Don't Let This Happen To You!

Don't let your next promotion embarrass you. Whether it's a sign advertising your company or a customized promotional item, it's important to not only think about the product being imprinted, but what kind of message are you sending.

When a business places any sort of message on a printed product, not only must the statement be politically correct, but the logo or an image you're using must not carry a secondary meaning. Even if it's an innocent or subconscious mistake, others may see it as intentional & view your company unfavorably.  Look at what you're printing as others would--people who know nothing about your business--how would they interpret your logo?

It might even be a good idea to put your mind in the gutter while you're studying a new logo or image. Here's some examples of what could go wrong:

The black & white images in this poster create an unintended optical illusion.

It even happened to Disney Pictures. Millions of video covers for The Little Mermaid were sold before a hidden phallic symbol was discovered in the castle.

Now I've got your attention........it's not just images that can give a wrong impression. Spelling errors can make your company look sloppy & give potential customers the idea that you don't care about the end result.  Spacing between words & letters & your selection of fonts is also very important.

When it comes to marketing & promotional custom products--sweat the small stuff. It's those minute details that can make or break your advertising campaign......or worse, make or break the public's image of your company.

Advertising is the main contact that you & your business have with the outside world. Therefore, you & your company must always make sure that your image professionally reflects your company & what it stands for. Above all, this must be consistent--don't waver because you have just one chance to make a first impression & once you make it, you have to keep it. Don't bank on your customers' loyalty.

We've all seen errors like these & we've all laughed at them. Jay Leno flashes them on The Tonight Show constantly. But they're far from being humorous when it happens to you. That's why it is so very important to be meticulously observant when you get a proof for the printed product you ordered.

What do you think a client could do after spending $600 on 1000 pens that read:

JON PETERS HAIR SALON & SPA

COME TO OUR SALOON & TREAT YOURSELF ROYALLY

That actually happened to one of my customers (before he became a customer of mine). He was terribly upset over the mistake, but owned up to the fact that was his error & eventually saw the humor in it. Very few people have his forgiving temperament.

Any message placed on a promotional imprinted product must be sure to follow good promotional marketing practices. For example, in 1998, an elementary school in New York received pencils with the imprinted message: Too Cool To Do Drugs.  The customized promotional pencils were a great idea to promote a positive lifestyle to children.  But unfortunately when the pencils were sharpened, the words would spell out "Cool To Do Drugs" & eventually "Do Drugs".  The pencils were recalled & altered by imprinting the beginning of the slogan at the erasure end of the pencil.

Here's an example of a bottle opener sending a wrong message. A national car rental agency used to purchase key tags with a bottle opener attached.  They claimed they were given out at non-alcoholic events they sponsored & not to customers renting cars.  But still, think of the message they're sending......giving out a bottle opener with their corporate logo on it when it's associated with driving?  It promoted drinking & driving in an indirect way. Someone must have rethought that strategy because that item was later replaced by others more conducive to the nature of their business.

So another thing to watch out for--while a promotional imprinted product may work for one field, it could be disastrous in another.

Reputations & lasting impressions can take a long time to build but can evaporate in  an instant!

I hope this helps you from an unforseen disaster. Think everything out beforehand.  Good luck!
IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

Clever Ways To Advertise With Promotional Imprinted Products

Spring is finally here & it's again time to bar-b-que. What does your grill look like after the long winter season? With this cheap & easy advertising campaign, a manufacturer of barbeque grills attracted attention to his products. Several street corners with sewer covers were chosen for the ads.  The question, "Need a new barbeque?" & the name & phone number of the company was then added. Anyone with a barbeque knows what it's like to have a grill that is beyond cleaning, so this was an effective campaign.

This new way of advertising was done on the streets in England. I don't think there's a city in the US that would allow you to write your message on their street corners.

Here is something Bounty paper towels did on the streets of New York & Santa Monica that grabbed the attention of everyone who passed.  On the streets of New York & Los Angeles, Bounty successfully demonstrated how well their product works.  The ad read: "What better way to demonstrate the superior absorbency of Bounty paper towels than with some big spills".

And they are talking about some seriously big spills. On Seventh Avenue in New York, busy commuters were greeted by a six foot tall coffee cup knocked over & spilling onto the sidewalk--complete with steam & the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.  In Santa Monica, week-end shoppers found a seven foot, 500 pound ice cream bar melting on the Third Street Promenade. The message: "Bounty makes small work of BIG spills" was highly effective.
(Advertising agency: Publicis, New York, NY)

Ok, so most of us don't have a bigger than life budget for advertising but there are other ways to cleverly advertise your business & use promotional custom products as well. The whole idea is to be unique......grab the public's attention by doing more than simply handing out pens or t-shirts. If you find a unique way to distribute your marketing products, the image of your business will make a long-lasting impression.

