America's Top Five Promotional Imprinted Product Markets

The Advertising Specialty Institute's (ASI) Counselor Magazine has ranked the top 100 American cities & metropolitan areas for selling promotional materials. Below are the top five cities that made the list & the reasons why.

I was surprised when I first saw what cities were the top 5......not New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Atanta or Houston. But after reading why these cities made the list, it made sense.

Businesses can look for similar characteristics within their own communities to determine why promotional imprinted products are effective marketing tools for their companies & the services & products they provide.

1. Bridgeport, Connecticut

There are many factors that account for the fact Connecticut's largest city sits at the top of the list, but the most noteworthy may be the location. Approximately 35% of the U.S. population & 64% of Canada's is contained within a 500 mile radius of Bridgeport. Additionally, Bridgeport is close to a high number of Fortune 500 companies & sits almost directly between New York & Boston, two very densely-populated areas. Bridgeport's lesson: consider all of the markets available to your organization, not just those in your immediate vicinity.

2. Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Minnesota

Though they constitute a large metropolitan center in their own right, the Twin Cities hardly make up the bulk of the U.S. population. Such isolation & unique location may account for the success of this market. Minneapolis/ St. Paul boasts 28.5 small businesses per 1,000 people & saw upwards of $316 million in promotional product sales last year. The Twin Cities lesson: being isolated from the competition means that small businesses can flourish on their own turf.

(The Twin Cities are home to some of the nation's largest companies such as Target, General Mills, United Health Insurance, Cargill, 3M & Best Buy. That also has to be a factor why they're #2 when it comes to customized promotional items).

3. Miami/ Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The proximity to trading partners in the Caribbean as well as it's geographic location near the meeting point of major shipping routes makes Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale are burgeoning meccas for many businesses. Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale has experienced a 3.3% population growth in the past five years & is home to over 176,000 small businesses. Miami's lesson: pay attention to where other industries have found success.

4. Jacksonville, Florida

This city is the site of enormous financial & population growth, with an almost 10% increase in residents over the past five years. Jacksonville is a gateway between the traditional South & the exploding cities of FL (like Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale). The destination contains 27.34 small businesses per every 1,000 people. Promotional products work so well in the area because it has positionaed itself as a corridor between major markets.

5. Nashville, Tennessee

The traditional home of country music is experiencing major growth in the 21st century. This has quite a bit to do with its position as an economic power in the middle of the South. Add to that a 12% population boom in the past five years, as well as a staggering 38,000 small companies within the city limits. The ASI's Advantages Magazine discovered that the South is the top American region for promotional products sales, so it's easy to see why Nashville would be so successful. Organizations that seek out the most bustling hubs in their regions will likely experience the most success when offering promotional custom products.

Ok, those are the top 5 cities where customized promotional items are the most popular; but it doesn't limit the effectiveness of promotional products in all cities. If you own a business in Baltimore, MD, Kansas City, KS, Des Moines, IA or Sacramento, CA advertising specialties can just as useful to you.

Bottom line, it's not the location--where you distribute them; but HOW you distribute them. The companies handing out promotional imprinted products in the top five cities flourished because they knew their market. Know your market & most importantly, your target audience--WHO you're giving them to & how they will be used.

I hope this helps you hand out your marketing items.

IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

A New Twist To Standard Promotional Imprinted Products

There are certain customized promotional items that will be given out more than others, mainly because they have proven, over time, how well they work. These are products that people use almost on a daily basis & can't get along without them. You may spend most your time in front of a computer, but can you think of a day when you didn't use a pen or a note pad?

Go to a local grocery store & you see dozens of the non-woven shopping bags with someone's logo on them. You don't have to go further than your desk drawer to find pens with imprinted company names.

The big question is........if you know how effective these promotional imprinted products are & you felt good distributing them, how can you be different from all your competitors & still hand out a product that's useful & needed by your target audience? After all, you didn't invent the reusable shopping bag or the ball point pen.

Here are a few ideas to stand out from your competitors & at the same time be noticed by the public. You can take the fundamental promotional custom product & turn it into a fun & unique item.

 

1. Giant pen: Believe it or not, this 8" pen writes as smoothly as a normal size pen & is just as easy to handle; yet you will definitely stand out from others with this large & unusual ballpoint. I have customers who have been successful with these & have been reordering them for years.

