Dear twowaymirrors,
The best way to approach likely catalogs is with an introductory
letter. Begin by researching the companies and choosing 3-5
possibilities. Be sure and find out the name of the Buying
Department-- many times letters like this get thrown away otherwise.
A letter of introduction should only be 1-2 pages and include some
background on your product and why it would be to their advantage to
include your products. Do not discuss details at this point further
than include your website address and an offer to send a complete
proposal.
Give them 6-8 weeks to respond. Then, if you do not receive a reply,
send a follow-up letter, politely asking for a response. If there is
still no reply, go back and find another group of companies.
Chances are 1-3 of the initial 5 companies will respond to the first letter.
The proposal should be a detailed plan for them to review, including
any and all information pertinent to your product (i.e., suggested
retail price, production time constraints, etc.), as well as clear
photographs and a sample of one or two of your main products. Have
this ready in case you get a quicker than average response.
The subject or drop-ship or buying in quantity is a matter usually
worked out depending on the company's policies and on your own
arrangement. However, in general, drop-shipment is reserved for
larger or otherwise specialty items, such as furniture or engraved
items.
Tracker Mo
http://www.trackermo.com
P.S. With many companies (even catalogs, strangely enough) it is
difficult to locate information relating to the back-office (names,
addresses, etc.). One way to find this is by calling the company
directly. |
