Spring Into Marketing With These Promotional Imprinted Products

Spring is officially here (although for many people it came early a month ago). Days are longer & warmer. This is the season of rebirth & optimism.

People feel this also. They're out jogging, biking, strolling--taking advantage of the sun & the extended daylight hours. Convertible tops are down, sweaters are traded for light weight t-shirts, patio areas of restaurants & coffee shops are filled to capacity......everyone seems happier & more carefree during springtime. It's the season of promises & good things to come.

Bring this feeling of optimism into your business. Now is an excellent time to refresh your company's image. Give your customized promotional items & marketing campaigns a new look. Sometimes that's what is needed to grab the public's attention.

Has your logo been on the same pen or the same note pad month after month? Here are some springtime marketing ideas to make your business shine. These promotional imprinted products will make the impact you're seeking.

SPORT BOTTLES: These are great because wherever they go, so does your company name & they are taken everywhere. They're available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes & colors--bright colors that will make your business stand out. They also come in a variety of options including nalgene bottles, aluminum & stainless steel water bottles, BPA free bottles & bottles made from recycled products.


SEED PACKETS: Promote with a gift that blooms. Customized seed packs are hot, new marketing tools that provide an interactive experience & a lasting impression. They are available in a variety of types: organic vegetables, fruits, wildflowers, garden flowers, herbs & more. You can even get a money tree......how's that for an idea to promote your business! They can also come with imprinted planters that sit on a desk or window sill.


FLYING DISCS: Frisbees have become a popular sport & can be seen in parks, at beaches--almost anywhere that people gather during these spring months. Let your logo fly through the air & be noticed on these bright colored discs.


GOLF ITEMS: Whether at a private club or a public course, your company name can be seen. Your options are endless.....tees, balls, markers, towels, gloves & yes--go for it--put your logo on an umbrella. Show that you care about what is going on in your community & give them out at a golf fund-raiser. Your clients & prospective customers who are golfers will appreciate anything you give them that has to do with the sport. Your company name will be seen rolling around the green.


UMBRELLAS: Spring is also the season of rain. Even on the gloomy wet days you can show off your company. More than 1/2 the population keeps umbrellas in their cars year around & almost everyone carries them on rainy days. Be creative & make it fun.


STADIUM CUSHIONS: Little League, T-ball & soccer--whether at practice or a game, parents & friends will be sitting in the bleachers. These cushions have come along way in the last few years. They are no longer the plastic squares that slid off the seat. Now the material is more comfortable as is the shape. They are available with backs, drink holders & pockets to hold keys, etc. Other styles can be folded to fit in a pocket.

EXERCISE BAND: Now everyone wants to get in shape for the approaching summer months, but time can be limited. Going to the gym may not be an easy option. This exercise band is one of my favorites........it's made from stretchable laytex material & has foam handles. It's easy to store & can be taken anywhere......the office, on vacation or good to use at home.

BAND-AID HOLDER: And of course the more you're out & the more active you are, chances are there could be accidents. Bug bites, scrapes & other minor injuries can occur & where's that bandage when you need one? Band-aid holders that carry 5 bandages at a time can easily be tucked into a car console, sport bag or pocket.

Offering new promotional custom products that fit in with a season or lifestyle can be an effective way to boost your company image. Offering them during the springtime is also a fun & unique way to attract attention. These are items that people can use on a daily basis, products they may buy for themselves........so give them yours with your logo boldly imprinted. They'll be grateful & they'll remember you when they need what your business offers.

I hope this helps you with new marketing ideas. Good luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Promotional Imprinted Products Are Effective, Yet Subtle

There are many reasons why promotional products are effective for raising brand awareness. Businesses, both large & small, can use them in conjunction with other types of marketing to raise company recognition. Promotional custom products can also form the bulk of an advertising campaign. Regardless of how much weight they have in a company's marketing strategy, promotional items generate success thanks to their unassuming & subtle nature.

According to the American Kidney Fund, the number one reason it uses customized promotional items to raise awareness for its cause is that these items are unobtrusive. As a major force in the fight against kidney disease, the American Kidney Fund has found success in giving out promotional bags & branded 1st aid kits. The organization's judgment that subtle marketing is effective for non-profit groups shows how effective these products can be for both charities & private companies.