If you are a realtor, instead of just sending out calendars with your photo on them, offer something out of the ordinary. Something that's a little bit more expensive than the normal promotional custom product to the first ten (20? 25?) customers who register at a showing with an agent.  A good example of this would be a flash drive--something everyone with a computer could use, but few people actually invest in them. If advertised correctly, chances are that many more than ten or twenty people will show up & may make an offer since they are already in the office. Plus, having these people actually in the office allows the owner to hand out other applicable, but less expensive promotional items & show what they have on the market.

Another way to capture the public's attention is to reach out to people waiting in line. Dubbed "wait marketing" by the industry, this concept centers around the concept that everyone will have to wait in line at some point. A small business owner can offer free promotional products & will usually be met with a favorable response because those in line have little to do but wait. One word of caution: many public places require exhibit permits to give out advertising material--no business owner should try this in a public environment without permission.

Here are three ways my customers used to stand out form their competition when handing out customized promotional items:

1. One of my customers goes to local soccer matches & high school football games when it rains & hands out plastic ponchos with his company name imprinted on the lightweight poncho. The poncho easily folds into a small pouch & can be worn at other times--showing off his logo at a variety of places. When the rain catches the spectators off guard, he's more popular then the players.



2. Another customer, an auto dealership, had an ad campaign, "Biggest Savings In The Valley". They bought plastic piggy banks with their logo & name on them to distribute among people who walked on to the lot. They put a coupon in each bank & hten displayed them throughout the dealership. Most coupons were for maintenance while a few were for bigger items like detailing or a free set of tires. You couldn't tell ahead of time what the coupon was for until you randomly picked your bank.

3. A chain of gyms bought beach balls with their logo vividly displayed & on hot summer days when the beaches were crowded, they had employees go to various ones in Los Angeles county.  The employees stood on a rise above the beach or on the pier & threw the balls out at the crowd. People clamored to get them & for the rest of that day & for weeks after, the gym's logo bounced along the Pacific coastline in LA.


 Don't have the time or the budget to get creative with your campaign? That's alright too. The bottom line is that you have promotional imprinted products at your disposal to distribute among your targeted audience at all times.  You've heard the saying: "out of sight, out of mind"......don't let that be you.

The whole idea is to get your company name out there & to be recognized. Pens travel from hand-to-hand like a dollar bill does, t-shirts are walking billboards & will go wherever you or your customer goes, shopping bags are seen by 100's of people monthly as they are used in grocery stores.  Letter openers, note pads & stress relievers are only a few of the items that are used regularily by people & every time they're used, your name & logo are in front of them.

Distribute, distribute, distribute & if you can come up with a clever idea then that's icing on the cake. It could be that one creative step that will make someone really notice you & call them to action.

Good luck!
IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

Ten Places To Leave Customized Promotional Pens

Personalized pens are one of the best promotional investments a company can make. Distributing pens is also a great way to promote a fundraiser or special event. They are so versatile that they can spread your business name in any setting or at any venue.

They're small--they don't take up space, they're economical--there's a variety to fit any budget & they travel far--they go from hand-to-hand like a dollar bill. They'll go places you won't.

Not to mention, pens are useful, even now when everyone uses a computer, they are still needed on a daily basis.

But once you invest in customized promotional pens to help spread your brand name, where should you distribute them? What kind of locations will help them travel further fastest? How can you get them to people you don't come into contact with? Handing a couple out to a few people a month won't do the trick.

Consider these ten locales from your staff to local business:

1. Your employees: First things first, make sure each of your employees have plenty of pens for their own use as well as to hand out.  Think of these branded pens as multi-functional business cards!

2. Your customers: Make sure you give a couple to your customers every time you see them. Don't be stingy........the pens will help make your company visible & bring you new business. Also don't forget about the prospects. Make sure they have your pens so they won't forget about you when they need your services or products.

3. Local banks: Ask the bank manager if you can leave your pens at strategic areas around the bank so when a customer comes in, there's one handy if he needs it. Hopefully he will take it with him. It's also a good idea to give them to some tellers to hand out to customers who are business owners or in a position to make decisions for their company. Now if a bank is handing out their own pens, the manager will not allow yours to be distributed.

