Promoting and branding our businesses!

In one way or another anyone in business does some form of promotion!

Large corporations such as Coca-Cola may use nationally-run television commercials as a tool while a local mom and pop business may simply be a member of its town Chamber of Commerce where they hand out business cards and flyers.

In between those two are any number of other methods of promotion and branding that run the gamut from networking meetings, article writing like this one, websites, print, radio and internet advertising and of course, the promotional product.

When we think about promotional products, trade shows with the assorted pens and stress balls may come to mind where people walk around stuffing things into their bags to bring home to their kids.

But the truth, as studies have shown, is that these types of products can make a huge impact!

Having had the opportunity to listen to a presentation given by one of the leaders in the promotions field at a meeting I attended, one thing became crystal clear.

It’s not your father’s promotional products industry anymore!

The level of creativity, product diversity and personalization has come a long, long way.

And while most of us are aware of the benefits provided by this method of branding, a reminder never hurts!

Promotional Products Facts!

Promotional Product Vs. Print:
A recent study showed that respondents’ ability to recall the name of an advertiser on a promotional product they had received was 88 percent compared to the recall rate of a print advertiser, which was 53.5 percent.

Response Rates:
Promotional products can boost response rates by as much as 75 percent, according to a Baylor University study.

Longevity of Recall:
Almost 40 percent of people who received a promotional product could recall the name of the advertiser as long as six months after they received it. (Schreber & Associates study)

Usefulness:
Eight in 10 consumers own promotional products, keeping them for more than a year in their kitchen (91%), workspace (74%), bedroom (55%) and in pockets or purses (24%) because they are useful. (Source)

How do you choose a promotional product?

1. Choose items you believe people will want or have a use for.
2. Purchase a quality item that your target market will appreciate and keep!
3. Spend time on design.
4. Target your recipients carefully and remember that it is not necessarily quantity, but quality.

Thanks to Bill Pezzulo of JWsWholesale whose presentation on this subject, professionalism and enthusiasm inspired this article.

Bill’s contact information is jwswholesale@gmail.com and his website can be found here.