Hey folks,
I make small boutique-ish items that I've been trying to sell on Etsy. But honestly, I think they're more the type of thing that someone will see in a basket at a store, that they'll want to pick up. They're not the sort of thing you need or search for.
I'd like to make up a proposition for the store owner. Is there a website or a book that would help me figure out how to market it to a store as a new product? I'd like to go in looking like I know what I'm talking about, instead of bumbling about and letting them set the terms.
Is this something I'd learn in a business class?
You don't need to go to business school. You probably wouldn't even learn this there, haha.
Here's what you need:
1) A line of products to sell
2) A price sheet that has wholesale and suggested retail for each item. Generally, Retail is 2x wholesale price. And wholesale might be 2x your personal cost.
3) A "line sheet". Google "line sheet example".
4) A display option - Spinner rack, hanging rack, end cap display... it really just depends on the size and type of your product. B&M retailers will gladly give you a chance, if you have some sort of display they just attach somewhere at the end of the aisle, and you don't have to take up any shelf space.
5) attractive, retail-friendly packaging.
That's it.
Then use google or however to make a list of stores you want to reach out to. Store owners are horrible at responding to cold contacts from brands (they're really busy), so try to follow up 4-5 times with each retailer before moving on.
I got started in wholesale, when I got randomly invited to a franchise owner's event in my niche to set up a vendor booth. The event was in 3 weeks, and so in 3 weeks, I put together all of the above.
It's not hard, and it doesn't take a lot of time. Just get to work, and figure it out as you go. You'll learn a lot just by talking to store owners.