thank-You VIGNETTE on some other packaging item - it's fine - choose from our no minimum selection or pick any other item. These items will be priced at column as a two color (like standard VIGNETTEs).
A truly easy way to close a packaging order is to present your client a 'Gift-Set' program. Each time you run an order for a promotional item - show your client how to package that item to make it truly stand-out & increase it's perceived value with its recipient.
Here's how to do this in 4-steps -
Tip: Foam-inserts are your friends -- they make every gift set look special and they are easy, easy, easy. You don't need to do much -- just send us the items - we'll figure out the best way arrange and the best box. Here is a more detailed overview of foam-inserts.
Examples of Virtual Sample images with foam-inserts --
At the PPAI Expo we introduced a new style of decoration called VIGNETTE. This is a way to get high-resolution, CMYK art with no minimums and no setups and at the same column price you pay for two-color screen. Oh, and VIGNETTE ships within 2-3 business days (so you can get that " last minute, I forgot to order a binder / folder business " instead of watching your client drive to Office Depot and buy a plastic binder).
Wow -- pretty cool, huh?
We thought so - but the reaction has been even more overwhelmingly positive than we expected. In the first 30-days of the VIGNETTE introduction here is how the distributors are using it to get new - incremental - quick-turn business!
BD&A saw the VIGNETTE samples at the Expo - and while at the show, placed an order for client Microsoft. This order shipped before the show ended.
Canary Marketing also scored a last-minute sale with client Google. Seeing a pattern here? anyone recognize this folks? BP..Microsoft...Google -- hey, if they like it -- won't YOUR clients? Here's some feedback from Kat at Canary on the Google program.
Tip: here is a photo album of more VIGNETTE programs.
Red Letter Promotions - Joe Spano
Joe Spano and his company Red Letter Promotions sell a lot of packaging! Here's how he does it --
Joe identified a specific niche of end-users (Real-Estate), identified specific packaging items that are appropriate for that niche, presents the items with a setup price that includes a one color screen and a business card sleeve, keeps constant communication with that niche using drop-ship samples, emails w/ photos and phone calls.
Joe always actively uses our submit-a-lead and referral programs so that we know who he is communicating to and can make sure we refer those enduser inquiries to him.
Joe features only select packaging items in his presentations to his Real-Estate clients. He chose these by talking with estate-agents and identifying the styles of packaging they most need.
Tip: what he's done is 'narrow' the offering to be specific for his market; AND he makes it easy by presenting the items priced to include a 1 color screen PMS and an accessory. Although his clients can always add bells & whistles like more colors or accessories -- he makes it easy for them to buy an item hand-picked to be useful for their industry (and they don't have to become packaging experts).
Joe gets packaging in front of his target clients using our Virtual Sample program and by sending actual physical samples. The Virtual Samples he can send via email and this is a great way to get the appointment to show the physical sample. Getting a Virtual Sample presentation is easy - you give us some art (or tell us to pull from your client's website - low res is ok for this type of presentation) and give us an idea of what type of program you want to present. You don't have to choose specific items -- just tell us what will go inside, or the type of client - and we'll figure out the rest. Here are some examples of Virtual Sample presentations prepared recently for distributors -- Download NeatReceiptsBlueStar.pdf Download texas_instructments_focalimpact_gb.pdf
Tip: Get started with your own virtual sample by emailing Customer Service or take our 24-Hour Challenge or uploading art.
To get physical samples to his nation-wide clients Joe uses our drop-ship program which is blind & includes a card identifying him as the requestor; (See below)
Tip:we will foot the bill for fedex ground freight for your samples and/or drop-ship samples)
Here are some examples of recent orders Joe has won for Real-Estate clients --
Binders (our styles 50-51-5 and 50-51-1) with pockets & snap closure
Sales & Press Kits (our style 40-21 R-3 and 40-22 R-4)
Elizabeth Kosich from Centurion Marketing ordered sales kits with a VIGNETTE decoration featuring her co's logo and HER NAME to use as a 'door opener'.
