All Things Promotional Marketing
Promo How-To
How To Attract New Customers With Promotional Products
Apr 4th
You love your customers, right? The repeat clients who come back time and time again for your products and services are your bread and butter. No matter how steady they are however, as a business owner, you should never overlook the power of attracting new customers. Of course everyone wants new clients and more business but acquiring new customers can be a bit tricky. If you haven’t tried it yet, use promotional products to attract newbies and expand your business even more.
The only way anyone will remember your business is if they repeatedly see your name. Customers are fickle and for every business there’s a replacement business just waiting to take over. Keep your name in front of customers on a regular basis to ensure they won’t forget about you. This is especially true for businesses that rely greatly on referrals. If customers forget about your business, they won’t be able to pass along your name. While marketing may not be in your budget or on your business plan, promotional products should be. These products take the place of newspaper and television advertising and offer businesses an inexpensive way to circulate their name.
The more useful the promotional item, the better. A teddy bear may look adorable when it’s wearing a t-shirt with your business name splashed across it, but CEOs aren’t carrying this teddy bear around with them as they walk the streets of New York City. Promotional products need to be used over and over again in a public manner. That’s why pens, key chains and coffee mugs make excellent promotional items. People use these items in front of other professional people and consumers. Nobody can go even one day without needing a pen. Everyone carries around a set of keys. Most people pour a cup of coffee at the office before sitting down at their desks. Tote bags are one of the best promotional items because your business name will be face first and available for immense viewing.
Promotional products should be simple, straightforward and never time sensitive. The difference between a promotional item and an ad is that the promotional item never gets old. As long as your business is still up and running, your business name, telephone number and website address will be too. Never push a specific date or event on the promotional item. When the event is over or the product sells out, you don’t want to have to order all new promotional items. Naturally, your business name and logo should be the biggest thing on the item. Your phone number and website should be prominent as well. The print should always be proportionate to the item; the larger the item, the larger the print. If you have an oversized tote bag with your website address in tiny font, nobody will be visiting your site later that day.
The pull of promotional items boils down to a very simple concept: people love getting free things. Any item is valuable if the consumer didn’t have to pay for it. This is especially true for items that everyone deems as a necessity. We all need a calendar for our office, a mouse pad for our computer desk, a t-shirt to wear to the gym, a calculator, a water bottle, etc. Since customers are going to be spending money on these items, it’s always nice to get them for free. When you give something to someone that they need and you don’t charge for it, that person will immediately think of you in a good light. This attraction is integral for pulling in more customers.
Samuel Mautz is a marketing blogger with a particular interest in acquiring and maintaining consumer trust. He also thinks using free products like personalised t shirts can be a great way to get potential customers to think of you first when they need your product or service.
Custom Stress Balls
Dec 2nd
Stress balls are a longstanding, fan favorite giveaway item. They are incredibly effective when used for their intended purpose – stress relief – but we have all also used them for interoffice games of football and basketball, and they are great fun to toss out as giveaway items.
Stress balls have evolved over time, though, and they are not just made in your classic Round Stress Ball shape. This is great for people who would like a giveaway item that, upon first glance, really illustrates the nature of their business. If, for example, you work in the law industry, this Gavel Stress Ball is a great, fun idea for a promotional product that not only gets your logo out there, but lets people know what you’re about at first glance. If your industry of choice is the music industry, this Guitar Stress Ball is both cool and functional.
You can also get stress balls that are particular to the event at which you will be representing your business. For example, if you are at a sports event, don’t hesitate to pick up this Football Stress Ball. Even if you are just a sponsoring business and you don’t normally work in the sports industry, it can sometimes work to great benefit for you to tailor your promotional items to the particular event. This is even true if you’re doing a booth at holiday themed events – such as this Pumpkin Stress Reliever. Great for booths at mall walks geared toward safe trick-or-treating for kids.
Never be afraid to think outside the box when you are looking at custom stress balls as a promotional item for your business. They fit so well into any budget, you may even want to indulge your own inner child and invest in some of these Cup of Coffee Stress Relievers. And that’s more than okay. People cannot stop playing with custom stress balls once they have been given one, so people will be looking at your logo multiple times a day, and whether it’s because they’re stressed or they’re playing a quick game of catch at the water cooler, they’ll be thinking of your business.
Custom Tote Bags
Dec 2nd
Tote bags are a great tool to have handy in your promotional item arsenal. They’re incredibly multipurpose and can be used by both employees and can be given out as giveaways at trade shows or other events. Here are just a few of the many ways in which you can employ custom tote bags for your business.
