Comparing the Two Approaches in Printing: Order-Taking vs. Full-Service Marketing
Printing firms can approach their business in two ways: as order-takers or as full-service marketing providers. In this blog post, we will compare these two approaches and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Order-Taking Approach
In the order-taking approach, a printing firm simply takes orders from customers and provides them with the requested print job. This approach is straightforward and easy to implement, making it a popular choice for many printing firms.
Pros:
- Simple and straightforward: The order-taking approach is simple and straightforward, which makes it easy for printing firms to implement and manage.
- Lower overhead costs: Printing firms that take orders typically have lower overhead costs than full-service marketing providers. This allows them to offer lower prices to their customers.
- Focused on printing: By focusing solely on printing, printing firms that take orders can develop expertise in this area, improving the quality of their print jobs and increasing customer satisfaction.
Cons:
- Limited services: Printing firms that take orders typically only provide printing services, which limits their ability to offer a complete solution to their customers.
- Reduced customer engagement: By only taking orders, printing firms that take orders miss the opportunity to engage with their customers and understand their needs.
- Limited revenue potential: By only offering printing services, printing firms that take orders have limited potential for increasing their revenue.
Full-Service Marketing Approach
In the full-service marketing approach, printing firms provide a full complement of marketing services to their customers, including printing, design, and marketing consultation. This approach provides a complete solution for customers, allowing them to work with one vendor for all of their marketing needs.
Pros:
- Complete solution: Full-service marketing providers offer a complete solution to their customers, reducing the need for customers to work with multiple vendors.
- Increased customer engagement: By providing marketing services, full-service marketing providers have the opportunity to engage with their customers and understand their needs, which can improve the quality of their services and increase customer satisfaction.
- Increased revenue potential: By offering a full complement of marketing services, full-service marketing providers have the potential to increase their revenue and improve their margins.
Cons:
- Higher overhead costs: Full-service marketing providers typically have higher overhead costs than printing firms that take orders, which can impact their ability to offer competitive pricing.
- More complex business model: Full-service marketing providers have a more complex business model than printing firms that take orders, which can make it more difficult to manage and maintain.
- Requires expertise in multiple areas: Full-service marketing providers need to have expertise in multiple areas, including printing, design, and marketing, which can be difficult to achieve and maintain.
In conclusion, printing firms can approach their business as order-takers or full-service marketing providers. Both approaches have their pros and cons, and the best approach for a particular printing firm will depend on their goals, resources, and target market. By understanding the differences between these two approaches, printing firms can make informed decisions about the best approach for their business.