The Productivity Puzzle
You’re juggling client requests, product sourcing, supplier hiccups, order deadlines—and that’s before your second cup of coffee.
If you’re in the branded merchandise industry, you already know: efficiency isn’t optional. It’s everything. But finding the right tools? That can feel like a full-time job.
So we asked members of The Ripple Collective to spill their secrets—and they delivered.
Here are five tools that real distributors are using to get more done, stress less, and stay ahead in an ever-moving industry.
1. A CRM That Actually Works for You
CRM overload is real—but when you find one that fits, it’s a game-changer.
Many of our members use Zoho CRM because it’s customizable, budget-friendly, and adaptable to the unique way distributors work. From tracking follow-ups to integrating with supplier databases, it helps you stop letting leads slip through the cracks.
Other honorable mentions: HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Monday.com for simpler workflows.
2. Email Marketing That Doesn’t Make You Cry
You don’t need a marketing degree to stay in touch with your clients—just a tool that’s intuitive and easy to automate.
MailerLite and Flodesk have both earned praise from Ripple members for being beautifully designed, drag-and-drop simple, and perfect for sending holiday reminders, new product launches, or client appreciation notes.
You’re building relationships, not blasting promotions—and these platforms get that.
3. Project Management That Keeps You (and Your Team) on Track
Let’s be honest—promo orders have a lot of moving pieces.
ClickUp is the crowd favorite for team-based task tracking, while Trello keeps things visual for solo operators or small teams. Both help ensure you know exactly where every project stands—and who’s holding the ball.
Bonus: most tools integrate with your email or Slack, so everything stays connected.
4. Automation You Didn’t Know You Needed
You don’t need to code to make magic happen.
Zapier lets you connect your tools—like automatically adding a CRM contact when someone fills out a Typeform, or sending a Slack notification when an order moves stages in ClickUp.
It’s the behind-the-scenes wizard that gives you back hours (and a little peace of mind).
Ripple Favorites = Real Results
Everything on this list came straight from our community of distributors, sales reps, account managers, and creative minds in the promo industry. These are the tools they’re using—not because someone told them to, but because they work.
And the best part? In The Ripple Collective, these kinds of recommendations happen every day—shared over chats, calls, and in private peer mentor groups designed for meaningful, role-specific connections.
You Don’t Need to Figure It All Out Alone
The tools are out there. The workflows exist. But sometimes, the real secret weapon? Is having a crew who’s walked this road before.
If you’re looking for community and clarity, The Ripple Collective is here for you.
Want to see what else our members are loving?