Gery says : Must Read

 must-read post

 Posted over 2 years ago  More by Gery

GT B. posted:

Gery posted:

Thank you, Gery, for the excellent reference links. They are valuable to every affiliate who intends to market the ECA program to potential ECAs.

I realize now that my choice of words - "nothing in the SFI marketing info..." - were a bit nebulous.

The challenge I am still facing, however, is how to interest a local retailer in signing up for the ECA program if that retailer's primary focus is local in-store sales, and if they are not truly interested in generating sales of items that would have to be shipped (in other words, 'local pick-up only').

The information provided at the SFI links, above, is great for potential ECAs who are either currently selling online already, or who are looking to create or expand their online presence. But I am just trying to find that certain selling point that will appeal to local retailers not interested in reaching the global market, and who may be operating on a strictly defined profit margin (in other words, they can't charge more at TripleClicks than what they are charging in-store).

Again, I do admit that maybe targeting these kinds of retailers is not a great way to go. That's my purpose for this topic thread - to get feedback from other affiliates to figure that out.

GT 

Something we hope to roll out soon...a way to present to local retailers the number of TC members and SFI affiliates in their area...i.e. prospective customers (especially affiliates who covet VP and MRP). In many areas, it's a pretty big and impressive number. Included would be us doing a big (and cost-free to the merchant) mailing to all of those folks to get them to come check out the merchant's offerings. The merchant could spice it up further with a coupon or special limited-time discount if they wanted to with a promo code.

Main hold-up: We want to completely overhaul everything an ECA sees and uses at the site. We can't afford to make bad impressions with our sales partners. Our current tools are sub-par and need redesign and upgrades. 

This is now reaching the top of our priority list, so these new pieces will start to appear this Fall...and then we GO! Indeed, we've got thousands of top prospective ECAs lined up for special promotions beginning soon. We're going to get real serious, real soon about boosting our ECA program with better and more products, better prices, better shipping, and more.