Ten Things To Avoid When Designing A Logo

I don't think anyone will argue how important a logo is to your company. It's the face of your business--a reflection of who you are & what you stand for. It's the first impression that people will have of you & hopefully the lasting impression, the one that stays with them.

We all know the advantages of a good logo. But what about the bad logo design? There are so many out there. A bad logo can literally turn people away from your business; sometimes consciously, sometimes unconsciously. No matter how good your service or product is, a bad logo can keep prospective customers away.

Since no one is business for that to happen, here are 10 things to avoid when designing a new logo or redesigning an existing one:

1.  FONTS: Ask any designer, & they can name a selection of fonts that should never ever be used in logo design. Perhaps the greatest offender is Comic Sans, the condemned face that has had websites created calling for it's removal from software programs & eradication from the library of fonts. I feel those are extreme measures, but because of it's reputation, stay away from that font. Other fonts to avoid are Mistral, Viraldi & Curlz because they are either to hard to read or too cutesy to be taken seriously. Further, you should make sure that the font you select matches the corporate image you are trying to convey.
 
2.  STOCK ART: If you can't afford to hire a graphic designer, using clip art in your logo may be your only option when designing your first logo. That said, you should avoid it whenever possible. Logos comprised of clip art look amateurish, & you run the risk of reusing art that another company has already used. Your logo should be original for two reasons: you'll be remembered & it shows you're different for your competition. You also don't want to be linked to someone's negative feeling towards a business that has nothing to do with yours simply because you both have the same logo. 

3.  PHOTOSHOP FILTERS & EFFECTS: Outer glow, inner glow, gradients, bevels are effects that can overkill a logo. Used sparingly, a gradient or drop shadow can really make your logo pop. Too many effects can be distracting, though. What's more, they can make your logo difficult to read or understand. One filter or effect, used wisely, can create an interesting logo. Avoid using too many--it will have the reverse effect.

4.  UNRELATED IMAGERY: Make sure the imagery in your logo is somehow related to your company or at least the industry your company is in. Including images, though pleasing, but unrelated to your business may confuse prospects & new customers.

5.  INAPPROPRIATE IMAGERY: When you are reviewing the design of your new logo, put your head in the gutter for a second. Is there anything remotely inappropriate about your logo? Are there any elements that could be construed as a phallic symbol or otherwise offensive? Is the lettering in your logo spaced so that it says something other than your company name at a glance? Not everyone looks at images like these shown & see phallic symbols, sexual innuendos  or four-letter words. But many do so take a good look at your graphics to ensure they don't resemble anything offensive or inappropriate.

6.  FUZZY GRAPHICS: While full-color photographic images can be aesthetically pleasing, they wreak havoc on graphic designers. Try to limit the photographic to it's simplest form. Not only will it cut down on headaches for your logo designer, it will also make things much easier whenever you decide to use your logo on promotional imprinted products. The bigger mistake, in this case, is using raster rather than vector images. Raster images are made up of tiny pixels, & get extremely fuzzy when blown up. Vector images, on the other hand, are scalable, so they look good at any size. Programs that don't deal with vector images--like Photoshop--shouldn't be used to create logos.

7.  COLOR FOR EFFECT: Would your logo lose any effect if it were one color rather than several? Try to design a logo, so that if multi colors are used, it will still look good in only one color. This is an especially important point when it comes to customized promotional items since a one color imprint is used most often. One of the best tests for logo design is to put it in black & white. If its's still crisp & readable, even on a small scale, it's a good logo. If not, try again.

8. THE CORPORATE SWOOSH: Even though Nike popularized the swoosh & made it theirs, today too many companies rely on this design for their logo. The swoosh generally does little to differentiate one company from another one. The corporate swoosh is safe, yet completely disconnected from brand identity. After over a century of ineffective, constantly changing logos, Pepsi has finally resorted to the swoosh......the bland, meaningless decorative flourish that says "I give up". You're not Pepsi so you shouldn't take the risk sending out that message.

