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Promotional products (premiums, ad specialties, etc) are a necessary and effective marketing tool for businesses of any size.  Everyone loves to receive something for free, and if you follow these simple tips, you can ensure your promotional item will produce results.

1.    Evaluate your audience - Before selecting a promotional item for your project or event, do an assessment of your audience.  Who will you be giving the item to?  What is their profile?  What is likely to catch their attention?  These are important questions to ask to ensure your product is going to get the attention of your audience and make an impact.

2.    Align it with your brand - When choosing an item, think of the characteristics of your brand.  Are you conservative or edgy? Does your brand or product offering help people get organized?  Are you multifunctional?  The product you choose should relate back to the characteristics of your brand.

3.    Make it memorable - The best way to ensure your product will be remembered is to align it with a catchy promotion or add a fun tagline.  If you are planning an event or promotion, create a theme and fit your promotional items into that theme.  For example, if your event theme is 'from 0 to 60', find an automotive-related product to hand out.  Or if you are simply handing out golf umbrellas to customers, include your logo and a tagline, 'we've got you covered'.  The more fun and unique you make it, the more your recipient will recall the product and the company who gave it to him or her.

4.    Make certain it is useful - As usage of your promotional item increases, so does your brand exposure and the likelihood of the recipient to recall your brand name.  An item such as a travel mug is likely to get used over and over again by the recipient.  A pen is likely to be passed among several recipients.  A business or tote bag is going to be a mobile billboard for your organization and get many different impressions.  When choosing your item, consider its usefulness, and how it is going to be used to get the most bang for your buck.

5.    Create a call to action - If you can incorporate a call to action into your promotional item, the interaction is going to resonate with the recipient, increasing the recall rate.  For example, if you are giving out a portfolio, include a card to visit your store or website in the next 5 days to receive a discount or gift.  If you are giving out a travel mug or tumbler, insert a referral incentive where the recipient receives a perk if he or she refers a friend.

Promotional products are one of the best ways to increase brand awareness.  The more relevant and creative your promotional item can be, the more impact it will have on your business. 
For promotional ideas, visit www.bestpromotions.com or call one of their creative product specialists to help you come up with a theme and item for your next campaign.

Posted by: Jamie Mlinarcik
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Topic: Promotional Products
Tags: promotional products , ad specialty products , promo products , company logo products

Personalization is a key tactic in the direct mail segment to strengthen customer loyalty and provide a high return on your marketing investment.  This same philosophy can be applied to promotional products.  Purchasing promotional products is about long term brand building and building relationships with customers.  When you give a promotional product, the longer the recipient keeps it, the better the ROI for your company.   When someone receives an item with their own name on it, they are twice as likely to keep it, giving your brand increased exposure.

How do you create 'personalized branding' in your promotional purchases?  It's easy once you know the core products and imprint methods.  You just add your logo to one side or location on a product, and add your recipients name or initials to another location.  Simply submit a spreadsheet with your personalization information to your promotional product provider and you have a corporate or employee gift with double the impact.

The key methods for personalization are laser engraving and embroidery.  Because of the quick setup process for these techniques, it makes it cost effective to add personalization to products.
There are many product options for personalization, but a few products have proven to be most effective time and time again. 

• Pens are the number one personalized product in the promotional industry.  A pen is something you can use on a daily basis, and because it is such an individual product, personalization is the perfect option. 

• Chairs are also a great canvas for personalization.  An embroidered camp chair allows you to include your logo with the recipient's name below. 

• Higher end business and travel bags make great gifts.  Many of them can be embroidered and some are even offered with a metal plate that can be laser engraved.

• Desktop items such as clocks and photo frames are classic and personal, both great characteristics for personalized branding.

Personalization is an excellent option for holiday gifts, employee service awards and customer appreciation.  Call us at 866-881-2378 for advice on personalization options.

Posted by: Jamie Mlinarcik
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Topic: Promotional Products
Tags: promotional products , personalization , personalized corporate gifts

Over the past few years, companies have had to take a hard look at their budgets and cut back where they can.  Many times the first instinct is to cut the marketing budget, as it has a direct impact on the bottom line.  Companies who have decided to continue marketing during the down market are the ones who have ended up on top.  Why?  Because when the economy shrinks, the amount of money spent on any particular industry will shrink as well.  This significantly increases competition.  A savvy business person knows that while companies are sitting on the sidelines, cutting their budgets and waiting for things to turn around, this is the chance to get in front of existing and potential customers with a marketing message.   Even as the economy starts to pick up, many companies are slow to increase their marketing budgets, so continuing to market regardless of the state of the economy is critical.

Finding the most effective way to utilize your marketing budget is what will determine your success.  Promotional products have proven to be an effective marketing tactic, serving not only as useful tools, but as powerful, long-lasting advertising.  In fact, a late 2009 study* of over 1,000 consumers conducted by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) revealed some interesting facts:

- 83% of American consumers surveyed liked receiving a promotional product with an advertising message.

- 48% would like to receive promotional products more often.

- 38% feel promotional products serve as a constant reminder of the advertiser.

The result - consumers are inundated with advertising messages and the challenge for businesses is to find a way to cut through the clutter and not only reach their target audience, but to resonate with them.  According to the survey, promotional products do just that.

So, how do you determine what promotional product is right for your company?  Prices range from under $1 to over $100.  This is the area where you can be creative in cutting your budget.  Usefulness, placement and longevity are the three most important factors to consider when choosing the right product for your promotion.  Below are some budget-friendly product ideas that meet all of these requirements.

