Friday 24 July 2009

Use a Promotional Gift to Launch a New Product

If your company is introducing a new product or scheme, it is a great idea to use promotional gifts as free giveaway’s when launching. This can prove very effective as it is well known that everyone loves a free gift and it can entice people into buying your new product as well so therefore increasing your sales. However it is important to think carefully about which promotional product you choose to help launch your new scheme or item. You want the two things to relate to each other so that people can look at their free gift and it makes them think of the new product you are launching and therefore want to buy it or buy into it.

For example, say you are a gym and are introducing a scheme for the New Year which entitles people to buy one membership get one free. You may offer people that sign up for the deal a free pedometer with the gym details printed onto it as a goodwill gift and way of keeping up to date with their fitness regime. This is also a great way to get people talking and may tempt people to join your gym instead of another because of the free promotional gift on offer.

If you are holding some sort of product launch event then promotional gifts are definitely a must. When people attend these kinds of events they are expecting free giveaways or freebies that they can then take home and root through. This is why you need to choose a promotional giveaway that will both compliment your new product and also give a little information about your company.

A good example would be a confectionary brand launching a new chocolate bar. At the launch event, miniature versions of the chocolate bar could be handed out to tempt people into buying the new item on a regular basis or perhaps small boxes of chocolates with your company details printed onto them.

The idea is to create a buzz round your new product and brand and to get people interested in you and by handing out promotional freebies you are going to achieve this. Another way of creating a buzz is to use promotional products before a product launch in anticipation of the event. These kinds of things can be handed out on the streets, in parks or on beaches to try to spark a bit of interest in the arrival of the new product.

As you can see, promotional products can have a huge positive effect in the process of getting tour new product out there and noticed. It may seem like a lot of effort but in the end it is proven to pay off so is worth spending a few more pennies on getting things perfect.

Monday 20 July 2009

How to Place an Order with a Promotional and Business Gifts Supplier

Imagine the scenario… the responsibility of ordering this year’s promotional gifts for your company has been placed in your hands but you have never ordered before and you have not got a clue what to do…

Well do not fear because ordering promotional or business gifts is as easy as ABC as long as you first know a few facts which you will understand after reading this article.

Ok, so you know the types of products that you need to order but where do you go to view different styles, colours and designs? The best thing to do is to go on to one of the websites of the leading suppliers where you will usually find an easy to use search facility. If you type in the product you need for example pens, and press search, a list of all the different types of pens should come up with pictures and prices. When you have the name of the pen you need, you can then call up the supplier and ask to speak to a member of the sales team so that they can organise your quote for you.

When calling a supplier, you need to have the following information ready to hand:

· The name or code of the item you are looking at
· The quantity of items you will be ordering
· How many colours your logo is
· When you will need the goods delivered by and if you will need a sample
· An editable EPS file of your artwork you will want printed on the product

When you have given this information to the supplier they will then come back to you with a quote which is usually e-mailed through to you. The great thing about this process is that you can get quotes from many different places and compare the prices and service you are receiving. Getting a quote does not mean you have to order with that supplier, it just simply allows you to see how much an order is going to cost in total.




It is also important when ordering or getting quotes for promotional gifts to understand some of the terms that might be used. Here are some useful explanations of the terminology that might be used:

Screen Set up Cost or Origination Charge- This is what the supplier will charge you for setting up a screen printing press for each of the colours of your logo. For example if your logo is two colours, this will be 2 x origination cost which usually costs around £35.00 per colour but of course varies from supplier to supplier.

Carriage Cost- This is the cost of the delivery from the factory to your delivery address which will vary depending on the quantity of the goods, the date you need the goods and where you are based.

Lead Time- This is the time you are given for delivery from approval of your artwork. Most suppliers have a standard lead time of about 2-3 weeks but if you’re on a tight deadline, goods can be delivered sooner with an express delivery charge.

So as you can see there is no need to panic as getting quotes and ordering your promotional gifts really is a very simple process. Good luck!

