Promotional products are a fantastic way to connect with people on a variety of different levels. These are just as few ways you can reach others with your company’s goals and message.

Marketing

The most common use for promotional products is marketing. Whether you’re promoting a specific event or just trying to increase brand awareness as a long term goal for your company, promotional products provide a way for companies to get information to potential customers.

Employee Incentives

Nothing motivates employees beyond the bare minimum required to keep their job than the idea of a reward. For improving upon their personal bests, achieving a certain number of customer compliments or any other goals, major or minor, a company might have for its employees, a promotional item can be given. Promotional items are more than just pens and mugs; they extend to trophies, briefcases, palm pilots and other high ticket items that help an employer express his or her appreciation.

Customer Prizes

The plastic ring Cracker Jack prizes are no longer impressive in these days of trips to Hawaii and new luxury cars. If your budget falls somewhere in between, your customer base could grow exponentially with the introduction of a contest that features one of your own imprinted products as its prize.

Thank You Gifts

Follow up a large sale with a thank you gift to loyal customers, and you can assure continued success. Phone calls are missed and e-mails are forgotten, but promotional products not only provide a gift to someone who has given your company the ability to grow and succeed, but it is also another opportunity to keep your company’s logo and slogan your customer’s mind.

Customer Loyalty / Coupons

Encourage active consumerism by making your promotional products into coupons. They can be as fun as bars offering those wearing official bar crawl t-shirts discounts on their drinks, and they can be as simple as turning in a specially imprinted golf ball for nine complimentary holes.

Membership

In addition to offering promotional products in return for signing up to be part of a club, organization or team, customized items can also be a sign of membership. Embroidered polos, classy key chains, and mugs are consistently useful. Instead of paying for the item itself, customers are paying for the privilege of having the exclusive item.

Fundraising

These function takes especially well to nonprofit and charity organizations. If you have a sponsor donating a certain amount of money, your cause can benefit greatly by investing that money in high-ticket items that can be sold or auctioned off at a benefit dinner or fundraiser. The sponsor gets brand exposure, the cause gets funding, and the customer walks away with a new item. It’s a win-win-win situation.

While there is no exact formula for deciding which promotional product to choose, there are certainly several factors to take into account.

Target Demographic

The first question you should ask yourself is who you want to reach. When you’re advertising for a tattoo parlor, a yo-yo might not be your best option (Although there is an exception to every rule. Outlandish ideas have made a splash in the past.). However, if you’re a towing or roadside assistance company, an item such as a CD visor or air freshener, something that would be close at hand in case of a roadside emergency, is a wise investment.

Price

If you’re just starting Jim & Jane’s Roadside Café and working out of pocket, 500 customized leather briefcases might not be the most financially sound choice. On the other hand, if you’re Microsoft, you’re not going to waste your time with personalized pens. While you’ve got to spend money to make money, it’s important to find a middle ground that puts you firmly in the playing field without decimating your bank account.

Campaign

If your company has a longstanding slogan or image it wants to present to its current and potential customers, your promotional product should be consistent with that. However, every rule is made to be broken, and promotional products that are in stark contrast to your message can also be very effective attention-getters.

Distribution

The size and structure of a promotional product set limitations on its distribution. Light, thin things like pencils, magnets and calendars can easily be bulk mailed or left in mailboxes. Larger, bulkier things like apparel and mugs can easily be handed out at trade shows. Expensive items like computer hardware and watches should be hand-delivered or sent via insured mail. You know your audience better than anyone