Business Gifts

The Importance of the Business Card

2010-03-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Business cards are essential to any business person as they play a vital role in the promotion of your company or business no matter how big or small you may be. This is because whenever you attend a business event, weather it is a meeting, conference or trade show, by handing out your business card you are ensuring that people remember who you are. It is very important in business to make yourself known as widely as possible and to increase your contacts and the best way to do this is by circulating your business cards. However, you must make sure that your business card looks as professional and as upmarket as it possibly can be in order to stand out from the rest. Below are a few ways to make the most of your business card…

First things first, your business card needs to look professional and look like it has been thought about and had a bit of time and effort put into it. I’m not saying you need to blow your budget but you must remember that your business card will be reflecting you and your company so it must be of some quality. The paper you use should be durable and thick instead of using anything flimsy which may crumple and be thrown away.

Also very important, while we are talking about the aesthetics of the card, is the design of the business card. Your card needs to be a bit unique in order to stand out from other people’s cards but it also must look professional. It is imperative that your business card looks professional because this little piece of card is helping to market your business and tell other people about it. In essence, your business card reflects you and your business so it must look the part. Colour, size, shape and type all must be factored in when designing your card so be sure to have thought through thoroughly what you want and how you want the card to look.

As well as design and professionalism, the actual content of the card is essential. When you pass your card to someone whether you are at a business meeting or conference they must straight away be able to see the key details. These key details are company name, your name and your phone number. These three details are of utmost importance as they are the three pieces of information that will be needed the most and tell the most about the company. You may think this is a glaringly obvious tip but you would be surprised how confusing and messy some business cards can be. These three particulars need to be in bold, slightly bigger than the rest of the information and very clear!

After the key information has been established you can then think about what else you will have on the card for example your address, any other numbers, e-mail address, logo and perhaps even a little information about what it is you and your company do.

All of these things make up a good business card and you must remember that it is worth spending a little time and effort on them as they can really benefit you in the long run.

Don’t be a mug- Choose Promotional Mugs!!

2010-03-05T08:51:00.000-08:00

When it comes to promotional products, there are thousands upon thousands of different products out there for you to choose from. New, fresh and modern ideas are constantly surfacing and being promoted as the next big thing to market your company with. USB’s, pedometers, Brite-mats, the list is endless. However, sometimes it is best to stick to the golden oldies. The products that have been tried and tested and that you know definitely work. So what product am I referring to? Promotional Mugs of course!!

Promotional mugs really do work every time and here are some of the reasons why they are so popular and what styles are available today:

Practicality

One of the key reasons behind the success of the promotional mug is that they are so very practical and useable. The fact that they are not one of them promotional items that will be used a couple of times and then disposed of or lost, make them a top choice in the promotional gift industry. Mugs will always come in handy whether you are at home or at the office as mugs of tea and coffee are forever being served.

Visibility

Another motive for their popularity is that the large print area means that your logo can be clearly visible giving you and your company maximum advertising benefits. On a standard mug, you will be able to fit on your company name, telephone number and e-mail as well as your logo and perhaps your mission statement. This means that every time your mug is picked up and drunk out of, your brand is visible to both the drinker and anyone else in the vicinity.

Cost Effective

Considering the promotional power of the mug, they are not an expensive item. Mugs can be brought in bulk very cheaply compared to many other promotional products and are very good value for money.

Different Types Available

Depending on what you are looking for, there is a huge variety out there in different shapes, sizes, materials, designs and colours. Bone- China mugs are a great promotional product for a higher end result and can be used as a fantastic gift for an important colleague. If you are not looking to spend as much money, ceramic or earthenware mugs are popular choices as they do their job effectively but are also very cost effective. Glass and frosted glass mugs also look very attractive and are a bit different to your standard mug. They are particularly suitable for young professionals who enjoy a coffee as lattes are usually served in a glass mug. As well as all these choices, there are also tankards, insulated travel mugs and mugs with hidden specialities, such as the heat change mug.

With such a wide choice available as such a low price, you must be able to see that promotional mugs are the way forward if you are looking to market your business with a promotional product. You can’t lose with a promotional mug!!

Promotional Calendars: Helping others to get organised while you get noticed

2010-02-19T09:21:00.000-08:00

Promotional Calendars have always been a great promotional item. Not only are they extremely useful to others but they are a fantastic way to market your company or organisation as they are used all throughout the year by the potential client. You can be sure that if you give out your promotional calendars just before Christmas or early on in the New Year, they will be used throughout the year and come December your brand will have become very familiar and that can only be a good thing.

In the last few years calendars are better as promotional items than ever because they come in such an extensive range of styles, types and designs. When choosing your calendar, it is very important that you choose one which will market your brand best, suit your price range and also be appropriate for the target audience. Read on below to get some inspiration for what you want:

Desk Calendars

These are a great giveaway if you are targeting people who have office jobs and are often at their desks and on their computers. This is because they can stand the calendar in front of them on their desks where it will come in very handy to them but also be a constant reminder of your company. This is a great way to promote yourself as your brand will be in the forefront of their minds if your services are ever required. Desk calendars come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours and of course can be branded with personal names, brands and logos.

Wall Planners

Wall planners are great for the office as well as for the home. This type of calendar comes in a large A1 size and its purpose is to be put on the wall and written on as a day-to-day planner. The paper is laminated so the calendar can be written and wiped off as necessary. These planners are excellent practical items and again a great way to promote your company as your name is mounted on the wall for all to see!