4. Local restaurants & coffee shops: Many local coffee shops have a corner where other businesses, artists, writers or freelancers can leave their information or show their work. Why not leave personalized pens? At restaurants offer to furnish the staff with free pens for the customers' bills. And with luck, a few will walk off with your pen. Most managers will be happy for you to supply the pens & many of them are eager to help build a stronger economy in their community.

5. Library: Libraries are spots where people often find themselves in need of pens. After all, folks rarely just sit around & read at the library--there's usually a lot of note taking. If your company is looking to draw the attention of students & college-aged kids, the library is a great place to leave your customized promotional pens.


6. Local schools: Most schools, especially the public ones, have had their budgets cut so there is little or no money for extras. When they have functions such as PTA meetings, bake sales, silent auctions offer your pens with your company name. The parents will take them home with them--another way for you to reach households you normally wouldn't have had access.

7. Trade shows: Of course, you'll want to include at least several pens & maybe a few other promotional imprinted products as part of your marketing kit at trade shows. This is the time to make sure your pens stand out........think bright colors, maybe cushy grip or gel ink. Remember, you won't be the only one giving out pens; but give a little extra thought to ensure yours is the pen people will keep & use.

8. Client meetings: Whether it's a formal meeting with prospective clients or just doing lunch to help maintain communications with a few customers, be sure to have pens on hand to offer around.

9. Special events: If you're hosting a charity event, fundraiser or a grand opening; be sure you've got plenty of pens in stock to share with attendees. These can be given out alone or in conjunction with other promotional custom products. Pens will "travel" & help your brand spread far.

10. Outside ATM machines: Take a moment to consider where you most often need aq pen & can't find one around. Chances are, the ATM is where your mind leaps. When depositing a check, you've got to endorse it first & how many of us have been without a pen at this key moment? Stop at near-by bank-affiliated ATMS--stick to to those outside the banks themselves or right inside the doors--& leave a few of your branded pens.

These are just a few ideas to show you where a pen will be appreciated & how to distribute them. You could probably go in to any local business (dry cleaners, pet shops, gyms, nail salons, body shops) & if they don't have pens of their own, ask if you could leave yours at their establishment.

Let me know if you have any other ideas. Where have you handed out your pens?
IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

Customized Promotional Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags

Two question that I frequently get asked regarding promotional imprinted products are: Besides a pen, what can I give out that will last longer than a note pad? What's the most popular item--the one people ask about the most?

The answers to both of these are the same......non-woven, recyclable bags.

So let's talk about bags. They are one of the largest, most purchased items in the ad specialties industry--& with good reason. In recent years, with consumers focusing on being more environmentally-friendly, their usage has skyrocketed. The non-woven polypropylene totes are everywhere, used over & over again.

It was only a few years ago that they were sparsely used in a few food stores, usually the health or specialty ones. Now you can't go into any grocery store without seeing a lot of customers using them. With more & more cities cracking sown on the usage of plastic & paper bags, these light-weight, non-woven ones will become increasingly popular.

It's the one product you can't have enough. How many people walk out of a store with just one bag of groceries? They're recyclable, reusable, eco-friendly, water resistant & can be washed.

All positive, right? Here's the biggest plus for you......these customized promotional 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, some with a metallic finish giving the bag a rich look. Another option are two-toned bags. These stand out & will highlight your business when your logo & company name is printed on them.

 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 bags come in all sizes which makes them adaptable to travel. It's almost spring & people are heading outdoors......to the beaches, picnics, sporting events. Or just everyday errands, shopping, the gym, museums......the list is endless.

Carrying items to & from work is something that most employees do, so why not have them to it in a bag with your logo. What could be better than bags & totes displaying your logo on commuter trains, subways or the walk from a public parking lot to an office building?

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. So another plus to these bags--you can appeal to a whole new clientele by showing you care about the future of our planet.

Thousands to millions of dollars can be spent on advertising campaigns for billboards, television, magazine & 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.

Here's a study that was done & these results prove how the non-woven bags will give your business great exposure:

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 to your company. 

Have you given a bag to your customer lately? Chances are he’ll use it more than ten 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.

It doesn't matter what field you're in or who your target audience is......these will appeal to just about everybody.

Now is the time to jump on the bandwagon......show your concern for the environment while promoting your company at the same time. Start handing out the logical solution to plastic & paper bags. This is a great opportunity to expose your business to thousands of people with just a handful of bags.

