Consumer Sales Promotion – Doing it the Right Way

Sales promotion plays a vital role in promoting the products and its sales. As sales promotion is an activity directed towards the channel members as well as the end consumers. Each type of sales promotion has different types of activities involved like sales promotional tools that work good for wholesalers and distributors may not be appropriate for consumers. Similarly, sales promotion tools deployed for end consumers may be ineffective when employed against the wholesalers and retailers. Some of the most widely used ways to entice customers are discussed here:

1.Lucky draws
2.Free samples
3.Loyalty rewarding
4.Free product extras
5.Events invites
6.Discount coupons
7.Special price offers for limited periods
8.Trading opportunities
9.Consumer involvement in product design (lays chips)

1.Lucky draws
In this type of sales promotion the company usually asks the customers to send the empty packets or coupons of the product. The company then announces special prizes for the lucky ones out of draw. This scheme in the past has significant impact on the sales increase. This is one of the most costly methods of sales promotion but can have instant impact, provided the whole campaign has been handled well.

2.Free samples
This kind of technique is employed for either a new company and its new product or an existing company with a new product. At times the product’s packaging is changed. This also needs to be communicated to the customer. In this case small number of free samples is also given to the customers. Usually this method is used for two purposes. First is that customers should be able to identify the product. Second, the customer should use it without cost to know the utility he can derive from the use of that product. A company that persuades costumers through its products quality but due to lack of customer’s attention towards the specific product usually tries it to take advantage from this kind of promotion.

3.Loyalty rewarding
Under this method a company rewards customers for his regular purchase of the product or service offered. This technique not only helps to retain customers, but also making this realization to customer that company values his decision to purchase its products.


4.Free product extras
When the competition amongst companies on certain products gets intense, they often struggle hard to get the attention of their customers. When the products of different companies usually provide the same utility, then customers start comparing their prices and quantities. Usually a company charging more money for smaller quantities has to readjust its quantities or give some extra quantity in same price.

5.Events invites
At times the companies want to see the direct reactions of the customers to their products. In this search, companies often try to organize events that involve competitions while consuming their products. Like a detergent maker might hold a competition amongst house wives for washing clothes or other fun relating activities like a paint competition among kids. It is not necessary that the company’s events directly relate to its product. The company however tries its best to establish a connection, so it can promote the use of its products.

6.Discount coupons
Discount coupons are also one of the most widely used methods by a company to promote its products. In this method the company sends discount coupons hidden in its boxes. The customer who gets the discount coupons is sure to get the benefit. So he will usually make the purchases at discounted rates. Companies at times give time limits attached to the coupon. By including this intended pun, the companies cleverly make the customers go for purchases within a specified time. This helps company boost its sales for a specified period of time.

7.Special price offers for limited periods
In this case the company’s target is to increase sales only for a specific period. The company offers products at discounted rates for limited time.

8.Trading opportunities
Some of the companies also offer a trade in for older products. There are hundred of examples on it. For example television makers have long used this technique. By this way the consumers are given some reimbursement on the new purchase made.

9.Consumer involvement in product design
There is another sales promotion method which is very unique and advance. This type of method has been in vogue for quite some time now. One of the major benefits of this method is that when the consumer is involved in making of a product, he then not only appreciates the product but also uses it. He considers it as a product of his own creativity.

Source:
UK Wholesalers

Tips for designing your business cards

Business card is one of the most inexpensive medium for marketing, but a very important one at that. You'd have exchanged business cards with many people, and from your personal experience you must be having an idea that a unique and well designed business card is more likely to stay in their wallets for long, and as long as a prospective customer has your business card, chances are that he/she will be calling you, whenever they are in need of a product or service you offer.

In order to secure its place in their wallets, your business card needs to stand out from the others, because even if your products or services are in cut above your competitors, your business card still needs to make an impact on its own. At times, a business card can lead to a new business deal or sale, all on its own. Question is how to design a business card, which may result in more sales inquiries and customer calls?

Be a little creative:
How do you make your business card stick out from the regular ones? Answer to this question is … “inventiveness”. If your business card is one of those run-of-the-mill types, with white background and some plain text printed, chances are that it will be thrown away just like them. To make someone hold your visiting card with them, for a longer period, you need to demonstrate some creativity. Be original and bring into play some unique designs, striking colors or employ any other idea that will compel them to retain it.

The information that must be there:
Sure enough, both yours and your business name, a brief introduction of your products/services, and last but not the least, your business address and contact details. If you prefer to be contacted by email, doesn’t mean you should not give out your phone number. One more thing, use your creative side more when choosing colors or designs instead of saving it to present the actual information. All the information and contact details should be unambiguously given.

How much to spend on a business card?
This will be determined by the size of your business and more importantly the impression you want to make. The cardstock, design and colors of your visiting card, says a lot about your professionalism and originality. Poor quality cardstock or wacky color selection is certainly going to hurt your professional reputation. However, you should not be spending too much, because the main idea of a business card is to hand it out to as many people as you can, but a costly one will make you think twice every time you are giving it away.

Source:
Wholesale Suppliers
Wholesale

Decorating your office - the right way

Office design and decoration plays an important role in the overall environment of the office, by the same token the overall environment plays an imperative role in the productivity of the company. Hence, a professional and pleasant looking office is as important as anything in your business success. Remember, you need to maintain a balance in all aspects when trying to decorate your office. For example, employer's comfort is vital but not to an extent that they start getting drowsy or lethargic in the working space. Similarly, it's good to try and make your office a fun place to be but it should not be giving an impression of some discothèque. Here are some important considerations for workplace setting and decoration.

'Light' Delights:
Surprisingly, light has been treated as an addendum when planning for your workplace. Whereas proper lighting at workplace is supposed to be your first priority, because that is where you spend most of your time. Bad lighting will harm your mental and physical health; in addition to this it may have a negative impact on your productivity. Excessive use of computers has made it so important that hiring some lighting expert is not a bad idea if you are not good with lighting standards or requirements. Ideal lighting arrangement should give your working space a feel of comfort and openness.

Comfortable Furniture:
Do some planning before going out to purchase your office furniture, so that you have a clear picture of the furniture that is fitting for your office space, this will save you from buying some needless fixtures. A chair or table that looks classy at furniture shop can turn out to be extremely inappropriate when placed in your office settings. Don't go for the looks, price or designs, comfort should be the main concern. You can go and talk to some sales person at furniture store, tell them your requirements and they'd show you the right piece of furniture.

Right colors for the Right mood:
Even before we had these research works, we knew that some colors have kind of soothing effect on our nerves; on the contrary some colors are quite stimulating. It means that using the right blend of colors, when painting your office walls can bring forth the right set of feelings in you and your staff. It's better to use different colors in different sections, like using neutral colors at workplace and cool colors at recreation room.

Source: Wholesale Furniture Supplies