 

2. Gloss laminated non-woven bags: This bag is the non-woven shopper you see all over but it has a gloss laminated finish. Lamination provides extra strength, wipes clean easily & is tear resistant. The high gloss finish gives it a fashion forward image. Your company will make an impact with this bag.

3. Square insulated travel mug: Insulated travel mugs are seen all over........round ones. It's a popular & useful item--& a common one. People can't get enough of them. Look at this square metal lined tumbler for a change of pace. The shape is sure to draw attention to your logo.

4. Six-sided sports bottle: Another item that everyone carries wherever they go. Try this 6-sided Triton bottle in bright jewel colors & you will really show off your logo.  They're also available in a triangular shape--clear with bright colored tops. No doubt, these are fun to have.

5. Sticky notes with beveled edges: Sticky notes are another common household or office item & most people have more than one pad. Have yours jump out from the crowd with a beveled, 3-dimensional edge. It will give this ordinary, everyday item real pizzazz.

6. Mouse pad: Make sure the mouse pad with your company name & logo on it is the one that your customers are using.  Add a memory foam wrist pad for an extra touch of comfort. These have a large imprint space so get colorful & creative & your name will be seen all day, everyday.

The next time you buy your customized promotional items, think how you can be a little different than the others........how you can stand out from everyone & not blend in.  Good luck!

IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!! 

Ronni Sherman

A Consumer's View Of Promotional Imprinted Products

The other day I was searching articles on the internet that would give a different slant to the importance of distributing promotional custom products in your business. I was reading various articles about specific promotional items hoping someone would divulge how a certain product worked for them in a unique way.

Then I found this post written by Dave Krygler--writer, publisher & a coach for people looking to start a small business. His article, Value Of Advertising Specialties, written on his blog states very simply why customized promotional items are so effective.

What makes his article so meaningful is he's not in the business of selling  promotional imprinted products.  He's a businessman who has received them & appreciates their value.

Here is the article from a recipient of promotional items:

It is my hope to open your eyes to the world of ad specialties & specifically coffee mugs. In my opinion, mugs are the best ad specialty to utilize because they sit on your client's or prospect's desk all day long. Whether you operate an on-line venture or traditional off-line store, it makes no difference. 

This is a really simple concept: use the mug or whatever ad specialty that you have to increase value, show appreciation & keep you in front of that prospect or client.

I'm a sucker for high quality ad specialties. Notice I said high quality. These are the ones that last for years. Some of my favorite jackets, hats & mugs were ones purchased while our family was on holiday.  Some were given to me as samples & some were ones that we were utilizing in our marketing.

Now the funny thing is that we are not in the ad specialty business so what I am sharing with you is unbiased, & in other words, we don't market & sell ad specialties. I have used them for years, & they have really helped us in three separate businesses.

With that said, I want to share three specific examples of how ad specialties have made an impact on me.

Example #1: Win--Recently, on a trip to the east coast I was talking with a sales executive who is a real fan of Honda. Now he doesn't work for Honda but is sold on the brand. The one thing that caught my attention was how passionate he was about all the Honda products he has purchased. Both he & his wife own Acura's. A few weeks after she purchased the vehicle, a package showed up from the manufacturer. In it was an emergency kit that conveniently fit in the back of the vehicle. Now this is way more than an ad specialty. It is showing that the factory cares about the safety of this customer should they ever be in need of the items that could possibly save a life or help the vehicle owner during a time of distress. What a great example of customer retention.

Example #2: Factory Failure--My personal experience is with Nissan. A few years ago, my wife & I purchased two new Nissan vehicles through our local dealer. After each sale was done we didn't receive boo; not even a $10 mug or baseball cap. To be very honest, I would have been very happy with a mug or two from Nissan. After all, we purchased over $55,000 worth of vehicles from them.  Nooooo, I had to purchase the mug. What kind of impression did this leave with me? You get the picture?

Example #3: Test Of Time--Sitting in our kitchen we have a mug that's 10 years old dating back to our retail & service business. I also have several mugs that are in the five-plus year-old range that get used all the time & look great. They are a constant reminder to me of the businesses that they are tied to. I also like the baseball hats & have a collection of those to go along with the mugs. The best quality mugs we have get used all the time.