Here are some of the best promotional products that operate with subtlety & taste:

Promotional Pens

The ultimate in unobtrusive branding, pens are an excellent way to surreptitiously bring a business's name to mind. Most pens that are lying around the house or office bear the name of a company or group, & those names are likely to be easily recognized by the pen's owner.

Notebooks

Promotional notebooks represent a subtle form of marketing. A notebook cover is not what a person is usually looking at when he uses a notebook. To the owner, it is only a collection of bound pages. However, by including a company's logo & name on the cover, consumers are quickly & subtly reminded of an organization or business every time they go to use the paper.

Shopping Bags

The bags are utilitarian & in some cities a necessity. Your name is always there--large & bold for the public to see; yet, it's still unobtrusive because of the nature of the item. This is a great way to promote your company's recognition while promoting your interest in the future of our planet.

Note Pads & Sticky Notes

Everyone uses these--practically everyday. This is a constant & subtle reminder of your company with your logo & name creatively shown on each page. Multi-color imprint is usually included at no extra charge........make it colorful, make it eye-catching.

Letter Opener

We get mail 6 days (soon 5) every week & this handy item is used daily to open envelopes. Your name is there whenever an envelope is opened & it will stand out more than the name on that envelope.

Hot Pad Holders & Oven Mitts

These are in every kitchen & used automatically whenever something hot comes out of the oven. While a meal is cooking, they are usually found on the counter. So whose logo is seen in that kitchen during the week when someone is cooking or baking?

And last but not least.............

Ceramic Mugs

According to research by the National Coffee Association, 56% of adults living in the US drank coffee every day in 2011--about 135 million people. This amounts to nearly $21 billion spent on coffee by Americans yearly. How much do you spend a day? This creates a huge market for you to spread your company name & business image among the public.

Coffee has become very important in our daily lives. How many times have you heard: "not until I've had my coffee" or "let's meet for coffee"? If coffee is part of our routine, then most likely the mug is too.

Look at the mugs in your cupboard. I opened a friend's cupboard to see what she had & what a gold mine......Starbuck's, Seattle's Best, IHop, Universal Studios, Mirage Hotel (in Vegas), Keyes European Cars, LA Fitness, Make A Wish Foundation, Columbia University & that's just what wasn't in the dishwasher.

Companies & charities use these promotional imprinted products because they've proven to work. If people like the mug, they will keep it for years. That's great exposure time & time again. When you make them colorful & fun, your customer won't feel like he's using a commercial mug & he may tote it around everyday, making it his favorite.

So yes, you can give a promotional item that your customer will appreciate & not feel like he's in the middle of a pushy ad campaign.

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

Ronni Sherman

What's In Your Car?

What do you think is the most popular promotional imprinted product found in a car: an ice scraper, a pen, an umbrella or a map/road atlas?  (The answer is further down in this article).

In a recent survey respondents were asked a series of questions to see just how effective customized promotional items were for the automobile industry & all related fields. It was found that products given to be used in the car were just as efficient as promotional products were in all other fields.

• Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) can name a brand or company/organization featured on promotional merchandise that is kept in their car.
• Almost all of the respondents (94%) believe that promotional custom products increases a company's brand awareness.
• Over half of the respondents (52%) would keep the promotional item themselves, rather than pass it on to colleagues or family.
• Almost half of the respondents (46%) have purchased from the companies that were branded on an imprinted product that was in their car.
• The most popular item with a logo in their car was a pen (42%). That was followed by an umbrella (31%), ice scraper (16%) and last--a map or road atlas (11%).

Other customized promotional items that are good for the car:

1st Aid Kit: This is a must. You'll never know when there will be an emergency whether in an accident or mother nature.  This is as important as your spare tire. They come in all sizes & are filled with an assortment of bandages, ointments & other emergency 1st aid items.

Trunk Organizer: A cargo caddy is good for transporting groceries, sports equipment, blankets, flashlights & more.  Put an end to sports bottles & other things rolling all over the trunk--everything can now be neat & within reach.

Non-Woven Shopping Bags: These are good to always have on hand when you go shopping. Show you care about the environment with these reusable & popular totes. What's better than having your customers advertise for you when they shop--your logo & company name will pop on these grocery bags.

Blanket: This is another must for the car.  AAA suggests everyone should have one in their automobile. They come folded in their own carrying case or can be rolled & secured with a strap. When not in use, they are compact & can be tucked away........maybe in a trunk organizer.

