Direct Marketing - How to Get a Boutique to Stock Your Merchandise
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Whether you have an established business or you are just starting out, marketing your merchandise to boutiques can increase your bottom line. Typically, boutiques carry specialty items dedicated to a specific niche, and managers are often open to accepting wares from local artisans selling items that fit in with their other inventory. Getting your products into various boutiques can require adapting your products to fit the niche. For example, if you make handmade jewelry, expand your product line with handmade belt buckles. Now you can market to jewelry boutiques and shops that specialize in leather goods such as belts and purses.
1
Make a portfolio of your merchandise. Use as many actual items as you can, but you can use photos if the items are large. Provide accurate descriptions with a list of the materials used in production.
2
Write up a wholesale price list. Set savings for each item based on the number sold.
3
Gather a list of boutiques that you want to sell your merchandise. If you are a boutique shopper, you already know of the shops in your local area and may have a relationship with the shop's personnel. Put these shops at the top of your list. Talk with friends of varying ages to determine which boutiques are popular for which age group. If your products appeal to the 40-plus crowd, then a boutique that is popular with teenagers probably will not have interest in your items.
4
Call the boutiques and ask for an appointment with the owner or manager. Provide the person with the approximate length of your presentation so she can plan accordingly. Practice your presentation before you call if you do not know how long it is.
5
Arrive at your appointment on time. Show your items and make your presentation. Have an order form ready for any orders. Leave your brochure and a business card
6
Follow up with the boutique if you do not make an initial sale. Send the boutique mailings that contain pictures and information of any new merchandise you have. Make monthly or bimonthly sales calls to check on inventory needs.
Tags:
Direct Marketing, Marketing
1
Make a portfolio of your merchandise. Use as many actual items as you can, but you can use photos if the items are large. Provide accurate descriptions with a list of the materials used in production.
2
Write up a wholesale price list. Set savings for each item based on the number sold.
3
Gather a list of boutiques that you want to sell your merchandise. If you are a boutique shopper, you already know of the shops in your local area and may have a relationship with the shop's personnel. Put these shops at the top of your list. Talk with friends of varying ages to determine which boutiques are popular for which age group. If your products appeal to the 40-plus crowd, then a boutique that is popular with teenagers probably will not have interest in your items.
4
Call the boutiques and ask for an appointment with the owner or manager. Provide the person with the approximate length of your presentation so she can plan accordingly. Practice your presentation before you call if you do not know how long it is.
5
Arrive at your appointment on time. Show your items and make your presentation. Have an order form ready for any orders. Leave your brochure and a business card
6
Follow up with the boutique if you do not make an initial sale. Send the boutique mailings that contain pictures and information of any new merchandise you have. Make monthly or bimonthly sales calls to check on inventory needs.