9.  TOO COMPLEX: For every corporate swoosh, there's a logo that goes too far in the other direction......it has too much going on. Many national companies & sports related logos fall into this catagory.  Think about the fast food logos.  They are nationally recognized & most of them have a very simple design. If these logos had complicated images, they may get overlooked. Try to keep your logo as simple as possible, & what design element you do employ will stand out as a bold statement, even if viewed hundreds of yards away.

10.  TOO ABSTRACT:  Make sure your logo isn't so convoluted that the public doesn't recognize what it's supposed to be. People should not have to squint or have to figure out your logo. One of the best examples of this is a logo you'll be seeing regularly for the next two weeks......the one for the 2012 London Olympics. This is abstraction taken to the extreme.  Did you know those blocky shapes are to read 2012? Luckily the Olympics doesn't need publicity, but if this logo were for a company, they'd be in trouble.

There are many things to avoid when designing a logo for your company--ranging from inappropriate fonts to generic images. If you are designing a logo for the first time or redesigning the one you already have, think about the logos that stick in your mind. What makes them so effective?

Remember your logo will be seen on a multitude of media ranging from your website & printed brochures to promotional custom products. Don't envision it in only one place.

Good luck!

ITS YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!

Ronni Sherman

Eco-Friendly Bags Have Become The #1 Promotional Wholesale Product

Most customers & potential clients judge a company based on a combination of things, including the promotional custom products they receive. With a growing awareness over the environment & the health of our planet, people are looking for companies that do their part in cutting down on emissions & using more environmentally friendly products.

There are some promotional products that are perfect advertising tools for businesses, both large & small, that are eco-friendly. Imprinted, non-woven bags are one of these. It doesn't matter what field you're in or who your target audience is......these will appeal to just about everybody.

Thousands to millions of dollars can be spent on advertising campaigns for billboards, television & radio ads; but the fact is that a custom tote bag, starting at a low, low cost has the possibility to reach more people with your message than any other outlet.

The Advertising Specialty Institute conducted a survey & reported that people who received promotional items kept them for an average of 7 - 9 months. This provides repeated & consistent exposure for your company. Have you given a bag to your customer lately? Chances are he'll use it more than 10 times a month & it will be seen monthly by 1038 people. That's just one bag........now multiply that by the number of bags you ordered & then gave out in that one month.

I feel these facts about customized promotional bags are so very important. Every business owner should be aware of them so they can understand just how effective they are as promotional imprinted products. Take the promotion of your company one step further & invest in the planet's future by using customized totes.

So let's talk about these bags. They are the largest, most purchased item in the ad specialties industry. In recent years, with consumers focusing on being more environmentally-friendly, their usage has skyrocketed.

Thanks to the excellent quality of printed bags made from eco-friendly material, they can be used countless times which is good for the planet & your business identity. The non-woven polypropylene totes are everywhere, used over & over. It's the one product you can never have enough of. They're recyclable, reusable, eco-friendly, water resistant & can be washed.

All positive, right?  Here's the biggest plus for you......these non-woven bags have a huge imprint area. You can blow up your logo so it really pops & can be recognized from a distance or you can add all the information you want about your business. These should be given out to everyone you come into contact with because wherever they go shopping, they're taking your company right along with them!

The newest non-woven bags are now laminated or metallic.  This gives them added pizzazz & gives them more strength & durability. Some display a multi-color pattern or design covering the entire bag. These will stand out & will highlight your business when your logo & company name is imprinted on them.  These designer totes really make an impression.

You can even get them insulated to carry fresh or frozen products home. Other bags allow you to carry more than just groceries......they have pockets & zippers. These customized promotional totes come in all sizes which make them adaptable to travel.  People head outdoors--to the beach, picnics, sporting events, museums, shopping--the list is endless. Carrying items to & from work is something most employees do, so why not have them do it in a bag with your logo.

What could be better than bags & totes as promotional imprint products for your customers.

Many cities in Los Angeles & Orange counties have passed a law that bans the use of plastic bags & there will a .10 charge for every paper bag used. More & more cities across the nation will be adopting this policy. Jump on the bandwagon now & start handing out the logical solution to plastic & paper bags.

