Branding has everything to do with who a company is, so when marketing messages are conveyed successfully, they create a voice for that company to connect with its target audience and help create a memorable consumer experience. At Inspired 2 Design we specifically help small businesses convey their unique message using a mix of printed ie: traditional, and digital marketing.

So there are literally hundreds of options to consider for spending advertising money, and luckily for me and the clients I serve, I love to shop! So today, I’m going to talk about shopping for one of the most highly praised advertising methods… which you may know as Swag, tchotchkes, freebies, branded merchandise, promos, giveaways, Promotional Products...

Why promotional products?

According to a recent poll 9 out of 10 people said they remember the branding, and 8 of 10 remembered the messaging from at least one promotional product they’d received. In comparison, only 53% could recall the name of an advertiser they’d seen in a magazine or newspaper in the previous week. 80% also said that their impression of the brand was positively impacted as a direct result of receiving a promotional product and 83% said they were more likely to do business with brands from which they’ve received promotional products. Now this survey included 43% millennials, 35% gen Xers, and 19% baby boomers.

 

What was the first known promotional product in the U.S.?

It dates back to 1789. A commemorative inauguration button for George Washington. Several of these buttons are still around and recently one set a world record when it sold at auction for $225,000. Maybe that’s why most people keep promotional products for 10 years or more. I’m not promising your imprinted pen will be worth a fortune in a few hundred years, but that average 10 year lifespan gives a brand more exposure than most forms of marketing. Plus…once a person is done with their item,  80% will pass it on to a friend, furthering the item’s reach.

Promotional products allow brands to organically affect consumer lifestyles where they live, work and play, in fact 1 in 2 respondents to the survey said they either carry or wear a promotional product ALL the TIME.  Unlike traditional advertising, the right choice of promotional product will integrate seamlessly into a person’s life and bring value over time. 85% of survey respondents said they keep promotional products because they are useful, 44% because they’re enjoyable, and 43% because they fit the person’s style or personality. 91% of consumers have at least one promotional product in their kitchen and more than half use it at least once per week. I grabbed this bag full of items from my own kitchen before coming here today – share contents.

Promotional products are the optimal source to elicit a strong connection, spark interest, inspire action, and effectively gain and retain customers, ultimately enhancing brand loyalty.
Let’s face it… most people feel that they don’t want to be “advertised to”, they don’t want junk mail, and they don’t have time to read lengthy messages… We all fast forward through commercials on a DVR, skip ads on videos, and even pay more for commercial-free Hulu, we block pop-ups, change the radio station between songs, we all do it! But when was the last time you threw away a promotional item that wasn’t used up or worn out? And guess what… only 20% of respondents admit they had.

So where do we come in?

Since almost anything can be branded with a company’s name, message and logo: T-shirts; drinkware; bags; writing instruments; USB drives and other technology; desk supplies; toys; calendars, the list is really exhausting.

The key to a successful promotional item is shopping for a quality item that is useful, timely, and unique!

Finance, accounting, and banking: document organizers and calendars for year end gifts, stress balls for tax time, piggy banks for new clients, portfolios and technology for thank yous, and of course umbrellas for a rainy day.
Landscapers: springtime is a great time for seed packets, garden gloves, rain gauges, and sunglasses.
Real estate agents, lenders and closing attorneys: house shaped key chains, chip clips and koozies, thank buyers and sellers at closing with a shopping or tote bag, coasters, a wine opener, cutting board.
Travel agents: luggage tags, sunglasses, portable charger/charging station, hand sanitizer, travel mug, booklight, lanyards and more to say I appreciate your business.
Construction: get the word out with branded tape measures, flashlights, took kits, and safety glasses.
Health/wellness: hot/cold packs, water bottles, hand sanitizer, tissues, first aid kits, exercise bands and pedometers.

The old standbys of pens, mugs, blankets, shirts, electronics, desk accessories can all be appropriate as well… and for us, it’s so much fun to think creatively and go shopping! We are always looking for new and innovative ways to remind customers and tell prospects about my client’s value and encourage repeat business and referrals. Free gifts are thoughtful, creative, and useful. They make people happy and leave a lasting impression of the brand advertised on it.

So who can we shop for today? As a distributor, we have access to tens of thousands of products that can be custom branded by suppliers who don’t sell to the general public.  Contact us for more info!