Giveaways
Particularly at trade shows, people are going to be getting a lot of items to carry. From information to other promotional items, you want to stand out by giving your prospective customers something useful and yet attractive. This Eco Tote Bag is both attractive and functional, and you can even slide in some information about your business when you give the bag away, and still have room for the recipient to fill it up with more items.
For Employees
The Visions Computer Portfolio is one of many more business-minded totes that have more than enough storage options. This is a great giveaway for your employees that make trips for your business, whether they’re cross-town meetings or cross-country flights, send them packing in style and with the company brand right there on their bag.
Business Gifts
If you are putting together gift baskets or an assortment of small gifts for your employees or business affiliates and clients, skip the wicker basket. Go for something like this Retro Single Pocket Tote, which makes sure that the vessel for that assortment of small gifts is just as useful as the contents.
You can invest in one particular style to fit any and all occasions that you might run across: for example, you might find the ID Convention Tote is a fabulous multipurpose tote. Or, you can invest in a number of different totes, keeping in mind special occasions that may crop up over time: the Mia Reversible Tote comes to mind. Custom tote bags are a great way to get your logo out there while still ensuring that the items your logo is on are useful and practical – not to mention attractive.
Don’t Stress! Marketing Success with Brand Stress Balls
Aug 10th
Do you want to know how to get a lot of promotional impact out of your marketing efforts? Promotional stress balls can be used in creative ways to boost brand awareness. They are inexpensive and consumers are likely to keep them around, making them a great promotional giveaway.
A Word about Branding
The point behind branding is that it builds an emotional connection between a consumer and a business. This is done with a name, logo, or color scheme. While it takes time to build this kind of repertoire, a promotional giveaway can be a good short cut.
Consumer studies tell marketers that the more often someone thinks of a business, the more likely they are to choose that business when they need something. By imprinting your name or logo on stress balls, the consumer sees your message every time they use it.
There is a secondary benefit as well. Regardless of whether they want a product or a service, shoppers have a problem to be solved. Promotional stress balls reinforce the idea that your business does just that.
Do Promotional Stress Balls Work?
Stress balls began as a therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine. Although they look a little different in modern times, the principle behind them is the same. When the ball is squeezed, the hand and arm muscles will contract. When the ball is released, the tension in the hand and arm muscles is also released. This improves circulation and relieves the physical effects of stress. When
squeezed rhythmically it will also regulate breathing, relax muscle tissue, and improve some arthritic conditions.
Do It Differently
Promotional stress balls are a common giveaway item. However, that doesn’t mean that they are not effective marketing tools. The key is to do it differently from your competitors. Here are a few tips to get the idea train rolling:
• Themed promotional stress balls are a lot of fun. If you are in the healthcare field, you can buy them shaped like a heart. A dentist can buy them shaped like a tooth. They are available in a huge variety of different styles: globes, food, bobble-head dolls, and many more. The possibilities are endless.
• Breast Cancer Awareness month is a perfect opportunity to launch your own campaign to be remembered. Stress balls are a great gift to customers. It also lets them know that you believe in a cause. The same idea can be applied for smoking cessation.
Swag Up Your Company Picnics
Aug 3rd
Are you tired of the boring, typical company picnic? There’s an easy way to spice things up, and really leave a lasting impression on your employees. There are several products from rushIMPRINT that can really add some much needed excitement, and enjoyment, to the mundane picnic. These can be used to just liven up the atmosphere, or even to promote a little competitive spirit, by raffling some of these quality products off. Friendly competition through raffle, or even giving swag away as a gift to your employees, is an effective way to boost morale. These exciting products are imprinted with your company logo, which can be a valuable method of marketing your company to friends and family of your employees.
For example, the Koozie Picnic Kooler is a stylish way to cool off those sodas, or other types of beverages. It can really provide a professional look and feel due to the very intriguing style of the bags. It can hold 18 different beverages to cool off even the hottest of picnics. Plus there are several colors to choose from. It has a well insulated front compartment in addition to the watertight main compartment to hold even more things for the picnic. There are several promotional coolers to make a selection from.
You may also want to consider the very sleek custom picnic basket cooler. It has a very distinctive design which allows storage for up to 24 12 oz. cans at a time. These baskets would certainly liven up any picnic, all while maintaining a professional look. You also have external pockets for easy storage of accessories, and a dual snap enclosure providing a tight seal for those beverages.