Thursday 16 July 2009

Make your College Smile with a USB

Promotional products are not always used as giveaways at trade shows and conferences and as a means of promoting your company, they also can used as gifts to employees, business associates and close colleges thus the name ‘business gifts.’

Business gifts have become increasingly popular especially in large companies with large turnover’s as they can afford to splash out on spoiling their employees. Often these kinds of companies hold award shows where they can award outstanding employees with glass awards or business gifts. If you can afford to do this it can prove a fantastic way of improving working relationships, strengthening ties and ensuring that person’s loyalty to your company. It can also be a way of promoting your company as when the gift is taken home others may ask about it and thus get conversation round to what your company is about.

One of the most popular business gifts is the USB stick. The USB is a very handy product and ties in well with the business theme as it can often come in very useful when you are in the office and need to save some important data. You can get USB’s in a range of colours, styles and materials and so can make an employee feel special with a unique and unusual USB.
Below are some of the USB’s available on the promotional and business gift market at the moment:

* USB Pen Drive

This is a USB which doubles up as a pen. It is very useful and very sleek looking.

· USB Light

This is a USB with light which connects straight into your PC and helps you to see when typing in the dark.

· USB Hub Mousemat

A two in one gift. Mousemat with connecting USB very useful for anyone who uses a computer.

· Key Chain memory stick

Never lose your USB stick again with the USB keychain. You can attach it to your set of keys and carry it with you everywhere you go.

· USB Tag

This is a funky little device with a unique pop out arm and a metal plate for any printing you may wish to have on it.


These are just a few of the different types of USB’s which are available however there are many more unique designs that are both stylish and unusual. Some of the favourites are the chunky USB, the pod USB, the leather and rubber USB’s, the baby twister USB and the flip USB. Also if you are looking for something really special and a little bit wacky try the ‘bling bling’ USB. This USB is covered in artificial diamonds and comes packaged in a jewellery box making it an ideal gift.

So as you can see there are many varieties of USB available and they really do make fantastic high end business gifts for people. Just think how impressed and grateful people would be to receive such amazing business gifts. USB sticks will always come in handy and therefore will always be valued presents so why not invest today.

Friday 10 July 2009

10 Reasons to Say Yes to Promotional Gifts

Many people underestimate the value of promotional gifts and do not understand how useful they can be in promoting your company. Their key objective is to market your company and get your brand out there and talked about. They are well worth the investment as this is exactly what they do. Unlike advertising on the television and radio which may only be seen or heard once a day, promotional products are always there as a constant reminder of your company and really help to raise brand awareness.

Here are 10 reasons why your company should invest in promotional products today:

1. First and foremost they market your brand. When a person is using one of your pens, mousemats or mugs they are constantly seeing your company details and therefore thinking about you without even realising it.
2. Every time you give promotional gifts away you are creating another prospective customer and therefore creating more business opportunities.
3. When you use promotional gifts at trade shows you will draw the customers to your stall and therefore potentially increase your sales.
4. Promotional products make fantastic business gifts to important business associates. They could potentially make or break a deal.
5. As well as gifts to business associates they also make great gifts to current customers. They are an excellent way to thank customers for their loyalty and business as after all keeping customers is just as important as bringing in new ones.
6. Choose promotional gifts that are going to be seen. Umbrellas, bags, hats and T-shirts with your logo on are all effective in this way as they are like walking billboards for your company.
7. Give your employees some incentive by giving them business gifts as a well done for their hard work. You will soon have everyone working harder so they too can be recognised and given a gift.
8. Remember small desk gifts as well as larger visible products. Mosemats, pens and desk pads all act as reminders of your company when sitting in people’s eye line all day long.
9. Send out promotional gifts with your marketing mailouts. This will make your mailout that bit more exciting and further reinforce your brand.
10. Choose gifts that are practical and useful. Only choose gifts that you yourself would use and appreciate.

Promotional gifts really are worth the time and effort as they are proven to enhance sales, increase your customer base and get your company noticed. If you follow these 10 tips listed above you can not go wrong with promotional products just remember to choose carefully and pick items that you are happy to represent your company.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

What exactly ARE promotional gifts?