Flashlight: I don't think this needs an explanation why it's so important to have one in your car. Besides emergencies, it's a convenience.  Have you ever dropped a credit card, money or a key in a dark car? I suggest one that also comes with an AM/FM radio.  Some run on batteries, some are crank operated. Others come equipped with a flashing red light & siren.

Anti-Bacterial Wipes or Hand Sanitizer: These are compact & can easily fit in a car console or glove compartment. They are becoming increasingly popular......they're now at the entrance of all grocery stores.  How times have you wished you could wash your hands or your child's hands when you've been running around doing errands or during road trips? Their uses are too numerous to list, but this is definitely something your customers will use & appreciate.

Whether you're in the automobile industry or not, chances are someone in your targeted audience drives & these are ideas that can be used by anybody.

The pen always to reign #1 when it comes to promotional custom products. It doesn't matter if it stays in the car, your purse or computer bag or remains on your desk at the office........in all studies, it's right there at the top.

It's a good choice too, but I hope I've given you other alternatives that your customers would keep close by.  Customized promotional items for vehicles are always good choices because our cars have become our second homes & something used in the car means your logo is often within view.

Think about this the next time you're ready to order promotional imprinted products. I hope it helps.

Good luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Earth Day 2012

Earth week begins Monday, 4/16 & ends on Earth Day, 4/22.

Earth Day in 2012 is on Sunday, April 22.  Schools, businesses, communities & green organizations will be celebrating it all week long.  It's global & will be celebrated by millions around the world.  This is the 42nd anniversary.

The 1st Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord on April 22, 1970 as a day for celebrating, teaching & learning about the environment. It was an ecological teach-in to promote ecology & respect for life on the planet & to increase awareness of pollution. It was started in the United States but has now become a world famous event.

Recent natural disasters & government focus on global warming have shifted public attention toward the environment more than ever before. As a result, it's important to consider the widespread interest in earth-friendly issues when choosing promotional imprinted products. Companies that do business in environmental cities should take note of customized promotional items that can promote a brand or service while acknowledging our impact on the planet.

Reusable Shopping Bags: More & more people are rejecting plastic & even paper shopping bags when grocery shopping. There's no better way to increase company identity for shoppers than with a promotional reusable tote bag. The large imprint area offers a big space to show off your business. Some bags are even biodegradable while others are made recyclable materials.

Sport Bottles: Those who are conscious of the environment will always have their own water/sport bottles, both to promote clean tap water & to reject the idea of filling landfills with disposable bottles. These bottles have high visibility & are used often. They make an impact with their brilliant colors. They also link companies with healthy living & an active lifestyle.

Mouse Pads: Last week I wrote an article about how effective mouse pads can be, especially when you want to show more than just your company name & website. You can do this in a fun, colorful & creative way to make your business stand out & now you can do it on a mouse pad made from recycled materials. Why not......the colors are just as bright & vivid as they are on the ordinary mouse pads.

Pens & Note Pads: A list on promotional custom products can't be complete without mentioning these popular items. They're an economical & reliable way to get your name out among the public  & something people use everyday. Now they are also eco-friendly & made out of recycled materials. Spiral notebooks with recycled covers & paper are also available in a wide choice of styles. Pens are constructed from pressed paper, bamboo wood or recycled plastic.

Sticky Notes & Sticky Flag Combinations: It seems everyone is using sticky notes & flags today & now you can get them in an eco-friendly case with a matching pen--the barrel is made from pressed recycled paper. These are ideal for everybody, whether a student or a professional. They're handy to have in the work place, at home & make an impact when given out at fund raisers, seminars & trade shows.

Planters With Seed Packets: An emphasis on green & sustainable products makes these imprinted planters winners. These make great appreciation & holiday gifts.  Add a packet of seeds for a money tree & you have an unique gift for a client's desk. If your customers are home-based, then add packets of herbs or flowers.

These are just a few ideas, but there's so much more........golf tees made from recycled plastic or corn resin based plastic, t-shirts made from eco-friendly material, stress balls & other stress items are now available in recycled materials & the list goes on.

Next time you purchase customized promotional items with your logo, think about the impact your company name can make if it's on something that's eco-friendly.

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

Ronni Sherman

Mouse Pads As Promotional Imprinted Products

To run a successful business today, it is immensely important to have brand recognition. If a potential customer recognizes your business name when needing your product or service, they are more likely to choose your company. In order to achieve company identity, you simply have to get your name out there! Inexpensive, but successful & effective ways to do this are word of mouth marketing & handing out customized promotional items to your customers & prospects.

