Page 25 - GS180201

Education

products, or just tips and other resources that will help the • Consumable items: Another two great items to
businesses you serve succeed. Personalize the messages so give to your besties are a bottle of wine and a
you can build rapport with these merchants. pound of bakery cookies. They won't last long, but
the next time you walk in, your merchants will
If you have the time and want to turn the email updates be drooling. This may lead to an expectation that
into short newsletters that contain stories of importance, you'll always deliver something delectable when
do that. I advise against getting political, because our you stop in, but there's nothing wrong with that.
current political climate even has family members at odds The next rep who walks in won't likely get the
with one another like never before. I have probably pushed same eager reaction from merchants.
away some sales agents because of political comments I
have made, so don't make the same mistake. Stay away • Live plants: Another item that usually remains in
from politics. place is a plant. Who doesn't like a nice houseplant.
Along with your name and contact information,
Small gifts, big results you can include a message, for example: As this
plant shall grow, so shall our relationship.
Here are suggestions for gifts you can send to your besties
quarterly. Keep in mind that I am only spending $100 per If you have additional ideas to either augment this list
quarter total on my besties, or $400 a year. or otherwise reinforce positive relationships with your

• Calendars: Crazy as it seems, having a fun besties, let me know, and I will do a follow-up article.
calendar with your contact information on it goes
a long way. Business owners still hang calendars Steven Feldshuh, President of Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions
on their walls even though they use their cell East, has 18 years' experience in sales and ISO development. Directly
phones for keeping track of their daily activities. prior to joining MCPSE in 2012, he was President of Payment
Many online companies will customize calendars Partners. In his current position, Steven devotes the bulk of his time
for less than $10 a piece. (Note: Stay away from to assisting agents in building their portfolios. Contact him by email
swimsuit calendars.) at stevenf@mcpseast.com or by phone at 212-392-9202.
• Gift cards: Walking in and giving your merchant
a $10 gift card to Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks or
any neighborhood coffee shop is something the SnapShot of Up Coming Events
merchant will remember and appreciate. Another
potential gift item in this price range could be a
movie ticket to a local theater.

• Joke novelty items: Novelty items such as hard
candy in a jar labeled "Chill Pills" are usually well
received. I know I said to avoid getting political,
but gag gifts involving elected officials can be a
source of mirth for both those who support them March 12-14, 2018
and those who do not. An added bonus: this type
of gift will often go home with the business owner Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando
Orlando| FL
as a conversation piece. http://www.southeastacquirers.com
• Staplers, bottle openers or letter openers: These /registration.html
types of useful items tend to remain within reach,
often on your clients' desks, for a long time. Put
your name on them, and your customers will be
reminded of you each time they use them.

• Coffee mugs: This is one of my favorite giveaways,
since you can get a logo and contact information
on them, and you can be creative with a design.
Again, you should be able to get these for less than
$10 apiece.
March 26-27, 2018
• Greeting cards: You can also consider mailing
out physical greeting cards on your merchants' Omni Amelia Island 39 BEACH LAGOON ROAD
Amelia Island |FL
birthdays. Maybe include that $10 coffee gift card
in it. There are services that automate this. https://netfinance.wbresearch.com/

25