Ok, so maybe you're still skeptical. You want to retain clients & turn your prospects into clients, right? This simple program is really about client retention & business expansion. If your mugs are of the highest quality & will last daily rounds in the sink & dishwasher, this will prove to your client & prospective that you believe in quality. So many small business owners penny-pinch & don't look at the long term. It's about relationships, folks. The silly little mug can be what bridges the relationship. You gave them something of value, high quality.

For clients: If you really feel like you connected with the client, then give them a mug with a gift card for their favorite coffee or tea. The mug will constantly remind them of the great experience they had with you.

For prospects: You give them something of value & high quality without asking for anything in return. This works especially well if you are in a business that has a long sales cycle or offers high ticket items. Another tip is if the spouse was involved in the sales process, then send them a mug too. Remember, it's all about relationships.

Dave said it all. Please let me know some of your experiences, good or bad, with promotional imprinted products that you either received as a consumer or distributed in your business.

IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

Promotional Custom Products On TV

Customized promotional items work! Wherever there's a pen, note pad, water bottle or shopping bag with a company's name & logo on it, they'll be noticed......consciously or subconsciously, the business name will be seen & will register with someone. And the more it's seen, the more it will be recognized.

The idea is skyrocketing in movies & television shows. More now than ever before--which proves promotional custom products are very effective. Brands used to be hidden from the audience, but not anymore. Coke & Pepsi are blatantly shown on soda cans as well as a popular sport team's logo on a baseball cap worn by one of the actors. When a star is driving a certain car in a movie or on TV, at one point the cameras will focus on the make of the auto. Big companies are paying mega dollars for their brand & logo to flash before an audience.

Talk show hosts on late night TV or the hosts of the early morning news shows all have promotional coffee mugs with the logo of the network or the name of their show facing the camera so the audience will see it. You might even see this on your local news broadcasts.

How many times have you seen someone using a laptop on TV with the Apple logo clearly showing? That's not an accident or coincidence........it's product placement & a way for Apple to be seen & to boost their already brilliant image with the public.

Do you remember the sticom, Rosanne, starring Rosanne Barr? Food was as important as air in the episodes. Whenever they unpacked a grocery bag or took something out of the refrigerator or pantry, it definitely was from Ralph's grocery stores. Whether it was orange juice, potato chips or a box of cereal, the black stripe with the bold red letters spelling RALPH'S was turned towards the camera. This was not as common then as it is now.

In an episode of Law & Order, detectives Elliot Stabler & Olivia Benson were drinking from Starbucks coffee cups while walking to a crime scene. In another episode a victim was wearing a sweatshirt with the New York Yankees logo & that was predominant throughout the scene. This was subtle, yet very effective advertising for the team or else the actor would be wearing another sweatshirt.

On American Idol, the judges drink from red cups flashing the Coke logo for all to see.

The four fashionistas on Sex & The City, both the movie & the TV show, walk through the streets of Manhattan swinging shopping bags showing the logos of the boutiques where they shop.

In the future, brands & logos will be subtly placed in more programs than ever before whether it's displayed on a promotional imprinted product or it's product placement. This is the new trend in advertising. People no longer sit through an advertisement......this the time to get up & do a quick task or get something to eat......or don't get up--just reach for your laptop & search the internet for the 7 - 10 minutes the ads are running. Technology has made it possible for most of us to bypass the advertisements altogether.  No wonder big time television producers & Madison Avenue have united & formed a new way to get their message across to the public.

"The fact is brands are part of our lives & brands exist in these television environments, so why not showcase them?" said Ben Silverman, chief executive of Reveille, whose shows include NBC's The Office & Biggest Loser and USA's Nashville Star.  Logos of national companies can be seen in all three of these shows.

Some people will pick up on this form of advertising while others may think they don't even see it. You may not realize it buy your psyche is affected by these subtle images. This is the best form of brand adverting & the best use of advertising specialties.

Ok, let's be honest--your company's logo most likely won't make it to primetime TV, but you can get results by distributing promotional custom products advertising your business. Brand & logo recognition on a product does more to boost business & sales than any other form of advertising. If it wasn't so effective, the big companies wouldn't fight for spots on the TV shows you watch regularly.

Next time you're watching TV see what brand made it's way into your favorite show.

Try distributing your own logo & see what it does for you.  Good luck!

IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

Pens Can Be Ideal Promotional Imprinted Products

So promotional pens may not be right up there on your list of exciting things to hand out, but they are no longer the ordinary old stand-by that they used to be. There aren't many low-cost promotional custom products that make a a claim to be the original form of viral marketing or include space-age products in their caps or barrels.