Because she chose a non-minimum item, she ordered just what she needed (that way if she feels like changing art later, she won't have to work through boxes of items).
Here's her feedback -
Hi Allison, I received the mini portfolios yesterday, they look fantastic. Veronica was so great to work with, thanks again.
All best, Elizabeth
Some more input on the free self-promo program - if you haven't ordered yours yet -- read about it here and get your order in!
I left you a voicemail.....they look fabulous!!!!! Thank you so much, and our link is fantastic!!!! We're so excited to partner with The Platform Group Gallery.
Our most sincere thanks, Carol and CPI Team
Carol is also using her CPI branded galleryboard packaging web-site to present to clients. And why not? The site is client-safe, allows your clients to shop for samples & is easy to get in their hands - just email them the link!
Hi - I'm Allison Gower, one of the founders & President of The Platform Group Gallery (asi 78708 / ppai 216134). Visit our robust catalog site here.
I and the rest of our team would like to extend a hearty welcome! to you (especially readers of Rosalie Marcus' PromoBiz blog)-- we look forward to introducing you to our line of spectacular promotional packaging and our stupendous distributor support tools.
Before I forget -- did you know that our packaging is environmentally friendly? Always has been - always will be! We love EARTH.
Many of you have already requested branded catalogs, branded web-sites, samples, joined the referral program or mailing list, or inquired about our free self-promotion program. And if you have - you've started receiving emails / phone calls from me & the Customer Service team.
For those of you though who'd like an overview of who we are and what we offer -- this post is for you!
First things first...we are an exclusive advertising specialty supplier and have been listed with ASI and PPAI since 1998. We advertise to YOU in industry publications like Corporate Logo, PPAI's Navigator and New Product directories, PPB and many others. We advertiser for YOU in google and other search engines so that we can generate leads of qualified (wanting to buy now) endusers (the banner above is an example of what you might see on google's ad network). Here's the important part -- whenever (and this means always) we receive an enduser inquiry, we pass that lead onto participating referral distributor. This means free leads (and qualified ones too). If you want to be on our referral list -- join it - it's free and we'd love to have you. [if you wonder how well it works - ask Joe Spano of Red Letter, or Sandra Kaip of Brand Image or Andi Vopalensky of Theresa Roberts or read these testimonials]
We make a full-line of promotional packaging - what's that you ask? Think gift boxes, media kits, mailers, binders and disc storage. Why do you or your customers need promotional packaging? Well, lots of reasons -- think of those gorgeous corporate gifts you sourced for them -- shouldn't they go to the recipient in a beautiful gift box complete with their logo & perhaps a nice custom-foam insert to hold and display the items? Or should it go in the OEM corrugate box? Easy choice. Browse some of our case histories and you'll get the idea. By the way - we tend to show the 'big guys' in the case studies - but little guys like looking good too. Lots and lots of our packaging goes to local / regional professionals; the same ones that you service everyday for promotional items.
Our full-line fits into three main price categories - I named them SoHo, TriBeCa and Manattan (b/c I think those are catchier names than small / med / large & because although I live in Houston, TX now, I hail from Philadelphia and miss the days when I could pop into NYC for a show and a good shop). To find pricing (and all on the site is P-coded) - you find the item you like, then add printing. Click on the item to get a large photo with pricing and color availability information. Here, try it on one of our best sellers - the 40-21 Snap folder.
We offer four types of decoration -
We do lots of cool stuff like always give you a firm freight quote (so there are no surprises when you get the invoice), provide firm ship dates (and lots of times beat them) and give you trk no's immediately...stuff that makes it easier for you to keep your client happy.
AND - we offer some great tools. Here are the highlights. Read through them - or just email CustomerService@theplatformgroupgallery.com with a request or question or ring us at 888-880-4790