Buying these non-woven, polypropylene bags & effectively displaying your company name on them is a promotional strategy that is priceless. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to promote your business to thousands of people with just a handful of bags.

Have fun with your name. Make it stand out--be creative.

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

Ronni Sherman

Proof That Customized Promotional Items Work

Advertising specialties are products that are imprinted with a company's name, advertising message & most likely a logo. These products spread recognition & identity for a business. Promotional custom products are one of the most effective mediums among advertising because they have the ability to expose a company's name over & over again.

Best of all they are an inexpensive, yet effective way to get your name out in the public while fostering goodwill to your clients & prospective customers. Here are some studies that were done showing just how dynamic these products can be:

1. Research by A. C. Nielsen Co found that almost 1/3 of recipients of promotional products were using them one year after receiving them. The study also showed that, six months after receiving them, 42% of the people with customized promotional items could recall the name of the advertiser when the item was not in view.

2. Another study, by Specialty Advertising Association International, revealed that nearly 2/3 of the business travelers at Chicago's O'Hare Airport had at least one promotional item in their possession & 3/4 of those traveling could recall the advertiser's name without looking at the article.

3. Non-woven recyclable bags are quickly becoming the number one promotional imprinted product & this next study is impressive. The Advertising Specialties Institute (ASI) conducted a survey & reported that people who received a promotional bag kept it for an average of 7 - 9 months & used it about 10 times a month. That one bag would have been seen by 1038 people.  That's just one bag........now multiply that by the number of bags you ordered & gave out that month. 

4. Baylor University conducted a study where a textbook publishing company gave 4,000 educators either a thank you letter or a thank you letter with a pocket calculator that had their logo imprinted on it. The results showed that the customers who received the calculator were more positive towards the publishing company & rated it 34% higher than those who received only the letter of thanks.

5. This next study is one of my favorites because it shows promotional items bring better results than coupons do. According to Southern Methodist University, customers of a dry cleaning store who received promotional custom products over an eight month period spent 27% more & frequented the establishment 49% more often that those who were given only coupons.  Remember the promotional item must be useful to the recipient to get this positive return.

6. This last example is not a study, but still shows the power of promotional imprinted products & how they can aid in your marketing program. Zaki Usman of Severa Corp used imprinted beach balls to lure their website visitors to their Twitter site & sign on as followers. They launched a FOLLOW US ON TWITTER & WIN A BEACH BALL campaign. By the ninth day after the program had started, their follower count went for 4700 to 9400. In that short time, they had more Twitter traffic than they had in the last two months. They also found that once they posted the offer on their website, people stayed on there longer than they did before the promotion. Zaki, himself, credits all this to the genuine interest people had in his beach ball campaign.

All I can say is what a wonderful & unique idea! Congratulations, Zaki, on your success!

Research proves that consumers who receive promotionals return sooner & reorder more frequently than those who receive no advertising specialties. These studies also show how important it is to keep your name in the public at all times & promotional custom products are the best way to do it.

Try it & see for yourself. I wish you the best of luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Four Time-Tested Promotional Imprinted Products

Last week I wrote an article on the unwritten rules in promotional advertising. They are so very important to succeed & to stand above your competition. These four rules can literally make or break your advertising campaign......follow them & you're on your way to a successful marketing program.

Now that you know the unwritten rules to successful branding, how do you know what to pick that will make a difference......make you stand out & distinguish you from your competitors?

There are several factors why certain customized promotional items sell more than others, the main reason being that they work more effectively. There are products that are ordered more & render positive results for businesses time & again.  Some promotional products people respond to better than others. By using these for marketing, you help boost your brand recall & customers are more likely to remember your company.

When deciding which promotional imprinted product to use for your next advertising campaign, give some thought to the type of promotional item that would help attract new customers & keep existing ones loyal to your brand.

Here is a list of the top four items that are most popular simply because they are effective marketing tools & companies have relied on them to grow their business time & again. These four products have proven to be successful, time after time, in getting a company's brand out among the public.

