Being a wine maker is not an easy job. There are literally tens of thousands of wines on the open market. How do you go about getting your wine in the hands of customers? Part of this equation includes finding a reputable distributor to work with. Yet, in order to have a successful relationship with a distributor, you need to be aware of a few things. Follow these steps to maintain a successful relationship with California wine distributors.
- Be an Active Participant
To capture the attention of high-value distributors, you have to let them know you exist. Wineries should be very active in the wine industry to attract the eyes of distributors. Winery owners should also take an active role in the sales process. This could mean accompanying distributors on sales calls to provide additional information about wines. Taking this extra step helps the distributor to get new contracts which only helps your winery in the end.
- Keep Communication Going
Good
communication is key for any business relationship. The wine industry
is no different. In order for a winery to get the most out of a
distributor, there must be consistent communication. This is best
done by regularly scheduling sales meetings between the two parties.
This will help them catch up on any recent dealings, and to create
plans for the future. Make sure communication is at the top of your
priority list if you want to work with California wine distributors.
- Plan Ahead
A
winery’s sales plan should be prepared for quarterly and annual time
frames. This includes working with a distributor to pick potential
sales outlets, advertising campaigns and incentive plans. This will
help your winery to come up with an effective plan to promote each
brand. It also gives you some data to use a performance indicators to
know how well the wines are selling. Make sure your distributor is
willing to work on this type of program with you.