Promotional gifts can range from anything from a pen to a T-shirt to a mug or a conference folder. They are basically any item you wish, with your company details, logo or any message printed on to them in order to promote your brand. Their function is double ended. They work to market your company as they are printed with your details but are also products that you need and use on a daily basis so that they are practical to the recipient as well as positive for you. They are used in many different situations, most popularly at trade shows as giveaways, but also at conferences and as gifts to customers and colleges.

Promotional gifts are proven to work because they leave a lasting impression on a client. They are often items that can be used on a day to day basis so that your company can be advertised to full potential and your message can really be cemented in. Products that are ideal for use on a day to day basis are items that can be used in the office as they are visible all day long. Products that are sit on a desk are great as they are in your eye line daily and will prove useful to the recipient. These include pens, mousemats, mugs, desk pads and calendars and even USB sticks.

You then have the different side of promotional items. Business gifts for loyal customers, hardworking employees or important business contacts. The kinds of gifts that are used for this side of things are often more high end products such as luxury pen sets, high end business card holders and even leather briefcases or conference folders. The basic idea is the same with these items but perhaps the advertising message is not so ‘in your face.’ You may just have a small printed logo on these items rather than your company name emblazoned across them. However they work in the same way as they keep customers loyal, give employees incentive and impress potential business contacts. However you look at it, business gifts can only be a positive thing for your company.

Promotional gifts are appreciated by everyone and in every situation especially if you choose the product carefully so it is one that not only represents your company well but also is practical. The more practical an item the more likely it is to be used and enjoyed and the more often it is used the more promotion for your company. So as you see if you put in the work in the beginning you will reap the benefits with the lasting positive effects of promotional and business gifts.

Friday 3 July 2009

6 of the best Summer Promotional Items

6 of the best Summer Promotional Items

When choosing your promotional items you need to think very carefully about which items to go for as there are a lot of things to factor in. As well as thinking about colours, styles and materials, you also need to think if the item you are going for suits the season. Obviously this factor does not affect all promotional items, for example products such as pens will be used all year round and so which season it is does not come into it. However if you are thinking of ordering, say umbrellas, you may wish to order them in the winter instead of the summer when they are going to be more useful to someone. Just think, you would not dream of going in to a shop and buying an umbrella on a hot sunny day so why would you want to receive one as a gift? It may seem like an obvious thing but many people do not think about these aspects when ordering promotional gifts, they only think about price and functionality. It is very important to think through all factors before you order after all these promotional items are representing you and your company and you want them to be practical and usable and above all appreciated.

Below are some great promotional items that make fantastic gifts in the summer months:

Biker Sports Bottle

Sports bottles for bikes are an excellent promotional gift in the summer as when it gets hot more and more people cycle to and from work and also get together with their families and friends and go on long bike rides through the country. Print your message on the sports bottle and then every time it is picked up to be used that person will think of your company. The sports bottle starts from as little as 77p!

Mini Cooler Bag

The mini cooler bag is another brilliant little item for the summer and bags are always a great way to advertise your company as when they are being carried around everyone can see your company name. As the summer descends lots of people hit the parks for a picnic and with the cooler bags starting from just 98p you’d be mad not to get in on the action!

Frisbee

Frisbee’s are a fun and unusual promotional gift and are fantastic in the summer when people are in the parks having fun in the sun. You can also get quite a lot of text on a Frisbee so you can fully promote your brand on these amusing items.

Pedometer

As the weather gets nicer you notice increasing amounts of people out in the open exercising and trying to shape up for summer. Pedometers are a superb way of encouraging people to get fit and go on more walks whilst advertising your company at the same time.


Boomerang

Similar to frisbee’s, boomerangs make fun promotional gifts especially in the summer when they can be played with outdoors. They are suitable for all the family and for this reason are sure to be a success. They come in a range of colours and start from as little as 47p.

Drawstring Bags

This style of bag really is one of the best ways of marketing your company and getting your message out there as it is carried on the back and therefore is very visible to passers by. Especially handy in the summer to carry belongings down to the beach or park, the drawstring bag is a promotional hit!