As we gear up for an exciting show season, it’s time to ensure that you’re fully equipped to make the most of your time at shows. At MarketTime, we understand the importance of preparation, seamless transactions, and staying ahead of the curve. Here’s a comprehensive guide, pulling from our recent Pre-Show MarketTime Mastery webinar to navigating the Winter Wholesale Tradeshows with ease and success.
Update Products and Content Early
First things first – it’s important to make sure that your product information is up to date. Early preparation is key! Update your products and content on MarketTime well in advance, so order writers can access the latest and most accurate information during the shows. This proactive approach streamlines the ordering process and allows order writers to be more familiar with new products, promotions, and changes to your company’s settings. Additionally, this provides ample time for showroom staff to print out barcode stickers to stick to each of the products in the showroom. This allows for ease with scanning products to quickly add items to an order and ensures each product is pulling up the correct wholesale pricing. The MarketTime Support Center contains helpful import templates and best practices to make taking care of this process super easy!
Additional Tips and Tricks for Suppliers
- Set Up Promotions: During the show season, promotions tend to be more available for retail buyers. Learn how to set up promotions and utilize the auto-apply setting to ensure that retailers can save the most money by having available promotions automatically apply to an order.
- Update Company Settings: Ensure that your minimum order amounts and reorder amounts are accurate. Additionally, make sure that your payment settings are up to date. Would you be interested in learning more about available payment options and how to process payments most efficiently in MarketTime? One of our recent blogs features B2B payment best practices for navigating net terms and payment methods.
Transmit Orders During the Show
Don’t wait until the last moment to transmit orders – do it during the show! This real-time approach ensures that the order information is promptly received and processed, minimizing delays and maximizing efficiency. MarketTime’s seamless electronic order transmissions can be handled in a couple of ways depending on where the order is created.
When using the MarketTime website to capture an order, you can send the order immediately upon marking the order as finished. If you’d like a little more time to ensure that all the order details are correct for each of the orders you’re taking, you can use the Transmit Orders screen to select multiple orders. Simply select all the orders to send a batch of orders to their respective suppliers once you’ve ensured all the order details are accurate.
When using the MarketTime Mobile App, you can transmit the order from one of two places on your device. The first location is again available once you’ve finalized an order by using the options that become immediately available on the screen. The other method allows you to transmit multiple orders like how this process is completed on the website. You can select multiple orders from the view orders screen using a tap-and-hold motion to select the necessary orders, then use the three dots in the top right of the app to transmit the orders to your suppliers.
One exception to why it may make sense to delay transmitting orders would be if you’re in a place that does not have sufficient WIFI to complete this process. Another reason to wait on transmitting the mobile orders written on the MarketTime Mobile App would be if your company admin has asked you not to transmit orders using the app. It’s always important to follow your company’s business rules.
Importance of Syncing the MarketTime Mobile App
For those utilizing the MarketTime Mobile App, syncing is crucial. Ensure that your mobile order writers sync devices regularly to update product information, new promotions, price changes, new customers, customer addresses or information changes, quantity on hand, and other essential details. This ensures that order writers are well-prepared, even when connectivity may be challenging during the hustle and bustle of a tradeshow.
There are two ways to easily perform a sync in the MarketTime Mobile App. In the top right of your dashboard, there will be a flashing bell that will indicate the number of updates that need to sync to the device. Most updates should only take a minute or two, but if it’s been a few months since your last sync then you may need to reserve more time to complete a sync. To perform a manual sync, tap on the hamburger button in the top left to open the navigation options and select the sync option.
The best practice is to perform these syncs in the morning and evening, especially during shows. Regularly performing syncs helps mitigate the risk of losing any data and will also help you save time on running syncs since most of your data should be current.
Additional Tips and Tricks for Order Writers
- Set your Default User Settings for Show: Order Defaults can vary on the web and MarketTime Mobile App. You should remember to update the Default Order Code to differentiate which orders should be tied to which tradeshow. This will save you from needing to input this information manually on each order that you write.
- MarketTime Website: Click your name in the top right and select User Profile. Select your Default Settings to customize your experience for use when writing orders with MarketTime.
- MarketTime Mobile App: Select your MarketTime settings from the left sidebar or using the gear icon in the top right of the app. Then scroll down until you see the Default Order Code section.
Pre-Show Checklist for Order Writers
- Sync before you leave for the show while you’re still home. You will have a better internet connection to complete the sync efficiently. Please note: Showtime is when you will have the newest information and syncs will take longer to complete.
- Once you get to the show, make sure you're connected to the network and run another sync, then place yourself in Show mode. Your company admin should be able to assist with this process if any help is required.
- Follow the suggested sync schedules from your company’s management.
- Change your Order Code Default within your Default User Settings
- Make sure you pack:
- Scanner (Customer Favorite)
- Charging Cords/Block
- Battery Back Up
- External Keyboard (if utilized)
- Bonus: pack the test barcodes and any paperwork supplied with your scanner if you need to complete any troubleshooting for your scanner.
Contacting MarketTime Support
Should you encounter any challenges or have questions, our dedicated support team is here to assist you. Contact MarketTime Support through the platform at support.markettime.com for quick and personalized assistance, or to reference our knowledge base for any help articles. Our experts are ready to address your inquiries and ensure a smooth experience during shows. Additionally, the MarketTime Support team can be reached at 303-788-9970 x1 or by email at support@markettime.com.
In-Person Support at Upcoming Shows
MarketTime will have in-person support available at upcoming shows. Look out for our team members on-site, ready to assist you with any questions or concerns. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with us directly and enhance your MarketTime experience. Find our upcoming show calendar here.
As you prepare for the Winter Wholesale Tradeshows in Q1, follow these best practices and leverage the full potential of MarketTime. With updated product information, efficient order transmission, and the support of our team, you're well on your way to a successful and productive tradeshow season.
Integrating MarketTime Order Solutions into Your Company
With MarketTime, you can streamline your order processes, enhance customer collaboration, and increase your B2B sales. Contact us today to schedule a demo and discover how MarketTime can address your B2B needs. Book your MarketTime demo to explore the most important features needed for your business.