Use Branded Products to Promote Your Business

By Dan Bir, Randd Associates Printing & Promotions, Inc.

Promotional items are great tools for businesses to establish their brand, increase awareness of their business and increase their sales. Promotional items allow consumers to see and recognize your brand and this traditional form of advertising is still very prominent in today’s world. They help keep your business top of mind.

In fact, did you know:

73% of people use promotional products at least once a week
58% of people will keep a promotional product for one to four years
83% of consumers could recall an advertiser of a promotional product while a mere 7% of consumers recall the name of an advertiser after viewing a commercial on television
91% of consumers have at least one promotional product in their kitchen, 74% have at least one in their work space and 55% have at least one in their bedroom
Adding a promotional product to the media mix increases the effectiveness of other media by up to 44%
Before receiving a promotional product, 55% of people had done business with the advertiser. After receiving a promotional product, 85% of people did business with the advertiser.

Why You Should Use Them:

Increase your brand recognition. Promotional products are a simple tool to increase your brand recognition and business awareness. 52% of people say their impression of a company is positive after receiving a promotional product that they can use every day in their home.
Mass outreach at a low cost. A simple giveaway is cost efficient and keeps your business on a customer’s mind.
Repeat exposure is a good tactic. By keeping your brand constantly in front of consumers, you can increase your brand recognition and sales. Promotional items are more likely to be kept and looked at than a business card. The longer a promotional product is kept, the more impressions it makes on the recipient and anyone else that sees the recipient using said promotional product.

Tips on How to Use Them:

Do your homework to find the right item. You can turn almost anything into a useful promotional item. Some of the most popular promotional items are notepads, pens, pencils, highlighters, rulers, erasers, bags, business card holders, address books, laptop sleeves, mugs, glasses, calendars, snacks, water bottles, koozies, reusable shopping bags and branded apparel. But, be creative. The more inventive choices are often the most successful.
Customize your item. Consider using more than just your logo on a product, if you can, include your clients’ names as well.
Try out a slogan. Consider using a catchy slogan. A slogan may up your chances of being recognized.
Avoid a short shelf life. Choose items that will last a long time, such as a pen or post-it note holder. This way customers can continuously re-use your product instead of using it and throwing it out. For instance, golf balls get lost and don’t necessarily stay in your potential customer’s golf bag for long.
Give customers a choice. When possible, give customers their choice of promotional products. If a customer wants a pen or a pair of sunglasses, that means they are more likely to keep and use the desired items.
Give away items related to your industry. It’s a good idea to give items that will be used in the environment where decisions that involve your company’s product or service will be made. For instance, if you’re in the grocery business, consider giving away reusable shopping bags.
Remember, the more the merrier. The more mileage an item gets the better. For instance, leaving a pen for your waitress can get your company name not only in front of him or her, but also all the customers that use the pen to sign their bills the rest of the day.

Make promotional products part of your company’s marketing plan. Turn to a BBB Accredited promotional products company like Randd Associates Printing & Promotions, Inc.