Custom Water Bottles: These are by far the top-selling promotional items in the promotional industry. Why, you ask......well, there are several reasons for this.  The main one is the basic functional value of the product. Everyone drinks water or another beverage 365 days a year. Bottles personalized with your logo will be taken everywhere by their users & your logo & company name gets seen each time the bottles are used.  This is great exposure for you.

Imprinted Sticky Notes & Note Pads: Everybody uses one or the other or both everyday. These are like mini billboards. Multi-color imprint is usually included int he price so you can get creative with your logo & advertising message making it stand out to the user.  They are available in any size you want. Your name will be in front of your potential customer or client day after day in a fun & useful way. Let your creativity soar & see how you can wow your customer with a basic promotional imprinted product.

Promotional Pens: The most popular promotional tool of all time is the imprinted pen. It's a favorite with businesses across the globe. The variety of promotional pens is endless. The major attraction is the low price of the item which allows companies to stay on budget without having to compromise on their advertising efforts. And it's something everyone uses--even in this age of technology. Choose from a variety of metal, plastic, eco-friendly or gel ink pens.  Don't forget about highlighters & the combination pen/highlighter.

Imprinted Promotional Bags: This method of advertising has proven to be effective & cost efficient. The largest businesses in the country & around the world use imprinted bags constantly. This should be proof in itself. With the recent emphasis on saving our planet, non-woven, recyclable bags are quickly moving ahead of all other promotional custom products to be the number one best seller.  It's a common sight to see people tote their own bags into the grocery store.  What do all these bags have in common......they're imprinted with someone's logo.  With all the airlines' restrictions on baggage, tote bags--large & small--are seen at the airports.  Many of them are imprinted with a company's name & logo. Think of the exposure just one bag can give your business!

I hope this helps the next time you are ready to purchase promotional items for your company. Best of luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Unwritten Rules For Branding & Company Identity

How many of you can say you have no competition........that you don't care about your competition? If you're in business to succeed, I don't think any of you will stand up & shout "me" to that.

Companies are fighting over their share of the market......trying to convince you that they're the best in their industry......offering special deals & introductory offers that are hard to ignore. This is why brand & company recognition is so important today.

Brand presence is something no business can afford to ignore. Logo identity is vital to the growth of your company. Gaining that recognition is not an intall-and-forget gizmo. It requires persistent efforts to stay on top of your game & there are a few things you should pay attention to if your brand is to shine.

In fact, there are four unwritten rules about promotional marketing you should know if you are to be successful:

A well-executed marketing strategy: Your competition never sleeps. In the world of brands, everyone is making their own noise, leaving their own mark on the minds of the public. You must get your strategy right & stand above your competition to be noticed. It's showbiz time all the time in the world of brand marketing. In other words, keep your customized promotional items out there to be seen.

Be sure it's relevant to your business & of use to your customer: I've said this over & over & because it's so very important, I'll keep saying it until I retire this blog. Don't just buy something to give out because it was on sale or you don't have time to give it more than a few minutes of thought. A promotional imprinted product that your customer won't use or worse, stash in the back of a desk drawer or throw away won't do you any good. And they won't remember you unless it's by the useless junk you gave them.

Stay in touch & they will remember you: Your target audience has a short memory. Your clients & potential customers are perpetually being bombarded with new offers, new products, new brands. They can soon forget you with so much going on in the world of brands. So keep reminding them about yourself. People love receiving gifts. Hand out promotional products imprinted with your company logo. Promotional pens, imprinted notepads, recyclable bags with your company name will be considered thoughtful gestures to the recipient. In turn, they will think of your business over your competition when they need your product or service.

Make quality a priority: A pen is always a good item to give out, but a pen that skips when it writes or won't close when you click on the plunger will not give your brand a good image. What you give out reflects your company & what it stands for. Saving .10 - .20 on a pen could cost you a lot more in the long run. I used the pen as an example, but this goes for any promotional custom product you choose.

All four of the above unwritten rules in marketing are an absolute must if you want to succeed.  One is not more important than the other & one should not be excluded as you execute a promotional plan.

