So what are you (possibly) ignoring about promotional product marketing?

To answer that, consider the other forms of traditional marketing like tv, radio, billboards, print, and even on-line. What does promotional marketing have that they don’t?

Answer: Physical interaction. No other marketing channel *forces* the consumer to interact with the brand. If Google runs a commercial on TV, I take that as permission to take a break to use the restroom or reload on snacks. But if a Google representative hands me a set of Multi-Function pliers with an LED light, I’m going to: a) thank them and b) think of Google whenever I use their giveaway.

The reason why most marketers don’t go beyond brand awareness as a goal for promotional item marketing is because it takes thought. You have to know your audience extremely well…and know that koozies do not inspire loyalty. You have to dig deeper.

Here’s where Proformance Logo can help. We know our catalog  intimately and have years of experience matching the right product to the right situation. Yes, our website offers a complete one-stop shop for everything from logo golf balls to watches and jewelry. And, yes, you can shop privately without needing to call in for shipping prices or imprint fees.

But sometimes we need help from professionals. And, with Proformance Logo, that help is just a phone call or email away.

Giveaways for conferences and trade shows are a lot like that Christmas greeting. When choosing what product to give out, the cheapest and easiest solution might save time and money in the short term, but products designed to last have the potential to work much harder for you over the course of their lifetime. A cheap but forgettable tchotchke like a pen or a keychain might be used for a few days, and even a few months if you’re very lucky, but the vast majority of these “trinkets and trash” will quickly fall out of use and out of the mind of clients. On the other hand, products that will remain on desks, in the kitchen, and in plain sight will turn your fleeting trade show giveaway into a long-lasting, positive message.

Years ago, I received a flash drive as a giveaway at a trade show. It’s a quality piece, and I’ve never needed another one. I keep it in my purse at all times, and not a week goes by that I don’t use it. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen that company’s logo. I know exactly who they are and what services they offer, because I’ve visited their website time and time again. They are permanently ingrained in my memory, all because I’ve used that fantastic piece of technology to transfer endless files.

Now imagine your logo on that flash drive. Every day for years to come, the person with whom you had a brief exchange at a trade show remembers who you are when they use that product. On  top of that, every person who has been handed a branded flash drive to upload files has been introduced to your company as well. Your wisely chosen gift has put your brand in front of countless prospects and left a lasting impression, generating potential leads and potential sales, paying for itself time and time again. We like to call that return on investment.

Simply put, a high quality, well-considered giveaway is the gift that keeps on giving—right back to the giver.

Every communication you choose to share your company’s message makes a statement about your brand, so it pays to carefully consider what you want that message to be.  When you choose a branded product, it’s imperative to ask yourself how that touchpoint speaks to who you are as a brand. After all, as Marshall McLuhan said, “The medium is the message.” The promotional product you choose to represent your brand speaks just as loudly as what you have to say.
If you pick something expected, what message does that send?  Does it suggest that you’re just another company making a half-hearted effort to break through? You know that couldn’t be further from the truth. Your company offers something special. Unique. Valuable. Innovative. How can a pen or notepad accurately capture the essence of who you are and what you offer?
We don’t mean to knock the humble company pen, but a truly interesting product that suits your brand can help you stand out in the mind of consumers, leaving them with a more accurate impression of what you offer.
Let’s use an example. Say you own an eco-friendly coffee shop. Branded coffee mugs are the obvious choice, right? But you offer something more than coffee. Your commitment to environmentally responsible business practices is what really sets you apart from the caffeine-slinging herd. So why not choose a environmentally friendly promotional item that speaks to that aspect of your message, like our Bamboo Chute or Potted Herb Set? Unexpected gifts that truly encapsulate your unique selling proposition communicate your message far more effectively than something ordinary.
Much like coffee shops and coffee mugs, tech companies and USB drives are a natural fit. But why give a USB drive when you know that every other tech company in the country is handing them out like candy at Halloween? Stand out from the crowd and give something like our USB coffee warmer. It’s a geeky conversation-starter that’s sure to make your company stand out from the IT herd—the kind of giveaway that speaks loud and clear: “We’re creative, out-of-the-box thinkers who understand our target and their needs.” A branded product that can send a message that clear and distinct is the Holy Grail of swag.
Check out our best selling items to see some of the products that can give your company an edge when it comes to standing out. Whether you’re looking for a traditional product like a coffee mug, or something that says something a little different—like an Aztec soup bowl, a “beverage babe” can holder, or a pedometer—we’re the best place to start your search for the right products to speak for your brand.

Though it may seem like a small gesture, rewarding employees with a token of appreciation goes a long way to boost morale and increase loyalty to the company.

But what to get? Gift cards have no staying power—they’re gone once they’re spent. And who’s to say they’ll ever be used in the first place? Navigating allergies, diets and preferences is next to impossible with edible gifts, and flower arrangements are brown and wilted in a week or less. Transitory and forgettable, all of them. Not exactly the statement you want to make.

Whether it’s a bamboo plant for your office’s green thumb, or logo golf balls for the salesperson who closes deals on the golf course, useful, high-quality custom branded gifts are personal, meaningful and will continue to delight in the long-term. Not only will such thoughtful branded gifts create goodwill among the recipients, they’ll also serve as a reminder of the giver. Imagine putting the logo in the hands and in the eye of the people who work hardest for you—your associates. Every time they use their gift or glance at it in pride of place on their desk, they’ll be reminded that their management team notices their efforts, and put forth effort in return to choose a gift that truly suits their personality. Such positive feelings can’t be bought. They have to be created with the kind of upbeat work environment that such positive reinforcement fosters.

Show your associates how much you care, and give them a gift they’ll love. You’ll be rewarded in turn with loyal employees who truly love coming to work each day and putting forth their best effort. If they feel appreciated, they’ll want to return the favor by giving you the gift of 110 percent.

Incenting your employees throughout the year is a great way to encourage top performance. Consider hosting an operational efficiency campaign- which will motivate associates and improve your business. At the end of each month or quarter, evaluate your various business units. If goals were met (or even exceeded) you can incent each employee with a gift that includes a special logo to highlight their achievements.

A Proformance Logo customer recently implemented a similar strategy and the results were phenomenal. The CEO wanted to reduce or eliminate accidents in the workplace. He challenged his employees to work accident free for a certain amount of time in exchange for company branded gifts. Not only did the team meet their goal- the company’s insurance rates were reduced as a result. Customer satisfaction and employee morale increased. The insurance savings more than covered the cost of the branded jackets given to thank his associates!

What about your sales staff? Sales professionals are some of the most incentive-driven members of your staff. Treat them to a custom imprinted computer bag or a dozen logo golf balls for hitting their quotas, and cover the costs tenfold in your increased company sales.

The holidays are upon us. Maybe you don’t have the budget this year to host the usual elaborate steakhouse holiday event from past years. Why not host a pot luck in the office, offer a half day off, and give your associates something memorable and functional to take home? A watch with the company logo is a nice touch to thank your associates for a year of hard work.

Have fun with the idea and personalize your campaign. Whatever route you choose, employers cannot go wrong with employee motivation strategies.