‍In this guide, you'll delve into:‍

• The pivotal role of brand authorization in safeguarding both your business and the brands you partner with.
• The methods on how to sell branded products online effectively.
• The ins and outs of how to get permission to sell licensed products.
• How to research the necessary licensing requirements tailored to your niche.
• Preparing your business infrastructure for brand licensing.
• Engaging with brand owners or licensing agents how to secure the green light for sales.

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Ready? Let’s go!

Get Permission to Sell Branded Products Using These 5 Expert Tips - In 5 Actionable Steps

In the e-commerce world, knowing how to sell branded products, especially on platforms like Amazon, offers a profitable edge. Before you start selling branded items, it's vital to obtain permission from brand owners.

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This step helps you avoid copyright infringement complaints and the risk of selling fake items. Proper authorization is crucial, whether you're on your own website, Amazon, or other e-commerce platforms.

Step 1. - Researching the Brand and Its Licensing Requirements

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Before you start selling branded stuff, learn about the brand and their licensing rules. This will help you understand the process better and boost your odds of getting approval.

Identifying the brand owner

To request permission to sell branded products, you must first identify the brand owner or company responsible for the product. You can easily find this information on the brand's official website or on their product packaging.

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• For brands that are not yet very well known, you may need to do more online research to find relevant information about them.
• Once you have identified the brand owner, it's a good idea to learn more about the company and its values.

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Knowing about the brand and its goals can guide your licensing request, making it more likely they'll say yes.

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Bonus Tip: If you are planning to launch a consumer brand, and you want to do it risk-free? Read our guide on how to launch your brand with Supliful!

Reviewing the brand's licensing policies

Every brand has its own way of licensing policies and procedures. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure you meet all requirements before contacting the brand owner.

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Licensing policies can be different from one brand to another, so it's important to understand the unique requirements of the specific brand you wish to sell.

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It's also important to review the brand's licensing fees and royalties. Some brands may charge:

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• a percentage of your sales
• while others may require a flat fee

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Understanding these costs upfront can help you budget and plan accordingly.

Familiarizing yourself with common licensing terms

Understanding the terminology used in licensing agreements can be helpful as you prepare your application for brand authorization. Common terms to know include "license," "royalties," "minimum guarantees," and "term length."

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By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you'll be better equipped to negotiate a licensing agreement with the brand owner or agent.

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It's also important to know that licensing agreements can vary in time frame, some take a few months while some, several years. Consider your business goals and financial projections when negotiating the term length to ensure it aligns with your overall strategy.

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Overall, researching the brand and its licensing requirements is a crucial step in obtaining authorization to sell branded products.

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Step 2. - Preparing Your Business for Brand Licensing

Before approaching the brand owner to request permission to sell their products, it is important to ensure that your business meets their standards and requirements. Let’s explore some important steps you can take to prepare your business for brand licensing.

Ensuring Your Business Meets Brand Standards

One primary concern for brand owners is maintaining:

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• product quality
• consistency

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To make sure that your business can meet or exceed a brand’s expectations, it is important to read and understand a brand's guidelines.

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This may involve looking into additional resources, staff training, or other improvements to your business processes. By demonstrating that your business can uphold the brand's reputation, you will improve your chances of obtaining authorization.

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For example, if you are interested in licensing a popular clothing brand, you may need to invest in specialized equipment or hire additional staff to ensure that the garments are produced to the brand's exact specifications.

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Alternatively, if you are interested in licensing a food brand, you may need to upgrade your kitchen facilities to meet the brand's hygiene and safety standards.

Creating a Solid Business Plan

A well-written business plan can be your easiest route to proving your ability to successfully sell a brand's products. Your plan should address how you plan to acquire the products, maintain inventory levels, and manage logistics.

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Additionally, you should include financial projections and an analysis of your target market to demonstrate your understanding of the industry landscape.

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It is also important to be realistic about goals and expectations when making a business plan. Think about your business goals,  who your current customers are, and how much you want to spend on marketing.

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By thinking ahead, you show you truly care about the brand and can handle their items right.

Bonus Tip: If you want to sell branded products and get into dropshipping but think you’re too young to do it here’s our guide on how to dropship if you are under 18 years old.

Step 3. - Developing a Marketing Strategy for the Branded Products

Connecting with your audience and being cost-effective starts with a well-thought-out plan.

Define your target audience

Determine who you're trying to reach. Is it the tech-savvy young adults or families? Recognizing your audience's needs and preferences helps make your marketing messages resonate better, ensuring you sell products effectively.

