4 Experts Explain How Reps Can Help Their Dealers Get Up and Running

| March 4, 2009

When asked about how they set up online operations, many reps said they prefer face-to-face meetings to build a trusting relationship. Plus, many say they work with retailers who don’t have e-mail accounts, so personal contact is essential. Even though their meetings may not involve technology, reps have an opportunity to help their dealers succeed by sharing beneficial information—Internet marketing and advertising tips for those who are online, and in-store merchandising and promotional ideas for those who aren’t. As the eyes and ears of the industry, reps can be a resource by staying on top of the trends.

We asked some tech experts for recommendations of where they go to get ideas—take a little time visiting some of these sites, and share the wisdom with your retailers:

1. “A great resource is www.internetretailer.com.”
I recommend this if you are comfortable with computers and the Internet. However, if you are not technologically inclined yourself, I suggest that you seek out a consultant. Yes, you will have to pay for their services, but it will be worth it in the long run.
– Kevin Mitchell, MMR Magazine

2. “I subscribe to many online resources inside and outside of the music industry.”
Many are free and easy to access. Three of my favorites are:
• Music & Sound Retailer’s VNewsletter
• www.marketingprofs.com
• www.eMarketer.com
– David Hall, Pro-Active Websites

3. “I recommend visiting the Web sites of your trade publications for starters.”
ArsTechnica is one of the best for technical information and advice. It has a very active user forum organized by topic and interest, and lots of in-depth reviews about technology, hardware and software. In addition, I recommend reading all your news through a news aggregator like Google Reader. Instead of spending a lot of time going out to visit sites to find out what’s new, you can have the news brought to you. It’s an easy way to scan through articles and get an idea of the latest trends in technology.
– Amy Stewart, Stewart Design

4. “To thrive in today’s business climate, it is necessary to employ multiple channels of sales and marketing in order to effectively promote your business.” I read www.multichannelmerchant.com.
– Bill Walzak, Pro-Active Websites