Often, we have potential hat and apparel manufacturers contact us trying to solicit business. Here’s a sample:

“We take this opportunity to introduce ourselves as one of the supplier of garments from [COUNTRY]. We have both knit and woven unites. Our production ranges are T-shirts, Polo shirt, Sportswear, Shirts, Jeans, Trousers for Men’s, Women’s and Kids.”

As you can tell, they have no idea who we are or what we do. We make hats; they don’t. DELETE.

This is, unfortunately, all too common. I suspect that the sender must have got our contact info off of a mailing list that we wish we weren’t on. C’est la vie, but what worse way could there be to soliciting business? It’s the equivalent of:

“Hi. I have no idea who you are, what you do, or if I can help you. Neither have I spent even 10 seconds reviewing your website to find out. However, I am hoping that you will overlook that and buy something from me. That would be really great for me, regardless of the lack of value that it has for you. Please add this email to the other 100+ you receive everyday, and try not to be annoyed by the unproductive interruption.”

Wait, let me get my cheque book…

I’ve got a crazy idea. Why not:

1. Research your leads;
2. Look at their websites for 30 seconds each;
3. Qualify your lead list by removing anyone you can’t superbly serve; then
4. Craft a targeted introduction that will appeal to your target market.

YA THINK?