08 Feb 6 Things You’re Missing Out on by Not Using Promotional Products

Promotional products aren’t just for niche industry operations. Whether you are a small organization looking to grow your business, or an established company wanting to reach a new market, a product branded with your company name and logo is the most cost-effective way to promote your hallmark. Here are six things your business is missing out on if promotional products aren’t a part of your marketing mix:

Reaching a broader market

When you give away a promotional product, it’s not just the recipient that sees your message. Your audience widens to family members, friends, coworkers, passersby, and anybody who happens to catch a glimpse of your gift. While your main concern should be marketing to your target audience, it doesn’t hurt that promotional products are extremely mobile and can reach audiences to which you’ve never marketed. Promotional products also give you more visibility compared to other advertising mediums. TV ads get fast-forwarded through. Magazine ads get flipped through without hardly a glance. Only promotional products provide a conscious, interactive experience for your marketing message.

A more positive brand image

Creating a positive brand image doesn’t happen overnight—you need to consistently shape your customers’ opinions over the years by delivering what they need and driving home your message with promotional products. Research shows promotional products create a more favorable impression of the advertiser 42 percent of the time. Establish goodwill by associating your brand with charitable or community events by handing out promotional products to highlight your company and its positive involvement.

Happier customers

Happy customers buy and come back. Hand out promotional products to make a situation right (an order mishap or long wait time, for example), or simply give them as a freebie to thank customers for their business. Receiving a gift makes people feel special and shows customers their business is valued and appreciated. Besides, everybody loves a freebie.

Higher direct mail response rates

For direct mail campaigns, bulky is best. Stuff a small, lightweight promotional product in your envelope to boost open rates. Not only will recipients be more likely to open your mail piece, but they will also have a more positive impression of your company and will appreciate the free gift. This is particularly effective if the promotional product you include is useful to them, so try to match products to your target market.

Soak up the buzz

Every business owner wants their company to be talked about (in a positive way, of course) and to drive more sales by word of mouth. Giving out promotional products is a powerful way to attract attention to your brand. This is especially true at tradeshows, where exhibitors are battling to attract attendees to visit their booths. There’s nothing like a cool freebie to break the ice with potential customers and engage them in conversation. Plus, they’re more likely to listen to your marketing pitch because you just gave them a gift.

Making a lasting impression

If your promotional product is useful or appealing to recipients, they’ll keep it and use it. Fifty-three percent of people use a promotional product at least once per week, meaning it gets repeated impressions from both the person using it and anyone who sees that person using it. Repetition is key to remembering a message. By handing out promotional products, you’re giving your audience repeated exposure to your brand, helping them remember your company and what it’s about.

Are you already using promotional products to market your business? If so, share your successes in the comments below. We are always looking for good ideas to share with the community!