Again the age old questions: What promotional imprinted product is good for me? How can I put everything I want known about my business on one item? I've always rated pens as an ideal marketing tool because they're economical, everybody uses them & they travel. But they have very limited space for your advertising message--room for only your logo & company name. Maybe a website or email address can be added.

So you want room to really sell your business--to expand on what you do, what you stand for & perhaps highlight a special event or sale......mouse pads. They're mini billboards. They have the space to advertise all there is to know about your company & you can do it in a fun, colorful & creative way. Promotional mouse pads make an impact!

Nearly everyone uses a computer daily, at work or at home. If you give your existing clients & potential customers logo mouse pads, your brand recognition will soar. Your customers will see your information all the time & so will the people around them. They are not only seen by the user, but by people who pass the desk showing off this colorful promotional custom product. This is a very effective strategy in company identity.

Whether you order mouse pads in the traditional soft or hard covers, they've come a long way from the conventional look you're used to seeing.  They're available in die-cut shapes that represents your business, special interests or the shape of your logo. 

Worried about our planet......they can be made from recycled materials. Want to make an impact & add comfort for the recipient......get a mouse pad with a memory foam wrist rest. This, for sure, will make yours be used & stand out from all others.

A novel & fun way to enhance your logo day after day is on a four piece puzzle mouse pad. It can be used as a mouse pad or separate into four individual pieces & they become coasters.  No more annoying wet circles left by coffee mugs or water bottles on desktops.

All of these come in full color to show off your business at it's best.  So think how you want to show it off before you order.  Take advantage & add more than just your company name, logo & website. Have fun with it & create a wow effect. You'll be happy you did & so will your customer.

Photographs of your business establishment or products are another way to advertise on mouse pads. Customize them with pictures of your staff so people can relate to the voice over the phone.  Whatever you do, make use of colors & design to enhance your logo & advertising message & give your company pizzazz!

Branded mouse pads advertise your company to customers on a daily basis. Your name & logo are in front of them all the time. If your customer sees your logo frequently, they will certainly create more business for you. Mouse pads are a fun way for the public to learn about your business & remember you the next time they need something in your field.

Go for it. Get creative with your business & soar above the competition.

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

Ronni Sherman

Oooops! Could This Happen To You?

Customized promotional items that try to offer a unique spin on a common product must be carefully scrutinized by a business owner to ensure that such items will not accidentally offend anyone, will not send the wrong message--one you didn't want to be associated with, won't be misused......or worse, not be used at all.

A great example of this is the custom flip-flop with a bottle opener inserted in the sole. Flip-flops are a cost effective way to market a brand image during the summer & obviously the person responsible for this innovation had good intentions in mind.  It was an innovative idea.......a "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" idea, except.........the bottle opener is on the bottom of the shoe where it is exposed to unsanitary conditions. Most people will be turned off by putting the bottom of their shoe on something they're going to be drinking from. This promotional imprinted product will most likely be tucked away at the back of the closet or the bottom of a trash bin & the logo will never be seen.

Here's another example of a bottle opener sending the wrong message. A national car rental agency used to purchase key tags with a branded bottle opener attached. They claimed they were out at non-alcoholic sporting events they sponsored & not to customers renting a car. But still, think of the message they're sending........giving out a bottle opener with your corporate logo on it when it's associated with driving? It promoted drinking & driving no matter where they were given out. Someone must have rethought that strategy because that item was later replaced by others more conducive to their nature of business. So another thing to watch out for--while a promotional item may work in one field, it could be disastrous in another.

One of my customers made this mistake--but be sure they only made it once. An auto dealership was having a bar-b-que to promote a blow-out sale on their cars for an entire week-end. They did extensive advertising, including ads on TV inviting families to the dealership for bar-b-qued hamburgers & hot dogs & games for the children while parents looked at the cars. They ordered flyers (frisbees) from me that were used to put the paper plates in & when the guests were finished they could keep the flyers with the dealer's logo. Good idea, except the bar-b-que was in the parking lot where the new cars were & the kids were soon flinging the flyers all over hitting the cars. Today, this dealership gives out beach balls, plastic piggy banks & coloring books to children.

