We develop new product lines as often as needs arise in the seed industry. Not every one makes it through the process and makes it to market, thanks in great part to our customer feedback.
I still remember Erich Albers coming up to me in 2006 and handing me a bag tag and asking me if Ag Printers made tags. I didn't even know what the tag was, but after we looked not only at the process of manufacturing them, but the process of designing them with compliant information and the process of ordering and fulfilling the orders, we brought them to market. Now we are blessed to produce several million tags each season.
Recently, we have been approached by a group of our customers (friends) and asked if we had a good solution for bulk box signs. After researching what is in the market currently, the only option out there seems to be thin-gauge steel signs. As we know, these boxes are expensive and need branded not only to make sure they return to your facility, but to solidify your brand in the marketplace.
My first question when it comes to most things in the seed industry is "why do we do it this way now?" and my second question is "how can we make this product and process better?"
I believe we have these questions answered very well for this application, but I need your help in determining if we are truly on the right track to a new product line.Would you please answer these questions by leaving a comment below?
1. Do you currently use 24 x 16 inch signs on your bulk/pro boxes?
2. How many do you order each year?
3. Would you be interested in a sample of our new sign on our new material?
If you answer yes to #3, please email me so I can get you a sign. You would be doing us a favor also by being a test site for us as we continue to develop this great product. My email is steve@agprinters.com.
Have a great week!
Steve
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Bells and Whistles!
Product catalogs will be in production over the next few months and the question arises, "Do I spend more money this year making my catalog stand out by using added design elements like UV coatings, die-cuts, metallic inks or embossing?"
This is a legitimate question, and we are happy to go down this road with you. The first thing to know is that we can certainly offer you all of these services (and many more). The second thing is that the answer is a matter of personal opinion. So, in order to help you (which is what Ag Printers is known for) let's examine the questions below and come to a conclusion together.
1. What am I spending now, per customer, on my catalog? Start with a baseline.
2. What is my bottom line profit per customer?
3. What is my sales growth goal for the coming year?
4. What is my margin goal, per customer, for the coming year?
5. What additional amount am I willing to spend per customer?
6. Will the additional amount I spend on the catalog return the investment times 3?
(i.e. will a $10,000 investment yield a $30,000 return?)
7. Does the additional time needed to add design elements outweigh the potential for standing out more from other catalogs?
Is it important to differentiate yourself from your competition? Absolutely! The question becomes, is your catalog THE place to spend your money in differentiating your seed company from the others?
Again, there is NOT a solid right or wrong answer here. It depends on your overall sales and marketing program goals and your personal opinion of how crucial this marketing piece is to reaching those goals.
The bottom line is, whatever road you want to travel down this season, we can get you there.
Before starting Ag Printers I was in the commercial printing industry for 8 years. Our printing company produced some of the highest-end catalogs and annual reports for the largest and most profitable companies in central Indiana. Some of the best work came from a designer at a pharmaceutical testing facility, so I hired her first and Sara now heads up our design teams.
If you have an idea, let's discuss it. If you want to analyze your marketing strategy, let me know. We are here to help keep it simple, but also to give you so much more!
Please take 10 seconds to answer the poll to the right of this post so we can get a feel for the overall opinion on this subject!
Have a wonderful spring (should it ever warm up)!
Steve
This is a legitimate question, and we are happy to go down this road with you. The first thing to know is that we can certainly offer you all of these services (and many more). The second thing is that the answer is a matter of personal opinion. So, in order to help you (which is what Ag Printers is known for) let's examine the questions below and come to a conclusion together.
1. What am I spending now, per customer, on my catalog? Start with a baseline.
2. What is my bottom line profit per customer?
3. What is my sales growth goal for the coming year?
4. What is my margin goal, per customer, for the coming year?
5. What additional amount am I willing to spend per customer?
6. Will the additional amount I spend on the catalog return the investment times 3?
(i.e. will a $10,000 investment yield a $30,000 return?)
7. Does the additional time needed to add design elements outweigh the potential for standing out more from other catalogs?
Is it important to differentiate yourself from your competition? Absolutely! The question becomes, is your catalog THE place to spend your money in differentiating your seed company from the others?
Again, there is NOT a solid right or wrong answer here. It depends on your overall sales and marketing program goals and your personal opinion of how crucial this marketing piece is to reaching those goals.
The bottom line is, whatever road you want to travel down this season, we can get you there.
Before starting Ag Printers I was in the commercial printing industry for 8 years. Our printing company produced some of the highest-end catalogs and annual reports for the largest and most profitable companies in central Indiana. Some of the best work came from a designer at a pharmaceutical testing facility, so I hired her first and Sara now heads up our design teams.
If you have an idea, let's discuss it. If you want to analyze your marketing strategy, let me know. We are here to help keep it simple, but also to give you so much more!
Please take 10 seconds to answer the poll to the right of this post so we can get a feel for the overall opinion on this subject!
Have a wonderful spring (should it ever warm up)!
Steve
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