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International Karting Industry Buyer's Guide

Kart Expo International
ExhibitorInformation and Show Directions

SHOP TALK

MORE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
By Darrell Sitarz

VIDEO—
Have a VCR or DVD-TV available in your showroom so customers can watch industry-related or promotional videos while they wait to be assisted. This is an effective way to keep customers in the store and it can even help sell products.

MEDIA DAY AT THE TRACK—
Invite the press to a ‘Day at the Races’ so they can drive, learn and appreciate kart racing to the fullest. Be sure to provide complimentary food and beverages. Also invite local kart shops to display their goods so the media can see all of the karting products available. You may also want to put on a demonstration race using the fastest and best looking equipment available.

KEEP THINGS NEAT—
Keep catalogs and parts diagrams in DIFFERENT colored ring binders near the counter. Arrange them by category — wheel and tires in one, clutches in another, and so on. This will help find specific products quickly and if the shop is busy, more than one person can help customers without having to wait until someone else is done with the ‘master catalog”.

RED LIGHT—
Do you have a switch you keep forgetting to turn off? Install an indicator switch in place of a standard switch. When properly installed, it will show a red light when on, which will be a reminder to turn off the switch.

MAKE CORRECTIONS—
Many kart shops print catalogs and flyers. Before you go to press, proof-read material carefully and have at least one other person other than the writer also to proof-read; marking all corrections in RED INK so they’re not missed by the typesetter/printer. There is nothing worse than a catalog or flyer with spelling errors, bad grammar or ‘typos’. Remember, your company will be judges by the accuracy and quality of materials you present to customers.

NON-STICK SILICONE—
Keep silicone sprays out of areas and away from objects you are planning to paint. Silicone over-spray can coat surfaces, making paint adhesion difficult or unlikely. For obvious reasons, body shops hate the stuff.

KEEP ‘EM INFORMED—
One of the most cost-effective ways for a company to communicate with dealers, distributors and/or customers is through a quarterly or monthly newsletters. Whether it’s one page or several, you can communicate news of new products, special sales, special promotions, new services, etc. Most importantly, you execute one of the first rules of marketing: Keep your name in front of customers.

DRY IT, PEEL IT—
Need to dry something in a hurry? Use a hand-held hair dryer. The inexpensive item is also useful in heating stickers for removal from karts, helmets or trailers without causing damage.

FRONT TOWARD THE FRONT—
Many new-style rubber stamps use round plastic handles rather than the traditional handles with a flat side indicating the front. To avoid the chance of stamping upside down, mark the front of the handle with a vibrating pencil. This way, you’ll quickly identify the front when picking it up.

END

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Kart Marketing Group, Inc.
Post Office Box 101
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA
Telephone: 630-653-7368
Fax: 630-653-2637
Email: karting@msn.com

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Neatconcept, Inc