When it comes to getting your name out there you need to get maxiumum awareness bang for your marketing buck. There's a reason why promotional pens are so popular......they:

1. Make ideal low-cost promotional gifts for any budget.
2. Are versatile--for everything from promotional giveaways to corporate gifts.
3. Get used--even in this digital world everyone still needs & uses pens.
4. Get seen--on desks & countertops, in pockets & purses, attached to clipboards.
5. Come in all shapes & sizes--you're no longer limited to the plain click pen.
6. Are the original 'viral marketing'--people lend pens all the time.

Here are a couple of misconceptions about the pen:

Promotional pens are the original 'viral marketing'? But isn't viral marketing a contemporary new media concept that applies to digital marketing.

Not at all......when something 'goes viral' it simply means that consumers are out there sharing & passing it on. Ever been given a custom-branded pen by someone not from that business? Or perhaps passed a promotional pen on that wasn't from your own company? Happens all the time & has been happening long before the internet came along.  A pen goes from hand-to-hand almost like a dollar bill does & the logo on that pen stays visible longer than an advertisement on TV.  You see.......there's more to them than you might have expected.

Promotional pens are cheap & tacky throw-aways & one pen is like any other pen?

 
That was years ago. Today, with modern manufacturing & printing methods, quality & looks have dramatically increased. There's a staggering range of quality & novel looking promotional pens available for even the tightest of budgets.  Your choices can range from bright colored economical plastic pens that have a unique design on the grip to traditional, high-end engraved metal pens. Parker pens are famous around the world as prestigious executive gifts that are a classic status symbol still very much recognized today.

There's a whole range of multi-functional pens that pack all sorts of extra functionality into the unassuming form of the humble pen. As I mentioned earlier, there's the pen with the flash drive in the barrel.  You can also get pens with miniature flashlights, tape measures, paper flags to mark your page or have your 3-dimensional logo float in the barrel. Pretty soon they'll come equipped with GPS (kidding). But the message here is a pen is no longer just a pen.

Custom printed pens really are effective promotional imprinted products that do more than most people realize to promote a brand & message. They are still one of the best ways of getting your business name out among the public & your logo recognized.

Everyone uses pens everyday......even the people that spend most their time on the internet communicating via Facebook & Twitter write with a pen daily. And a majority of those pens are imprinted with someone's company & logo. Jump on the bandwagon & make sure your pen is out there getting noticed.

IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

New Year...New Resolutions...New Promotional Products

It's hard to believe that the holiday season has come & gone already. All the expectations & preparations, the celebrations, the hustle & bustle, the hours spent on gift wrapping are all but memories now. Neighborhoods seem a little darker now that the lights have been taken down & the stores seem to have lost their brilliance once the brightly colored displays have been dismantled.

But it's not all gloomy......there's also hope & optimism for the new year. People hold on to the thought that this year can be better than the year before. Businesses begin wondering how they can best advertise their products & services & have a better year than the previous one.

Retailers reported that sales were up & 2011 ended bringing a feeling of optimism  to 2012. It seems people are tired of being overly-frugal & are willing to spend more now than they have in the last four years. This is good & while they're in the mood to spend, this is the time to remind them of your services or products. Jump on the bandwagon while the economy is in an upward swing of hope & there's a hint of light at the end of the tunnel.

Promotional imprinted products are one way to reinforce your brand among the public & to advertise your business. Make it your resolution to purchase & distribute the marketing tools that represents your company. Distribute them among your clients & prospective customers & let them boost your company recognition & sales.

This is a good time of year to buy customized promotional items that remind people of their own new year's resolutions & help them stick to their guns, at least for a little while. Here are some good options that will help all of us make 2012 a better year.

STAYING HEALTHY--SPORTS BOTTLES

If the new year came in the middle of the summer, it might be easier for people to stay true to  their weight loss & exercise resolutions. Unfortunately the colder weather & shorter days make this more difficult. Whether you put your logo on stainless steel, aluminum or the vivid Tritan acrylic bottles this is a great reminder of the resolution......& your company.

BUDGETING WISER--BANKS

This is a fun way to keep your name in front of your customers. These colorful acrylic banks come in all shapes for almost any field........piggy banks with cute expressions, houses, automobiles & teddy bears. There's even a digital coin bank that electronically counts coins as they drop through the slot & digitally displays the total. It's a good way to kick off a special promotion your company many be having during the year.

