Working with a distributor to grow

[JLCustomTurkeyCalls]

Anyone ever work with a distributor to grow your brand?  Looking for any advice before we move forward.  Thanks!

Eric
JLCustomTurkeyCalls.com

[ferocious calls]

Beware of ramping up production costs ahead of it's time. Many of us have invisioned demand to be such that there would be a need to ramp up to industrial production. Some have bet the farm on it only to be humbled by a distributor sending back thousands of calls to the maker, crushing them.

If you have a good product, promote it yourself for a few years. Go to sport shows without large table fees. Form a team of sales reps (Prostaff if you like) to spread the word and calls nationwide.
Do a little thinking out of the box to grow at an acceptable pace. Be generous and donate, donate and donate to all the causes you find worthy. Hope this helps a little anyhow. Good luck and God Bless.

[hunter22]

The best thing you can do is make a quality product and get it in the hands of turkey hunters. If they are good calls word of mouth will get you started. Ask Mr. Lonnie Sneed how his pot calls became so popular. I knew Lonnie back when he did not make many. But some die hard turkey hunters including myself got their hands on his Hot Hen and Green Glass calls and started telling other hunters about how good they sound and how many gobblers they had called to the gun with them. Before long he was having a hard time keeping up with orders. Once people found out what a good product he made at a great price everyone wanted one. Definitely a win-win for turkey hunters and Lonnie.

[JLCustomTurkeyCalls]

Thanks for the sage advice.  Been humbeled quite a bit the past year..I admit.. but the passion we all share keeps the drive very much alive!  Thanks gents

[J Lacey]

I've watched most of the things you've posted concerning the calls you guys are building. Im very new at this call building/selling thing as well and this will only be the second spring season where my sold calls will be used.  We killed 25 with them in 2014 across 5 states. I wanted to prove to myself that these things would work. Im 48 and been killing turkeys for over 25 years. Built some calls here and there over the years but just recently took on the task of callmaker. I only mention that to show that Im a small operation at best and limited as to what I can put out there that I feel is worthy of taking to the woods. I am small time in every sense of the word and I know it. Im taking it  slow and easy. Kinda letting it evolve on it's own if it will with-out forcing it on everybody. If it's right and the word gets out it will happen over time. If it's not so good or average you can make a million of them and not get anywhere with it. As with most makers I have a percentage that does not make the grade.   Im not a self promoter at all. I suck at that. Im more of the self critical and doubtful type.  But as I venture into this call making/selling thing I've learned a few things already that have made the difference between having a waiting list and having a bunch of finished calls sitting on a self and me trying to figure out how to sell them or figure out how to make even more.
Being able to run the calls your building is a big selling point to me. If your doing a average job calling then your turning away half your business.  Honestly most folks can't run a good box but they can learn and want to see what yours can really do. Having someone run the crap outta your stuff on all these vids will help show the full quality of the call. Putting your calls in the hands of some seasoned turkey hunters willing to support your efforts can help as well. And I'm talking good people and ethical sportsman. In the turkey hunting world word travels fast my friend. If you've got a winner or a loser everybody knows it fast. Successful outings has to be a huge part of building your business. All this comes with time and patience.  The product sales it'self.  I like the response above. Donate Donate Donate. Get involved with fund raisers and give aways. Help promote the sport and give back all you can. Put your stuff in a few call making contest. Put it out there this spring in trained hands over a big area. Get feedback, get results, get experience. See if folks like what your promoting. Most people refuse to be force fed by a self promoter. Don't be that guy. World has way too many of those already. I promise if it's ment to happen it will happen. None of us are gonna reinvent the wheel here, just tweek it a little. Slow down and enjoy this time and this new adventure. Best of luck bud. Go bust some heads this spring with a JL box call.

Jeff

Shag Hill Custom Box Calls

[JLCustomTurkeyCalls]

Thanks brother, well said!   

I guess that's the aggressive Marine in me to promote the crap out of our calls and come off arrogant and untested in the process.     I've learned that at the end of the day, you can't speed up the process of earning respect, you have to let the consumers decide for themselves!  It might take 10 years, it might take 25, but it will happen if its meant to.  Thanks again for the humbling words of encouragement.     Semper Fi

Eric

[Houndstooth Game Calls]

Jeff's advise is spot on!

[drum817]

Eric.... If you stick with your great attitude & have the drive to deliver the best possible products to your clients you will be fine!!!

[JLCustomTurkeyCalls]

Thanks drum, following your lead brother.  What you just said is exactly our goal..  Without having either just plain old takes the fun out of it!

[Gooserbat]

Preston Pitman told me when I first started that there are two ways to be successful in this business, one you can buy you way or second you can work hard and build a good product.  He also went on to say that with one approach you will have a lot more respect among your pier's. 

After 6 years I say he is right.  I've turned down opportunities that could have been great or could have been great disasters.  Just keep working hard, don't over spend, and promote your product as often as possible.

[JLCustomTurkeyCalls]

Thanks Gooserbat, I like your style.  Your calls are't so bad either!!!   

[Gooserbat]

Think you for the kind words.  Sometimes it is a bit tough to keep it all on track but so far thanks be to God, we've made it.