Dolce Mia is growing! (In 2009…can you believe it?) Our sales have doubled this year. Our soaps and lotions are hot!. And we are looking for individuals experienced in sales to represent our line to gift shops, salons, spas, clothing boutiques, natural groceries, saddlerys, feed stores . . . Dolce Mia sells in so many kinds of stores, it’s hard to list them all. You can also sell our products at home parties or special events. And we’re customizable!. Please consider creating a new professional career for yourself. Becoming a Dolce Mia Rep.
We also offer excellent training and support. The following is an excerpt from our recent Sales Rep Newsletter, where our sales manager shares some wisdom from the road.
After my latest foray into the field, I came up with a more polished plan of attack. It was hot, my inventory was heavy and I didn’t have a really organized road bag/presentation folder. So, I realized that all I needed was a more structured strategy in order to be more effective. I have laid out my findings in the phase “plan of attack” you see below.
1.) Recon
Physically visit the areas you are interested in marketing to. You can often work this into your normal routines of errands or usual route of travel to start. Check out the other retailers in the strip mall where you do your grocery shopping. See which stores in those areas would be the best fit. Make notes about these locations and what they are near (to help jog your memory).
Then decide which stores would be the best fit. This way you can be sure to target your sales, and to not over saturate any one area. If there are two or three possible candidates in a single strip-mall or city square, start with the best, and work your way down. Selling to two or more stores in close proximity will only upset both clients.
2.) Planning/Mapping
Either make appointments over the phone, or plan blind attacks, according to your personal style. If you tend towards the latter, you will save time if you call ahead to try to find out who the buyer is, and when she will be there. Once you know whom you need to see, where and at what time, you can plan your route.
I like Google Maps for route-mapping. It lets you list multiple destinations, then re-order them until your trip route is optimized. You can make the most of your gas money, and your time, if you map your sales trip before you go.
3.) Attack! (Site Visits)
Get out there! Have your samples and marketing materials in a slim, light bag with you. A bag that you can carry over the shoulder for minimal effort in carriage, I think, is best. Some reps have found that ’scrap-booking bags’ which are sold in crafting/fabric stores are perfect. Make sure our product is one of the first things the potential customer sees. This will break the ice and get them interested. They will know right away if they like it. And chances are, they will.
Be aware that while this may seem intimidating, shop owners and buyers are used to this, and expect it. This is generally how they get their inventory. You are performing them a valuable service. Have confidence that you will not be treated as a “pesky solicitor”.
***Be sure to take notes after you visit each place so that filling in your contact log will be easy!***
General tips:
Bring a note pad and pen to jot down ideas, owner/store details or even orders! Keeping a note pad for Dolce Mia notes in your car at all times will make your life easier.
Make sure you are not hungry/thirsty when you leave. Bring water and snacks - or plan to take yourself out to lunch in the middle of your route.
Bring a hairbrush/comb, sunscreen if needed, and mints.
Dress comfortably- dressing up is nice, but being comfortable is important. I really advise against high-heeled shoes for site visits- ouch! (I have a blister from my last trip, no fun).
Make sure you have your business cards handy, if you use them, and that you always keep at least one of each scent tester for yourself to let potential customers smell each for themselves. I also suggest that you avoid any fragranced personal products, other than ours of course, as they will distract from what you are trying to sell.
Hopefully this will get your creativity going and challenge you to map out your next trip out on the road. You can modify, add or subtract to my method, but hopefully this will get you started, or moving if you are stuck.
Write in with any additional ideas you have or follow-up questions.
It’s the peak of the buying season friends, let’s make the most of it!
Melena :)
Made in the U.S.A., natural, organic ingredients, great looks, delicious fragrances.. the more you know about Dolce Mia, the more there is to like. But how do all these selling points get communicated? With our Z-fold Countertop Brochure.
The Z-fold Countertop Brochure to accompany our Point of Purchase unit. Our z-fold is designed to be set out alongside our products, for customers to read and take away.
