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If you’ve been in business long enough, you know gaining new business is important to the growth of your company. In some industry’s new blood is the lifeblood of the business and without it, you die. If you want to reach your full potential in your venture, then you will need to have ongoing marketing strategies that will grow your business each year. A large number of Award Shop owners desire to develop corporate business and gain them as a regular account. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a nice repeat account with a corporation like, American Airlines or Wendy’s? Gaining these type of monthly accounts can increase your business and can also be used to secure other accounts as well. Consider this … you have an engraving business and you supply numerous products from plaques, trophies, badges, pens, etc … and you want to develop an account with your local McDonald’s. You may or may not know the owner, manager or anyone employed there on a personal basis at this time. However, when you do introduce yourself and your line of business, be prepared to hand the “decision maker” an impressive item. Not just a simple business card with your contact info, give them something that will cause them to remember you. Here’s the idea … Most people enjoy receiving something that has been personalized for them, something with their name on it. You as an engraver have all sorts of items you can engrave and present to the manager as gift, introducing your business. Another impressive look is to have their company logo or corporate insignia engraved on the piece as well. I suggest creating a “sample” of what you would like to do for them on a monthly basis and plant the idea for them to present an Employee of the Month award. Present the owner (or manager) with a 7x9 designer plaque that has their corporate logo and name engraved on it, along with wording that best describes the appreciation award. If you do not currently have their logo on file, you can obtain it quite easily by searching the web for logos & clip art, one great source is LogoFax.com. Additionally, create for them a name badge that also has their name and logo on it. Plan to leave these items behind as a free sample, demonstrating your products and services. Another nifty thing to do is show them a large perpetual plaque. Something around a 10x13 with a nice brass header plate that has their corporate logo engraved large. If you own a laser engraver, laser their logo on black brass and present it on a walnut board. Also, double plate the header with an additional piece of gold brass and it will cause the engraved logo to stand out more on the brass plate. Having an Employee of the Month award is great for showing appreciation to workers who do their job well. This will create an ongoing month-to-month award program that will enable you to show off many other products you have available for them. Think about it, if you are the one doing their awards and then they need a banner for a special promotion, they’re going to call you. It’s your company that is on the forefront of their mind, due to them calling or seeing you each month for their Employee of the Month awards. Including getting additional nametags made for new employees that are hired each week, month or quarter. Establishing this type of account will enable you to generate more accounts just like it. Imagine going to other establishments with the same idea and adding the fact that you already do it for McDonald’s, Wendy’s, etc… This gives you more clout and in turn builds your corporate business faster. Using these type of ideas to “get your foot in the door” is sure to capture new business for your award shop and continue to grow your business.
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