With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes, calendars, magnets and keychains. Then, there is the really creative. Sometimes with a specific campaign, you may want to go above and beyond and really start a buzz about your company.
This is not to say that creativity always costs more money. In fact, a really cheap promotional item can go a long way if the right message is attached. For example, the first idea stems from a friend of mine who worked at a career school. She is ever so quirky and wanted to create a fun item for an upcoming career fair.
Backscratchers
Whose back doesn't itch? That's when Donna came up with the idea to get backscratchers printed with this saying: "Itchin' for a new career?" and then the school's name. Her boss through she was brilliant and approved the item. The idea was fun and simple, and it worked. People circled around the gymnasium carrying bags full of literature and actively scratching their backs. It helped that her booth also was giving away some bigger items that required people to fill out entry blanks, which kept people at the table longer. The item caught on, that everyone wanted one, even those from competing schools and businesses.
This idea can be applied to any type of industry:
Mortgage/Real Estate- "Itchin' for a new home?"
Car- "Itchin for a new car?"
Lawn care- "Itchin' for greener grass?"
The list is endless- just insert your product after itchin'!
Chocolate Bars
There are many candy companies that will print any message you'd like on a candy bar. Unlike other items, this is one that will not last long. However, the item is still memorable. Try putting the message, "The sweet smell of success?." on it and tie it in to what you are offering. They actually will get to taste is as well, which could also be a way to write your message. ("Are you tasting success?") Either way, this is something that everyone will enjoy and is sure to get a call of thanks. (Just make sure they aren't allergic!)
Umbrellas
You will be graciously thanked for saving a hairstyle and new blouse when one of your clients remembers that the umbrella you gave her is under your seat. This is one item that is sure to save the day, as well as keep your logo literally in front of dozens or hundreds of people- depending on where the user is walking! Or perhaps one of your clients will keep it in his golf bag, and if it rains while on the course, other golfers will get a peak at your message as well. Some promotional items fair well just sitting somewhere, but an umbrella is something that can be used for years to come. I once got an umbrella for signing up for a newspaper subscription- and this was one of those nice big golf umbrellas- and I still have it! (It had the paper's name and comic strip characters all over it.) Umbrellas fan out to be pretty big, which means ample space to display your logo and message! There are mini-fold up umbrellas up to larger golf umbrellas. (And, there are even hat umbrellas!) An umbrella is also a form of protection, so companies with a protection-theme (insurance, security, healthcare, etc.) could get extra mileage out of this.
These are just three unique ideas that maybe you never thought of. There are many more creative ideas out there to make your promotional item be effective and stand out from the rest!
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.
The key to great exhibiting is marketing. But marketing is... Read More
Postcards can drive a huge amount of traffic to your... Read More
When people think about promoting their business, the first thought... Read More
Donors read postscripts. This is a sad but important reality... Read More
A successful marketing plan doesn't have to include an athletic... Read More
It takes money to make money is an adage we... Read More
Last time we discussed how online coupons and promotion codes... Read More
There are several color formats and systems available for mixing... Read More
The Pitchers: SalesLet's say you have a new baseball team... Read More
Recently, I stopped by a new car wash in my... Read More
Mortgage marketing to Realtors involves having a crystal clear position... Read More
Being inconsistent when it comes to marketing your business can... Read More
Are your marketing messages to Realtors® guilty of these promises?-... Read More
Regardless how small or large your budget is, there are... Read More
When conducting strategic planning for any company -- online and/or... Read More
Are postcards better for building awareness or for selling?In my... Read More
Let's talk about how to keep your postage costs down.So... Read More
The phone rings. Good news... it's a potential client. You... Read More
One of the very basic conditions of being a successful... Read More
Part 1 of this series described five critical components for... Read More
Each of these 11 marketing tips is based on a... Read More
Considered a vital link in a show's promotional plan, direct... Read More
The usual complaint from companies is that Marketing simply does... Read More
If you use promotional products you probably already know the... Read More
How do you make the intangible real? How do you... Read More
Unless you've been living under an Internet rock, you've probably... Read More
"Instead Of Wasting Time Trying To Hit The Lottery Of... Read More
A marketer whose advice I generally respect recently published an... Read More
Sales are down, and I need more customers now! Sound... Read More
I've discovered a really fantastic way to discover what works... Read More
Today's business marketing rules are different than they were in... Read More
Peek a Boo - We See YouDoes your company have... Read More
It has become fairly common place to see Id badges... Read More
Powerful Marketing has become elusive to many companies seeking strong... Read More
This tip is so simple, that many people we've talked... Read More
Some people have little difficulty attracting and maintaining clients who... Read More
We all know we can pay a magazine or a... Read More
How Much Is Your Popcorn Worth?: Powerful Lessons In Marketing... Read More
If you use direct mail postcards to generate leads or... Read More
"Networking is a waste of time," said JoAnne, owner of... Read More
Highly effective marketing is accomplished when your marketing materials and... Read More
You may be in business for yourself or as a... Read More
There are several color formats and systems available for mixing... Read More
Do you have all the business you could possibly want... Read More
Benefits! They're what marketing is all about. No doubt you've... Read More
Recently, I stopped by a new car wash in my... Read More
Have you ever noticed how many times it's the simplest... Read More
"If God wanted to create a perfect punishment for a... Read More
Are you looking for a natural way to market your... Read More
"Get your positioning and your programs implemented properly, and the... Read More
Trading reciprocal links is one of the best ways to... Read More
Many artists create art but when it comes to marketing... Read More
In today's competitive world of business, it takes moxie and... Read More
Why are more businesses turning to full-color postcards as a... Read More
The Rib America Festival is a fun filled family event... Read More
Pre-note: In this article, teleclass is an example used to... Read More
If recreating the old experience of subscribing to magazines by... Read More
In direct mail, the offer is the incentive or reward... Read More
I had a telemarketer call me recently. Here's a rough... Read More
I just collected my mail. As usual, more than 80%... Read More
If you're looking to drive more targeted traffic to your... Read More
5000 B.C. -- somewhere near a cave in MontanaOg the... Read More
We wait with baited breath for the anticipated launch of... Read More
The purpose of business is to create and retain a... Read More
Yesterday I received a phone call from an acquaintance that... Read More
Many small and home based businesses know they need to... Read More
Marketing |