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Let’s talk about why you can’t work with some big clients.
Even though you’re fully capable of doing everything they need.
It may be because they have a Preferred Vendors List.
And you’re not on it. Let’s fix that.
/THREAD/
Let’s talk about why you can’t work with some big clients.
Even though you’re fully capable of doing everything they need.
It may be because they have a Preferred Vendors List.
And you’re not on it. Let’s fix that.
/THREAD/
2. What is a Preferred Vendors List?
It’s a list that the company or org makes of vendors that they allow their employees to work with.
Some companies have many lists. Everything from buying raw materials, office supplies and...
Marketing Services.
Like writing and design.
It’s a list that the company or org makes of vendors that they allow their employees to work with.
Some companies have many lists. Everything from buying raw materials, office supplies and...
Marketing Services.
Like writing and design.
3. The companies periodically open up their vendors lists and invite companies / individuals to apply.
If you apply, you’ll have to fill out a form. You’ll have to provide samples.
It takes some work to apply.
Within a few weeks, they’ll let you know whether you made it.
If you apply, you’ll have to fill out a form. You’ll have to provide samples.
It takes some work to apply.
Within a few weeks, they’ll let you know whether you made it.
4. Then they’ll tell you what they need from you so they can include you in their Preferred Vendor List database.
Typically it’s a company overview, list of services, portfolio, how you charge, etc. Nothing extraordinary.
Then you wait....
Typically it’s a company overview, list of services, portfolio, how you charge, etc. Nothing extraordinary.
Then you wait....
5. Generally, they don’t want you contacting them. You can’t come in to make pitches or show your portfolio.
When someone at the client has a project, they go to the database and look for suitable vendors.
They may pick one and award the project. Or invite a few to pitch.
When someone at the client has a project, they go to the database and look for suitable vendors.
They may pick one and award the project. Or invite a few to pitch.
6. If you get a project and start working together, it’s your chance to shine.
You want to do great work. Establish a relationship with the client.
Get called again and again without pitching.
Informally, you have become their writer, designer, agency...
Easy, right? No...
You want to do great work. Establish a relationship with the client.
Get called again and again without pitching.
Informally, you have become their writer, designer, agency...
Easy, right? No...
7. There are many challenges with Preferred Vendor Lists.
The first challenge is that you don’t know whether they even have one. You have to find out.
Dig. Search for (name of company) + vendor list or vendor services. Try LinkedIn. Who manages the list?
The first challenge is that you don’t know whether they even have one. You have to find out.
Dig. Search for (name of company) + vendor list or vendor services. Try LinkedIn. Who manages the list?
8. Do you know anyone else who is a vendor for the company? Ask them.
Your first job is to find out whether the company has a list. Then find out who controls it.
Then get in touch with that person. You want to know when they will next open the list. They’ll usually tell you.
Your first job is to find out whether the company has a list. Then find out who controls it.
Then get in touch with that person. You want to know when they will next open the list. They’ll usually tell you.
9. People who control Preferred Vendors Lists are usually helpful (in my experience). They want to get the best suppliers for their staff.
Be sure to ask a few questions to apply for the right list. For example they may have different lists for ad agencies vs graphic design.
Be sure to ask a few questions to apply for the right list. For example they may have different lists for ad agencies vs graphic design.
10. Inside Tip (for reading this far). Do you know anyone who might hire you at this company? Maybe a client of yours moved there.
Many companies will allow their people to work with suppliers NOT on the list, but only for small jobs.
What is “small”? Under $25k, maybe $10k..
Many companies will allow their people to work with suppliers NOT on the list, but only for small jobs.
What is “small”? Under $25k, maybe $10k..
11. If you have an inside contact ask about everything:
Do they have a list?
Who controls it?
Can they work with people off the list for small jobs?
Obv, this only works if you have a great relationship with this person.
Relationships are everything!
Do they have a list?
Who controls it?
Can they work with people off the list for small jobs?
Obv, this only works if you have a great relationship with this person.
Relationships are everything!
12. Important: let them know you’re interested in working with them.
Thank them for giving you info about the list. Tell them you’ll be applying.
And ask whether there are any “small jobs” you could do together in the meantime.
Thank them for giving you info about the list. Tell them you’ll be applying.
And ask whether there are any “small jobs” you could do together in the meantime.
13. Here’s your To Do List for becoming a preferred vendor.
Find out if the company has a list.
Find out who controls it.
Find out when it will be opened next for applications. Ask whether you can be notified.
Gently, carefully, politely work any inside contacts.
Find out if the company has a list.
Find out who controls it.
Find out when it will be opened next for applications. Ask whether you can be notified.
Gently, carefully, politely work any inside contacts.
14. Make sure you apply for the right Preferred Vendors List.
Answer ALL of the questions.
IMO, it’s worth the work. In my previous agencies, we got millions of dollars of work by being on the list.
Answer ALL of the questions.
IMO, it’s worth the work. In my previous agencies, we got millions of dollars of work by being on the list.
15. This is a classic case of “insider vs outsider”. Preferred Vendors Lists are designed to keep most people out.
That’s good if you’re in. Less competition. Potentially big contracts for those who are in.
More info coming in my book. See the pinned tweet.
//THREAD//
That’s good if you’re in. Less competition. Potentially big contracts for those who are in.
More info coming in my book. See the pinned tweet.
//THREAD//