Advent Calendars

Obviously advent calendars have a very limited time frame because they can only be given out before Christmas but they can still be very effective promotional gifts especially when filled with chocolate! They are guaranteed to be a popular giveaway and could definitely help to boost your sales in the New Year!

I have only discussed a fraction of the calendars that are available out there on the promotional market so come and get a piece of the action and try out your success with some promotional calendars!

Tips on how to choose cost effective Promotional Items

2010-02-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

Marketing your company is essential to create business but it can be a very expensive thing. Advertising yourself is by no means cheap, not by any stretch of the imagination. This can prove a problem, especially for new small businesses who are trying to compete with the larger ones but simply do not have the budget. For an up and coming business, one of the most important things to do is to promote your brand to make it popular and to get its name out there and its objective understood. Perhaps the most popular, successful and cost effective way of doing this is to use promotional items.

Promotional items are available in a huge range of prices, from rather expensive to dirt cheap so they are suitable to both small and large budgets. It obviously depends on what you are looking for but if its cheap promotional items you are after, the choice is abundant. Many of the cheaper items are just as good at achieving what you want to achieve as the higher end range of promotional items. This is because it is not a matter of price but a matter of how well you utilise the promotional item to market your brand. For example, a cheap and cheerful pen in an eye-catching colour, printed with your companies details can be just as useful if not more than a high end umbrella which may not be used half as much as the pen. The sheer variety of the promotional items which are available will ensure that you will find the perfect item for you and your company.
Below are some tips and examples of cheap promotional items and how to choose the right one for you:

Choose your item!

First things first, you need to think carefully about the item you are going to choose and try to tie it in with your company and what you represent. For example if you have just started up a construction company, an idea might be to choose stress items, perhaps in the shape of hard hats or tools, with your company name and logo on. By making your promotional easily identifiable with the sort of business you running, potential customers can straight-away see what your company is all about. Another example may be sharpeners or rubbers in the shape of hard hats. These sort of products are useful to the person you have given them to and at the same time, are boosting business for you.

Design your product

How you choose to design the product you have chosen, is a very important aspect of the process. Especially if you have chosen a lower end product, you need to design it very carefully so it looks the best it can possibly look. Colour, size, shape and how you brand the item all need to be thought about in the design process. The product design should be eye-catching, fun, stylish and interesting and designed with the target group in mind. For example, if your target group is something very specific like teenage girls, brightly coloured shopper bags with an interesting logo would go down very well.

Shop around!

If you have a tight budget and are looking to find the best deal possible, some good advice is to shop around for promotional items. There are so many companies out there all trying to compete for your business and you would be surprised at how accommodating they can be. The best deals can usually be had when you are buying in bulk so remember to always keep that in mind. For example the cost of a pen will go down in price if you were buying 500 instead of 50.

So if its cost effective promotional items you are looking for, be sure to follow these few simple tips to get the best possible deal and product which in turn will have the best reflection on your business and hopefully make you some money.

How to market a small business in an inexpensive way

2010-02-18T08:18:00.000-08:00

How to market a small business in an inexpensive way

When you think of marketing your company what instantly springs to mind? Well if you are only a small business with a lower end budget, cost is going to be at the forefront of the equation. You may think that promoting your business has to be a costly affair but the truth behind this is that it does not. In the last few years as the internet has become more and more advanced, ways have emerged to make yourself known and promote yourself for free. Yes you did hear me right, i said FREE!
You and your small business can now potentially keep up with the much bigger businesses doing the same thing as you, as long as you put a bit of time and effort into the promotion of your company. Here are some completely FREE ways of marketing your business...

Writing Online Articles

If you wanted to publish an article in a local newspaper or trade magazine, you are looking at paying a substantial amount of money to buy the space in the magazine, get it published and maybe even pay a professional writer to suit the style of the magazine. Sure, if you have a big business with a large budget, this would not be a problem but for you small businesses out there this may not be an option. So why not write an online article? You can submit your articles for free to article sites and share information about your company and even give advice and expertise. If you then create a link somewhere in the article to your website, people that read it and decide they want to know more can be transferred straight to your website with no hassle whatsoever. Increasing amounts of people are using these websites to promote their businesses and look for inspiration and they really do work.

Blogging

Blogging is a relatively new and upcoming way to promote yourself and your business. It began as quite a popular thing with young people as you can blog about absolutely anything you want and the writing style can be fairly loose and conversational. However as the blogging craze has caught on more and more, people have realised that they can use blogging as a way of marketing their companies and potentially create business. Blogging works in a similar way to online article writing, it is completely free to submit your blogs and you can add in links to your website. It also is best if you submit articles on a regular basis as people can begin to follow your blogs and this in turn creates more of a buzz round your business.

Twitter and Facebook

If you have not heard before (which is highly unlikely) Twitter and Facebook are social networking websites which have in last couple of years, took off on a grand scale. What started off as a way to locate old friends, Facebook has turned into perhaps one of the most popular websites and one can now advertise themselves and their businesses on it. Both Twitter and Facebook are excellent free platforms to promote and market your business so set yourself up a business account today and get networking!

All the marketing tools I have discussed above are very useful and effective ways of promoting your company for free. They may be slightly time consuming but believe me, when you see the results that putting in a little time and effort produce, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Obviously there are many other ways to promote your company if you do not mind spending a little money. A perfect way option being Promotional Gifts. If you are interested, read on in my next article...