GOING GREEN--SHOPPING TOTES

Most people like the idea of going green & preserving the environment, but few actually do so. Providing customers with non-woven, reusable shopping bags is a good way to remind them it doesn't take much to be ecological. This is an ideal promotional custom product because it offers a large imprint area for your logo & company information. And when your customer uses the bag when they shop, they're taking your business name & logo right along with them. What great exposure you can get from these!


These are just a few ideas. The main thing to remember is that whatever you give out is relevant to your company & useful to your customer. Another wise thing to remember is to hand them out & not save them for a special client or time......no one will be reminded of your company if they're sitting in a storage closet.

So if one of your resolutions is to market & grow your company, customized promotional items are an effective way to do this. They stay in front of your customers & the public longer than any other kind of advertising & there's something for every budget.

I hope this helps you start the new year off right! Good luck in your advertising campaigns this year.

IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman





 

Fun & Unkown Facts About Thanksgiving

Remember those Thanksgiving pageants you were in during your grade school years & the Pilgrims & Indians sat down to a meal of make-believe turkey, stuffing & yams? Today, in school, our children take part in Thanksgiving feasts with real food depicting the first Thanksgiving. Children across the United States are wearing the same black Pilgrim hats or colorful feathers, if they choose to be Indians--all made the week before from construction paper as an art project.

We were all raised thinking this was a fairly accurate picture of the meal the Indians shared with the Pilgrims & we passed this lore down to our children as it was told to us. But this isn't how it was at all. The only fact that is correct is the 1st Thanksgiving was celebrated in the fall of 1621. Did you know it lasted for three days?


Here are some other facts about the first Thanksgiving:


Pilgrims are shown as wearing black & white clothing, but actually that was only worn on Sundays & formal occasions. Women typically dressed in red, earthy green, brown, blue, violet & gray; while men wore clothing in white, beige, earthy green & brown.


List of foods that were available to the colonists at the time of the 1621 harvest feast & were probably on their menu:

• SEAFOOD: lobster, clams, eel & cod
• WILD FOWL: wild turkey, geese, duck, swans, partridges & eagles
• MEAT: venison & seal
• GRAIN: wheat
• VEGETABLES: pumpkin, corn, peas, beans, onions, lettuce, raddishes & carrots
• FRUIT: plums, grapes
• NUTS: walnuts, chestnuts & acorns
• HERBS & SEASONINGS: olive oil, liverwort, leeks, dried currants & parsnips

These traditional foods did not exist at the first Thanksgiving:

• YAMS OR SWEET POTATOES: Potatoes of any kind were not grown in North America during this period.
• CRANBERRY SAUCE: The colonists had cranberries, but no sugar. Cranberries were mainly used by the Indians for medicinal purposes.
• PUMPKIN PIE: The recipes did not exist at this time--they stewed the pumpkins.

Comparing their menu to ours, I'm glad to be celebrating Thanksgiving in the 21st century--although I wouldn't mind lobster as an option.

This is the time of year that football is the #1 sport to watch or play. It's become associated with Thanksgiving whether professional teams are being watched on TV or family members play among themselves. The tradition of NFL football began in Detroit in 1934 when the Bears & Lions played......the Bears won 19 to 16. Football, obviously, was not around for the 1st Thanksgiving but sporting contests went on for the three day harvest festival in 1621. The Pilgrims displayed their shooting talents with guns while the Indians exhibited their skills with bows & arrows, racing, wrestling & other games.

 This is also the time of year when companies thank their loyal customers for their patronage by sending out holiday cards, inviting them to office parties or giving a gift to show their appreciation.


Keep in mind that even though you should have plenty of promotional imprinted products on hand, these should not be given out as holiday gifts. You client won't jump up & down with the .50 pen they've been writing with all year or the letter opener they've used everyday. Customized promotional items should definitely be used as holiday gifts, but they need to be special & more unique than what is usually distributed among the public for company recognition.


It's not what you spend, it's what you give. Whether it's the $1 candy bar boldly displaying your logo or a $50 computer laptop case discreetly showing it, your customized promotional gift should be something you haven't handed out during the year. Choose a gift that will make your client feel his business means something to you.

