I need a pair of headsets with a built in mic. I like them because I haven’t been able to find a Bluetooth (a whole other story) that just works and because I do use my phone to listen to music. Here’s my problem— if I don’t I lose or break my head sets, then they simply stop working. Usually it’s the latter. And there is (almost) nothing worse than trying to have a conversation with a client and your headset – earphones or mic – goes dead.
With the proliferation of headsets and mic technology you’d think it would be easy to find a replacement pair. But it’s not. None of the packaging speaks to me. I know that others my age (that fine line between Gen X and Boomers) need and are looking for quality headsets but it seems they’re both targeted toward a younger generation with edgy packaging or the affluent and outrageously priced. Nothing speaks to me.
Why would you put all that passion, time, money and resources into getting your product on a shelf and never really consider who is going to buy it? Not try to speak to a target audience of any type? Creating a message that will differentiate your product from the competition is a better retail strategy than relying on the product to sell itself.
A statement as simple as “The last headset you’ll ever need—built to last” and I’d be sold—even for more money. I’m tired of spending money and time buying headsets. I want something that last—and surely, one of the 50 offerings I see has to be manufactured better than the others? So why doesn’t it say so? And all the consumers know, in this category, there isn’t a correlation between price and quality—I’ve personally been burned over and over. So do a little homework and figure out who might want to buy your product, what problem your product solves for them and craft a message that will speak to them on your packaging.
Who does your product speak to?
Why Distributors are my friends…
At least once a month a manufacturer will call me and ask if I know how to collect from a certain retailer, which will remain nameless. Unfortunately, I do not have an answer. Had the vendor been a client I would have demanded that the business go through a distributor.
Although not all of the retailers are as bad as this one, it is a hard lesson to learn for the perceived misconception of saving a few dollars of avoiding a distributor.
Distributors are my friends—literally. Many of the folks at some distributors, such as Navarre and Ingram Micro have been working for their respective distributors so long, I consider many my personal friends. And friends help out friends. Whenever I need some reseller intelligence—the distributor is always a friendly resource.
When you add up EDI, actually getting paid, shipping to a few warehouses as opposed to many DCs or stores all over the country, any perceived savings of selling direct dissipate. Plus, distributors also helpful with account management and then there is their account reach and marketing programs. Many weeks I am absolutely shocked at the amount of resellers distributors reach that I may not had been aware of.
So next time you think you’re going to save a buck by avoiding a distributor—give it a second look.
And you know what else? Distributors throw the best parties—now that’s what I call a good friend.