2010-02-17T07:30:00.000-08:00

How to attract customers to your business

2010-02-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

If you have just recently set up a company and are at the stage when you are looking to entice in customers and create business than you may need some inspiration of how to do so. It can be a difficult time when a company is just starting out as one needs to make an impact to get a foot on the ladder and become successful. Your budget may be low and your contacts sparse so how can you generate customers?

The two key words to help you achieve success are Market and Promote. You need to market your company to let others know that you are here. It may seem like a simple thing but very often when businesses are starting up they can forget about the simple things as there is so much else going on. People are never going to turn into potential customers unless they know who you are and what you do. So here are a few things you can do to boost your business:

Go Online
Perhaps the most crucial thing you can do for your new company is to go online. Make sure that you have a fully functioning website that is easy to use, attractive and straight-forward in its description of what you do and what your company is about. Masses of people now go online and use search engines to try and find what they are looking for. When they do this 100’s of companies will appear who all do the same things that your company does. That is why your website has to have an edge and be accessible so that that person decides to come to you for business instead of going elsewhere. Most importantly, make sure your contact details, number and e-mail address are visible on your homepage so that customers can easily get in touch for any quotes, questions or queries.

Use Promotional Giveaways
If you are having a store opening, holding a conference or have a stall at an exhibition to promote your new business, promotional giveaways are a fantastic way of being noticed and getting your company name out there and heard. Perhaps if you are opening a shop and inviting potential customers and contacts, you could give out printed shopper bags with your company details and even put some giveaways inside the bag for that person to look at when they arrive home. At an exhibition you may want to use a lower cost product as you may have to order a lot of them. In this case, printed pens can be extremely useful as they come in handy to everyone, are lightweight, cheap and can fit on a few company details.

Be Loud and Proud!
Last of all, do not be shy. When a company is just starting out, it needs as much publicity and promotion as possible. Do not be afraid to get yourself out there and do what it takes to get your company on the map. Make phone-calls, send e-mails, advertise yourself in the local paper or yellow pages, hand out leaflets, send out mailers. The possibilities are endless, and if you take all these steps you should be on your way to a booming business.

Promotional Chocolates- A delicious way to market your company

2010-02-11T07:56:00.000-08:00

Are you a chocolate lover? Of course you are, everyone is! That is why chocolates make a great promotional gift or giveaway. Promotional chocolates are a very versatile product and can be used in many different ways as a promotional tool. For example, individually wrapped chocolates with your company details printed on them are a great giveaway at a trade show or conference as they will draw people to your stall and get them talking. Another example of how to utilise them could be to use them as gifts for contacts or colleagues. A high end box of Belgian chocolates can be given as a business gift to a colleague as a thank you for hard work or loyalty.

Promotional chocolates are such a fantastic promotional product as they are welcome by everyone and enjoyed by everyone. If you are sending out brochures or letters to introduce people to your business or fish for customers then why not drop a few promotional chocolates in along with them to up your chances of success. If you include a promotional product like this with your brochure or introduction pack, you give yourself another dimension and give a bit of interest and enjoyment to the person you are sending them to. You will have more chance of that person sitting down to flick through your brochure or leaflets while they enjoy their free chocolate you have given them. Even if they do not eat the chocolate then, they may put it on their desk or in their bag to have another time. But when they do pick it up again they will be reminded of you and your company, which is why it is crucial that your details are printed on the promotional chocolate’s wrapper.

As discussed above, promotional chocolates come in very handy when trying to market your company at a trade show. For example, when a colleague and I attended an exhibition similar to this last year, we were attracted to a certain stall as they were handing out very scrumptious Belgium chocolates. While we were initially drawn in by the tasty promotional treats, we then got talking to the stall holders and ended up doing some business with them. This example just shows you how effective chocolate is as a promotional product. It may seem like a simple idea, but by using a promotional product like this, you will have an edge over other stalls at the exhibition as they can be a way of starting conversation with a potential client.

So if you are looking for a promotional product for a tradeshow, a conference, as a giveaway or a as a special present for a colleague, choose promotional chocolates for an unusual, popular and delicious alternative.

The Importance of Conference Giveaways

2009-11-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

The Importance of Conference Giveaways

If your company are holding a conference or perhaps appearing at a trade show you may want to think about ordering some promotional products to use as giveaways. At events such as trade shows there may be many companies similar to your own vying for the attention of a limited number of customers. In order for your company to stand out amongst all the others and grab the attention of potential customers who may otherwise pass you by, you must have something unique.

So why not use promotional products as free giveaways as your unique selling point? If the product is chosen carefully and is well thought out, it may make prospective customers stop and come to your stall to see what you have to offer instead of going elsewhere. However the key thing is for your giveaway to be eye-catching and exciting: fluorescent colours on black backgrounds, unusual quirky materials and bright colours, anything to differentiate your product from the standard lacklustre one.

Any items can be used, (pens, keyrings, mousemats) but the most important thing is that your company name or logo and details are emblazoned across them. This way, when someone is walking around the show with one of your giveaways other people can see it clearly and may then come to your stall to get one for themselves and find out what all the fuss is about.

Perhaps the most useful and advantageous of promotional gifts is the bag or cotton shopper. When one is walking round a trade show or event and constantly being handed brochures, leaflets and giveaways, a bag to put these things in becomes very handy. If you choose to use a bag as your promotional giveaway than it can become a rather successful marketing tool. Just think how many people will see your company’s message when it is carried over someone’s shoulder?

After the event when these potential customers have taken your giveaways and have them in their homes or offices, your company name will always be there as a constant reminder. Whether it is a keyring hanging from your keys, a pen sitting on a desk waiting to be written with or a mug filled with tea on one’s coffee table, your company will be being continuously advertised and that can only be a good thing.

