A strategy for promotional items means better choices, better results, and better business all around. From planning for seasonal events, to having a year-round online company store for promotional products, having a solid game plan is the only way to go.
People are always asking me if promotional products actually work to increase awareness, leads and sales. After being in the industry all of my life, I can tell you emphatically that yes, indeed, promotional products can effectively market your brand by reaching your target market, increasing leads and sales…but you have to have a plan.
If you have multiple locations or many departments ordering promotional products, if you exhibit at a lot of trade shows or if you feel like you would like a better plan for your promotional product management, you are not alone.
The things we need to have on our radar when it comes to marketing these days seems endless doesn’t it? Yet today more than ever, just like 25 years ago before digital was even a part of marketing strategy, relationships still matter. Creating a plan to build strong and lasting relationships through your marketing efforts, both online and off, should be a big part of your focus.
Chances are you’re familiar with what a reliable supply chain means to a manufacturing company. It is a dependable mechanism that ensures the timely appearance of raw materials, component parts, sub-assemblies or process supplies necessary to maximize productivity. Those materials are specified, sourced, ordered and delivered seamlessly. It makes obvious sense.
Last week, I shared some results from a survey conducted by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI). First, I was proud to report the results showed that promotional products work so well and are the favorite form of advertising by almost all respondents to the survey. Then, I went into a little more detail about which promotional products had the most influence in creating a positive impression of the advertiser providing them.
I also promised to share a little more information this week about which promotional products are the preferred ones among people who live where you live and do business. Well, here’s graphic that tells the story pretty well. Here in Michigan where our corporate office is located, drinkware seems to be the most powerful at influencing opinions about the advertiser. In other states, other items top the list.
In a post earlier this week I wrote about the rather amazing effectiveness of promotional products. The information, from a survey conducted by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), showed that promotional products are the most highly regarded form of advertising, with every adult age group under age 55 saying that they “liked it best” when compared to newspapers, radio, television, Internet and mobile advertising.
Chances are, you won’t have to look very hard at work or at home to find promotional products that various businesses have given you. At work, maybe it’s a pen, or a USB drive, or a portable power unit for your phone or other electronic gear that you use frequently. If you’re reading this at home in the evening or on the weekend, there’s also a pretty good chance you’re wearing a promotional item like a T-shirt from an event or promotion, or a hat you received from some product or store happy to have your business.
Okay, now try to remember an ad or television commercial, billboard or ad on a website you noticed back on the same day you received that promotional item? Good luck with that one.