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

Ronni Sherman

Promotional Custom Products Do's & Don'ts

For two years I've been writing about how promotional imprinted products work. How they are one of the most economical & easiest ways to get your company visible. But I'm sure some of you are saying, "Yeah, I tried it once............."

With promotional products, the sky is the limit. But just because something can be branded or you saw an item w/ a logo & you liked it, doesn't mean that's the right product for your company. And if it's a good customized promotional item for you, there are some precautions to take so people will want it & use it.

Here are a few simple suggestions to help you make the right decision:

1. Quality: A quality promotional custom product does not mean it has to break the bank. But cutting  corners to save a few cents may mean you're wasting your money on your entire order if they aren't going to be used because they don't work, they look cheap or they aren't useful to the recipient. It doesn't do your business any good if the promotional item you gave out is shoved in the back of a desk drawer to be forgotten or tossed in the nearest trash can never to be seen again. Paying a bit extra could go a long way. The quality of a product can mean the difference between a throw-away or a keepsake. Also the quality of what you hand out will say a lot about the quality of the goods or services you offer.

2. Know Your Audience: Promotional materials should be appropriate for your audience--something they need & want. You wouldn't give a bottle opener on a key chain away at a pediatrician's office just as a CPA wouldn't have use for a hot pad holder with your logo imprinted on it. If you are dealing with the hotel or travel industry, home health care or assisted living facilities, then a deck of cards with your company name name will probably be used over & over. Water bottles are great for gyms & spas. Bookmarks & notebooks are good for book stores, schools, libraries & tutoring agencies......or that pediatrician's office that doesn't need the bottle opener.

3. One Size Doesn't Fit All: T-shirts are popular & people love to wear them. But think twice before ordering customized promotional apparel because it's impossible to predict the size & shape of each person receiving them. Unless you know your targeted audience very well, consider ordering accessories like caps or visors.

4. Political: Whether it is a local, state or national election, political promotional products can be a great way for your company to show support for your community, state or nation. But it can also lead to dangerous ground if you are promoting a specific cause or candidate while promoting your business. You can easily turn off your customers or prospects who don't agree. Avoid polarizing items that endorse an individual, a political party or an issue. Instead choose to support the democratic process while you're distributing your promotional imprinted products.

5. Child-proof: The only thing children like more than toys is putting toys in their mouth. When choosing promotional items for children, avoid small products or things with detachable pieces. Stick with larger items like coloring books, crayons, rubber balls or child-size drinkware.

6. Distribute, Distribute, Distribute: The purpose of promotional imprinted products is to get your name out among the public & to be recognized among the sea of competitors. This won't happen if you keep your marketing items for a special occasion or for special people. Your family & best friends already know about you. By keeping the products in a storage closet, you won't be known or remembered unless you invite the public to rummage through your closet.

7. Don't Blend In: You've spent time & money on your promotional gifts. Make sure they stand out & don't get lost among the other items. Make sure the recipient wants to use what you give them. Using a pen as an example, don't get a plain white pen that looks like all the others in the desk top coffee mug. A bright colored pen that writes smooth is a good choice or there are 8" pens that, surprisingly, write as comfortable as their smaller cousins. They will get you noticed. If you are giving out note pads or sticky notes,  the price generally includes multi-color imprint. Take advantage of it & design something unique & colorful. Whatever you decide to distribute, be creative & let your logo pop.

8. Check For Errors: This seems to be a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people hand out promotional products with their website spelled wrong or have inverted numbers in the phone number. What could be worse if you customer points out that your street is misspelled? When your order arrives, take time to check for errors before you distribute them. Basically, if you used a professional advertising specialty distributor, you would have gotten a proof & the errors should have been corrected before the products went in to print. That also seems logical, but I've had clients look at the general layout & they don't proofread the copy. If you don't, trust me, someone else will & then it will be too late to do anything about it. And what does that say about the business you're trying to promote?

It is important to hand out promotional imprinted products to get company recognition & stay in the minds of your clients; but before you order take time to go over these eight points so what you order will work for you & not against you.

Good luck!
IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

Your Customized Promotional Items Can Come Alive

Bring spring & summer to your clients all year round. There is nothing like a live plant to pick up someone's spirits or brighten an office. Even in these bleak winter months, flowers & herbs can grow from an assortment of planters--all with your logo on them.

At the same time these are eco-friendly gifts. When you distribute these to your clients, you'll be giving out two messages: your own, advertising your company & another one showing you care about the environment.