Just as important, make sure that gift makes an impact with your company name.
 

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope this is your best ever!

Have a wonderful & safe holiday season.

IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

Adding Value To The Holiday Gifts You Give Your Clients

It's probably become routine for you to give your customers a gift during the holiday season. But this isn't a novel idea--every other company is giving gifts also. This means it's very competitive to get your customer's attention & to ensure your gift will be the one they remember & use. There are a few things you can do to add value to your gift so it will be the one that is acknowledged & appreciated. Most importantly, to make sure it's the one that is kept & not stashed away in the back of a closet......or worse, thrown out.

Before I tell you what to do to give your gift value, let me tell you what NOT to do........don't cut corners. Rummaging through your supply closet to find boxes of promotional custom products that didn't get distributed spells disaster, not thank you.

If you buy, as gift items, the run-of-the-mill promotional imprinted products that promote your company more than promote your appreciation of your client's loyalty & business, you'll be doing more harm than good. The .50 pen you've been handing out all year won't look like a gift just because you're giving it in December. Yes, definitely add your logo to the gift, but don't be so blatant about it as you would on a marketing item. A logo or your company name is sufficient--you don't need to add your website, other contact information or a sales pitch.

Now here's a few ideas how to go that extra step to really make your gift stand out among all the others that will be received.

Personalization: Whether the items cost a lot or are inexpensive, if it is imprinted with the recipient's own name, they will be more likely to use & cherish it. Personalization shows that you've put more thought into what you're giving & that it's not just a mass mail-out to your entire data base. The difference in cost may only be a few dollars but it will result in a big difference in the longevity of the item in your client's life.

Some ideas: 

• An engraved pen that has your company name on one side & your customer's personal name on the other side.
• A leather embossed portfolio with your client's initials on the outside cover & your logo embossed on the inside pocket. Remember, this is a gift so your logo doesn't need to be as prominent as it usually is on a promotional imprinted product.
• A ceramic mug with your company name & logo on one side & personalized with your customer's name on the other. It'll make more of an impact if you give the mug filled with candy, cookies or imported bags of tea.

Picking an appropriate gift: This is probably the most important thing to keep in mind because if it's not useful to your customer, it won't be used. 


Examples:

• Someone who is a builder & is on site all day long can not use an executive desk pad; but an insulated coffee mug would most likely be a sure hit.
• If your clients are in the health & fitness field a pedometer would probably be more appreciated than tins filled with cookies, candied popcorn or chocolates.

Attention to detail: How do you feel when you get a present? What do you reach for........the one that's beautifully wrapped or one that's in a plastic bag from the store where it was purchased? Think about your presentation when your customer receives your gift. That extra little detail will add a lot of extra pizzazz to your gift.


Some ideas:

• Remember that mug filled with candy or tea bags that I mentioned earlier? Cello wrap it & then tie it together with ribbon curls that are your company's colors.
• An engraved pen or flash drive can usually be purchased with a gift box. That little added expense will make a huge difference & add value to your gift.
• Buy gift bags with your logo & company name imprinted on them & put your present in them surrounded by colorful tissue.

It's so important to think of ways to add value to your gift & ensure that it is used daily & not thrown out. Look at the items on your desk or look around you at home.......how many came from a company that appreciated your business. Is there a special mug, mouse pad or paper weight? Those items were probably carefully selected by someone to suit your needs & that's the reason why you still use them to this very day.


I hope this helps you pick the perfect gifts for your customers. Good luck!

IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

Blankets As Customized Promotional Gifts

This is the time of year that depicts warmth, contentment & comfort. Think about it......falling leaves in all shades of brilliant oranges & yellows, maybe the first dusting of snow, pumpkin patches, football games, Thanksgiving, holiday decorations & lights, cinnamon scented pinecones, celebrations, presents wrapped in bright colors & adorned with gold & silver ribbons, kitchens smelling of freshly baked cookies, hot cocoa with marshmellows, hot apple cidar............

Picture a frosty morning, a cool crisp afternoon or a night when the temperatures dip into the 30's. It's the perfect time to curl up with a good book or movie, a crackling fire in the fireplace, a glass of wine or a cup of herbal tea. And a cozy throw or blanket is just what is needed to round out this picture.

Fleece & chenille blankets, with your logo embroidered in a corner, come in an array of colors & are reasonably priced. This makes them the ideal gift for the holidays or later in the year when you want to show your appreciation to a special client.