Good luck in your marketing endeavors.

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

Ronni Sherman

Customized Promotional Items For A Healthy Life Style

This is the time of year to start looking at healthy lifestyles beyond the dinner plate & renew those vows for more exercise that may have faded since they were made as New Year's resolutions. Inspire your customers to engage in fitness-oriented activities with promotional custom products.

Promotional health products are very effective in branding your business in a convenient & useful way. These are sure to be appreciated & used, giving your company exposure.

Many of your customers belong to a gym or a health center, so promotional items that are conducive to their workout are always a good idea. An acrylic or aluminum sports bottle will prove to be useful. Your clients will not have to buy a bottle of water every time they go to the gym, & if they run out, they can just refill it & get back to the weights or treadmill. The bright colors are attention getters & your logo is displayed for everyone in the gym to see.

To further inspire your customers to lead a more active life, give out customized promotional health items that can be used for fun. A flying disc will have them running around in the backyard, park, beach or campsites. Ultimate frisbee has become an extremely popular game for all ages. It's a standard on most college campuses--just walk by during the fall or spring months & there's sure to be a game in progress. A beach ball has been has been a favorite for any age & can also be seen at the beach, parks & around backyard pools.

Yoga enlightens the mind, body & is great exercise. It's become a popular trend & yoga studios are cropping up all over. Some provide yoga mats & others ask you to bring your own. There are classes in the park & on the beach.  People are buying the DVD's & doing the exercises in the privacy of their home. This PVC yoga mat comes in a nylon carrying case so it can be toted to the gym, park or a favorite yoga spot.  Not in to yoga? This can be used for other floor exercises as well. 

Golf is a big charity fund-raiser during the summer months & many businesses actively take part. Whether you're a sponsor in the tournament or playing, you can get your company & logo seen by donating tees, golf balls, divot tools or towels with your logo on them. If it's useful to the golfer, he'll use more than just this one game & your name will be in front of him, hopefully, throughout the summer. Another popular way to display your logo is on a multiple of items, for example an imprinted sports bottle filled with branded tees, balls & maybe a divot tool or a towel.

Encourage walking with a multi-function pedometer. Functions include measuring steps--up to 99,999 steps--distance walked & calories burned. Many include the time & have an automatic shut-off & idle mode to save energy. These are light weight & clips to a belt or waistband. If you sponsor a walkathon for a charity, this item is a great way to promote the cause & show your company cares about the community.  Or you can go one step further with a jump rope that has an LCD display showing the number of jumps & calories burned. 

What could be more needed after a run around the park or a heavy work out in the gym........a quick absorbing & a quick drying towel. It comes in it's own case. The towel, itself, is 12" X 31". You have a choice of white or blue in a black case. It's the case that gets imprinted with your logo. This is a definite must for sport bags, golf bags & lockers in a gym. Don't forget about team sports........this promotional imprinted product will be appreciated at schools & at parks where community teams play.

This is also the time for travel. Your client can stay in shape with the latex exercise band whether they're camping, taking a road trip, flying across country or traveling abroad. It's compact & easy to store. It won't add weight to luggage. It can also be used while at the office, the gym or at home. It doesn't matter if your customer is on the go or spends most their day in one place........this item fits easily in a purse, carry-on bag or a desk drawer.  It also fits any exercise regimen--from a light one to a heavier workout.

Speaking of healthy lifestyles this summer........let's not forget about the damaging rays from the sun & how important it is to protect your skin. Spread this life saving message to your customers with sunscreen that has your logo imprinted on a mult-colored label to grab everyone's attention.  They're available in sprays or lotions........SPF 15 or SPF 30........with optional attached carabiners.  These handy 1 oz or 2 oz bottles will fit anywhere--purse, pocket, desk drawer, car console, sports bag.

The main purpose of promotional imprinted products is to get your name out among the public & to make your company & logo recognized. The most effective way to do this is to give out items that people need, reminding them of you every time they use your product. And as an added bonus, hopefully they'll use it where others will also see your company name. These products that promote a healthy life style (as well as your company) are things that people will want during the summer months.