1.    Usefulness - The most important factor in choosing a promotional product is its usefulness to the recipient.  The more the recipient uses the product, the more your brand gets visibility, and the more likely that recipient is to recall you as the advertiser who gave him or her that product.   Items such as pens, sticky notes and key chains are extremely useful and inexpensive.

2.    Placement - Products that remain in the office or in the home are going to get maximum exposure.  Consider chip clips, can koozies or stress balls as budget-friendly items with great placement opportunities.

3.    Longevity - Ensure your product can withstand the test of time, and your message will as well.  When was the last time you threw away an ice scraper, ruler or flashlight?  These are items that recipients will hang on to and use over and over again.

For a wide selection of promotional items at any price point, visit bestpromotions.com and for useful products under $1 visit our dollar store.

Make sure you stay in front of customers and prospects regardless of the state of the economy, but do so in a creative and budget-friendly way and your efforts are sure to be noticed.

* Fielded through MarketTools Inc, the study was designed and conducted by PPAI. The final sample consisted of a panel of 1,005 consumers who recalled receiving a promotional product in the past 24 months.

Posted by: Jamie Mlinarcik
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Topic: Promotional Products
Tags: promotional products , budget marketing , cheap promotions

Effectively promoting your business can be a challenge in times of tight budgets.  Consequently, finding ways to gain maximum brand exposure at a minimum cost is a constant challenge.  The solution? Promotional products have always been a cost effective way of promoting your brand.  Using them as in advertising strategy is powerful, and can have a long-standing impact on your business.   

A great category to focus on when looking for a hot deal is totes.  Totes are one of the largest, most purchased categories in the ad specialties industry.  In recent years, with consumers focusing on being more environmentally-friendly, tote usage has skyrocketed.  Totes are everywhere, used over and over again, and it is the one product you can never have enough of.

Promotional product suppliers are constantly updating their tote inventory and selection, which allows you to search for closeout products that provide the same quality and brand exposure at a reduced price.  With the broad range of products now available, even at closeout prices, finding one that will match your message is easy.

Follow these 5 tips to find bargain-priced promotional totes and promote your brand for less.

1.    Last year's hot style may be this year's hot deal.  Just as in retail, styles and trends in totes are constantly changing.  Suppliers often put a certain style or color on special to make room for a slightly modified style.  These are the opportunities you want to look for.   Since totes really never go out of style, you are not sacrificing anything by putting your logo on the hot tote from last year.

2.    Put a value to the time versus money equation.  Spending a lot of time searching for a good deal might not be worth it in the end.  Know when to stop searching, and when you find a good bargain, go for it.

3.    Longer lead time may equal lower cost.  When searching for a lower price point, make sure you leave enough time before your event.  You will often get a better price if you are able to wait a little longer for your products.

4.    Ask for a virtual proof. Make sure you know exactly what you will be receiving.  A virtual proof is an electronic version, typically free, of what your logo is going to look like on the product.  This will help ensure you will be pleased with your purchase. 

5.    Find a trusted partner. As in any business, make sure you build a relationship with a trusted vendor.  By doing this, you may receive advance notice of sales and clearance items before they are released to the everyone.

Finding a bargain tote, and effectively displaying your logo on it, is a promotional strategy that is priceless.

Posted by: Jamie Mlinarcik
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Topic: Bags
Tags: promotional products , budget marketing , cheap promotions

Using promotional products to promote your business is a proven method to generate results.  However, the promotional world is shifting.  Gone are the days where putting a logo on a standard pen will suffice.  Companies are looking to differentiate themselves and their brand with promotional products.  Showcasing your logo on a product that reflects your brand and is relevant to the recipient has become even more important.

Following some key consumer and market trends when choosing promotional products can increase the relevance of your product and in turn improve the success of your marketing campaign.

The Technology Trend - The increase in technology, social media and mobile accessibility is affecting all industries.  Everyone wants to have the newest gadget or the hottest product on the market.  Align your company with this craze and look for items that demonstrate that you are in line with the times.  iPod and iPad accessories, travel speakers, and solar chargers are at the top of the promotional product trend list this year and make great gifts for customers or employees.

Trouble-Free Travel - Traveling should be a stress-free experience, but with the change in regulations, many people need a yoga class to help them de-stress after a day of trekking through the airport.   Security-friendly computer bags help to bring down that stress level.  They are designed so there is no need to remove your laptop when going through security.  Simply unzip your bag, lay it flat on the belt and send it through the x-ray machine.  Security-friendly bags are available in all sizes and price points.  Make sure to outfit your sales force with one of these, or send them to key customers as a thank you gift.

New Ways to Stay Green - The eco trend has been around for some time and people are now looking for something beyond the polypropylene grocery tote to show their commitment to the environment.  Laminated polypropylene totes are the new craze.  Many come preprinted in fun, fashionable shapes and designs that will help make your logo stand out. They are sturdy, reusable and 100% recyclable.

Increasing the Cool Factor - Sometimes a traditional product is what you need for your promotion.  There are many products out there that add a twist to the traditional to help increase that cool factor.  A subtle color pop, change in shape, mixed materials, or preprinted design help to make a product more fashion-forward while also amplifying your logo.  You can find these fashion twists in bags, pens, drinkware, and umbrellas to help impress your audience.

Stay in touch with current trends and choose to put your logo on something a bit non-traditional this year.  It will increase the chances of your product being used again and again, and increase the exposure of your brand. 

For some of the industry's new trendy items, click here.

Posted by: Jamie Mlinarcik
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Topic: Promotional Products
Tags: promotional products , hot promotional products , trends in promotional products , trendy corporate products , corporate product trends