Let your employees sit in style!
How many company picnics have you been to where there just wasn’t enough seating for everybody? A fun, yet professional looking way to remedy this problem would be with a branded folding chair. These chairs are made of a high quality tubular steel for support, and nylon for the seating. There are over 10 different colors to choose from, meaning you can pick which is best for your company’s picnic. These chairs also include a pair of mesh cupholders, as well as a carrying bag equipped with a drawstring.
The sun is often the enemy of the typical picnic during the hotter months. What better way to combat the sun’s brightness than with a pair of custom aviator sunglasses? They maintain a look of professionalism while still providing a unique style. They’re also lightweight and comfortable to wear. You can also choose from 3 different frame colors.
Swag Done Right
Jul 29th
Corporate Swag refers to the trade show giveaways a person receives for walking aisle after aisle in a conference center looking at the wares and services of the vendors. What makes for good Corporate Swag? Does item functionality reign supreme, or can a creative, unique design transform an otherwise regular item into marketing gold? Personally, I think that both functionality and design can make Promotional Products that will be spared the trash bin.
Foldout USB Flash Drive 1GB
Let’s look at what functional means when it comes to Promotional Stuff. Functional is something I can incorporate into my day regardless of the logo or corporate saying. However, if the trade show giveaways are an article of clothing, the artwork really needs to grab my attention, or be odd or quirky. A double meaning for a saying is fun on a promotional company t-shirt. Uninspired artwork is not.
When a company takes the time and effort to design artwork that represents the industry and the featured event well, I could argue that whatever the Promotional Stuff is, the company will be positively remembered. Even inconsequential artwork can have a big advertising impact.
Promotional company backpacks and custom duffel bags often are Custom Promotional Items given away at a trade show. I really like to receive these types of Promotional Stuff, especially when it is well made. One of the worst mistakes a company can make is to hand out badly made items. I would equate the cheapness of the product with bad quality control of the company whose name is on the gift.
Another bane of Corporate Swag is handing out old technology. If the Promotional Products that are given out are company logo USB and promotional thumb drives, make sure they are made with the latest technology. If I put the drive into my USB and it can’t be read, or there is little storage capacity, I again will look with question on the company whose logo is stamped on the casing.
Other Custom Promotional Items that are common novelty items are blinking noise making balls or yo-yos. While neither of these items are very useful, they are fun. My dog loves the balls; my cats hate them. A custom yo-yo is fun if you know how to run one. My dogs love them if they are thrown, and my cats love the string.
Bottom-line, quality swag is made up of two parts; useful, quality products and creative design. It’s important to always order from a quality manufacturer. Remember that your promotional swag is a reflection on your company, and in the mind of the consumer, a poorly made item is usually associated with poor business. But just as important is the use of quality artwork. A promotional backpack with a poor design can be outdone by something as simple as a company shirt with a unique, creative look. So, always try to achieve a balance of the two.
We’re Thankful for You – How do you say ‘Thanks’?
Nov 1st
November is a month to celebrate being thankful for many things, including family, friends and workplace colleagues. It’s always a good idea to take a moment and thank those who have helped you in the past year. With that being said, we at rushIMPRINT.com are thankful for many things as well, most importantly you! Below are a few tips on how you can say ‘Thank You’ to your customers, partners or colleagues.
Be Creative
There are many ways to say ‘thank you’ but most of us have heard them all before, so it may take some creativity to come up with the best gift or expression that will really brighten up their day.
Surprise Them!
While this is similar to being creative mentioned above, take it a step further and really do something they don’t expect. Gifts that create a ‘WOW’ factor not only give the recipient a fun boost of excitement they will also walk away feeling as though you really took time to think about them.
Make it Personal
A freshly printed Holiday card with your imprinted message and logo is a crisp look, but instead take a moment and write out a letter or sign a card. If you’re saying ‘thank you’ to customers you may not be sending every one a card, but you might be able to offer them individual coupons or promotions that will not only cause them to buy more but will also feel tailored to their needs.
What We’re Thankful for…”
“I am thankful for the great relationships that I have built by being a member of the Clayton Kendall & rushIMPRINT team.”
- Luke
Online Merchandising Manager
“The simple things. It’s the smile from my youngest nephew that can totally put things back in perspective and make me realize what is truly important in this world, and to just let all the other nonsense go. So remember to smile, I guarantee you will make someone’s day and help them realize that things can always get better.”
