7 Reasons Catalogs Are Your Best Sales Tools

By: Amanda Smith

​Catalogs are still effective and need to be a key component of any savvy supplier’s marketing plan. Distributors love using catalogs to close sales. They often find it drives end-buyers to shop online – that’s right, print actually drives digital sales! 

​If you aren’t in catalogs, you’re missing out on sales opportunities every day. Here are some reasons why you owe it to your products to advertise in catalogs.
 
1. Target the Best Prospects for Your Products
Catalogs are often created with a specific audience in mind, so you can choose the one that best fits your products.

2. Grab Undivided Attention
Emails can be easily deleted and pay-per-click ads ignored with all of the other digital noise. The tangible aspect of a catalog encourages engagement.
 
3. Expand the Opportunity for Upsells and Add-Ons
Catalogs make it easy to highlight companion products, accessories and services. You can put related items on a page, or put a high-end item on a single-product page so it stands out even more.
 
4. Reach Online Shoppers Too
Most catalogs are also available to distributors in digital versions, meaning there is a digital component to the physical catalog. Many catalog advertisers use digital links as a way to reach additional prospects through marketing emails.
 
5. Lessen Search Stressors
If you don’t know the exact search terms or product category you need, online searches for products can be surprisingly frustrating and time consuming. Sometimes there seems to be too many options, and all of the ads can be distracting. The organization of catalogs lends itself to easy browsing and faster product discovery.
 
6. Save Money
It can be costly to print your own catalog, and distributing it comes with its own set of headaches and costs, including purchasing lists and postage. Be cost-effective and add your products to a catalog to get them in front of a larger audience.
 
7. Increase Product Visibility
End-buyers like to keep catalogs, often as desktop references. A catalog keeps your products visible and top of mind when it’s time for the purchasing decision.
 
We’re currently offering suppliers ad space in both our Spectrum® and Idea Showcase® Spring catalogs! Contact your account executive for more information about ASI Catalog opportunities.