Conduct market research

Research is key. Dive deep into the market trends, check out your competition, and understand the preferences of consumers. This knowledge helps you spot opportunities and anticipate potential challenges in your specific industry.

Establish your brand identity

Your brand's voice and image matter. Stand out by establishing a strong brand identity that aligns with your audience. This makes selling branded products smoother and more effective.

Set marketing objectives

Be clear about your goals. Maybe you want more people to recognize your brand, perhaps you're focused on driving sales, or maybe it's about keeping your loyal customers. Set clear, SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) objectives to track your progress.

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Bonus Tip: If you want to market your product for free, here’s our guide to help you know the steps on how to market a product online for free in 2023.

Brands' expectations and your approach

Brands cherish their identity. They've got certain standards and visions. Aligning with these while developing a strategy for branded products is key.

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Plot out your promotions. It could be

• Engaging social media campaigns
• Informative email marketing
• Partnerships with influencers

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If you're considering licensing a renowned beauty brand, why not run a social media campaign showing the product in real-world use? Toy brands? Collaborating with mommy bloggers could be your golden ticket.

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Successfully mapping out this strategy shows brand owners that you're capable and trustworthy, increasing your chances of securing permission to sell their branded goods.

Develop your marketing spectrum

Leverage a variety of marketing methods tailored to your audience. This could range from digital advertising and content marketing to influencer collaborations and physical events. This mix ensures you cover all bases in your quest to sell branded items.

Allocate your budget

Money matters. Plan your expenses focusing on what delivers the best results. Combining strategies—like owned media with paid campaigns—can often yield the best bang for your buck.

Implement your strategy

Action time! Implement your strategy while ensuring everyone on your team is on the same page. With the right resources and alignment, your strategies to sell branded products can truly shine.

Monitor and measure your results

Metrics are important! Regularly check on metrics:

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• website visits
• product sales
• social media interactions

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Adjust your strategy based on real-world feedback to keep your brand at its best.

Step 4. - Contacting the Brand Owner or Licensing Agent

Once you've done your research and prepared your business, it's time to contact the brand owner or licensing agent to request permission to sell their products.

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Crafting a professional, persuasive inquiry is key to making a strong impression and improving your chances of a positive response.

Finding the appropriate contact information

Before you can contact the brand owner or licensing agent, you need to ensure you have the correct contact information. Check the brand website of the brand you're targeting to find the right contact information for licensing inquiries.

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Some brands will have a dedicated web page for licensing information, while others may include contact details in their website's footer or contact us section. In some cases, you might need to reach out through social media or call the company directly to get the correct contact information.

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It's important to make sure that you have the correct contact information before reaching out, as sending your request to the wrong person or department could result in delays or even get your request rejected.

Crafting a professional inquiry email or letter

When reaching out to the brand owner or licensing agent, it's crucial to present your request professionally and concisely.

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• Start by introducing yourself and your business.
• After establishing your identity, you can explain what caught your interest in selling their products.
• Be sure to convey why you believe your business fits their brand.

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To convince them more, you can attach your business plan and marketing strategy. This will demonstrate to the brand owner or licensing agent that you've done your homework and are serious about selling your products.

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Ensure your correspondence is well-written, proofread, and follows proper email or letter format.

Remember, you only have a single chance to make a first impression, so take the time to craft a well-thought and persuasive request that will make your business stand out.

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Bonus Tip: To help you with writing your request, check out our guide on “What is a proposal in business”.

Following up on your request

After sending your inquiry, be patient, as the brand owner or licensing agent may take some time to review your request. If you haven’t received a response within two to three weeks, follow up with a polite email or call to check on the status of your inquiry.

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It's essential to remain professional and courteous in all interactions with the brand owner or licensing agent. Remember, they are busy professionals who receive many inquiries, so it's essential to be persistent without being pushy.

Step 5. - Exploring Selling on Different Platforms

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Starting an online store and deciding to sell products is an exciting venture! However, it's important to understand the platforms you’re interested in, especially when dealing with branded goods.

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Each platform has its rules concerning copyrighted items and the intellectual property rights of brand owners.

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Here's a guide to selling on different platforms, paying sales tax, and ensuring you don't get a copyright infringement complaint:

Leveraging Amazon Brand Registry

For Amazon sellers, the Amazon Brand Registry offers benefits to protect your branded products on Amazon. It ensures genuine products are sold online, helping you protect your brand identity.

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This tool aids in keeping track of:

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• Any unauthorized sellers
• Potential copyright infringement issues

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However, securing permission from brand owners is paramount before you list.

