What is the concept of a "Paid Marketing Agent" for a Company for a particular Country?
I just received a proposal from an "Agency" from USA who say would work like a normal "agent" for an exporter for his products they will promote in USA but will charge a nominal monthly salary for doing dedicated marketing for the principal company?
After my years of experience in Exports, it sounds like a good idea to me, but can someone advice me more about it.
Regards,
-Intelligent Exporter
I could only see this as, you hire a oversea employee but pay only salaries, they responsible for all other office requirments like rental etc.
Good thinking, since they don't get a share of your profit directly. However, I am sure you can see the down side is why should I pay you when I don't even know what you can do? why not just commission based?
Worst cases could be, they could be just a group of young peoples get together and send out flyers for you in the US. : )
Just my understanding.
Dear Start,
The reason for not just being commission basis are:
1. Costs of "genuine" business development are high in all countries in the world now. So if the marketing consulting company is honest, they definitely have a high cost on an on-going marketing program.
2. If it is only commission basis, why would they promote only your product. They would rather find the best "Supplier" for that category.
Regarding the fliers, i think it is our job to find out how much reasonable, experienced and result oriented the consulting company is by a comprehensive dialogue on the strategy they would adopt in doing business development for that particular product.
Regards,
-Intelligent Exporter
I know this situation all too well, its a simple task which you need someone else to do, someone who lives in that country, with the right accent and manner. Your far better with paying a single person on a salary to focus on this job, than you are any agency on commission. I?ve lost lots of money with commission only deals.
IMO this is what you need to ask for and agree.
1) Create a web site for the target country
2) Create an introduction letter and small colour brochure of high quality
3) First calls to create or validate database of potential customers
4) First mailing of letter and brochure
5) Second call to ask if they have got it
6) Second mailing 3 weeks later new letter same brochure
7) Half page advert in a trade journal every other month
8) More mailings and more phone calls stick at it
9) have system where all calls and mailings are logged and you have internet access to them so you can see the feedback, this is valuable market research too!
10) If you don?t get the sales you expected, either wait until they grow or try another product.
But stick with it, consistency with phone calls and mailings, local person who is professional and is going to represent you and your products 100%
The hard part is finding someone who loves your products enough to do this every day, day in day out, they need all the product knowledge and enthusiasm you have about your product.
Choose very carefully!