Bruce Fox Blog

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Whether through online chatter or by casual conversation, I have noticed an uptick in people asking a rather important question.

How do I track my promotional product campaigns?

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A scary phrase, but it’s a true one.  

Don’t you ever wonder where your clients are getting some of their products? Do you sell them tradeshow giveaways but wonder where they are getting their polos?

It’s a simple concept; your clients have to be getting those products somewhere. So, where are they getting them from? Are they buying online or are they working with another company? Both are bad for business, right?

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I mentioned in a recent blog that I worked at a digital marketing agency for years. It seems to have surprised some, but here I am. I made the jump from the innovative and cutting edge industry of digital agency life to the (and I hate saying it) lagging promo industry.

Ouch. I know.

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I’m on a few lists, groups, and industry exclusive chats where I see questions, answers, and comments about everything from, “Where can I find this pen?” to “What CRM program do you recommend?” Every single question is valid and I love scrolling through and helping where I can. The exchanging of information allows us to quickly fill our needs, grow, have helpful conversations, and gain further knowledge.

Despite the plethora of information, flyers of deals, and the occasional post about a podcast, I have seen little about growing a current client. It’s usually about the next prospect and going for bigger and better.

Yes, growing your pool of prospects and keeping that sales funnel full is essential. You will never hear me say that’s not important. In fact, I wrote some tips a while ago about selling to new prospects.

However, what I’m saying is that there are two pieces of sales that are often neglected. One is upselling, which I addressed in a previous blog.

The other is about growing and cultivating clients that you already have.

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I have tacos on the brain… thanks @JayBusselle and #promochat.

So, delicious tacos and Engraved Value Plaques – what on the world do those have in common? Certainly not the taste and ability to eat them - obviously.

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Awards tend to travel. Whether they’re going to a local place basically in your backyard, going to an exotic or central location to be presented, or the point of the trophy is to travel, even internationally. We’ve seen it all. We’ve made it all.

So, with our experience, here are a few tips we’ve put together to be aware of when traveling with awards.

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I’m getting married soon. The countdown clock is ticking and I try not to hyperventilate every time I think about it. It’s not that I don’t want to get married; it’s just that there is so much to do. Too many moving parts, you could say. 

But despite the insanity of planning a destination wedding, there has been my fiancé through it all. Always willing to pitch in, come up with ideas, and give me a much-needed reality check. It’s nice having a partner through it all, right?

Then, being the workaholic that I am, I realized something. Through all the wedding madness that has consumed my life, there is an analogy somewhere in here, likely in a semi-packed box next to the random changes to make everyone happy and the endless gifts and just “stuff.”

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Okay, so here’s the deal. I won. But then I lost.

A paradoxical twist of fate that somehow conjoined two personal attributes I happen to possess: My chili-cooking prowess, and my steadfast aversion to all things Walmart. (We’ll get into that another time.)

Unlikely association, say you? Pyrrhic victory, say I.

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When you picture a successful awards event, what do you see? The room decorated perfectly? Happy chatter as party people mingle around the room? The speaker delivering a rousing speech that inspires the crowd to their feet?

What about the awards?

What about the awards delivering that “wow factor” that turns into the talk of the night?

Who wouldn’t want that? Giving an award that inspires awe, happiness, and excitement, while still being on point with the branding, purpose, and all other requirements.

Sounds like a dream come true, right? It doesn’t have to be just a dream.

That’s why I’ve put together two lists – one to help you get the ROI that only an effective award can bring and the other on how to deliver that “wow factor” that you’ve been dreaming about.

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I’m an awkward bird.

Yes, I have some sales experience and have worked with clients for many years; I also have made quite a few presentations and speeches in front on hundreds of people. However, if I haven’t mentally prepared myself, I typically feel off my game. This means my awkward duck self comes out, the dork that thinks to herself, “What the heck did you just say?” after some odd phrase pops out of my mouth. Trust me, I know better, but I still do it.

How many of us have done that? We’re put off guard and say something just odd. Welcome to the world of being human.

Now, let me ask you another question. How often do you forget to clarify something?

You’re talking about a project, going over important details or changes and then someone suddenly stop you, asking what in the world you are talking about. Oh yea, you know what you’re talking about because you’ve been thinking about it for the past hour but they haven’t. They can’t read your mind.

Yep, it happens to the best of us.