This series is dedicated to promo specialists — like GoPromotional — and it details why buying products from them is much better than dealing directly with manufacturers. In our first part, we discussed our dedication to quality, which is the most important factor you need to consider when planning a promo campaign.
For our second part, we will focus on another essential element: communication. Read on to see why it is important and how a promo specialist can help you tackle it.
The Importance of Communication in a Promo Campaign
As we have already mentioned, you will most likely have to work with foreign suppliers to get the promo products you need. Such companies offer excellent quality and even better pricing, making them perfect partners for businesses in all industries.
However, there is often a language barrier that makes the negotiations somewhat challenging. For example, certain manufacturers aren’t able to explain their printing processes in English simply because it is not their native language.
While that is not their fault at all, it is still unfair to you, as you could sign off on something you don’t want just because it was explained poorly. Thus, you need a mediator who will ensure you understand the products you are buying and the printing methods used to make them.
Fortunately, a promo specialist company can be that mediator. With the skill, experience, and connections such companies wield, you can rest assured that you will get exactly what you want for your promo campaign.
Keep reading to find out how we can help break language barriers for your brand, ensuring your campaign runs smoothly from beginning to end.
Language Problem #1
Though it sounds ludicrous and impossible, certain companies in the marketing industry use Google Translate to communicate with their foreign partners. No matter how much this platform has improved over the years, it is still entirely unreliable for such delicate negotiations.
If you think about something similar happening to you, you will realise just how devastating it can be. You could order one item and get a different one, mix up colours, or print your logo on the wrong side of your product. Thus, it is safe to say using Google Translate to communicate with foreign suppliers is definitely not advisable.
Working with a promo company can eliminate this potential problem. Reputable partners always have teams who can communicate in any language and ensure you truly get what you need from suppliers.
Language Problem #2
Another language problem that we can help you with is reading between the lines. Having been in the business for years, reputable promo specialists understand what certain requests and messages mean, whether they are coming from manufacturers or clients.
For example, when someone asks about the cost of XY printed T-shirts or branded bags, we know that they are not inquiring about the tees or bags only. Instead, they also want to know all the additional costs. These include VAT charges, carriage, origination, printing, and so on.
This example is just one of the many instances where experience matters. It helps with knowing what questions to ask and reading between the lines.
Fortunately, good partners know what info is crucial and won’t make you wait for it. If you choose someone like us, you can rest assured that you will get a comprehensive account of all costs and any other relevant information you need to make a purchase. With a reliable company by your side, you never have to worry about not being in the loop.
Language Problem #3
While discussing your merch with companies, you can run into problems even if you’re both all speaking the same language. There aren’t many English speakers who don’t get confused with flammable and inflammable, even though the two words denote the same concept.
Similarly, many people are unaware of the differences between embossing and debossing. The former leaves a raised marking on the fabric, while the latter results in a stamped design. Knowing that the two are not the same methods is pivotal for negotiating and ordering merch.
Therefore, you need someone who is aware of these nuances in design. Otherwise, you risk prolonging the production process indefinitely. That will surely cause a lot of frustration and dissatisfaction, as well as cost you even more money.
But if you choose someone who specialises in marketing, you bypass these issues entirely. They will be aware of every tiny detail necessary to ensure your campaign is flawless and fits your vision. As that is the case, your products will look exactly the way you intended them to. In turn, winning over your audience will be easier than ever.
Language Problem #4
Another issue you might face when ordering promo items is dialectal differences between varieties of English. It is no secret that British and American English are quite similar. However, they do differ in some important aspects that can make communication difficult.
For example, imagine that you are ordering custom footballs from a manufacturer in China. Seeing as American football and soccer aren’t the same, they require completely different balls. Thus, misunderstandings can easily occur if you don’t specify precisely what product you want.
If you aren’t careful, you can end up with thousands of printed American footballs and virtually no one to hand them out to. After all, not many people in Britain are avid lovers of the sport. So, you would both waste money and precious time. Not to mention, you would have too many products you can’t get rid of, meaning that you wouldn’t have space to store those you actually need.
Working with a promo supplier who has already dealt with many foreign companies and knows about these potential problems is necessary. With years of experience, such companies can predict any issues and remove them before they arise.
Thus, hiring a brand such as GoPromotional is truly in your best interest if you want your campaign to succeed without any problems.
Related content:
Why Your Business Needs Custom Promotional Products: 6 Compelling Reasons
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, no amount of emails and calls can help you communicate clearly what you want and need. Misunderstandings happen quite often, and they are usually not too hard to work through. However, they can be rather costly if they happen while you are ordering merch and negotiating prices.
Foreign suppliers might not be able to understand you well. Furthermore, explaining their printing and production methods might be challenging in a language that isn’t their own. And even if you are both speaking the same language, mistakes can still occur, as communication is infinitely fallible.
However, there is an easy way to bypass all of these difficulties. All you need to do is hire an experienced promo specialist. We understand what it takes to have a successful promo campaign. In addition, we know how good communication fits into the picture. With our help, you have nothing to worry about! We will take care of negotiations for you and allow you to focus on running your company.
If our first two arguments on why you should work with a company like ours haven’t convinced you, stay tuned. In our third and final part, we will touch upon the last important factor: culture and credit.
You may also like:
Creating a Promo Campaign: 7 Crucial Steps to Success
If you require further information or have any specific questions, don’t hesitate to give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today.