Promotional Items: Success or Excess?

2009-10-26T02:44:00.000-07:00

Promotional Items: Success or Excess?

Promotional products get a mixed response. Some people agree that they can only bring you success and more sales, whereas others believe they are a total waste of time. Which one of these types of people are you?

If you are of the opinion that promotional products are more hassle then they’re worth, read on and hopefully by the end of this article you may have changed your mind and even be thinking about jumping on the bandwagon yourself.

When you look at your surroundings at work and more importantly your desk what do you see?

On my desk I have numerous pens, a post it note pad, a mug on a coaster and a mouse mat amongst many other things. All of these items are promotional items which have been collected over time from different companies and each are promoting their own message or logos. As well as delivering their message, these promotional products are very useful, meaning that I use them on a daily basis without even thinking about it. However if I ever needed to use any of the companies, there contact details are sitting right in front of me ready to call.

Promotional products are excellent business tools as they are a very simple but effective way of promoting your company name whilst giving something back to the customers. With these items both you and the recipient win. You will be marketing your company and boosting sales and the recipient receives a handy and useful gift which can only be a positive thing.

Tight budget? No problem. You can spend as little or as much as you want to on promotional products. There is such a huge variety of promotional merchandise that everyone is bound to find something that suits their taste and fits in with their budget. Frome pens and pencils to hats and umbrellas, the possibilities are endless and just waiting for you to reach out and grab them.

Promotional items have proved a massive success in the world wide corporate industry with businesses of all sizes wanting to get in on the action. From multi billion pound companies who order 10’s of 1000’s of products to small local businesses who may only order a couple of dozen to give out to loyal customers. There’s something for everyone in the promotional merchandise world.

Affordable and Usable Promotional Items

2009-10-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

Affordable and Usable Promotional Items

Promoting your business can be expensive work especially if you are thinking about advertising your company on the television or radio. If you are a huge successful company this kind of advertisement may be accessible to you but if you are only a local business with a small turnover you may need to look to other means of promotion.

Using promotional products may be just the solution for you as they can fit in with a tight budget and really help to boost sales. They can be a step in the right direction in terms of business growth and really are a fantastic marketing tool.

So to get you started, lets look at a few popular and affordable items that are top of the promotional charts:

Pens

Pens are definitely one of the best sellers when it comes to promotional goods and are being snapped up all the time by both large and small companies. They come in a range of colours and materials and you’ll be sure to find one whatever your budget or occasion is. The cheaper plastic pens can be given out as gifts at conferences and the metal ball pens can be boxed as a special present for a loyal customer or colleague. So whatever the circumstance pick up a pen as for a budget friendly promotional item.

Mugs

Mugs are a great idea for a promotional gift. There are all sorts of shapes and types of mugs available from ceramic to earthernware depending on what look you are going for. By printing your details or logo on a mug they will be constantly viewed and remembered as they sit on the recipients desk or coffee table.

Keyrings

Keyrings are a very popular promotional item especially when used as a promotional giveaway at an event or conference. This is because they are small and lightweight making them the ideal giveaway as they can be simply put in someone’s pocket or bag. They are a great product for a younger target group as they can be made into all sorts of funky shapes and made out of a range of unusual materials.

Mousemats

Looking for a promotional product that will always be at the end of your client’s fingertips? You’ve found your answer with a mousemat. Mousemat’s come in many different materials and colours and have a large area that you can print your company message or logo on to. In the technology fuelled world we live in today, everyone uses a computer and therefore everyone needs a mousemat. Why not take advantage and get yours today.

All of these products that I have discussed above are high quality but cheap options that will all work as an effective and un-costly way of marketing your company and brand.

Want to show your employee you appreciate them? Choose a promotional gift!

2009-10-13T05:10:00.000-07:00

Want to show your employee you appreciate them? Choose a promotional gift!

It is a common mistake that promotional gifts are only used as giveaway’s to potential customers as a means of marketing one’s company and in turn boosting sales and awareness of your brand. This of course is a very popular way of using promotional products, however it is not the only use of them.

There is a growing trend toward using promotional gifts as a way of keeping existing customers and strengthening relationships and ties with them. They can be used to reward a customer’s loyalty to your company perhaps on a special occasion such as Christmas. Promotional gifts can also be given to your employees as a special thanks for the hard work they do and to keep them devoted to working for your company.

Company award events are now very popular so therefore glass awards have become a rather sought after promotional gift. Presenting hard working employees with ‘employee of the year’ awards can really boost morale in the work place and encourage people to work hard in order to reap the benefits.

There are all sorts of slightly more high end promotional products that can be used as individual gifts instead of bulk buying for giveaways. See below for some inspirational ideas:

MP3 Players

Mp3 players are the ideal promotional gift for existing customers. By spending a little more on a product you are showing them that you care and at the same time reminding them why they have remained loyal to your company.

Belgium Truffles

Truffles or chocolates are a great promotional gift to giveaway to employees or customers as a Christmas present. They can be packaged up nicely in a box with your company message printed on it and also who can say no to a chocolate?

Ballpens

Pens are a very popular promotional product and can be great giveaways at an event or show. However higher end pens can also make fantastic presents. These promotional products can be boxed in gift boxes and printed with your company message or logo. A luxurious pen always makes a great corporate gift as they will always be used.

