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Maggie Rauch

Guide to Marketing with Promotional Products

A little promotion can go a long way in your marketing efforts

By Maggie Rauch

Putting a giveaway product – such as pens, key chains, hats and thousands of other items – with your company's logo into the hands of your target market can be a powerful way to stay on their minds. A recent market research survey showed that while only half of the respondents could recall the name of an advertiser they had seen in a magazine advertisement, more than three-fourths could remember an advertiser that had given them a promotional product in the last 12 months. When used effectively, promotional products can:
  1. Keep your name in front of customers wherever they go.
  2. Support your brand's differentiating characteristics.
  3. Expose your company to new audiences when people wear, use or display your products in public.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Choose a product

T-shirts, key chains, calendars and pens are tried-and-true promotional products: They're inexpensive and everyone needs them. But don't be afraid to get creative, either by choosing a distinctive product in a traditional category or seeking something unusual.
I recommend: Get creative and put your logo on batteries or create a customized deck of playing cards that reinforce your brand. Check out Top Brands or Zagwear for a huge selection of products.

Find the right vendor

Vendors may be called fulfillment houses, promotional products distributors or promotional products consultants. These companies can do as little for you as simply supplying the products, or as much as custom-creating a new product that fits your needs. They can also help with distribution and design and provide customer support services for products like electronics.
I recommend: Find a supplier database at Incentive magazine.  Promotional Products Association International can put you in touch with a promotional consultant firm.

Go shopping with retailers

Some big-name retailers have an internal department- usually called the special markets or corporate sales division-that handles bulk orders and customization for promotional products.
I recommend: Lands' End has a separate corporate sales site where you can shop for customizable clothing and accessories.

Look for a seal of approval

With your brand's reputation on the line, you want to know you're working with a trusted supplier.
I recommend: It's a good sign if your supplier is affiliated with either the Promotional Products Association International or the Advertising Specialty Institute.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • Determine a distribution method. You can distribute your products in several different ways-at a trade show, in your store(s) or office(s), through direct mail or at a private event.
  • Make your products and their distribution part of an integrated campaign that requires action on your customers' part. For example, if you distribute at a trade show, send a coupon in the mail, which they can redeem for their gift.
  • Think carefully about your logo and its placement. Sometimes a loud logo that blares your brand name is appropriate; for higher-end items, it's often smart to choose a subtle, and thereby tactful, placement of your name. A loud logo can tank your investment by announcing, "I got this for free."
  • One way to keep your promotional products interesting and relevant is to keep up on consumer trends among your target demographic. But don't enslave yourself to the latest fads; simple and proven products are usually a safer choice.
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Recommended Solution Providers

Norwood.com: Online Source for Promotional Solutions
Provides a wide variety of custom promotional products.

Branders.com: Promotional Products
Offers promotional products in a variety of categories.

GoPromos.com: Promotional Products
Service for putting your logo or marketing message on promotional products.

PromoMart: Promotional Products Shopping Mall
Offers a variety of promotional products for customization.

Best Impressions: Promotional Products
Online provider of customer promotional products.

Superior Promos: Promotional Products
Provider of promotional products and custom promotional items.

Best Sites to Learn More

Motivator.com: Promotional Products Articles
Articles relating to the uses of promotional products and how to get them.

PromoPeddler: Promotional Marketing Articles
Collection of articles discussion specific promotional products.

Gimmees.com: Promotional Product Marketing Articles
Articles about choosing the best promotional products and how to use them.

Best Blogs and Forums

Inkspress: Promotional Products Blog
A blog featuring entries describing specific promotional products ideas.

Epromos: Promotional Products Blog
Entries focus on promotional products ideas that have been used successfully.

Logo Expressions Blog
Shows specific promotional product ideas for showcasing your logo.



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