What would your customers use the most?

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

Ronni Sherman

A Great Summertime Promotional Custom Product

"Although I am far from what you might consider 'outdoorsy', last week-end I ventured into the wilderness & went camping. As I was sitting around the campfire - surrounded by trees, water & insects rather than cubicles, advertisements & televisions - realized that in spite of the natural surroundings, I was accompanied by many brands.

From my flashlight to the collapsible can cooler & of course the Swiss Army knife, many of the items I brought had been given to me by a corporation. I started thinking about how these promotional products successfully traveled all that way with us, & I came to the conclusion that functional promotional items are key to building any brand."

The above paragraphs were not written by me, but were taken from an article written by a woman named Sara at Pinnacle.com.

Her last sentence is a huge statement: functional promotional items are key to building any brand.

There are so many promotional imprinted products to choose from & depending on your target audience & your business, there will be several that will be very beneficial to the growth & recognition of your company.

A customized promotional item that I'd to talk about now is a product that Sara also brought up........imprinted coolers for beverages & food.

Summer is an excellent time for travel, camping, hiking, picnics & days at the beach or the lake. And it's important to keep your food & beverages cold.

It's also the time for company picnics, sporting events, golf tournaments, marathons, water spectacles & the list goes on.

This is the time when children go to day camp.  Some include lunches while others do not. For those kids, who take their lunches with them, an insulated lunch bag is important so their food stays cool & fresh.

large cooler w/ 2 compartments

The common link between all of these events is the branded item. Promotional custom products are a key part of every special event, as they help to keep your company visible long after the event is over. One of the most versatile & universal items for summer events is the cooler.

Coolers are a fantastic marketing tool because of their functionality. For so many people they are practical, usable & not only for this month or this year--they tend to last many years to come. Camping, fishing, hunting, picnics, tailgating parties, the list is endless as to the uses. They'll be a prized possession & your investment will keep your logo visible for many years into the future.

collapsible cooler for lunch or drinks

Promotional coolers come in a variety of different styles & colors which makes them an excellent showcase for your business name, logo & contact information.

Small, portable cooler bags can be used for carrying home cold foods from the grocery store or used to transport ice cream home from your favorite frozen yogurt shop. No matter where they are used they will be advertising your business & people will love these handy customized promotional coolers to keep their stuff cool when it seems too hot to transport cold items from the store to the front door.


Medical practitioners will find insulated cooler bags to be an efficient way to travel with medications that must stay in a cool, dry space.

cooler on wheels

Today, customized coolers are not just for cans. Promoting your business with a logo imprinted  cooler can also be easily done on rolling wheels, 6 pack or 24 pack coolers, coolers that double as a backpack........all are just as handy for food as they are for drinks. Ice buckets, beverage tubs & lunch bags are also available. How cool would it be to see people sitting around a tailgate having a good time while conveying your company brand & message.

collapsible ice chest

In the absence of refrigerators & freezers, promotional coolers can be your answer to the coldness of beverages & food; also the freshness of fruits & vegetables.  It's an eco-friendly & healthy way to promote your business.

With their wide printing area, you can imprint your company name, logo & advertising message turning this product into a valid marketing tool--because where they are toted, so is your company name.  It's easy, it's efficient & it's effective.  That's what customized promotional items are all about.

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

Ronni Sherman

The Face Of Your Company

The first impression of your company is probably the most important impression you'll ever make & in many cases, it's the only impression you'll ever make.

This initial impression can be made in many forms including your website, what you say on Face Book or how you portray yourself on other social networking sites. There are marketeers out there to tell you how to enhance your image on those sites. I want to talk to you about two other areas where first impressions can make or break you: actual personal contact & promotional imprinted products.

Great customer service must be delivered from the first touch-point to the last. It should start with your selection of suppliers & continue through your organization--from the first line of contact when the phone rings, to order entry--& all the way through to the moment your program is delivered to the client & their end-users.

