Start a Promotional Products Company
Promotional products or advertising specialty companies usually sell items in quantity to business owners and corporations. Examples of promotional products include key chains, T-shirts, calendars and pens, according to Entrepreneur.com. Your job as a promotional products company owner is to get businesses to advertise their logos or company names on various products. Sell a large variety of promotional products because your clients will have a variety of product requests. Select items that are frequently used or would likely make an appropriate gift at a business convention. Advertising specialty companies often give promotional items to employees who attend conventions.
Instructions
1. Register your business name as a DBA (doing business as), according to Business.gov. Obtain your DBA through your local county administration office. Purchase a vendor's license so you can collect sales taxes from in-state customers.
2. Find a promotional products wholesaler for your company. Read through business opportunity magazines such as "Home Business" or "Small Business Opportunities." Reference the ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) at Asicentral.com. Ask your ASI representative to send you a list of promotional products distributors.
3. Call several of the promotional products wholesalers. Find a company that will ship products out for you so you can focus on selling. Choose the promotional products wholesaler that offers the services you need at the lowest costs.
4. Contact companies and small businesses like restaurants in your local area. Set up appointments with businesses so you can show business owners and managers the products that you offer.
5. Take product samples, a catalog and price list to each appointment. Get the business owner or manager to order promotional items through you. Leave a brochure and business card if you do not make an immediate sale.
6. Advertise your promotional products business in various business trade publications. Place small classified or display ads that include your contact information. Mail copies of your sales letter and brochure to people who call you.
7. Attend business trade shows in your city or nearby. Join professional associations like the American Marketing Association. Start networking with other business owners or executives. Build up a list of potential customers, then hand them your business card.
8. Fill out the paperwork for you promotional products supplier when customers order products. Submit the orders along with your payment. Send a shipping label with your customers address typed on it.
9. Maintain a database of promotional products customers. Contact your customers every month or two and pitch them on new promotional products. Expand your business business on both a local and national level.
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