Yoko Ono has designed a plant that, once grown, is printed with the word 'love'. The 'Grow Love With Me' limited-edition piece was originally created for the Serpentine Gallery in England. A recyclable aluminum can houses a seed that promises to grow love. The text is laser-etched onto a bean. Then, as the plant grows, it's message becomes easier & easier to read.




Want an imprinted seed/plant to grow your own message......something that will remind your customers who you are & what your business stands for? Good news, you don't have to travel to England--just pick up your phone & call a distributor who sells promotional custom products.

This is a recycled plastic imprinted planter (several colors available) that contains growing mix, 5 magic beans & planting instructions.  The price includes a lid that also serves as a saucer, an imprinted one or two color logo & 5 various words to be engraved on the seeds--a different word for each bean.  You choose the words that best describes your company or the message you want to relay.



 Besides handing them out to your customers as promotional imprinted products, they can also be used at fundraising dinners, for environmental awareness & as favors at weddings or other special occasions.

How about a planter kit that contains everything that is needed to grow flowers & herbs? Your customers can have a mini garden at home or in the office all year long.  Choose from plastic planters or leak-proof pouches. Both come with seed packets, soil discs & instructions for planting & drainage. The planter shows your logo in a one-color imprint while the pouch as a multi-color label  on one side advertising your company & on the other, a color graphic of the plant chosen.


Seeded paper products are unique customized promotional items--when you are through with them, don't throw them away but plant them instead. You can grow flowers, wildflowers, herbs or spruce trees; depending on what the paper is made from. The actual seeds or flower petals are blended into the paper or vellum. How's that for an awesome idea!  These come complete with your company name & logo & instructions for planting.  It's not a gimic........they really will grow!

1. BOOKMARK: Full color bookmark with a seeded paper shape attached. Keep the bookmark & plant the seeded paper.  There's a wide variety of shapes & colors.

2. NOTEBOOKS & JOURNALS: Thick seeded paper embedded with flower petals. The cover is debossed with your logo or message & then bound with 40 sheets of recycled paper. After the paper is used, the cover can be planted flowers.

3. MAILERS/POSTCARDS: Your message & company is printed in full color on one side of recycled card stock. The seeded paper shape is attached.

So bring your logo to life & give something that will keep on growing!
IT'S YOUR COMPANY........SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

The Birth Of Promotional Custom Products

George Washington's birthday is in a couple of days so let me ask you this......what else, besides being our first president, did he do before anyone else?

The father of our country was also the father of promotional imprinted products. In 1789, George Washington used three different presidential buttons commemorating his inauguration. Those buttons are the first known promotional items used in the United States. Today they are worth $3000 - $10,000 each. Much like promotional products today, the intent of these inauguration buttons were to raise awareness.

In the early 1800's, advertising calendars & rulers were circulated, but it wasn't until the late 19th century that custom promotional products really began to catch on.  Credit for this is given to Jasper Freemont Meek. He owned a failing newspaper in Coshocton, Ohio. Having the equipment to do so, he looked to supplement his income by taking on additional jobs.

Jasper Freemont Meek

After seeing a child drop his books in the dirt on his way to school, Mr Meek approached his friend, Mr. Cantwell, owner of Cantwell Shoes, with an idea to increase traffic & sales. Meek's idea was to create a simple, burlap book bag with the message "Buy Cantwell Shoes" imprinted on it. Cantwell would give every child who came into his store a free bag. The bag would then be seen all over town as the children went to & from the schoolhouse. Mr. Meek manufactured & printed the bag on his press & both men reaped the rewards of the partnership.

The  success of the book bag lead to the launch of his second promotional product: imprinted horse covers seen on horses throughout town. These were moving billboards. Meek eventually formed the Tuscarora Advertising Co., established a sales force & enjoyed a successful customized promotional company with little to no competition until 1889.

As with all successful businesses, competitors eventually formed. The next one to jump on the wagon was Henry D. Beach, another newspaper owner. Both men began printing advertising on anything that could be run through a printing press: caps, aprons, marble bags, card cases, calendars & fans.

original package of Juicy Fruit gum

Then in 1891, the Wrigley Company took advertising specialties to new heights. At that time they sold soap & baking powder. To get an edge on their competition, Wrigley included a promotional imprinted product in each package. Can you guess what that give-away was? That's right......chewing gum with their logo on it. The gum that was included in every package of baking soda seemed to be more popular than the product is was designed to promote. A year later, William Wrigley Jr., introduced a new gum called Juicy Fruit. And so began the world's most popular & successful chewing gum business. Now that's a $5 billion dollar history lesson on marketing.