Here are just a few examples of what kind of promotional gifts there are available if you are willing to spend a little more money on certain special customers, employees or business associates. So think out of the box and not only promote your company to potential customers but to your faithful existing customers also. You may be surprised how it can benefit you also.

Promotional Pens

2009-10-06T07:49:00.000-07:00

The practicality of promotional pens

When it comes to promotional products, the practicality of the simple pen should not be overlooked. When you think about it, every person in every job or trade needs a pen even if everything they do is computer based, a pen always comes in handy to jot numbers or notes down. When you look at it like this it is easy to see that promotional pens will be a welcome gift to any person of any age in any profession because they are so very practical. Pens are often given away at trade shows and conferences due to the fact they are cheap and easy to transfer and carry but they also make excellent gifts for employees and important clients.

The reason behind the popularity of promotional pens is that they are getting your company message out there and noticed. Every time someone picks up a pen which is as we have discussed quite a lot, your message or logo is being seen and further cementing the idea of your company in other people’s minds without them even realising it. Here’s an example: Someone’s car has broken down and they ask their friend if they know of any mechanics who could fix it. That friend may have been using a promotional pen from a mechanics that they have picked up and you can bet that that will be the first mechanic that pops into his head.

The practicality of the promotional pen remains its best selling point as items such as these will always be used and therefore make great advertising tools for your company. They make fantastic giveaways as every time they are used your brand awareness is increasing.

Another selling point of the pen is their portability. They are so light and small that they can easily be placed into one’s pocket and used in business meetings, at the bank or simply at home when writing a shopping list. On all these occasions, the pen is doing its necessary job and enforcing your brand not only on the owner but also people who ask to borrow the pen or just simply notice it.

However in a sea of pens, you need to make yours noticeable. But how do you do that?

The best way to make your pen stand out is to make it an exciting colour and emblazon a catchy message across it. The message needs to be short and sweet, it needs to give any information that someone may need about your company but in a concise way. You do not want to make the mistake of overloading the pen with information, only the vitals are needed.

Some people worry about using pens as promotional products as they are so easy to lose and therefore seem to be a waste of money. But you have to remember, if a person loses your pen, it will only be picked up and used by someone else therefore passing your me4ssage on to a whole new group of people. With a promotional pen, whatever way you look at it, you can’t lose.

Grab an Umbrella for a Promotional Hit!

2009-09-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

Grab an Umbrella for a Promotional Hit!

Promotional Umbrellas have proved a great success in the promotional product world and have gone down a storm with customers, employees and business associates. The reason that they are so popular is due to the fact that they are so usable, that they will always be a welcome gift. Of course you will want to choose an umbrella of relatively high quality as with any promotional gift as they are representing and advertising your company. So if you are looking for a good quality gift that someone will be pleased to have then look no further than a promotional umbrella.

Added to the fact already discussed that umbrellas are a welcome gift due to their usability, they are also welcome as they do not come cheap to buy in shops. If someone is looking to buy a good quality umbrella in a shop it is going to cost them in the region of £15- £25, definitely not a cheap throwaway item. Especially when you think how easy it is to lose an umbrella, to leave it in a café or restaurant, it is done all the time! So buy choosing an umbrella as a promotional gift you are choosing to advertise your company and to please your customer or client as umbrellas will always be appreciated.

Another excellent reason for picking a promotional umbrella is simply their use. Just think how often it rains in this country and how often when you are own your way to work you get stuck in a downpour and get to work like a drowned rat! Well just think how thankful your customer will be next time it rains and they pull out the umbrella that you have given them! It will make them think of you and your company and be grateful to you and may make them want to get in touch with you to do business.

Perhaps the most obvious reason for promotional umbrellas being such a favoured item is that they are like walking billboards for your company. Literally when it starts raining your slogan or logo is going up into the air for the world to see. More than any other product (excusing bags) umbrellas are out their for the whole public to see. Even if they do get lost or left somewhere, they will always be picked up by someone else and your message will be passed on because no one is ever going to throw away a good quality umbrella.

So, you have your umbrella now you need to think about the colour, style and slogan you are going to have. There is no point in giving away plain boring umbrellas with no association to your company. It needs to be catchy and bright but obviously not to flash or showy. You want to subtly advertise your company without pushing it in people’s faces. You need to choose carefully depending on your target audience and put a lot of thought into it.

Just remember that this kind of promotional gift lasts and lasts and you want your company to be advertised in the best light possible because if you can get all this right you will definitely be on to a winner.

Ten Tips when choosing Promotional Gifts

2009-09-15T02:09:00.000-07:00

Ten Tips when choosing Promotional Gifts

1. Choose usable Products

When choosing which promotional gift you want you must think of the type of people or person you will be giving them to and think if they would really use the product. A promotional product will only be successful in marketing your company if the person who has it is actually going to use it and not simply throw it in the bin.

2. Attach a catchy slogan

On all promotional products you can print some or many details depending on what the item is. For example on a pen you only have room to fit a little text but on something like a mousemat you have lots of room to print your logo, a message and contact details. Perhaps the most important thing to get on to the product thougfh is some sort of catchy slogan that the user will remember and associate with your company.

3. Choose good quality gifts

Quality is very important when picking which promotional product to go for. It is very easy to go for an item on the cheaper end of the price scale to save on money but this can sometimes backfire. By choosing a more quality item your company is putting out the idea that they are a quality company who do not scrimp and can be trusted.

4. Chose a product that you would want.

Before you make the final decision on which item you will be going for you need to think to yourself: Would I appreciate and use that product? If you wouldn’t then why would 100’s of other people? If you think by going for masses of a cheap but unusable product will work, think again.

