Tools of the Trade: Why scoping out reseller tools is a must

When you’re hunting for a supplier, you shouldn’t just be looking for the products they sell, or the prices they sell them for. Sure, those things are important, but they’re just a couple of pieces in the puzzle. 

Going with a supplier who offers cheap products, but who isn’t interested in helping your business market those products, means that you have to spend a whole heap of time (and money!) prepping everything from imagery to emails yourself. After you’re done with the photography, graphic design, mockups, newsletter drafts and product descriptions (not to mention website setup and socials!) it’s likely that you’ll end up wondering just how much you’re actually saving going with the discount dealer. 

Finding a supplier for your products that is as invested in making your business boom as you are can be tricky. Often, partnering with a supplier doesn’t feel like much of a partnership at all, and you both seem to operate in silos; coming up with your own (but often almost identical) tools and resources to market your stock. 

Instead of focusing on that $$ sign, start digging deeper, and considering the value you’re getting from your trade partner and the perks they provide. 

Do they offer reseller resources? And if they do, what does that look like? There are some HUGE differences between the tools offered from one supplier to the next, and it’s absolutely worth taking the time to find out what’s on offer.

Product imagery is great, mockups that can be customised are even better.

Generic product descriptions are helpful, but white labelled monthly sales collateral and unbranded flyers? Serious time savers.

A contact person to help you with quotes and orders can be handy, but tools that can integrate seamlessly into your sales funnel, that are tried and tested, and that do the heavy lifting, rather than just helping with the heavy lifting are the goal. 

And it’s not just tools directly related to product marketing that can prove valuable. Information and resources on starting, building and running a successful reseller business can be a great way to ensure you’re keeping up to date with business trends. Deals and events calendars, so you can prep for the months ahead, are great tools to have access to. Connecting to the experience and knowledge of both the trade staff and existing partnered resellers can make your business journey much more smooth and prevent you re-inventing the wheel. 

The key is finding a trade partner that knows that your business reputation depends on their professionalism and quality can be the difference between #hassle and #hustle.

So, if you’re currently working with a supplier who doesn’t shower you with resources to help you market their product… then use the time you’d usually spend developing those resources yourself on finding a trade partner packing the perks.

Interested in finding out what tools Integrated Branding Solutions offers their reseller community? Check them out here!