Does everyone in your business know that they are personally accountable for creating a "World-Class Customer Experience" that exceeds the customer's expectations? A receptionist, or the first person to greet you when you walk in the door or call on the phone, is responsible for setting the tone of your company. Dan Schawbel wrote, "Since people are the face of the company, there must be an emphasis on each person who represents the corporate brand."

The customized promotional items you hand out also make an immediate & lasting impression. It's important in this area of advertising that you don't cut corners & think your recipient will be happy with anything that is free. Wrong! If it doesn't work, if it's not useful to him or if it spells "cheap", he'll toss it in the garbage & forget about you........or if he does remember you, it won't be in a
positive way. The impression you left him with is a company he doesn't want to do business with.

The promotional imprinted product you hand out is an instant visual identity to your company. It's a first impression to someone who has not heard of you before. One of the main purposes of visual identity is to make you stand out & be distinct from your competitors. Your business has a value proposition, that is, you promise customers a reason to choose you. You've told them you're worth their time to seek you out. Your product or service is worth their time & investment.

Suppose you said, "Nothing we sell or do is of any particular interest." Suppose you said, "Shop here because our prices & quality is the same as everyone else's." Not a great first impression. So then, why communicate that visually?

For two years I've been writing articles telling you how important it is to stand out from your competitors & how to make an impact so you'll be remembered. Promotional custom products not only make it possible, but make it easy to do in a manner that will fit any budget. I've said this before & I can't say it enough, the promotional product you give out must be relevant to your company & be useful to your client or future customer.

To achieve a good first impression for new customers & maintain an excellent lasting impression among your older clients, look at your business through their eyes. Are you someone you'd like to do business with? Are you giving the service you expect from the companies you deal with? It might be a good idea to ask your customers where they think you excel & where they think you could do better.

And last--let your smile be your very first impression, the true face of your company. Whether it's actually seen or only heard in your voice, it can work magic & make a lasting impression.  Good luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Customized Promotional Items At The State Fair

The State Fair: those three words arouse your senses & evoke childhood memories. Rides, games, food, music, local artisans, livestock........& a whole lot of people.

Texas & Minnesota are the two largest state fairs, drawing over a million visitors each year. These attendance numbers add up to one thing for businesses who advertise with promotional custom products: extra eyes on your brand. Think about it, state fairs offer an extraordinary opportunity to spread your company name & logo among the public. While Texas & Minnesota may win 1st place for high attendance, state fairs all around the country attract people in droves. And these attendees are ready for a good time......& free goodies.

Why not consider capitalizing on the throngs of fair-goers with a fun promotional imprinted product showing off your logo to everyone around?

If you go with a t-shirt, draw-string backpack or a visor you'll have enough room to display your logo along with the state fair's logo or design. You've now turned your customized promotional wearable into a souvenir that will be worn over & over. How's that for continuous exposure?!

Other promotional items that are good to give out for the fair are:

BEADS: These are the same colorful ones that are thrown from the floats at Mardi Gras. The same ones that the crowds scramble to grab. These are as popular at state fairs as they are at Carnival in Rio & the Mardi Gras in New Orleans. If you decide to order these, plan on ordering a lot because people will grab more than one. Your logo & company name can dangle in full color on a medallion hanging from the necklace.

SPIRIT STICKS: These are perfect for the nightly concerts at the fairs. They come in an assortment of colors, shapes & sizes. You can get them with die-cut shapes at the ends & some bend rather than remain rigid--they're called noodle sticks. They are also available in glow-in-the-dark. These are probably the most sought after. These popular items are seen at sporting events & political fund-raisers as well as at concerts.

 INFLATABLE WATER BOTTLES: When you're at the fair, the last thing you want to do is lug around a water bottle--especially if it's empty; yet you hate to throw it away because sooner or later you'll be thirsty again. Also you need to stay hydrated if it's hot. Here's the perfect solution: a deflatable water bottle that is flat when empty & can be tucked away in a pocket or purse if it's not in use. It's inflates when filled.