- Chrissy
Administrative Assistant / Customer Service
“Thankful for being with Clayton Kendall for 13 years, the thrill of watching Clayton Kendall grow and experience the growth every step of the way.”
- Linda
“I am new to rushIMPRINT.com and have to say I am thankful for a great job. Getting to work for our terrific customers and with great suppliers and staff is an added benefit!”
-Rowene
Accounting Dept.
“I am thankful for Chrissy Wallace who handles all the details of an order so I can focus on business development.”
-Todd
Regional Sales Manager
Staff Picked Items to say ‘Thank You’:
Oil and Vinegar Fire Extinguisher Set
Custom Fleece Blanket
All Time Favorites - Maple Ridge Assorted Treat Box
Silver Snowflake Ornament
Promotional Products – Beyond The Customers
Sep 29th
Just the other day, I had a unique experience to sit in on a professional sports team staff meeting. The staff was clearly excited and buzzing in preparation for the upcoming season and everyone had their lists of responsibilities from season ticket organizing to corporate golf tournament management, but one thing caught my ear in particular.
The head coach surely had is pressing issues that needed addressing, but he spent most of his time discussing something the rest had seemed to almost forget about, the in-game camera operators for the jumbo-tron. On top of everything else going on in the office the coach was concerned about the commonly ignored $8.00 camera operators, and more importantly how the organization could keep camera operators longer than just one season. The initial response was to simply pay them more, but due to restrictions with the facility and their employment this was not negotiable. The coach then asked the group: What can we make special for them that adds value and builds their loyalty to us – the brainstorming began that very moment. I was simply fascinated at how all of these other important issues froze for that moment to figure out what the organization could give to camera operators to impress upon them how valued they were.
I won’t give away the final decision, but it’s looking good for the men behind the lenses. I took this as a lesson for the future though: Cool stuff with your brand on it should transcend simply finding new customers. Business owners and managers have responsibility to their teams and their staffs to develop not only loyalty but personal investment. Sure, these camera guys won’t stick around because they got some cool team-branded swag, but providing the experience and connecting with them with legitimate gratitude makes ALL of the difference in the world.
rushIMPRINT has so many options for you to consider recognizing your teams today. Check us out and make the difference for your most valuable resources, people!
3 Things You Should Be Doing To Celebrate Your Customers
Sep 14th
A friend of mine works for a professional hockey team in their sales department. We were discussing customer relationships and the difference between types of customers. He was talking about how season ticket holders have an emotional commitment to the team, while group customers require a unique one-time experience to effectively lock them in as long-term repeat customers. His philosophy is true in all forms of sales; there will always (hopefully) be YOUR customers that do business with you because of an emotional investment in your company and your products, while some other great customers might turn to you in search of something different than the alternative. Here are threeways that you can create a unique experience and develop long-term customer relationships.
Give Back
If you don’t have some kind of rewards program already in place, then you NEED to start one now. Don’t just cut a deal like “buy $100 and get $5 off…” this is overused and tired. Perhaps placing your brand on some unique, useful, and valuable things is a better route; the more the customer buys the more rewards they get on top of their order. Build your brand around giving – people will notice.
Invite Them In
New Belgium is the 3rd largest microbrewery in the United States. They offer FREE tours of their brewery with samples of their beer five days per week; these tours are full 3 weeks in advance. They invite about 150 people into their building most days to touch, feel, smell, learn, and enjoy how their product is made. Inviting people behind the curtain provides them with an experience; providing them with great content about your product and company history provides them with the opportunity to share that with others.
Be Grateful
It seems like common sense to “be grateful,” but you could probably think of a time when places of business just didn’t care. I cheated on my diet the other day and got Taco Bell (don’t judge…); in my attempts to not totally kill my efforts I kept it under $4, and the attendants seemed like my tiny order was legitimately a burden. Imagine if you could receive sincere gratitude from the people that you give money to in exchange for products and services. Let’s face it, we ALL have competition in our markets, so outdo everyone else with genuine respect and gratitude for every person that comes through your door.
Take your business to a new level! Start giving back, inviting your customers behind the veil, and being more grateful and your business will do better – it’s that easy.
How to Keep Your Company Relevant with Technological Advances
Sep 7th
Imagine the year is 1990, only 20 years ago. Someone asks you a random question: Who was the 2nd person to sign the Declaration of Independence? In 1990, where would you find this info? You could ask someone that may know or find it in a history book or encyclopedia, if you had one. You could visit a library, and hunt down a section on books that may help you. Either way, there would be some time involved. Flashforward to 2010 More >