call up the company you would like to do business with, explain what you do and ask for the person responsible for buying in that department. If she or he passes you through, ask if you may visit and show them what you can do to save them money. It has worked for me. Prepare for them to say they are happy with their existing suppliers, or send me some information on your company. At this point ask them if they mind you drop off the information to them personally to put a face to a name.
Keep in touch with the client via phone and email. Monitor the timing of when they order throughout the year. More than anything make it as easy as possible for the client to place and receive their order.
While younger customers prefer online contact, older demographics respond very well to a more personal approach. "Up close and personal" puts them at their ease. Know your audience in order to best gauge your method.
For "new" perspective clients, that would be via a sales call in person. For existing customers, it would be via telephone, email, text or whatever the customer is most comfortable using, which would have already been destablished upon introduction.
The most effective tool depends on the recipient. Referrals are the most effective. Dimensional mail seems has been effective for me as well. The key is the message (not the medium). If all I do is ask to quote something, I've made myself a commodity.
If I can identify a problem that a prospective client is having, I will propose a solution to the problem. That places me in the role of consultant (which, after 30 years in the industry, I qualify as). It differentiates me from the vast majority of my competitors and brings a great deal more value to the prospective client.
Answers (11-20)
The best way for me is by phone or email.
Some customers by phone and some email and some mail
call up the company you would like to do business with, explain what you do and ask for the person responsible for buying in that department. If she or he passes you through, ask if you may visit and show them what you can do to save them money. It has worked for me. Prepare for them to say they are happy with their existing suppliers, or send me some information on your company. At this point ask them if they mind you drop off the information to them personally to put a face to a name.
Keep in touch with the client via phone and email. Monitor the timing of when they order throughout the year. More than anything make it as easy as possible for the client to place and receive their order.
My experience growing businesses has left me firmly believing nothing replaces 'word of mouth' when less than a Mega Corporation.
While younger customers prefer online contact, older demographics respond very well to a more personal approach. "Up close and personal" puts them at their ease. Know your audience in order to best gauge your method.
Personal phone call and delivering a job to them to be seen.
If I can identify a problem that a prospective client is having, I will propose a solution to the problem. That places me in the role of consultant (which, after 30 years in the industry, I qualify as). It differentiates me from the vast majority of my competitors and brings a great deal more value to the prospective client.
By phone or email, depending on what they need.