Promotional items are a great way to represent your company or organisation. From pens and mugs to t-shirts, there are so many choices for giving out branded swag. But which products are the best?
Functional promotional products can literally stand the test of time. Of the items left behind in office spaces, coffee shops, and cars, 40% are promotional items. On the other hand, valuable things like sticky notes and calculators stay around much longer. There’s a good chance that your customers will end up with something they can use every day long after they forget about taking home little souvenirs from meetings or trade shows. So before you order your next batch of giveaways, consider these points about promotional products that may help select what is right for you.
The importance of promotional products
It’s important to promote your business in a variety of ways. Promotional items are one of the best ways to do so because they can be tailored to your company or organisation’s needs and represent a tangible marketing asset. This will help spread the word about your product or service, while also acting as a lasting reminder of your brand.
Many companies find that choosing promotional products with a logo helps increase brand awareness and strengthens customer relationships. A promotional item with your logo is an inexpensive way to put your branding on display for all who see it.
Promotional products also have another huge benefit: They’re functional if chosen wisely. In many cases, recipients can use these items in their everyday lives. Employees might use pens at work, while families might use mugs at home. If you invest in high-quality items, this could lead to increased longevity and continued exposure for your business or organisation.
What are the best promotional products?
Functional items, like calculators and sticky notes, are better for promotional products. People will use them for more extended periods, and they’re more likely to be put in a place where your brand message will be seen more often.
If you want promotional items that people will use, consider functional items. For example, if you’re looking for pens to hand out as promotional products, opt for ones that can write in both blue and black ink. This way, the person receiving it could use it daily instead of just throwing it away after one use.
Here are some other tips to keep in mind when selecting what type of promotional product is best for your company or organisation:
- Select something that people will use.
- Consider whether it needs to be taken home or left behind on-site.
- Pick an item with matching accessories so recipients can personalise their experience with your product or service.
- Try not to go over $15 per item or set up an incentive program for multiple purchases.
Why are promotional products forgotten?
One reason promotional items are forgotten is that they’re just not that useful.
A study of attendees at trade shows found that 40% of the items left behind were promotional. However, only 10% of these people said they took something to use in their day-to-day lives.
This means promotional products are often forgotten because they’re not very useful. If you want to give something away that people will use, consider an item like a memo pad or a can opener.
When are promotional products used to their potential?
Most people think of promotional items as trinkets that can be used for a few minutes and then tossed aside. But they can also be used to their full potential, and this is when you should consider using promotional products.
When looking at promotional products, try to identify the type of person who will need your product the most. This could be anyone from a businessperson trying to make a good impression with clients to a school kid who needs something for their backpack. One key thing to remember is that, unlike companies with merchandise catalogs, every company has different customers, so it’s crucial to determine what persona you want your business represented by before ordering promotional items.
Where should you advertise your product?
The advertising location you choose for your product is one of the most important decisions you will make. Evaluate how often people will encounter your ad and what kind of impression it will leave with them.
People often overlook traditional print ads, but they can still reach an audience. According to a Journal of Marketing Education study, standard ads are seen on average 6 times before an individual says they remember seeing them. This means that repetition is vital when running a campaign that involves traditional media outlets.
If you want to reach your target market more quickly, consider advertising on digital channels like a social media platform that resonates with your target market. The advantage of using digital ads is there is no cost per impression (CPM). Instead, advertisers pay only when someone engages with their content or clicks through to their site. When deciding between traditional and digital media outlets, consider where your customers are most often online and what they use to consume information.
Internal use
Some promotional products make sense for internal use. These items can be placed in common areas to help build a company culture and promote your brand. Pens, for example, make a fantastic giveaway because people will often keep them on their desks and use them every day. Pens also provide the opportunity to give customers a phone number or website that they can visit if they lose the pen or need another one.
You might also want to consider using other promotional products to build company culture. For example, cups with your logo on them are beneficial and inexpensive items that you can use internally at your office. Try to keep to a design that encourages re-use rather than high turnover disposable plastics.
External use
Promotional items that can be used beyond advertising your business are a better investment. Many options will last for years, like pens, keyrings, and backpacks. On the other hand, some items are more likely to be thrown away quickly.
Take, for instance, silicone wristbands. From family reunions to music festivals, you’ll see these bracelets everywhere. But how long will they last? They may get stretched out over time or lost in the shuffle of activities. Whatever the case may be, you’re not getting your money’s worth on this type of item.
Another example is a stress ball with your company name on it that comes in bulk packaging. Do you want to use it as an impulse buy at trade shows or conferences? It will not work well since people will toss them in the trash after just a few uses.
So think about what kind of items have longevity outside of advertising your company, like pens and key chains.
Conclusion
Promotional products are one of the easiest ways to get your brand in front of new and existing customers. Executed wrongly and you are just going to burn lots of cash with little return.
Promotional products are often forgotten because they are not used to their full potential. The most successful promotional products are functional products used in the workplace or at home. For instance, your logo branded on a coffee mug, keyring, drink coaster or sports drink bottles are items that will be used every day at home or in the office.
When you consider how many times it is seen, how often it is used, and how long it lasts, functional promotional items are one of the most valuable investments you can make.
Always review wisely and talk to industry experts for insights. It’s not that hard to get right!