INSECT REPELLANT: Chance are you'll be at the fair during dusk or early evening when the mosquitoes come out in full force. Don't let these pesky little insects ruin your fun.  Be prepared with this all natural insect repellant that is DEET free.  It's light & compact & will fit in any purse or pocket. It's FDA approved & will repel gnats, flies & fire ants as well as mosquitoes.

HAND SANITIZER SPRAY: If you ever needed this product, it's at the state fair. Your hands will always feel grubby & chances are soap & water are a very long walk away. Also think of the little ones at the petting zoo then all of a sudden they want something to eat.  Do you think they'll want to stand in line to wash their hands? This handy item is compact & will fit easily in a pocket or purse.  It's lightly scented & will be the life-saver of the day.


 "Where did you get that?" Those five words are music to the ears of anyone involved with promotional custom products. And that's what your customers will be asked if you hand these out for the state fair. Strangers will come up to them asking that question, making your promotion a prize winning product.

State fairs won't actually start for another eight weeks, but this is the time to think about your summer promotions. What is a sizzling, hot idea you can do to spice up your campaign for the summer months? Almost every state or county has a fair--make your business a part of it & have your logo travel the fair grounds.

Think about these items for your summer promotion.  Good luck!

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

Ronni Sherman

Promotional Imprinted Products & Summer Sports

Though summer is still a month away, the weather says it's arrived. Businesses can use the time leading up to international, national & local sporting events to boost their company image. There are many events to choose from, but none are more visible this year than the London Summer Olympics & the Euro 2012 Soccer Championships.

These two contests occur once every four years & it's hard to duplicate the excitement as the US athletes prepare for the games. Even the advertisements that will soon be seen on TV will trigger excitement. Companies can use customized promotional items to successfully tie these games to their brand image, but it's important to advertise well in advance to create anticipation for the sporting events & at the same time draw attention to their business.

Depending on the target audience that you're reaching out to, promotional imprinted products can be branded with simple patriotic messages that support the U.S. athletes or a specific event. For example, a company can order note pads with their name & logo at the top & the Olympic rings at the bottom with this message: "Good luck to the American Olympic teams in London!"

Whether you're backing our soccer team at the Olympics or our team playing in the Euro Championships, you'll get the message across by putting your name on a stress soccer ball, a sticky note pad or mouse pad in the shape of a soccer ball.

By giving out these promotional custom products now, you can ensure that they will be visible for most the summer as anticipation builds for the games. This visibility means your customers & prospects will continue to see your company logo & message every time they use the items with your name on them.

These aren't the only games this summer. Look for local teams in your community. What a better way to get involved than to sponsor a little league baseball team or swim team at a neighborhood park. Handing out beach balls, imprinted with your logo, at a swim meet is a fun way to gain company recognition locally. Let the recipients spread the word about you as they take the balls to the beach or a pool party in a back yard--maybe even on a camping trip.

Golf is a big charity fund-raiser during the summer months & many organizations & businesses actively take part. Whether you're playing in the tournament or not, you can still get your name & logo to be seen. Be a sponsor & then donate golf tees, golf balls, towels or even a sports bottle with your company name on it. If it's useful to the golfer, he'll use it more than just this one game & your name will be in front of him, hopefully, throughout the summer.

Ok, you don't want to promote a specific sporting event or sponsor a team or golf tournament........you can still take advantage of summer sports as you hand out your promotional imprinted products.

• Don't forget about that beach ball......it's a favorite among all age groups.
• Promote good health while promoting your business with your logo imprinted in full color on lip balm, sun screen or hand sanitizers.
• Flying discs (frisbees) are a popular item & you can see them being thrown around in parks & on beaches. Make sure your logo is on some of those.
• For the fisherman you can put your name on fishing lures or bobbers.
• A sports bottle is a must for everyone who participates in a sport whether it's hiking, biking or observing. It's always seen in gyms as people try to get in shape for the summer. When it comes to sports, this is probably one of the most used of all advertising specialties.

It's always good to hand out something a little different than what you've done in the past. I hope this gives you some fresh ideas as summer approaches. Take advantage of the excitement & fun.

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

Ronni Sherman