Did you know that major corporations and government organizations are actively seeking women-owned businesses as their vendors? They have entire entire diversity departments set up to scout for companies that have obtained WBE (Women Business Enterprise) status.   

Perhaps you’re a woman business owner or independent contractor in the promotional products industry who has considered getting WBE certification for your business but were not sure if you qualified. Or, maybe you looked into the process but felt it was too time consuming and overwhelming.

I can tell you from actual experience in my own promotional products business that getting WBE certification was one of the smartest things I ever did. It took months to obtain the status,  and much time and documentation,  but my business revenues dramatically increased the years after I obtained my WBE status.

Want to learn how you can qualify and start dramatically increasing your sales?

Contact me anytime at Rosalie@promobizwoman.com or 877-570-6766. 

By Rosalie Marcus,

Click below for handout for Find Your Perfect Niche Now: 

http://www.promobizwoman.com/NicheMarketing.pdf

Many years ago, when I first start selling promotional products I thought everyone was a good prospect for me, but it wasn’t until I concentrated on a niche market that my business quickly doubled and became one of the fastest growing companies in my region.

As a business coach, my niche is working with promotional products distributor owners and sales representatives. I teach them proven strategies to get more business, choice clients and make more money. I encourage the people I coach to develop one or more of their own niche markets and focus their energies there for maximum profitability.

     Here are 5 ways to define your promotional products niche market:

• The industries you serve ( health-care,  education, etc.)
• The products you most enjoy selling ( apparel, writing instruments, etc.)
• The problems you solve ( fast service, fulfillment etc.)
• The programs you market ( safety, motivation etc.)
• The demographic you target ( seniors, teens etc.)

You can sell outside of your niche market, this is just where you will concentrate the majority of your marketing efforts.

Once you’ve decided on a niche, learn as much as possible about it by visiting related web sites, subscribing to magazines and joining organizations. The idea is to be as visible as possible in your niche.

Posted by Rosalie Marcus, Rosalie@promobizwoman.com

Need some help convincing your prospects and clients that now is the right time to promote their products and services? 

Here are some new marketing tools that fit the bill:  

New end user marketing tools were  posted by Don Mennig,  Executive Director, Marketing at ASI. These prove the excellent ROI, (return on investment) of using promotional products. These would make a great addition to any mailing you may do. You could also post a download of these at your web site. Check the tools out at the following link:    http://cdn.asicentral.com/MKTGemails/MarketingMicrosite/

Another excellent marketing tool is this “white paper”  posted in the PPAI newsletter: Why Incentive Programs Endure Recessions. http://www.incentivecentral.org/pdf/why_incentive_programs_endure_recessions.pdf

If that’s not enough material , here is a third study by Harvard Business School on: Marketing Your Way Through a Recession. http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5878.html

I’d love to hear what you think about these marketing tools and how you plan to use them. You can post a comment below.

Below is a video clip I did at the ASI Show in Dallas. It’s an excerpt from a class I taught on The 8 Biggest Mistakes Promotional Products Professionals and How to Avoid Them. ( Since I made many mistakes in my own distributorship. I felt uniquely qualified to teach this class!)

Click below to see the interview. Let me know what you think.
Dallas Interview

By Rosalie Marcus  http://www.promobizwoman.com

Rosalie@promobizwoman.com

No doubt about it, we’re in a recession and what some are calling a “new economy.”  

As a sales professional what can you do to stay positive, selling and in action? Click on the link below to download 10 + Specific Actions to stimulate your sales, regardless of economic conditions.  

 http://www.promobizwoman.com/2009%20Sales%20Boost.pdf

Here’s to your success

Rosalie Marcus

Rosalie Marcus, teaches motivated women in the promotional products industry how to get more sales, better clients and a higher income. Reach her at Rosalie@promobizwoman.com or 877-570-6766. Get a free Promo Biz Woman Success Kit with 8 great sales tips at  http://www.promobizwoman.com

Posted by: Rosalie Marcus, Rosalie@promobizwoman.com

I’m working on  new products and classes for 2009. Your help is needed. What’s your biggest promotional products business challenge? If I could solve one problem for you  what would it be? I look forward to ALL your ideas and insights. 

 Please leave your reply below.    

By Rosalie Marcus   Rosalie@promobizwoman.com

Are you ready to learn new ideas and strategies to boost your sales regardless of economic conditions? Learn how to diversify your product offerings and add ‘brand name” incentives to your product mix in 2009. Open the door to new sales with some of the biggest brand names in retail.

Join my guest expert, and me, on Thursday, Dec 18th.

Time: 2:00 ET, 1:00 CT, 12 Noon Mountain, 11:00 Pacific. 

