Will 2014 Be The Year Of The MSP?

As Print 13 gets closer, one thing that’s perfectly clear is that Print, isn’t just a Print show anymore. Take a look at the exhibitors and their focus, take a look at the co-located events, and take a look at the seminars and sessions being offered. I see evolution, and more important, I see revolution.

That’s right – revolution! For five days in September, an integrated marketing force is taking over McCormick place, and taking no prisoners!

Long and seemingly endless have been the ongoing conversations regarding WHAT is the role of the Printer. And while I would agree that the primary responsibility of a Printer is to print, this isn’t the world we live in anymore. We are all part of the same instant gratification society conveniently delivered by electronic devices. Sometimes that involves a printed trigger, but it’s now time for Printers to put equal focus on when it doesn’t.

Despite the semantics of Print Service Provider (PSP) and Marketing Service Provider (MSP), Service Provider is the common denominator. Even here there is a dead end since you either provide a service, or you don’t.  But what if we looked at this in regards to being a Marketing Solutions Provider instead, and open a whole new set of doors for you to knock on.

Quite frankly, if your clients aren’t in the need of Print for some of their marketing projects, they are going to turn to someone else for those services. Eventually they will find a Marketing Solutions Provider who can provide everything under one roof, and you are old news. As a Buyer I can tell you, one stop shopping makes my work much simpler in so many ways. However, I understand that you don’t just wave a magic wand and “poof” you are in the data, personalized maps or e-publishing business. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help your customers with a SOULTION to that need.

If you are going to Print 13, take some time before the show to call your existing customers and find out what marketing services/technologies they are using without you, and ones they would be interested in using, but either don’t know how or don’t have a resource. Now take that information and use it to Map Your Show and meet with the exhibitors who have those services and products. In the cases where it doesn’t make sense for you to make a purchase, find out if you can partner directly with that company.

After the show, you will have plenty of great information to share to with your customers, and new conversations to start. Following up to your pre-show questions, you can potentially announce a new and relevant service (either directly or through a new partnership), or simply tell your customers about some great products you saw and become a solution resource.

Will 2014 be the year of the Marketing Solutions Provider? The market is certainly calling for it, the question is will you answer the call, or will your competition!

Going To Chicago?

We have great programming in the Printerverse at Print 13 aimed at helping Printers generate new revenue and grow their business through print and technology. Our Intergalactic Alliance Partners will be participating in daily panel presentations with Q&A and networking after.  This is a perfect way to learn about products and services from many companies in a quick and conversational manner, at one time, and in one place! We are also bringing you Lunch & Learns, afternoon Case Study Cafés, panels on how to Market Your Printing Company, and special events for National Girls Who Print Day on Tuesday Sept. 10, starting off with Trish Witkowski – the Folding Fanatic!

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