While it’s often easy to develop a brand through smart online marketing tactics, it can be difficult to accomplish in the offline world. To create more brand awareness, organizations often turn to promotional items to use as giveaways to employees, clients, and vendors. Branded promotional items run the gamut from printed marketing materials and office supplies to t-shirts, drink bottles and coffee mugs. However, this can be a very effective low-cost option for getting the word out about a business.
By branding promotional items with your corporate logo, catch-phrase, and contact information – your company can reach a wide market or prospects in very little time. Try distributing them at meetings, trade shows, and events for greater impact on your marketing strategy. There are some promotional campaigns that are more cost effective than others, for the start-up business on a limited marketing budget. Let’s take a look at the best promotional items that will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Promotional pen and pencil sets are by far one of the least expensive methods of distributing your brand through promotional items. For pennies a piece, your company logo and information can be imprinted on pens and pencils matching your company’ colors and style. There are limitless choices in pen and pencil designs, ink or lead colors, and quality that you can buy in bulk. Use promotional writing instruments to give out to prospects, clients, employees, and at community events. Everyone enjoys getting a new pen or pencil, so they are received favorably.
Printed promotional products such as flyers, business cards, folders, forms and letterhead are also great ways to display your corporate brand without going broke. Use these materials to send out business proposals, estimates, invoices, and more. Use the best quality service and paper for your printed promotional items. The hallmark of a professional level business is having a coordinated suite of high quality printed promotional items with a great logo, so be sure to keep this in mind as you invest in your corporate marketing materials.
Another low cost option in promotional items is the t-shirt, which has grown in popularity over the last few years thanks to casual dress codes at most companies. Develop a cool t-shirt design with your corporate theme or message, and then have them printed out in bulk by an apparel company. Use high quality materials as this will reflect on your status as a company. T-shirts can be used at trade shows, for corporate companies and events, as well as sales giveaways for a “walking” advertisement of your brand.
While they may seem clique to some, the company coffee cup is still one of the most popular branded promotional items today. New employees, clients, and prospects love getting a new mug to enjoy their favorite beverage. You may also want to offer promotional water bottles or cups as an alternative for your more health conscious consumers. Buy in printed drink merchandise in multiples and keep some on hand for on-the-go giveaways and gifts.
Promotional items do not have to cost a fortune to be impactful on your marketing efforts. Choose branded promotional items based on your client preferences and the industry you work in. For example, promotional key chains and lanyards work well for any market, while printed mouse pads may work better for those in the technology field. Consider the space you will need to store promotional items and the ease in distributing them, before ordering in bulk from a promotional products company. Check for specials like free shipping or buy one get one free deals from reputable promotional products company.
[The article has been written by Mary Duncan. When Mary isn’t busy reviewing sweepstakesmarketing companies in and around the Chicagoland area, she is covering a wide range of marketing topics to keep her readers happy and informed! Outside of work, she is an avid reader and enjoys spending time on the lakefront! ]
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