There's no way you can give out the first promotional item nor will you reach the level of success that the Wrigley Company did; but you can still be successful in distributing promotional imprinted products with your logo on them. If you do nothing, you will be missing out an efficient & economical way to gain company recognition.

Today promotional products play a role in businesses everywhere. Countless companies rely on these products to promote their brand, attract new customers & express appreciation to loyal customers.

How do you or your business use promotional products today?
IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

Customized Promotional Pens--They're Essential

Here is a fun poem about customized promotional pens that I found on the Internet (written anonymously). It shows just how many times in one day a logo on a branded pen is seen......that could be your company name on that pen.

I  think this is understated--a pen is actually used & seen by even more people in a day.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PROMOTIONAL PEN
As a promotional pen I have to say,
you would be amazed how I'm seen along the way.

I'm dragged from drawer at the beginning of day
to be shoved in a pocket of a jacket that's gray.

Bounced around as we run for the train,
I guess we must be late again.

Crushed & pushed but soon we settle,
now out with a crossword puzzle to test his mettle.

I'm tapped & chewed as he ponders his clues,
quick to complete the answers he'll choose.

We arrive in the city, crossword complete,
newspaper discarded, left on the seat.

But I'm back in the pocket, nice & snug
as he stops for a coffee in a take-way mug.

We get to the office, time to spare;
jacket is hung on the back of his chair.

Not me, his promotional pen--I'm here on the desk for all to see
sitting next to his work & his new PC.

Answers the phone with his left, me in his right,
ready for note taking, ink shiny & bright.

Someone enters our office with pen & paper in hand,
I can see that pen also carries a brand.

We go to a meeting, top brass are all there,
I notice a promotional pen in the hand of the chair.

You really can't miss us or the message we hold,
that's our purpose in life or so I am told.

Manufactured with care, printed with style;
we are displaying your brand all of the while.

The meeting is ending, chairs sliding back,
a quick word with you, says a colleague named Jack.

Couldn't help noticing your promotional pen,
I need a birthday present for my lovely wife Jen.

Just need the website & number it holds,
of the jeweler who specializes in golds.

You see we are top of our game,
when it comes to spreading your name.

We to to lunch & discuss a promising deal;
when it over, he uses me to sign for the meal.

Return to the office when someone asks,
"Can I borrow your pen to sign off on these tasks?"

Back at our desk, me in the pocket,
Jack calls by--he's ordered the locket.

Glad my pen was of help, was the reply;
hot date tonight so got to say good-bye.

Back on the train, I'm out & in use,
jotting down notes on some sheets that are loose.

Home in a hurry fast as he can,
bacon & eggs are thrown in a pan.

I'm put on the side for about an hour,
while he eats his dinner & takes a shower.

Mouthwash gargled, aftershave spraying,
looks like he's out for an evening playing.

Sitting in the top pocket of a nice clean shirt,
I can see the lady & hear him flirt.

He's doing quite well, she seems really nice;
he certainly seems to have broken the ice.

They want to trade numbers to keep in touch,
she uses me & says she likes me very much.

Numbers exchanged on a handy beer mat,
I'm put back in the pocket with a reassuring pat.

At home I'm in the drawer for the night,
to be taken out tomorrow--my imprint in sight.

We promotional pens are essential you see;
we are functional, welcome & usually free.

And if a pen could really talk, that would probably be a typical day.  There is one other scenario......a pen that gets lost or "borrowed". It can travel from hand to hand just like a dollar bill does on any given day. That's really good for you because then any number of people can see your message & one of those could result in a sale.

Pens are great promotional imprinted products because they are something everyone uses, even in this day of the computer. You don't have to worry about your target audience. There are gadzillions of styles to choose from & an assortment of colors......you can make it uniquely your own. Another benefit, it is one of the most economical ways of advertising your business as it reaches a vast audience.

If pens imprinted with your logo could talk, what would they tell you: "Get me out of this storage closet & let me see some sunshine." or "Keep handing me out--I love to meet new people."

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

 
 

Promotinal Imprinted Products At Trade Shows

Last week I wrote an article on trade shows & how to prepare for a successful exhibit. My 8th tip was to hand out promotional imprinted products. They lure people to your booth. Everyone loves a free gift.

Promotional give-aways can even be a bigger draw than your service or product. Believe it or not, some attendees go to the show or convention, grab a few catalogs that could be of interest to their company & then go from booth to booth to see what they can pick up......they end up with more swag than brochures or business contacts. These obviously aren't the people you want to attract to your exhibit, but you still need the promotional gifts to welcome your customers & prospects.

