I have a small office supply company, what is the best way to attract new customers?

Question

We sell to other businesses, we don't have a store, we deliver next day. Our prices are as good as the national chains, and we can offer all the same services as they do, but people don't know we exist or they assume we are more expensive....anyone have ideas how to attract some new customers?

Answer 1

The post office has bulk mailing. You tell them the zipcode you are targeting, give them a sample of what you want the flyer to look like. And for a fee you can target a zipcode.

Also, you can call the open records for your state and tell the person you want open records for business' that just opened they are the ones that will most want your supplies. Ask for name, phone number, and address and prob. the owners name for point of contact. The guy/girl on the phone will give you a free password so after he/she compiles all the information you asked for, you can go and download the hundreds of address/phone numbers etc. Then you get what you want from it and go to post office and bulk mail them your flyer, or personal letter with prices etc.

If you need help in finding your open records in your area, email me back.

Susan

Answer 2

try to have it advertise it esp on the website.also you can design a specialized packing for your paperbags to attract attention, think of a good and eye catching display, you can also come out with some promos to boost or enhance shoppers

Answer 3

Adverising is the way to go.  A local paper or other form of ad.  ..bettyk

Answer 4

There are several things you can do but it will take some planning.

First, if you want to deal with larger companies, be aware that many of them have vendor contracts with office suppliers. You might have the best success with a medium size business or well established small business.

Second, develop a contact list of office administrators in office complexes. When dealing with retail and service companies, you will usually deal with a bookkeeper/secretary or the owner. These are people you will send sales circulars and one-sheets to.

Now, develop an ad campaign. You have several things you will want to advertise: best prices (list competitor prices if possible for comparison...the "their price: $xx.xx - OUR PRICE: $xx.xx" format), special offers, new products, and closeouts. You want to target your advertising to minimize print and distribution costs. Why produce and deliver 5,000 full color one-sheet sales circulars that might wind up on residential doorsteps or ice cream parlors when you can just print a couple hundred and deliver to your most likely customer prospects.

Be prepared to distribute your advertising on a regular basis...at least monthly. Your advertising works two ways. First, it draws the bargain hunter's attention. Second, it puts your name in the customer's subconscious by repeat exposure, making your company name more easy to recognize. The big payoff might not be immediate but it will be a worthwhile mid to long term investment. Your job right now is to build a reputation through advertising.

As business grows, go for that large scale one-sheet distribution by having it included as an insert in a local newspaper or "value pack" ad bundle.

Then you can step up to more regional publication and broadcast advertising.

The holy grail of business is the vendor contract. That locks a customer in. Again, look for established small and medium businesses and be prepared to offer them a discount on purchases if they sign up with you. Think volume sales.

Answer 5

As a smaller company, you will probably need to advertise that you are more specialized toward certain types of businesses, and you give more personal attention to your customers. Probably trade magazine ads would be good, and maybe mail out some brochures.