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Is a LibDib Membership Worth It for Just One Order?


A common question we hear from Makers is: "I only have one order this month. Does a membership really make sense?" It's a fair question, and the short answer is that you're not paying for one order. You're paying to win and keep a new account.

Your first order is a new account, not just a sale

When a buyer places an order through LibDib, they've found your brand, chosen your product and committed to carrying it. That's the hardest part of building a brand in a new market, and it's already done.

So instead of asking whether one order covers the cost of a membership, ask what that new account is worth to you over the next year.

What it usually costs to win a new account on your own

Landing a new retail or restaurant account without LibDib usually takes some combination of:

  • A sales rep's time, or your own time away from running the business
  • Samples
  • Travel to the market
  • Trade shows and tastings
  • Weeks or months of follow-up before a buyer commits

Many brands spend more than a month of LibDib Access ($199) just to get a first meeting with a buyer. And most traditional distributors won't take on a brand until it already has accounts like the one you just landed.

The real value is in reorders

Buyers who order once tend to reorder, but only if your products are still live on LibDib when they come back. Without an active membership, your offerings are removed from the market, and that buyer can't reorder.

A membership keeps you in the market, visible to that buyer and to others like them, with compliant three-tier distribution handled for you. Learn more in What Value Does My LibDib Membership Provide Beyond Direct Sales?

A better way to do the math

Instead of comparing the membership fee to a single order, ask yourself three questions:

  1. If this buyer reorders every month or two, what is this account worth to me over a year?
  2. What would it cost me to find and close an account like this on my own?
  3. If my products come off the market, what happens when this buyer wants to reorder?

For most Makers, the membership costs less than the time, travel and samples it takes to win a single new account on their own.

Choosing the right plan

If you're just getting started, LibDib Access is a low-cost way to stay live in the market and keep new accounts ordering. If you're ready to grow, Silver and Gold add support, shipping benefits and strategic planning.

Compare all plans in LibDib Membership Plans and How Much Does LibDib Cost?

Not sure which plan fits where you are right now? Our team is happy to talk it through. Click Here to Schedule a Meeting or email us at makers@libdib.com.