Also, any message placed on a promotional custom product must be sure to follow good promotional marketing practices. For example, an elementary school in New York received pencils that sported the message "Too Cool To Do Drugs". Again, the promotional item was a great way to promote a positive lifestyle to children.  But unfortunately, the design of the slogan on the pencils was not thought out & when the pencils were sharpened, it would spell out: "Cool To Do Drugs" & eventually: "Do Drugs". The pencils were recalled & altered by imprinting the beginning of the sentence at the eraser end of the pencil.

When a small business places any sort of message on a promotional imprinted product, not only must the statement be politically correct, but it should be permanent. It's so important to not just think of the item you're distributing, but what kind of message are you sending.

While the gaffs mentioned above are extreme examples of mistakes, businesses would do well to learn from them. A general rule to follow in promotional marketing is the more normal, the better. Personalized pens will be used everyday & can be customized in bright colors to make them stand out. It is also advisable to avoid sensitive issues like politics, political issues & war. Unless there is a specific reason, a small business should focus on neutral subjects like healthy living & be as unique as possible without crossing the line into absurdity.

I hope this helps you from an unforeseen disaster. Think everything out beforehand.  Good luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Make Sure Your Promotional Custom Products Aren't "Useless"

Many people don't realize the value of customized promotional items & therefore, don't use them. Or so they say......next time you hear someone utter those words, ask him to look at the pens on his desk, his coffee cup or mouse pad.

Years ago there was an image of men at trade shows standing in front of their booths with a slew of cheap, gimmicky promotional products--blowing whistles, doing tricks with yo-yo's or throwing balls at people in the aisles trying to grab their attention. Pens were boring stick pens with a cap or plain click pens. Note pads were called scratch pads because that's what they were......cheap white paper with a black header at the top.

That was when we had to go home to make a phone call because there were no cell phones & we depended on the mail to deliver an "air mail" letter within a week because there were no instantaneous emails. Everything's changed & that includes the world of promotional items.

Promotional imprinted products are a good way to build a sustainable image. Think about all the paper products with custom imprinting, a majority of the pens you write with have a company's name or for example a USB flash drive to send your customer--a memory stick with your logo on it. If it's part of a corporate image & it's useful to the recipient, then promotional items prove to be one of the most lasting forms of advertising.

It's useful to both you & the person receiving it. It helps you because if the promotional custom product is being used & being seen, it spreads your company image. If it's something your customer wants & uses, then it's especially useful to him.

The products are not useless, but can become useless when they are purchased by businesses who:

• don't have a specific need for the product, but just want to order some "promotional stuff".
• don't specify their target audience & end up with the wrong item.
• don't bother to make or distribute the products once they have them, but keep them stored away for a specific time or a special customer.
• order as cheap as possible & get stuck with products that ruin their company image.

Don't fall into the four pitfalls listed above.

• Order a promotional item that represents your business & that your target audience has a need for. Think about what will set you apart from your competition & still sell your company in the best possible way. Try to wow your customer--at least give them something that will make them sit up & notice you.
• Know your target audience--this is probably the most important of all. Who are the people who will receive your promotional imprinted product? What age group, where do they live, any special interests, are they a part of an ethnic group? Young professionals will probably deem a beach ball or kitchen utensil as useless, but would value & use a letter opener or flash drive with your logo.  On the other hand, if you're reaching out to the American family--they probably would appreciate beach balls & kitchen utensils.
• Hand out your products once you receive them--don't save them. When a special event comes up, order something special for that event. Don't "save" your customized promotional items to save money. You've basically wasted your money if they're going to sit in a storage closet where no one will see them. The purpose of promotional products is to get them out among the public so they are aware of your business & will remember you.
• If you order something as cheap as possible, the only place your name will be seen is in the waste paper basket. Yes, you'll be remembered......you'll be remembered as a company who doesn't care about quality. This is a sure-fire way to drive your customers to your competition. You don't have to spend a fortune for a quality promotional item......just don't buy the cheapest. "You get what you pay for" may ring true in this case. On a budget? Distributors of promotional products always have specials--all year long. Don't be afraid to ask about them--we're only too glad to share the news.

So I don't think promotional custom products are useless. Most of the time, these are regular useful products, but made promotional because of the personalization possibilities. Sometimes these items are ordered for wrong purposes & then if used wrongly, the are useless.

Next time you order, think about what will put your business in the best light.

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

Ronni Sherman

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