Distribution
Consultants

It is important to deduce the most efficient means of distribution.  This involves two steps.  First, there is the numbers game (the theoretic portion).  How much do you think will end where, and what percentage of that needs to be held in reserve.  You make a theoretic distribution schedule for the different counties (or areas), based of amount of likely voters/desired voters and competency of the field program in the area.  Then, you contemplate trust and reliability of those field programs (can they hold onto the materials, or will they waste them?  Will they share if I give them excess, or will they become jealous?).   Once you decide what I want to do in theory, you make a cost benefit analysis of doing that plan.  Should you have them drop shipped from the distributor?  Should you have an intern drive them to different places?  Should you drive them?  Literature and signs are heavy.  Stickers are light.  What is the cheapest way to ship?  The factory gets discounts that you cannot get on freight.  Sometimes their drop shipping is both quicker and cheaper (not to mention easier) than you or an intern driving it yourselves.  Let us help you plan the details of your distribution and use our warehouse to save excess shipping costs.

Want more details (want some help with your rubrics, we know every possible scheme in the book)?

Call (800) 336-4844 and ask for David

Inventory and Internal Distribution

Once a sign goes to end of the line, it does not come back.  That is why you hold extra material in the pyramid scheme.   It keeps that sign’s options open.  Campaign volunteers or workers always assume that whatever they get is their last shipment and they need to make it last.  You must force them to do regular inventories.  This will do two things.  It will allow you to keep them well supplied.  You will know what they need with some notice.  

Second, it will force them to keep their inventory neat, so that they will not lose or forget about valuable materials.    A good office can provide you with advertisement space (store front), allows for easy access of volunteers and other people on a daily basis (parking), and is good to the guy who needs to get the signs out across a vast swath of land (storage space).  A bad office is bad for everyone!   The second step distribution is dramatically different depending on the size of the state/area.  Volunteers are the key to keeping costs down.  In the South materials are easily moved in pickup trucks.  In the North, SUV’s help, but rentals are also likely.   There are constant liability concerns for campaigns, so be very weary about every mission that involves volunteers. Want more details (want help with getting volunteers to do distribution trips), call (800) 336-4844 and ask for David!   

Getting Your Material to Your Constituents

This is all about offering the world and delivering the world.  There are several options based on cost, efficiency and speed.  The two most important items to individuals are bumper stickers and yard signs.  Bumper stickers can be sent out, on request, in #10 envelopes.  This is simple.   More rural areas can benefit from cardboard rally signs that they can staple to a post of wood.  The bigger debate is the medium orders of literature, fans etc.  State fairs, small county gatherings etc.  They need to be systematic, otherwise you will go crazy trying to figure out how much to send everyone.  UPS ground is one day to everywhere in your state (unless you are Texas, than it is two days to El Paso and all points west of San Angelo).   Specialty items, those things that are not meant for visibility will be distributed through fundraising and an on-line store.  The on-line store can be run out of your office, or through a vendor with warehouse space.  If you do all of the procuring in your office, you will have the advantage of direct control over all of the merchandise.  The problem is the added burden of having to constantly fill orders and update the store. 

Want more details (want to know about a risk free store that we can run for you)?

Call (800) 336-4844 and ask for David

True Story on Distribution

I (David) created a pyramid structure of depots across the state.  Using rental trucks and UPS Ground, I kept 16 field offices, 254 county chairs well supplied, with little or no last minute movement of goods.  Too many campaigns are left with boxes of materials in one location, while another location starves.  DemStore can help you minimize the cost of distribution by effective use of depots and drop shipping.  We can save you thousands of dollars in shipping.  Often campaigns leave some materials on hand at DemStore fulfillment center.   When there was a rush need, you can simply call or email DemStore; they will drop ship the signs to you (both Steve and Dave have cell phones attached to their hips). 

True Story on Distribution to Constituents

In Texas we got yard signs to anyone in the state within five days in a cost efficient manner.  Bumper stickers were out the door within the day.  Yet, we can help you deal with your constituents in your free-online store.  We send out the individual requests and take the financial burden of stocking your bumper stickers.  This is a way to get your materials to your constituents, without risking anything.   We have seen it all, the non-union purchase, the lost materials, and the budget overruns.  We have been in the trenches when the bumper stickers were not there or the custom sign was the wrong color.  We have experienced these things so you do not have to experience them.  We know about constituent bases, unions, budgets, design, distribution, FEC regulations, and much, much, more.  All of this experience comes free with your materials.