Sales Materials: The Dreaded Line Sheet
September 30th, 2007
In all honestly, I don’t have all of our line sheets lined up right. I hate them and I hate doing them. As if I like any of the admin aspects of running the business. I think my problem is that I haven’t found a great template that I am happy with. I’ve had a couple of versions of a catalog, a look book, and previous line sheets - but I’m not satisfied with the look / feel of any of them. Now we have new styles and need new line sheets and I think I just don’t want to do them. I keep letting it fall farther down my to-do list and it’s so crucial for our sales. I can’t put them off any longer.
I’m working on the line sheet for our graphic tees and onesies. Not a big deal because all the images are finally done - including the new styles. I even started hashing out the layout for the line sheet. I’m going to be so happy when it’s done. Its getting to that point that annoys me right now.
A line sheet should be simple: technical sketches of the style, the fabrication, sizes available, colors available, and care instructions, pre-pack combinations. This is the main sales tool - the piece of paper that shows what you have, you could say they are as important as your samples, they are what prospective buyers can keep in their hands, what they can walk away with, what they can peruse and review at their will. Which reminds me that contact information needs to be on every line sheet.
I guess it’s making the line sheet look good that has me hung up right now. I do know, with 100% certainty that all of our line sheets and sales materials are going online to make sending them to people a lot easier. I need to simplify the wholesale inquiry process, so I need a simple link that I can email to potential clients.
Note that the line sheets do not have the prices on them. We maintain a separate price list. Create a pdf, upload it our site and send that link out like mad to wholesale prospects. It’s so easy Amber, just stop talking about it and do it already.
Entry Filed under: Sales & Marketing, The Tools You Need
5 Comments Add your own
1. Jamie Lentzner | October 1st, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Hey Amber,
Having weather many a storm (and many years in business) I tend to NOT follow all of the rules. Give yourself a break, and do not force yourself to do what others do. You will succeed, but not due to what you are suppose to do, it will be what you are
“willing to do”…….trust me, been at this five long years :). You will succeed!!!
2. Lisa NYC | October 2nd, 2007 at 7:35 am
Amber…not sure if you’ve read the info on line sheets via Fashion Incubator, but here they are:
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/mt/archives/what_is_a_line_sheet.html
http://www.fashion-incubator.com/mt/archives/why_american_apparel_has_the_best_line_sheets.html
HTH
With friendship,
Lisa
3. amber | October 2nd, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Lisa - thanks for the links, I had come across one of them before - and kathleen’s book is a great starting point too.
Jamie - I agree with you about not following all the rules, I just tend to spend so much time on ‘doing my own thing’ that I don’t spend enough time doing the admin things.
I believe we very much need to define our own styles and way of doing things, especially as a means of setting ourselves apart in this industry. But I also believe standards simplify life. Having nice simple line sheets that quickly convey our product line and all the details a buyer wants to know will increase our sales, my confidence in the company’s professional appearance, and, most importantly - our productivity.
As far as not doing the line sheets like everyone else, I think that’s my problem. I’m trying too hard to make these things look great, when I just need to start with something that is functional.
4. Jamie Lentzner | October 5th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Agree a 100% - I started with some lame things, but I started. I am a perfectionist too (who knew? I know you must be shocked!) and it is very hard when you can NOT have it be perfect your first shot out of the gate….I still look back at the last two shows and cringe at the booth, cringe at our order form…..and after three years am thinking, uh…..I may want to change the logo. The business is always evolving - just do the best you can - and it sounds like you are doing quite a lot!
5. amber | October 6th, 2007 at 5:52 am
I think that the part of our personalities that always want to make it better is a big part of leads to success. A driver for us, in a way. But we just have to watch it (sounds like we try) - so that we don’t drive ourselves INSANE seeking after unattainable perfection.
It’s SO good to hear I’m not the only one that cringes at my past work.
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