5. Go Green

There are now 100’s of promotional products available which are eco-friendly and do not use any materials that harm the environment. The environment has become a much talked about subject of late and is becoming hard to ignore. Many companies now want to only give out products that comply with environmental issues. There is now a fantastic range of unusual and funky eco- friendly items on the market ready for you to grab.

6. Appreciate loyal employees

Promotional products are not only used at conference and trade show giveaways, they can also be used as gifts to reward hardworking emplyees and loyal customers. For these kinds of occassions, people tend to pick higher end products and personalise them with a little print. By showing your collegues you appreciate them you are helping them stay loyal to the company and also creating a nice environment to work in.

7. Do NOT overuse your brand name

Now this may seem like a contradictory tip because surely if you are trying to advertise your company you want your name everywhere. Well it is not that simple. Of course you want to get your name noticed but that does not mean by printing it ALL over the product. This will alienate customers by making the product garish and unusable. Subtlety is the look you are going for.

8. Think about styles, designs and print.

Choosing a promotional product is not as simple as thinking ‘right we will have some pens!’ and that’s that. There are hundreds of different of pens that come in numerous colours and styles. A lot of thought has to be put into the overall effect you are going for, who you are giving the pens to and the kind of image yourself as a company want to portray. Colour, design and print will all affect this.

9. If you are a first timer, keep things simple.

If you are only a small company just starting out, promotional products are a great way of marketing your company. However, you may feel dubious about putting money into something that you have never tried before. If this is the case, keep products simple and accessible- pens, mugs, mosemats, keyrings… These products are cheap but very usable and definitely will go down well with potential customers.

10. You’ve got to be in it to win it!

Give promotional products a try, if you do not, you’ll never know the true potential and positive effects they can have on your company. They are a proven sales booster and a great way to get your company name out there. Good luck!

Different Varieties of Promotional Bags

2009-09-03T01:27:00.000-07:00

Different Varieties of Promotional Bags

There are a great many variety of promotional bags, depending on the style you are looking for, or the occasion they are for. When choosing a promotional bag, you must think of the type of person that they for and how and when they will use them. They are a fantastic way of advertising your company as they are like walking billboards. When someone slings a bag over their shoulder with your company name or logo on it, everyone they encounter can see it therefore you will be gathering potential customers every time they use it. Below I will discuss the different types of bags available and who they might be suitable for.

An up and coming bag of the moment is the cotton shopper bag. The shopper bag has become very popular predominantly due to environmental reasons. Nowadays in many supermarkets you have to pay for plastic shopping bags as they are trying to get people to become more environmentally aware and to either re-use their bags or bring their own plastic, cotton or paper bags. In keeping with this more and more people are seeing the potential of the cotton shopper bags as they are so strong and long lasting AND environmentally friendly.

These bags make great promotional gifts and have become increasingly popular. They are inexpensive and have plenty of room to print your company’s details and logo on. They are also good products to giveaway at trade shows as they can be used to carry round all the brochures and other giveways that people receive at these kinds of shows.

Another style of bag which is a favourite is the ‘goodie bag.’ This is a small plastic bag which again can be printed with company details and comes in a range of colours. These are often used at conferences, meetings and trade shows as they can be filled with a few other promotional items, leaflets or brochures to give to the customer as a kind of welcome pack.

On the higher end scale and perhaps more as a gift than a giveaway are bags such as briefcases and travel bags. These make ideal gifts to a loyal customer or important business collegue and can be perhaps printed with a small and indiscreet company logo. On these kinds of more luxurious bags it is best not to make the print too large as you want these gifts to be classy and elegant.

Backpack’s are also a popular choice especially when your target audience is young. They are particularly good for students as you can fit a lot of books in them. Also when the bag is carried on the back in this way it makes your printed message much easier to see, therefore making them really fantastic advertisers.

So as you see there is a great deal of choice when it comes to bags so choose carefully. But whatever you decide, your message could soon be all over town if you choose a promotional bag.

Top 5 Promotional gifts to giveaway at trade shows

2009-08-24T01:53:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Promotional gifts to giveaway at trade shows

Up and down the country trade shows are put on for all sorts of reasons. In the promotional and business gifts world, these trade shows are organised by suppliers as a way of enticing new customers in to start working with them and also to show current customers why they should remain working with them. There are hundreds of stalls there with hundreds of different people all saying the same sort of thing. So how do you stand out from the crowd?
Often the most effective way of doing this is by using exciting and eye-catching giveaways that are going to draw people to your stall. Once they have been drawn over then you have their attention and can start selling your company to them but they need that initial reason to approach you.

Here are 5 great gifts to giveaway at a trade show:

Cotton shopper bags

At these shows you are constantly being handed brochures and leaflets so a bag is a great giveaway as you can keep all these things in it. They are also very cheap, environmentally friendly and have plenty of space to print your company details on. They will also be carried round the trade show all day on someone’s shoulder and are therefore like a walking advertisement for your company. You’ll soon have people flocking round your stall in no time.

Pens

It may seem like an obvious one but pens really are one of the best things to giveaway at trade shows. They are light and small and can be placed in someone’s pocket or bag without annoying them. They are also guaranteed to be used as pens always come in handy. Print your company name and a few details on the pen and you will soon have people calling up enquiring about you.

Keyrings

Again they are a great product as like pens they are lightweight and small and can be fitted straight onto one’s keys so they are always there as a hanging advertisement at the tip of your fingers.

