Imprinted Promotional Items ? Their Many Marketing Applications

There are many uses for promotional items. This means that they are just not used as freebies for a grand opening special. Knowing all the uses for these nifty items, often called "swag," will open up many opportunities for your place of business.

Advertising Specialties

Look around you. You can probably count on two hands the number of items in your office or home that are etched, engraved or printed with someone's name- magnets, key chains, coffee mugs, calendars, rulers and note cubes. Oh, and how could we forget the pen or stress ball? These items were most likely given to you at no cost at a business you frequent, or perhaps were even sent to you. These are often given out at trade shows, seminars and other events open to the public. Even the businesses that have booths at the county fair have these types of giveaways. And, some businesses just have them out in their reception area. Others, like schools, may hand out pens, folders and lanyards at orientations and open houses. This marketing tool not only builds recognition but also is a way to gain your repeat business.

Business Gifts

Many of the above type of items are also used as business/corporate gifts. Items under this category sometimes also fall under higher price ranges too such as insulated travel mugs, clocks, messenger bags, polo shirts, fleece blankets, paper weights and more. These are generally sent to clients and vendors of a business to show their appreciation. They can be sent around the holidays, given out at receptions or just sent around an event specific to the company sending them. According to a Baylor University study, over half of the companies in America take part in this practice, and 68% of them find them to be very effective in helping achieve their business objectives. Some more reasons for business gifts: thanking customers, developing business and recognizing employees.

Premiums

Sometimes promotional items aren't free. But, the customer is not exactly paying for them either. Welcome to the world of premiums! If you sign up for this, you'll get this for free! And, this gimmick works! Have you ever donated to a charitable organization (like the Sierra Club) for a free newsletter subscription and t-shirt? Have you ever applied for a credit card to get an umbrella? Have you ever pledged to your local PBS station during a membership campaign for a Sesame Street plush toy? Or, have you ever switched banks to get a free beach blanket, or signed up for a health club for a free gym bag? These are just an inkling of ways companies use premiums to win your business. Premiums are basically promotional products used as an incentive to gain your business. Many times, the item is not given until an obligation us fulfilled. So, if your company is seeking membership, subscriptions or even sales, attaching a premium is a smart way to attract new business!

Recognition Awards

Sometimes promotional items are created solely for inside purposes, such as the case with recognition awards. These can range from plaques and pins to jackets and messenger bags, and many other types of gifts. These can be used for reaching and exceeding goals, perfect attendance, leadership qualities, promotions, inside contests and much more. Unlike ad specialties and premiums, which cater to the public, these cater to employees to motivate and boost morale within the place they work. While the recognition may mean more than the actual item, it serves as a reminder of accomplishments. When others see someone with an award, their own performance may increase. In a way, a recognition award is sort of like a premium after all- there is an incentive to earn one.

Other Uses

Sometimes promotional items are given out to customers as prizes as events. This is similar to recognition awards, only these are usually smaller ticket items given to random customers. An example would be a special sale or promotion where people can enter to win at the store, perhaps there is a grand prize of a big-ticket item and runner-ups will be selected to win imprinted prizes donning your logo. Also, items like inflatables (balloons and other shapes) will draw attention to a business and are indeed considered promotional items. Also, everybody has seen items with logos up for sale in gift shops- think tourist attraction, or gift shops at the end of a company tour (Hershey, Crayola factory, etc). These are still promotional items, but are considered souvenirs and are bought my consumers. Shot glasses, pint glasses, mugs, license plate frames, bumper stickers, salt and pepper shakers and more can fall in to this category!

Cindy Carrera is a freelance creative author who's written numerous articles about PR including: business promotional items, custom promotional products and wholesale promotional items.

---

Creativity and Getting Outside of the Box

Sitting in front of a blank piece of paper? Wondering... Read More

Moving Message Board

Moving message boards are used in the areas where continuous... Read More

The Inside Secrets Of Free Publicity For Your Business

Product publicity is the "secret pathway" to business success... Read More

The $500.00 A Month Plan

One way to make extra money or start a... Read More

Electronic Display Signs

Electronic display signs are used nowadays in great extent to... Read More

Whats The Frequency?

The more things change, some say, the more things stay... Read More

Design Your Own Newspaper Ads

Many people in business lay-out (design) their own ads. That... Read More

Where To Call For Free Advertising And Free Business Advice

Believe it or not, there are plenty of opportunities out... Read More

Avoid The Big Advertising Mistakes

Is your advertising copy getting the results you want? If... Read More

How to Get People to Read Your Ads Like CRAZY!

Rule One :- The HeadlineThe headline should summarize the whole... Read More

Get Free Radio Advertisement

Here's a neat trick to get lots of radio advertisement... Read More

5 Tips for Hot Yellow Pages Ads

Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most popular forms... Read More

2005 Super Bowl Ads... Winners and Losers

Well, Super Bowl XXXIX is history. Too bad for the... Read More

How to Make Your Claims Believable

When you hear claims like??Best Lawnmower in the country?Absolute Lowest... Read More

13 Facts About Newspaper Advertising

Advertising in the paper works for many people in business.... Read More

Marketing Messages with Add Zest & Appeal

Boring is one thing you can't afford to be when... Read More

Offline Advertising Secrets: Using Offline Advertising to Get the Most from Your Name Squeeze Page

Many people online are not using one of the best... Read More

Top Jingle Companies: What to Look For, What to Expect

The internet offers you the opportunity to seek out jingle... Read More

Testing Headlines

A correspondent to AdBriefing, my monthly newsletter, has posed a... Read More

Do I Need Raised Letter or Full Color Business Cards?

If you've been searching around for business cards that will... Read More

Commercial: Consumer - Discounts - Misleading Advertising

Marketing is an important tool for attracting customers. It is... Read More

Using The Popularity of Celebrities and Currrent Events to Promote Your Business

In this article, we want to explore the idea of... Read More

How You Can Create Advertising That Sells

A well-planned and properly executed marketing program should include a... Read More

The Secrets To Successful Radio Advertising

Ask some businesses about radio advertising and they'll tell you... Read More

The Motivational Triggers That Make People Buy

In order to sell more products and service, you need... Read More

What are Text Adverts?

Not everyone is aware of what are text adverts? Text... Read More

Creditability In Advertising

I recently saw an ad taped to my mailbox, mind... Read More

How To Write Really Good Ads

All sales begin with some form of advertising. To build... Read More

How Do People Know Youre in Business?

One of the most important things to do now that... Read More

Yellow Pages Ads - Buying Secrets

Yellow Pages Ads - Buying SecretsOK- let's agree that many... Read More

More Cheap Tricks for Promoting Your Business

In a recent article, I shared five of my top... Read More

Ten Ways To Sell Advertising Space Fast

1. Give your customers a discount when they spend over... Read More

Media Savvy - How To Manage Your Time To Gain The Best Media Coverage

Did you know generating positive media coverage is four times... Read More