PromoEQP’s Commitment to Engagement.

**September Discount Code:** **PROMOEQP-27126**

There is always a lot of discussion about “Community” amongst Industry Programs and Associations… There, unfortunately, isn’t always an equal amount of discussion about “Participation”.

The essential idea surrounding “Community” is the Program or Association trying to convey that YOU aren’t alone — as long as you’re with them. My problem is that these same Programs or Associations seem to disappear from view at the exact moment a Distributor feels the most alone and vulnerable: The moment when something is going wrong with an order.

PromoEQP can not promise that we can fix every single order issue that you will run into… However, PromoEQP CAN promise to be the partner that is willing to actively participate and do everything in its power to YOUR benefit.

PromoEQP will engage as your partner… PromoEQP will participate in making the necessary calls… PromoEQP will never leave you alone when you are at your most vulnerable.

Remember… PromoEQP has NEVER taken a supplier rebate dollar. This means that we don’t look at your orders as our revenue gain — which means PromoEQP works for YOU, not the supplier.

We are now moving into the Industry’s peak season — all while facing uncertainty in the marketplace. Do not hesitate to involve PromoEQP in the event that an issue puts an order, or profitability, at risk. The sooner We can get engaged, the better the potential outcome.

Be nimble… Be effective… Be your best… Be assured that PromoEQP will never abandon You when you are most in need of our support.

Thanks again…

Jeremy Chacon

PromoEQP

312-392-1064

jeremy@promoeqp.com

Insider Information

**Visit the Strategic Supplier page for Benefit Details and Information**

PromoEQP Strategic Partnership

Market focused Content from Strategic partner 3M.

The Power of Promo: Why This Work Matters More Than You Think

I didn’t grow up dreaming about a career in promotional products.
I didn’t study marketing.
And honestly, I didn’t even realize this industry was a thing—until I was knee-deep in it.

There was no five-year plan. No dream job pinned to a vision board.
Just a yes.
A yes to stability.
A yes to the steady 9-to-5 I desperately needed as a new mom.

But that “just a job” became something else entirely.
It became something I choose.
It became something I care about.
It became something I believe in.

That unexpected yes?… Turned out to be the best decision I never planned.

Promo Is More Than Swag

Promotional products don’t sit quietly on the sidelines of a marketing plan.
They lead. They last. They perform.

And here’s why:

You can’t scroll past a Post-it® Note stuck to your monitor.
You can’t mute a lint pack pulled from your purse before a meeting.
You can’t ignore a highlighter marking what matters most.

You use it… You see it… You trust it… You keep it… You remember it.

That’s the kind of staying power brands are chasing—and promo delivers it in ways digital never can.

Promo Connects. Tangibly.

We’re not just selling items with logos.
We’re helping brands show up in real life.
Consistently. Memorably. Meaningfully.

Every branded item says:

We thought of you.
We value this connection.
You matter.

That’s not “just swag”, that is strategy with purpose.

Promo isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s thoughtful. Intentional. Sometimes a little chaotic (if you know, you know) — but always focused on impact.

A Lasting Impression

Promotional products aren’t a throwaway budget line.
They’re an opportunity — to literally put your brand in someone’s hands.
It’s marketing with shelf life. Brand awareness that lingers long after the campaign ends.

And the truth is:
People don’t toss their Post-it® Note pads.
They use them.
They share them.
They notice them.

That’s not a fluke. That’s the power of well-executed promo.

The Work We Do Matters

This industry moves fast.
It’s creative. It’s collaborative. The deadlines are real. The expectations are high.

And when someone hands us their brand and says,
“Make this memorable,”
they’re handing us a piece of their reputation.
We don’t take that lightly.

Grateful for the Unplanned Path

What started as just a job became something so much more.
Coworkers and clients became friends—and in many ways, family.

And somewhere along the way, this fast-paced, ever-evolving world of promo started to feel like home.

We collaborate. We celebrate. We care.
This industry challenges me, pushes me, and fills my days with purpose.
And I don’t take that for granted—not for a second.

So if you’re still thinking, “It’s just promo,” let us show you otherwise.

Because at 3M Promotional Markets, promo isn’t just what we do—
it’s what we believe in.

—
Molly Branson
Strategic Account Executive 3M

And, furthermore...

Upcoming Wednesday Webinars

And now for something new

Short Story, Big Picture:

Don’t be a Pitch, Be the Solution

One of my favorite activities in kindergarten was “Show and Tell.” Boasting about what I had to show was great for me, but it left the class further disconnected from me. Why do we continue the same operation when we are trying to sell to a client? Are we trying to make a connection or just make the sale to please our bottom line?

Today’s Short Story is a piece to help you achieve your long-term goals, aka the Big Picture.

We can evolve our sales processes to make our clients like us so much that we could show them anything and they would buy it. Let’s be someone they look forward to talking with, not someone they have to mentally prepare for, ya know?

Below are some ways we can achieve that:

Strategic Partner, Not the Vendor

A vendor provides a product. A partner helps you reach your goals. Clients remember vendors when they need a reorder; they keep partners around because they create business value beyond the sale. You can accomplish this by bringing fresh ideas, offer solutions even if they don’t directly benefit you, or by being proactive.

End Goal: The Client should see you as part of their team — not a line item in their budget.
Offerings Around Outcomes, Not Features

Too often, distributors lead with product features: “This is the color you were looking for,” or “Look, it has Bluetooth and it’s a water bottle.” But features don’t sell, outcomes do. Clients want to know what problem you’ll solve or what success you’ll create. Start with the “why”, quantify the benefit, and use stories or case studies.

Key Phrase Shift:
- From: “the product has…”
- To: “here’s the result you can expect…”
Long-Term Relationships, Not One-Off Orders

Most distributors focus on closing the sale, but client retention and lifetime value often matter more than the initial deal. When you focus on long-term success, you naturally build trust, repeat business, and referrals. Develop an SOP that adds: checking in regularly, creating value between transactions, celebrating milestones, and Asking for Feedback.