Better results and free money — who can say no?
Here’s a word that should be front and center in the business vocabulary of every BrandSource member: co-op.
Co-op is a program that results in more effective marketing tactics and free money for members, supplied by select manufacturers who participate.
Here’s how it works: Members earn money from GE, Whirlpool or Serta when they buy those brands for their stores. When the member invests in qualifying digital advertising campaigns, they receive a check for the money they’ve earned. That’s it. Co-op is an easy way to recoup some of the investment you’re already making in advertising. As we all know, promotion is the way business is done in this post-pandemic, economically tricky environment. If you can do it more cost-effectively, why wouldn’t you?
More to the point, you’re already earning co-op money if you carry products from those manufacturers. The question is, are you asking for it?
Specifics vary for individual programs, but co-op dollars can be used on digital and traditional marketing efforts and sometimes even website fees. Depending upon the vendor, co-oppable expenses include ads on Facebook and Instagram, Google Display and more. And if your website is on the Alta platform, that’s even better.
Co-op funds are use-it-or-lose-it and the clock starts over every six months. Co-op offers you the potential to earn significant dollars, whether you roll them into continued marketing campaigns or cash the check to use elsewhere.
Here are the facts:
- GE: If you have unclaimed co-op money from GE Appliances, Café, Monogram or Profile, approved group campaigns are 100% co-opped
- Whirlpool: If you have unclaimed co-op dollars ready to claim for WP or Kitchenaid, Amana and Maytag, approved advertising is 100% co-opped
- Serta: If you have unclaimed co-op money ready to claim for Serta, iComfort or Beautyrest, approved advertising is co-opped based on brand guidelines
In short, you get back part or all of what you spent on that advertising.
The money is yours and you’re already earning it, but many BrandSource members don’t take that last step to claim their money because submission requirements can be daunting.
If you’re hesitating to claim your co-op because of the paperwork required, AVB Marketing has solved that problem — they will submit the documentation for you. There is literally no downside: Work with AVB Marketing to enhance and perfect the marketing you’re already doing and get a nice cash bonus with no additional effort on your part.
When you do that, the assets that AVB Marketing creates for you are already approved by the manufacturers to meet their co-op requirements and you’ve got a custom marketing plan that serves your business, your customers and your bottom line. And we know that members who are fully plugged into the AVBM suite of programs see a 30% boost in traffic.
If today’s new word is co-op, this is the definition: The best digital marketing in the industry, improved traffic to your business and guaranteed cash back. Contact your AVB Marketing rep to find out how to take full advantage of your co-op dollars.