Their uses are endless: 

• car or boat--some come rolled in a self-contained pouch which makes them very compact.
• air travel--others come folded in a separate bag with a handle & it includes an inflatable neck pillow.
• football games--perfect since the weather can get very chilly......especially if you're sitting towards the top of the bleachers.
• at home--they're very warm......you can save money & keep your heating bills down while reading or watching TV.

Remember your targeted audience & all the advise about giving a gift that is appropriate for that group of people? What if your audience covers a wide group of varied ages & interests? What kind of present can you give them that will be appreciated by everyone? A blanket given as a customized promotional gift is your answer. They'll be appreciated & used over & over......that means your logo will be seen over & over.


These promotional imprinted products, when offered as gifts, will definitely boost your company recognition. Your logo will be seen outside the office--maybe thousands of miles from your office if they're used when traveling. That's a quick & easy way to get your business name out among the public. An after all, that's what it's all about!

And when used at home........that's a good way to stay in your customer's mind. It's a subtle reminder of your service or product without a hard sales pitch.

Most important, they will "warm up" your relationship with your customers & clients.

Blankets, as promotional custom products or gifts, are creative, unique & effective. You'll stand out from your competition when you hand these out with your colorful embroidered logo.


Whatever you decide to distribute with your company name, I hope it does the trick. Good luck!

IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

Guilty Pleasures & Customized Promotional Gifts

A guilty pleasure is defined as something you like that you can't justify liking. Guilty pleasures are those things you do that you love, but feel a little embarrassed to tell people about it. Or it's something you love doing, but feel you should be doing something else instead.

It's playing games on Facebook for hours on end or lying on the couch all afternoon watching old movies on TV. It's spending an entire day going from one garage sale to another & then looking back to wonder if you should have been doing something more productive.

My guilty pleasure........is driving or walking aimlessly along the beach when there's a long "to-do" list waiting for me at home. Even when there's not a list, I can't help giving into that urge a few times a week.

The point is: even though we may feel guilt for enjoying that special something, we still indulge ourselves in it from time to time.

As a business owner, guilty pleasures are your opportunity to give an appreciation or holiday gift that will really wow your customers. If you give them an item that naturally appeals to them, they will not only love it, they will use it. And every time they use it, your business name & logo is right there in front of them. That's how promotional custom products can work their magic for your company.


Don't forget about your employees. You can use your staff's guilty pleasures when choosing incentives or holiday gifts which will solidify your relationship with them.


There is a large "guilty pleasure market" out there if you're willing to be a bit more creative. If you incorporate it with a customized promotional item, you'll be giving a gift that will make a huge impact with your customers.

Is your audience crazy about technology? Do they always have to be connected? Techies will probably relish a USB flash drive, a computer travel set, a multi-USB kit, a mouse pad with a memory foam wrist rest or a laser pointer pen.

Do you know a lot of foodies, coffee fanatics or people with culinary tastes? You can dive right into these clients' hearts by giving them ceramic soup bowls, a stainless steel coffee mug, an ice cream scoop or a recipe calendar. Don't forget about that box of chocolates with your name on the chocolate & the box.
 
If your audience indulges in regular pampering at salons or spas, then you may want to appeal that. You could offer your customers a star massager, nail files or manicure sets, candles, or a set of liquid soaps, lotions, sun screens & lip balms. There's an array of sport, duffel & gym bags available for the work-out devotee.


Or maybe your clients are television or music enthusiasts. Try giving gifts that they would most likely pick up in a store anyway--like a fleece blanket or a CD holder. These items will both promote your company & help them feed their pop culture & media interests.

And who doesn't know that person who spends hours on the golf course or putting green when they should have been in the office? There are so many promotional imprinted products available for the avid golfer......golf balls, golf towels, ditty bags packed with tees & other essentials, umbrellas--even first aid kits that can fit in a golf bag or a water bottle. Believe it or not, tees can be imprinted. Let your logo fly off the tee towards the green, sink in a sand trap or float in a pond when you imprint it on any name brand ball.



Let's face it--Americans love their guilty pleasures. Almost everyone has at least a couple whether they will admit them or not. They're part of what makes us unique.  They help to give each of us a personality, & without them, our lives just wouldn't be as fun (or guilty).

How well do you know your customers?  Can you guess what theirs are?

IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman