1. How to get a Beverage Distributor
interested in your products
Beveragetradenetwork.com

2. • Beverage Trade Network.com is one of the world ‘s leading networks for
beverage, wine, spirits and beer importers, distributors, producers and
related companies. The company is based in Delaware, USA and is
developed by wine professionals who have accumulated a rich and varied
experience in this industry.
• For buyers, Our service allows retailers, distributors of the alcoholic and
non-alcoholic beverage industry to find the right supplier and brands that
add value to their portfolio.
• For sellers, Our service allows producers, distributors and other
professional companies of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage
industry to easily locate and contact distributor and importers globally.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

3. How to get a Beverage Distributor interested in your products
• After much discussion and questions from my last post, I wanted to share
some more insights and answer some of the questions and comments that
you had for me. Primarily, “So how do I get a distributor then?” and “But I
want to focus on a specific part of the market, so this doesn’t apply to me.”
• Fair enough. It would be easy to assume that the 8 facts about distributors
don’t apply to niche markets, or that they didn’t contain some sort of hidden
wisdom to help you get a distributor for yourself.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

4. • Rather than being one of 500 new beverage companies asking the
distributor for their help, you’ll be the one beverage company offering them
something.
• So here you go:
Continue Reading…Click Here
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5. • Except that they do, and they did.
• But rather than being cryptic about it, I’m going to lay it all on the line right
here. I’m going to show you a few simple things that you can do to get a
distributor for your beverage product.
• If you’re tired of having distributors brush off your phone calls, refuse to
meet with you, or impose abritrary minimum requirements (that you couldn’t
possibly meet) then this post will help. You’re about to discover exactly how
you can be in a power position when finding a distributor.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

6. • How to Get a Beverage Distributor Interested In Your Products – 101
• I called this 101 because this really is a basic outline of what you can do.
There are far more details to this process than I could possibly fit into a blog
post, so you may have to fill in some blanks, work with a marketing
consultant, or send me an email for some advice. That is okay, too!
• Alright, so step number one is that you have to realize that the way you
have been approaching distributors isn’t working. If you’re here, it is likely
that you already know this – but if you’re still convinced that cold calling
every distributor in your state and leaving messages is going to win you a
national chain contract… I have some coffee for you, it may be time to wake
up and give it a sniff.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

7. • When you’re approaching every available distributor, they are in the drivers
seat. They know that you need them, but they don’t need you. How likely
are they to offer you a fair deal, if they even take you on at all?
• You have to put your company in the power position.
• For you to be in the power position, you have to have something to offer this
distribution company. Something that the dozens of other beverage
companies aren’t able to offer them.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

8. • **Important Note: None of this will work if you have not identified a niche of
resellers and distributors to work with. If you’re still trying to call everyone
and be everything, you will likely fail. Choose the companies you wish to
work with now, before it is too late, and focus only on them.
• You have to determine what would make a distributor want to carry your
product over someone else’s, remembering that they primarily care about 3
things:
• That your product will sell.
• That carrying your product will give them a competitive advantage.
• That your company isn’t going to dissolve or go bankrupt this year.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

9. • In other words, they want to know that they can make money off of
you.
• This isn’t a bad thing – you’ll make money from this relationship as well.
But remember that profit is their primary driving factor in making a decision,
followed by the competitive advantage of taking you on, and the security of
your business.
• To get into the power position with distributors, you need to address these
three things. Let’s cover them one by one.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

10. • How to demonstrate that your product will sell.
• This is a bit difficult for beverage alcohol in areas with a 3-tier system,
because you can’t simply go out and close accounts on your own – right?
• Well, not exactly.
• You may not be legally allowed to actually sell your product to retailers,
which is fine. However, there are no laws saying that you cannot go speak
with some retailers and gauge interest.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

11. • Make a list of resellers who fit your “ideal market” category – they are the
perfect business, and your perfect consumers shop there. These are the
shops that make you happy and excited to think about securing.
• Go and see how many of your competitors products they are selling, what
kind of shelf space they have, and meet with the manager or owner if you
can. Introduce yourself as the owner of your company, just looking to see
what is new in their store.
• Have a genuine conversation with them about their store and what their
focus is. Find out the types of products that they love to carry, and what
their biggest obstacles are to finding them.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

12. • Then, ask if your product might help them out.
• Tell them about all of the different ways that your product fits the criteria of
what they love to carry, without any of the problems from your competitors.
• Let them know that you aren’t in any retailers yet, you’re working on finding
the right distributor. Ask for a recommendation of who they like to work with.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

13. • This next step is a bit uncomfortable for some people, but it is absolutely
crucial - once you have the name of their preferred distributor, ask if they
will write a letter of intent to that distributor and share it with you.
• A letter of intent is simply a letter from the owner or manager that says “I will
buy this product when it is available.” Have a pre-written one if you like, and
ask if the manager or owner will sign it with their info.
• Now, go out and repeat this process as many times as you can. Collect
these letters like they’re candy. You want to have a literal stack of letters of
intent, if you can – just be sure that they are all from one type of retailer.
The type you actually want to work with.
• Click here to read further.
Beveragetradenetwork.com

14. Special Thanks!
The Article is written by Cheryl Woodhouse, founder of sellingspirits.com
Beveragetradenetwork.com

15. See how we can help you grow. Register for free and start posting your products. Start
selling now.
If you are a distributor or importer, post your buying lead here.
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