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Tuesday
November 17, 2009 Tip of the Day - Identify A Decision-Maker At A BankFiled under: Tip of the Day The financial market remains one of the top buyers of promotional products, but it can be difficult to get business out of bank clients these days. That’s why it’s important to get to the right person to have the right conversation. Fortunately, in the age of the Internet, finding people isn’t as hard as it used to be. The first step is to check the bank’s Web site, www.hoovers.com and www.zoominfo.com. You might also find some helpful information on www.linkedin.com. Distributors should also look to local banks first, as those are the ones that are increasing their marketing efforts these days, says Tonia Allen Gould, the head of Tag! The Creative Source (asi/341358). When she was recently looking for information, she sent an e-mail from Santa Barbara Bank and Trust’s Web site. “They got right back to me. Actually, two people ended up getting back to me. I like that.” Still, the phone always works, says Dan Wiley, the head of public relations consulting firm Lone Wolf PR. “With the Internet, you might not even have to pick up a phone, which makes it hard to make contact,” he says. “However, calling and asking will usually get you exactly what you want.” Networking can also be the key to meeting local bank marketers. Chamber of commerce events are a great place to meet these contacts, says Gould. “They are all over the place. At the last one, I must have run into five or six bankers.” Of course, the most obvious method can often be the most effective. “Just walk into your local bank,” Gould says. “Don’t go to a teller. Go right to the people at the desks.” – Kenneth Hein From the 2009 Counselor State of the Industry |
