Beating your competition ?

Ghostwork Ink · October 1st, 2009, 10:20 AM

So my shop is located in Moscow PA... wheres that? Exactly!

Theres NO print shops up besides us; thats why my company is such a gold mine.

Apparently theres a new "middle person" screen printing company going up about a block away from my shop.
The guy knows 100% NOTHING about printing and such.
The only thing is; the guy is filthy rich.
He's come to me to get stuff printed last month and stuff, but i guess he'll be working with other people as well even though my rates are totally unbeatable.

Any tips on how to get people in your shop and how to advertise better?

thanks!

Robert Young · October 1st, 2009, 10:53 AM

Just my 2 cents mind you... if he is filthy rich he probably thinks you are doing quite well so he wants a piece of that pie. Now if he does not make money at it he will leave on his own since he is not doing this for charity. In the meantime I would suggest something radical... Raise Your Prices! Not out of the market, but closer to what he is trying to charge, so there is not a hugh difference in pricing... so he cannot say "you get what you pay for" type thing. I doubt he is telling many clients that he is just a middleman... since I would think people, especially in today's economy, would prefer to go direct when possible, so you just have to let potential clients know that you do your work in house and have the skillsets to provide them with quality.

Ghostwork Ink · October 1st, 2009, 02:18 PM

I agree and disagree..
My prices aren't 100% crazy low, but there definitely unbeatable compared to his middle man rates.
Theres a huge billboard right outside of his new shop, im thinking i should drop the money on it?
I'm totally going to start expressing the fact that all work is done on the premises in the shop, im also thinking about promoting we are the only printing shop in the area that offers direct low printing rates

Ghostwork Ink · October 1st, 2009, 04:41 PM

Also, i like the integrity website a lot!

Ghostwork Ink · October 2nd, 2009, 08:14 AM

Ah!
See there's a ton of schools in this little area and a lot of family owned local companys that all come to me for shirts because they don't want to pay the high middle man rates everyone else quotes them!
I think I'm just over thinking this whole situation, if my rates of unbeatable, my turn around is fast, customer service is great, and quality is good why pay more for the same thing 700 feet away from my shop?

garagewear · October 2nd, 2009, 02:13 PM

Before you go and spend money advertising or trying to out do him just do what you do best. In fact just do it better. Be confident that you are the best. Solidify your current customers. If someone leaves you over a few cents or to try out the competition you don't really need them. You may find that the competition draws a different group of clients. So what if he is the middle man. Get in on his action. Go offer him a contract printing rate that you can make money on. If you increase your business by 50% just by doing his work and keeping your customers it is great. Don't beat him up or down talk him. Build him up and work with him. You never know when you might need him!

Ghostwork Ink · October 2nd, 2009, 02:16 PM

Your right on that.
The thing is i DO work with him..
He also wants to go after my fulltime customers (that isnt happening, there attached to me).
The town is too small for this much competition, esp someone as a middle man.
I do offer him contract rates, wouldnt it be better if i could get all the work my self though..

garagewear · October 2nd, 2009, 02:27 PM

If you get all of the work yourself then you will be too busy dealing with the customers to do the work.

Last year I started my own little sales force and didn't have to put them on the payroll as employees. I asked a few different people I know if they would like to make some extra money. I offered them 10% of anything they could send my way provided they stayed in the loop with the customer. I took it a step further and offered 20% to one mom that spends a lot of time at the school and ballpark. She does every bit of the sales work with the customer and works as the middle man. I bet 35% of my business has come from her this year. So I cut her a check when I get paid. I am able to focus on the shop, design and production and I am getting customers that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Ghostwork Ink · October 2nd, 2009, 02:34 PM

Thats awesome!
I was thinking about getting sales reps and stuff; one of my buddys is a printer, he works for me part time when im real busy. Hes a great guys, and a REAL people person, hes covered in tattoos though, so he dosnt really think it would work out great for him.
Same with me i have tattoos on my hands and legs, i dont think people would take it as serious.
Who knows though, its worth trying to find someone to get me sales!

garagewear · October 8th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Soccer Mom's bring you lots of soccer business. School class mom's are great for school business. If you have a big school nearby (500 - 1000 kids) Print up 2 dozen shirts with an awesome logo for the school and just drop it by for the teachers. Bag each one of them in clear display bags and put your card and a basic pricelist along with a sheet showing sample art. You just spent $50 or less on a great ad!

A few months from now you get a call from someone who says their wife brought this shirt home from school and they are interested in getting shirts to give to their customers. They happen to be a big automotive tool dealer that travels the area from dealership to dealership ... you get the idea.

Bill