This is not the time for you to to cut corners & give out the pens or sticky notes you hand out on a regular basis. They'll get lost with everything else being collected or mix in with other pens & note pads. Don't be an average Joe......a trade show is not the place to blend in with your competition. You need to stand out from the others & let your company name be seen & be remembered. You paid a lot to be at the exhibit so take it all the way to be successful & make an impact with your promotional custom products.

Promotional products are a great way to put your company in the forefront of potential customers' minds, even after they've left the trade show or conference.  Customized promotional items help familiarize people with your name, brand, product & service--leading to sales & referrals down the road. However selecting marketing products that your customers will actually keep & use can be difficult. At any conference, attendees are inundated with free pens, note pads & white ceramic mugs. These items are often quickly lost or thrown out before the person leaves the convention center. Promotional gifts that prospects & customers will keep & use are ones that offer value & stand out from the crowd. Yes, they could cost slightly more, but it will pay off in the long run. They will leave the trade show in a suitcase, not a plastic trash bag.

While common items like pens & note pads are popular promotional give-aways, they never stand out from the pack. Additionally, they're items that are frequently discarded due to their low preceived value. Think about the kind of promotional custom products you'd like to receive--what would you keep & use? Below are some ideas that your customers & prospects will value.

Non-woven reusable bags are my number one favorite for trade shows, seminars or conventions. Attendees will need something to store all the material they've gathered & your logo will travel the trade show floor with the person carrying the bag. It will be a traveling billboard for your company. Don't forget to add the booth number. People will stop the guests carrying your bags & ask, "Where did you get that?" That bag will also be used many times after the trade show is over--again advertising your company. Do you know that one bag has the potential of 1038 people seeing it a month? How's that for great (& inexpensive) advertising?

USB flash drives are great promotional gifts at trade shows & seminars. Attendees will need something to store all the material they gathered & your logo will be a reminder of your company whenever they use the flash drive. In addition to branding the flash drive, itself, you can also include your promotional material on the drive. If you decide to do that, make sure your data is compelling, useful & interesting or else the person will have no reason to watch it. One tip: you should select a model with sufficient storage space--if there isn't adequate memory, it could be discarded. You've wasted your money if it gets forgotten in the back of a desk drawer--better to spend a few dollars more & have the recipient use it.

Insulated travel mugs for hot drinks are a popular give-away item because they can be used by virtually everyone. However, a cheap, white, ceramic mug may not find its way onto a desk or into a kitchen cupboard. On the other hand, high quality insulated travel mugs may end up being used on a daily basis. They will go everywhere your customer goes giving your business great exposure. Think about it......during the week it's in the office where co-workers can see it & after work, it may go on a few quick errands or to pick up the kids.  Week-ends--the gym, the mall, the beach or park--the list is endless. Your customer is taking your company along & advertising for you. It doesn't get easier than that.

Water bottles but not the old fashioned plastic ones that end up in the trunk of a car or a trashcan. Water bottles have come along way in the last five years. With the upsurge of health care & staying fit, these new kind of bottles with bright colors make a fashion statement of their own. The plastic is a hard durable material that is shatterproof & doesn't retain odors or tastes. The bottles are also available in aluminum to keep drinks extra cold or in glass for a fresh, crisp, clean look. Attendees at the show are always drinking from disposable water bottles......who knows, they could end up using yours instead, as they go from booth to booth, giving you instant exposure. These have the same benefits as the insulated travel mugs above. After the trade show they go where your customer or prospect goes & that's usually to places you don't. That opens up a whole new spectrum of clients for you.

Sticky notes can be a good promotional gift if you're looking for something useful to give away. Yes, I said not to give something so commonplace because it can get lost among other pads. But there are all kinds of handy, branded cases that can house your sticky notes & even those useful sticky flags. Since they are used everywhere by everyone, you can be sure recipients of these will keep your notes close by. There's a wide assortment of cases, some for any budget & many are refillable.  Honestly, I'd make sure you invest in one that can be refilled. Some options for cases are spiral notebook types, bright colored plastic containers or leather-like holders. These just heightened the value of the sticky note & you're not blending in with the other exhibitors.

Hopefully this brief list gives you some ideas to start your promotional campaign at trade shows & conventions. Remember, if you're looking for customized promotional gifts that people will continue to use over & over, it's important that you take the time to carefully select useful, high-quality items that stand out from the crowd.