This call will be recorded, register even if you can’t make the live call, you’ll get an MP3 audio to keep and listen to 24/7, plus a bonus free gift.   

 How to Add “Brand Name” Incentives and Boost Your Sales in 2009

You’ll get the answer to these questions and more on the call:

• Why would I get involved in incentives if I’m not already?
• How do I get started? What’s the first step?
• Incentives programs seem very complicated, where can I get some help?
• Branded products and suppliers seem difficult to work with…Can you give me some pointers on how to get what I want from the brands?
• What are the best web sites to help me get started?

Go here to join our group of smart, savvy women,  attend the class on How To Open The Door To New Sales With Incentives,  get an MP3 audio of the call, plus get a free bonus audio (How to Organize With Confidence) and get on the road to working smarter and making more money in 2009!  

Join today!  Don’t delay enrollment is limited and this call is Thursday.  

Questions? Contact me at Rosalie@promobizwoman.com or 877-570-6766.  

By Rosalie Marcus

Rosalie@promobizwoman.com 

No doubt about it, 2008 has been a challenging year. Lots of uncertainty and things changing at record speed. Regardless of the economic turn down, there are steps you can take today to insure 2009 will be a better year.

Now is the time to work ON your promotional products business Personally, I’m working with my business coach  (yes, coaches have coaches) on my plans and strategies for next year. It’s been a real eye opening process. I am excited about the possibilities and all the new ideas I want to incorporate into my business.  

Ready to get started planning your promotional products business success? Spend some time before the end of this year answering these questions and your business is certain to be more successful in 2009.   

1. Where are you now in terms of gross revenues and profit margins? 

2. Where would you like to be in 6 months and one year from now?

3. Who are your most profitable, ideal clients?

4. What can you do to get more business from your ideal clients?

5. Which promotional products sales generated the highest profits?

6. Which marketing strategies were the most successful?  

7. Who are your top 10 preferred suppliers?

8.  What rebates or preferred pricing do your top suppliers offer you? 

9.  What’s working well in your business that you need to do more?

10. What’s not working that you need to stop doing?   

Feeling stuck trying to answer some of these questions? You are not alone! Ready to take your promotional products business to the next level in 2009? 

The Women Working Smarter Success Circle will give you the answers you need to prosper in any economy. Don’t go it alone. Get ongoing support and great promotional products business tips from industry experts every month. Click here to get all the details and get a one month trial membership for less than the cost of a sandwich.

Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach,specializes in helping women in promotional products sales get more sales, a higher income and have more fun and freedom in their businesses. Get a free Promo Biz Woman Success Kit with business tips and supplier savings at http://www.promobizwoman.com 

Reach her at Rosalie@promobizwoman.com or 877-570-6766

By Rosalie Marcus, http://www.promobizwoman.com

You already know networking is one of the smartest ways to build your business. If you’re like most women in promotional products sales you’re already building sales through in-person networking. What about online social and professional networking sites? Are you using them to gain business and referrals?  

Online social networking sites can be a valuable marketing tool. You’ll instantly have a network of millions.  

Here are five smart reasons to test the waters:

1. You’ll boost your credibility and visibility. People do business with other people they know, like and trust. Having a presence on the web increases your visibility and credibility and can help build your promotional products sales and referrals.

2. You’ll be search-able on the web. These days everyone is using Google to check out the competition. You can control the profile you create on sites such as Linked-In, Facebook and Ning and what your most wanted clients read about you.

3. You’ll make valuable contacts and be able to form joint ventures and alliances. In tough economic times joint ventures and business alliances are a smart way to boost your promotional products sales.

4. You’ll attract business without having to leave your home or office. Increased gas prices are here to stay. Social and professional online networking lets you make valuable contacts that can lead to increased business without expensive transportation costs.

5. Clients and friends you’ve lost contact with will be able to easily find you. The web presents a global networking of millions of contacts. You’ll make connections with people from your past who may become valuable to building your sales.

 To suceed with social networking you need to be knowledgeable. Get started the right way by attending The Women Working Smarter Success Circle call on November 20th!  

Click here to attend this interactive call with special guest expert,  Allison Gower, from The Platform Group Gallery, and get started attracting more business, more credibility and more visibility.

Allison is a social networking wiz and one of the most knowledgeable women in promotional products sales. You’ll learn what works and how to start your online presence. Plus, you’ll get a very special discount from Allison’s company The Platform Group Gallery, that you won’t find anywhere else. Register for the call here.

PS I’d love to connect with you on Facebook. Click on the link to view my profile and join my network of friends.

Have you tried social networking? What are your favorite sites ? Your comments are welcome.