My wish list for information vendors

October 15, 2015/ Marcy Phelps / Information industry, Information sources / 6 comments

As an info pro/researcher/investigator, I use a lot of specialized database products for news, public records, and other info. As a result, I’ve had a chance to work with lots of database vendors, and, in my 15+ years in business, I’ve worked with some who are great at what they do and some who aren’t. Unfortunately, it’s been more of the latter than the former.

So, with input from some of my AIIP colleagues, I’ve put together this wish list for information vendors – 10 suggestions I’m sure will transform our relationships and lead to more sales:

 1. Accept that yours isn’t the only game in town – On a daily basis, I may use at least five or six databases for completing our background reports. I don’t care how great it is, your product will never replace my other professional tools, so tell me how yours works with or complements what I’m using.

 2. Follow up when you say you’re going to follow up – While attending a conference last week, I couldn’t get any face time with one of the vendors. I gave him my card and told him I definitely want a subscription. He said he’d call on Monday, and, as of today, I haven’t heard from him.

 3. But don’t harass me – I’m busy and sometimes can’t take time away from client work to discuss how your product will change my life. Find out when to check back, and respect my time frame.

 4. Get to know me – If you take a minute to look at my website, you’ll learn I run a small business and specialize in due diligence background investigations for investors. Don’t waste our time pitching an enterprise product or something more suited for a different industry.

 5. Offer flexible pricing models – Just about every one of my colleagues who responded to my query put this at the top of their wish list. Not all firms can afford an annual subscription or will use it enough to make it cost-effective, and some might be interested in daily, weekly, or pay-as-you-go access. Make it reasonable, though. A monthly pass shouldn’t cost almost as much as an annual subscription.

 6. Get your team on the same page – I’ve had one person tell me yes while another – in the same department – said no. And while we’re at it, why is “no” your best response? It looks chaotic, unprofessional, and inflexible from this end, and I’m reluctant to recommend your product.

 7. Be willing to negotiate – You can see how I’m using your product, so let’s use that info. Maybe I don’t need the full suite, so offer modules or other ways of slicing and dicing the content. On the other hand, maybe I use your product and refer others so often that I deserve a little break.

 8. Play fairly – While a little negotiation will go a long way, don’t cut a deal with one person that you aren’t willing to offer to others in similar situations. The information community is small, and we do talk to one another.

 9. Check in occasionally, and not just at renewal time –  Maybe my needs are changing, or, based on my use case, I’m not taking advantage of available features. One of the best at this was the late Bob Schmitt of Skyminder. Even though I wasn’t his biggest customer, he checked in regularly to see how things were going and fill me in on any upcoming product changes.

10. Remember that it’s not just about the sale – I may not become a buyer, but our relationship and what I learn from you will go a long way. Like many of my colleagues, I frequently speak and write about information trends and products, and, if I like what you’re selling, I will become your biggest evangelist.

What else would you add to this list?

Tags buying informationwish list