Good luck at your next trade show or convention. Hope it's a success & that your booth will be crowded with visitors.
IT'S YOUR COMPANY......SHOW IT OFF!!!
Ronni Sherman

9 Tips To Remember When Planning For A Trade Show

New year......new products......new hope.  What does this mean--trade shows!

Trade show planning takes time & can add a hefty expense to your budget so make sure you are will prepared before the convention starts.

Industry trade shows, conventions & events are good places to meet existing customers, connect with prospects, keep tabs on current industry trends & see what your competition is working on. These shows are costly & require a good deal of planning & effort.

Make the most of your next trade show exhibit by reading the following 9 tips on trade show planning. The main thing is you need to be noticed among the sea of exhibitors. Your name has to be seen......boldly displayed in your booth & around the building housing the exhibition.  It's so important to stand out from your competitors so get your name out there on customized promotional table covers, polo shirts for the staff & creative promotional imprinted products that can be seen around the show.

9 Tips For Planning A Trade Show Exhibit

1. Choose the right show. While executives & their sales teams would love to go to every industry event, they can be expensive. Will your customers attend?  How many prospects are likely to be there? How much does a booth cost? What kind of attendance has a particular show had in the past? Do your homework & find the best trade show for your company. Be thorough before you send in that deposit--many times a nonrefundable deposit.

2. Ask yourself why you're attending.  Are you launching a new product? Looking to grow the business? Is it a way to keep in touch with your customers & meet them face-to-face? Want to learn about new industry trends? The answers to these questions will dictate what sort of booth or exhibit you have & how many people you need to send to the event.  It should also tell you which show will help expand your business & which ones to avoid.

3. Select a team of skilled sales people to attend the event.  Make sure the individuals you send are people oriented & will make a good impression with your customers & prospects. The members of the team should friendly, outgoing & organized--not to mention capable of selling.

4. Book your hotels & make travel arrangements. Many of the larger trade shows can attract visitors in the tens of thousands. As soon as you have chosen your convention & sales team, take care of the logistics. If air travel is involved, book it far enough in advance to take advantage of lower air fares. Most trade shows team up with hotels in the area to give exhibitors & attendees better rates......check these out before making reservations.

5. Decide on content & creativity for the booth exhibit. Keep messaging clear, concise & as direct as possible. If possible, trade show visitors need to know who you are & what you sell without having to speak to anyone in the booth. Have your merchandise attractively displayed but also easy to see & examine. Above all, don't be boring--that's an invitation for the guests to walk on by without stopping in to explore your product or service......be colorful, be creative.  This may mean a professional needs to be hired to design your booth.  Yes, it's another expense, but it's one your competition may invest in. 

6. A custom table cover will get your booth noticed. As I said above, if needed, hire a professional to build your display. If you want to attract visitors to your booth, you will need something eye-catching. If you can't afford a custom-built exhibit, something as simple as a customized promotional table cover will work. Make sure your company name & logo is large & can be seen before they enter the booth.  The table cover is your first impression, so make it a good one.  This is not the time or place to cut corners. 

 7. Design useful sales tools. Remember that visitors will be stopping by many booths in one day. Make sure you can give your customers & prospects something that will fully inform them about your company in the event they can't return to your booth. Use bold colors & graphics if you are handing out catalogs. I, personally, suggest you give out a flash drive with all your material stored in it. Put your logo on the outside & it becomes a great promotional custom product.

8. Order promotional items to give to visitors. A trade show promotional imprinted product will entice people to stop by your booth & later improve their recall of your company.  Everyone likes a free gift. Give a higher-value item to qualified leads & preferred customers to lure them into making a purchase decision. Most important, don't be an average Joe......a trade show is not the place to give out pens or sticky notes. They'll get lost with everything being collected at the show or will blend in with all the other pens & note pads. Make an impact. This is the time for you to stand out & let your company name to be seen. A non-woven bag is perfect for these shows. Attendees will need something to store all the material they gathered & your logo will the travel the show floor with the person carrying it. Don't forget to add your booth number to the promotional custom products.

9. Outfit your trade show sales team with custom apparel. Not only will a customized promotional polo shirt make members of your team appear more approachable, it will also turn them into ambassadors for the brand wherever they are on the show floor, even if they aren't in the booth.  There are other options also like oxford shirts embroidered with your logo or imprinted aprons. The main thing is that whatever piece of clothing is imprinted, your sales team should wear it everyday while attending the show.

These 9 tips should help you start planning your next trade show exhibit, but they only scratch the surface. To be sure, trade show planning is a lengthy process & could require several months to prepare. Good luck!

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