Chocolates

Walking round these trade shows all day can be hungry work so handing out small boxes of or individually wrapped chocolates is a really good idea. They are also a brilliant way of drumming up a buzz round your stall as who can say no to a delicious chocolate or two?

Mousemats

Mousemats are a very useable and handy item and also come very cheap. They come in a range of styles and materials and have plenty of printing space so you can maximise your advertising advantage. They are also very light so are not going to be a drag to carry round all day in your bag.

So if you are a supplier who is going to be promoting at a trade show, do not overlook the significance of promotional giveaways they really are effective especially if you think out of the box and offer something unique that everybody is going to want.

Promotional Conference Folders for Meetings, Conference and Seminars.

2009-08-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

Promotional Conference Folders for Meetings, Conference and Seminars.

Business men and women are always looking for ways to up their sales and increase income and one of the key ways of doing so is to first promote and market your company. Of course there are many ways of going about this, radio and television advertisement for one, but a cheaper and perhaps more reliable way of advertising yourself is with promotional gift. Now, promotional gifts come in all shapes and forms and can be used in many different ways and for a variety of occasions. Printed pens and pencils, notepads with the company name and number across the top or even USB sticks with the company logo on. In this article however, promotional conference folders will be being discussed and how you can make them work for your company.

Promotional conference folders are folders which can be made up of a variety of materials depending on your budget. They come in simple cardboard varieties which are on the cheaper end of the budget scale or good quality leather if you are looking for something a bit more upmarket. They are most popularly used for large scale meetings, conferences or seminars as they look slick and tidy and can help give off a professional and well put together vibe. They are also very useful as they can hold all your papers, pens and pads so they are not messily scattered about in your bag.

There are two ways of using promotional conference folders. When attending the said event you can either have them for just you and your colleges as folders to hold all your bits and pieces in or you can have a number produced so that they can be handed out to others as kind of information packs. For example, you are leading a meeting or presentation where potential investors, customers or clients (depending on your company) are going to be. Before you begin, you could hand out these promotional conference folders containing some information about your company as a bit of a starter pack for everyone. You could also throw in some other gifts which always goes down well; say a promotional pen or perhaps a note pad so they can take notes whilst you speak.

It is very important when using promotional folders in the way just discussed that you have your company details printed on to them so that it is unique for any other conference folder. You want the potential clients to go away and remember your company and they are more likely to do this if you have emblazoned your gifts with your company details.

So if you have an important meeting or conference coming up and want to be the best on the day and exude professionalism and know how, invest in some promotional conference folders and blow them away on the day.

Promotional Gift Mailouts

2009-08-17T01:29:00.000-07:00

Using Promotional Gifts as a Tool for Effective Mailouts

When it comes to marketing your company people are always trying to think of new ways to stand out from the crowd and get across their message effectively. Some ways of doing this are by mailouts or e-shots. E-shots have become increasingly popular as they save on money and resources but they are also very easy to delete. Often when you are sitting at your desk, you check your inbox and it has been filled up with e-mails from different companies trying to sell you this or that or simply trying to get you interested. More often than not, a person will simply delete these messages as they are too busy to read through them at that point. This is where I believe mailshots are more effective as they have to be opened and at least skimmed over before they can be thrown in the bin.

A great way of making your mailshot a bit different and more interesting is too add a promotional gift in with the letter to reinforce the idea of your company and to show the recipient what your company is about. To make this worth your while you need to think carefully about what kind of gift you will include, why you have chosen this particular one and what the gift is saying about your company. You need to tie the gift in with your company and the letter so it does not seem disjointed. It is much better to use it as a reinforcement of what you are trying to say.

For example, say you are a promotional and business gift supplier and you want to promote the message about the new eco-friendly range of products you do. You could send out a mailout including perhaps your brochure, a letter explaining who you are and describing the new range of products and then include one of the new products. This does not have to be an expensive item, it could be a coaster made from recycled tyres, or an eco-friendly pen. As long as it is small enough to fit into the mailout and ties in well with the whole package.

By concentrating on the promotional gift you will include you must not forget about the letter itself. This must be both informative and concise so the receiver is not bored or confused by the content. You need to clearly state your message and objectives and very importantly have your contact details and number clearly available so it is ready to be used.

When you have sent out the mailouts with the gifts you could then maybe follow it through with a friendly phone call. The promotional gift you have included can be a talking point and will also make your company memorable. So if you are a company, who loves to use mailout, include a promotional gift next time and see if it can make a difference to you.

Promotional Keyrings- Always visible, always useful

2009-08-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Promotional Keyrings- Always visible, always useful

Promotional gifts can be great things but one needs to put some thought into their choice instead of being slap dash about anything. When thinking about which type of promotional gift to choose, you need to put yourself in the customer/client’s shoes and think of two things before you start.

1. Will they actually use the item enough to make you giving it to them worthwhile?
2. Is the item something that is going to be visible to them throughout the day?

A product that answers both of these questions with a yes is the promotional keyring. Keyrings offer a great opportunity to market your company as they are always visible to the recipient and therefore your message will always be there reinforcing your company without the person even realising it.

Just think, when a keyring is hanging off of ones keys it is visible at home when it is on the key hook, when it is in the ignition the whole time you are driving along and even when have visited a friend and left your keys on the table instead of putting them into your bag or pocket. As well as promoting your company to the owner of the keyring it also promotes it to anyone else who sees the keyring and admires it or even just picks it up.