Navigating Amazon's Bundling Policy

Amazon's bundling policy allows sellers to combine complementary products into a single listing. This offers a unique selling proposition, especially in crowded product categories. Be cautious about combining branded and unbranded products and always respect intellectual property rights.

Differentiating Your Approach on eBay when Selling Branded Products

Unlike eBay, where the Buy Box doesn't dictate the sales as dominantly, branding plays a different role. Sellers should ensure they're selling genuine items and not counterfeit or fake items.

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Remember, even big brands monitor platforms like eBay to ensure their intellectual property rights are upheld. Familiarize yourself with each brand's specific policies, and always prioritize getting permissions.

How To Get Permission to Sell Brands on Amazon‍

Obtaining permission to start selling branded products on Amazon begins with contacting brand owners. It's essential to ensure you're buying from authorized suppliers or directly from the brand.

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This can save you from potential copyright infringement complaints. Also, be ready to present your digital marketing plan, demonstrating how you'll promote their brand responsibly and lucratively.

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Always keep all your suppliers' information transparent, especially if Amazon requests verification.

Selling Branded Products on Shopify

Shopify is another significant platform for third-party sellers to showcase their branded items. The key is to differentiate yourself from other sellers. Offering bundled products, exclusive deals, or even detailed product insights can be your edge. Plus, paying sales tax and abiding by the national trademark and copyright holder rules is non-negotiable.

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If you want to ensure you don't lose your selling privileges, always sell genuine products, and consider integrating digital marketing strategies to stand out. And, like with Amazon, remember to secure permissions from brand owners before listing their items.

Bonus Tip: Selling branded products on Shopify can be more effective with a customized Shopify store. Check out our guide on how to create a new page template in Shopify.

How To Sell Branded Products Online With Supliful

Considering selling branded products online? 

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What if creating your own brand and launching it - would be even faster and more rewarding that selling branded products?

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With the help of Supliful Academy creating your own branded products has never been easier. At Supliful, we help you amplify your brand's presence and master online marketing.

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Our approach is hands-on, helping you launch an easy-to-use online store, design a brand that sticks in your customers' minds, and offer marketing advice that stands out in the midst of many online competitors.

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With Supliful Academy, starting your online branded products business is both straightforward and promising.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, always know how to get permission to sell licensed products when you decide to sell branded goods. Taking this step ensures you're abiding by the law and upholds your standing as a reliable business owner. 

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Familiarize yourself with brand licensing requirements so you can prepare your business for licensing and stay informed when connecting with the brand owner. Just remember, stay professional, be persistent, and study the brand you're pursuing.

FAQs

How do I get permission to sell branded products?

Start by reaching out to the brand or manufacturer, understanding their requirements, and then securing the necessary resale license or authorization.

How do I get permission from companies to sell their products?

To get permission to sell a company's products, reach out to their licensing or sales team. Make sure to get everything in writing, especially if you're selling on sites like Amazon or your own online store.

Do I need permission to sell brands online?

Yes, to sell branded items or resell branded products online, obtaining permission is often essential to avoid copyright infringement complaints and ensure you're compliant with e-commerce business standards.

What kind of legal contracts would we get into with the manufacturer?

Typically, you'd engage in a supply chain contract, detailing product supply, pricing, and resale guidelines. Some brands might also require you to understand and adhere to their brand identity standards.

Is it legal to resell an existing brand's product on my web store without asking for any rights from the company?

Generally, no. Selling branded products on your own website or other e-commerce platforms without the necessary permissions might lead to legal issues, including copyright infringement complaints.

How can I sell brand-name products on my website without getting in trouble?

To sell brands successfully, always ensure you have obtained the necessary permissions, understand sales tax obligations, and are compliant with your platform's rules, like Amazon's brand registry.

Is it illegal to buy a product and then resell it for a higher price?

No, it's not always illegal. But if you're reselling branded products, you should check the brand's policies. Being transparent about pricing is crucial to avoid violating any agreements.

Can I resell imported, licensed products without legal trouble?

To avoid issues, make sure you know how to get permission to sell licensed products and that you're adhering to local regulations, sales tax guidelines, and any stipulations from the licensing agreement.

Are you in search of additional wisdom and knowledge?

Don't miss out on these valuable articles about branded products:

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1. How to promote other companies products
2. How to receive products from influenster
3. How to sell customized products online

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By delving into these posts, you'll gain a deeper perspective on selling, enabling you to enhance your skills.

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