Lessons I've learned along the way, so you don't have to.
Hello Steemers,
Welcome to my first post. If you are looking for the BEST business content, how to read and analyze your market, write the perfect business plan and steps to properly make your first million, YOU HAVE COME TO THE WRONG PLACE. Instead, I will teach you things I've learned along my way to get where I am now. Things that if I would have done right the first time or would have known, would have shaved days, months, or even years off my journey. Along with a ton of headaches!
Tip #1: It's All In The Details
When I first started my company, I was a kid with a dream, to do anything I could to make money doing what I loved, fish. I didn't know exactly that meant, what that job would be, nor did I have any connection to achieve it. My father, a successful business owner, had always instilled in me that if I was the best at whatever I did and paid attention to details, people would want to do business with me, and prefer my business over my competitors. But in this specific instance, I had no clue what that meant? What exactly does being the best at fishing mean, and what details was I supposed to be paying attention to?
The Moment I Truly Understood What My Father Meant.
In 2011, we had just come out with a new fishing product, and was picked up by one of the largest sporting goods distributors in the United States, increasing product placement dramatically. A huge step for us in the right direction. We were invited to their annual trade show to display all new products to their salesman and account executives for the upcoming year, since most chain stores choose their product assortments months in advance. This is a common practice for major distributors.
Any event, we were to set up our 10 x 10 foot booth, along with roughly 100+ other manufacturers in our industry, many of whom we competed with directly and have at it. Well, several thousand dollars later, we left the show with our tail between our legs. Sure, we made some decent contacts, and business slightly increased the following year with product placement inside of our key locations, BUT it couldve 10 times been better! We could have done something to stand out. We could have been the conversation amongst salesman during and after the show. But we werent, we were lost among the other hundred companies, very similar to ours, all pitching the same thing, "buy my little plastic lure or bait its the best!!" But what made us different? What could I have done to stand out amongst the best in the industry? I couldve paid attention to the details...
Fast forward 1 year, same time.
Well, it was that time again. The Big Show!! The same Big Show that I was no different then anybody else, just the new guy with a booth. However, this time, I decided to pay attention to details and go one step further than anyone else was willing to go.
We had a product line called Hatchery Dust, by our Trout Brand Lip RipperZ. Essentially, an powder additive made of real Trout Hatchery Pellets, that you coat on the outside of a very popular floating Play Doh looking bait that is currently and always has been the #1 fishing bait in the world for Trout fishing. Our powder additive being a super charged version of the fish food that Trout are raised on in Hatcheries their whole lives before being stocked in lakes and rivers for fisherman to catch. Any event, this was our new product, and this is what we were going to be promoting for the next 3 days at the show.
We needed to do something different. Something that would make our brand stand out during and after the show.
The plan.
Objective: To show all 200+ territory managers (employed by our distributor), our new product. To show them how it worked by coating our powder onto the outside of the existing play dough type of product.
The Plan: As each group of 4-5 territory managers rotated into our booth, we would have a jar of Hatchery Dust and a jar of the Play Doh type substance on our table, and we would stand in front, roll a ball of the dough in our hands and coat Hatchery Dust onto the outside of it in front of everyone. Further explaining the uses for it. (Average, Boring, Non Detailed)
The Plan REVISED WITH DETAILS: As each group of 4-5 territory managers rotated into our booth, we would have (1) jar of Hatchery Dust and (1) jar of the Play Doh type substance ON EACH MANAGERS SEAT. We would advise them to use their own hands to roll the ball of dough, followed by adding a bit of Hatchery Dust into the palm of their hand, followed by them rolling their own creation using our product. (Fun, Hands On, Different, and most importantly, DETAILED)
The Aftermath.
We were the talk of the show! Not only were we able to show everyone our products like the previous year, but we were now on the memory of every territory manager at the show and not just another catalog stuck in their handbags. There was glitter on peoples faces from having products in their hands, people made fun of eachothers creations while rolling their baits, and word got around that there was an arts and crafts booth at the show, which was us. Three things that were all DIFFERENT from the previous years, against the grain, and most of all different from everyone else at the show.
Moral Of The Story.
Whatever project you're currently doing. Whatever meeting you're about to have. PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS. They are what will make or break you.
Comment below with Topics you'd like hear next!
Hope you enjoyed!!
Bryan
About The Author:
*Bryan F., 33 years old, CEO of Lip RipperZ inc (Brands Lip RipperZ and Bass Dynasty).
*Fishing tackle products sold to 1200+ locations around the USA.
*Sole Proprietorship 2004-2008. Incorporated 2008-Current
*Instagram: @BassDynasty @LipRipperZinc @wolves_of_fishstreet (personal)
*Facebook: @BassDynasty @LipRipperZinc
*Youtube: @LipRipperZinc
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