As well as being a fantastic promotional gift due to their constant visibility, they are also great because the size of them makes them so portable. Keys are carried with us where ever we go and the more they are transported to different places, the more they will be noticed by others who in turn are taking in the promotional message that has been printed on to it.

They are also make very handy giveaways at conferences and trade shows due to their size. When you are at a trade show all day, the last thing you want is someone trying to palm you off with a load of big bulky promotional gifts. Keyrings make the ideal giveaway as they can easily be slipped into someone’s bag or pocket or even straight onto someone’s keys.

Promotional keyrings also fill a very basic functional need as they simply help you to find your keys. If you choose a keyring that is easy to locate when fumbling about in a bag and hard to lose due to it’s bright colour you are on to a winner. For example, take a person who is always losing their keys. After they have your keyring attached to them they may never lose them again. This will make that person grateful to you and your company and therefore may lead to them bringing some business your way as a thank you.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to promotional keyrings and they will be sure to be thoroughly utilised as they tick all the right boxes when it comes to promotional merchandise.

Promotional Mousemats

2009-08-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

Promotional Mousemats- Different types and styles

When you think of a mousemat it is very easy to assume that they come in only one boring style, the typical rectangular, spongy style that seems to be standard. However this is not the case. Mousemats come in a huge range of colours, styles and materials and can even have various add functions to make them even more exciting. If you are searching for promotional products and are unsure about which to go for, promotional mousemats are always a great choice as they are sure to be popular and they are very usable. They are especially great as they are very visible on a person’s desk and therefore not only promoting your company to the person who owns the mousemat but also to anyone else who walks past and notices it.

Another positive for promotional mousemats is their functionality. When choosing promotional products you must think about what your target group are going to want. People love free gifts but only if they are free gifts that are going to come in handy or be useful to them in some way. If the item does not fulfill these basic needs then it is going to be thrown in the bin, no questions asked.

Mousemats are always going to be useful, functional items as everyone has computers now, sometimes even more than one, so if one person does not use it they can always pass it on to another person to use. Passing gifts on can only be a positive thing for you and your company as it just means more people will see your advertising and understand what you are about.

Style and design are very significant to today’s consumer so one must not only think about practicality and functionality but if the mousemat is aesthetically pleasing. Here are just some examples of the stylish and unusual mousemats that are available:
· The see through mousemat

This is a hardtop mousemat with a translucent flap to allow you to slip your own photograph or picture underneath.

· Mousemat with Hub

This mousemat is a deluxe version and has an inbuilt 4 port 1.1 USB Hub connector.

· Executive Mousemat

Mousemat covered in finecell leather

· Smartmat Mousemat

The Patented Smartmat offers razor sharp print and bright colourful images

These discussed above are just a few examples of the extensive range available and just shows that you can find a mousemat for any target group in more or less any style. Mousemats are cheap, useful and also allow you a large print area to fit in all your company details. As you can see they really are a fantastic choice when it comes to promotional gifts.

Promotional Products Go Green

2009-08-05T03:00:00.000-07:00

Promotional Products Go Green

Are you looking for promotional products but want to remain environmentally friendly and eco-safe? Stop right here because nowadays there are plenty of items available that are not going to harm the environment. In today’s current climate more and more people are turning to environmentally safe ways not only for the obvious reasons (saving the environment!) but also because it can save you money. For example, in many supermarkets you now have to pay to use their plastic bags so many people are taking their own cotton shoppers or plastic bags from home.

Promotional gifts made from recycled materials have become increasingly popular over the years and the range of products has grown and grown. Here are six of the best recycled promotional gifts on the market today:

Classic Recycled Mug

Successfully sold in schools, colleges, trade counters, gyms and spas
Dishwasher friendly and virtually unbreakable
Prices from only £1.00!!

Brite Mat Mouse Mats

98.7% recycled- Made from 1 and a half CD Cases
100% tracking with an optical Mouse
Stunning Colour Reproduction and Non slip backing
From only £0.52!!

Recycled Keyrings

Many Vibrant recycled colours
Digitally Printed
From only £0.14!!

Recycled Screen Printed and Insert Rulers

Many Vibrant recycled colours
Digitally printed up to 4 colour process
From £0.40!!

Recycled Coasters- Screen Printed and Paper Insert

Comes in a variety of bright colours
Extensive range of unusual materials, shapes and styles
From only £0.40!!

Fridge Magnets/ Badges

Many colours, styles and materials
Digitally printed up to 4 colour process
From as little as £0.25!!

So as you see there are still many products to choose from if you decide to go with recycled promotional gifts. As well as the six discussed above there are also:

Jumbo Paper Clips, Notepads, Luggage Tags, Document Wallets, Ringbinders, Conference Folders, CD Cases, Frisbees, t-Shirts, not to mention the huge range of pens and pencils available.

The list is endless. You can more or less get any promotional gift made from recycled materials as the demand for environmentally friendly items has become so high, suppliers have had to cater for this.

So if your company are after promotional items but need them to be specifically eco-safe or are for a target group that will appreciate recycled goods, do not fear as the items are available from the leading promotional and business gift suppliers.

Use a Promotional Gift to Launch a New Product

2009-07-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-07-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

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!

Make your College Smile with a USB

2009-07-16T08:03:00.000-07:00

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.

10 Reasons to Say Yes to Promotional Gifts

2009-07-10T07:33:00.000-07:00

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.

What exactly ARE promotional gifts?

2009-07-08T04:04:00.000-07:00

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.

6 of the best Summer Promotional Items

2009-07-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

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!