In every industry, there are companies that make the environment TOXIC. The promo world is no exception. Being that the industry isn't indexed like traditional workplaces, it can be hard to find feedback on the many promo companies that exist in the world. Promo companies don't typically post wanted ads on traditional job boards like Glassdoor or Indeed.com. The Better Business Bureau doesn't hold strong records of various promo companies. Leaving it up to you to figure out who to book with and who to avoid booking with let alone when to stop booking with a company that's going downhill.
BONUS RED FLAG
Low Pay Rate
It is important to stay up to date on the current promo rates for the market the event is in. Low rates can be a red flag because the work assignment has already been under-valued. If a company isn't willing to stay aligned with the current rates, you can only imagine what else isn't aligned with industry trends.
RED FLAG #3
60 - 90 Day Pay Outs
Having to wait 2+ months for your paycheck/deposit to be released is outdated. These companies are probably attached to the old way of waiting for the client to pay the promo company so they can then pay you. When doing business-to-business deals, a Net30/60/90 may be offered. This allows the client to pay their balance in installments over time (30, 60, and 90-day due dates from the invoice). However, whether or not the client actually pays the promo company has nothing to do with you. You entered an agreement to be paid for the work you've done and should be paid regardless. Promo companies these days have figured out how to process payments quicker for more appeal to their staff members.
NOTE: Just because a company's pay releases are long doesn't mean that they won't pay you or that they are a bad company. But generally, the issues complained about are usually companies who have these kinds of payouts.
RELATED BLOG: How To Recover Unpaid Wages!
RED FLAG #2
There's Poor Retention With The Promo Company's Staffers
There are many roles that are filled when you work directly for a promo company, but too many promo companies are run by powers who've never been in the field for real. This shows up in policy and procedure which then trickles down to how activations are put together. Staffers many times are at the end of that trickle down enduring the bluntness of the industry. Some of us are overworked while others are thriving. It all goes back to the company culture. This is why noticing when a company keeps getting new faces every season should raise an eyebrow. Ways to tell if there's a possible switch. New emails are being used. Different people from the company are posting the events on Facebook. Your bookings with that company may go down because your rapport was with the other staffer. There are other tells, but that's another blog for another day.
NOTE: Staffers are under a NDA for a certain amount of time so this is why you don't really hear the tea on what happened.
RED FLAG #1
The Company Isn't Registered With Any State
Question, when you sign up for a new promo company, are you checking that the company is a legit registered company?? New promo companies are popping up these days and we must be our first line of defense against scammer promo companies who have real clients and book you for a real event, but don't pay out. Make sure to get the contract before you work the event. The contract should have the address of the company listed there and the contract should list the state of the jurisdiction the contract falls under. Go to that state's Secretary of State website and look up the promo company. The website should be free and it will tell you if the company is in good standing with the state along with other information.
NOTE: Now all legit companies are listed on websites like the Better Business Bureau. Looking up the company through the Secretary of State is best.
What are some other red flags you've encountered in the industry?
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