Promoting a business isn’t always the easiest thing in the world. Developing a marketing plan, refining it, budgeting for it, and implementing and measuring its success are all challenges in their own right. Nowadays, some of the best marketing plans revolve around inexpensive, customized items. Today’s discerning customers desire a personalized experience and love to receive free goodies they can use. That’s where promotional products (typically featuring your custom logo) can come in handy. Whether you’re looking to generate more leads, create positive impressions, or merely reward your existing—and loyal—customers, here are five promotional items you need to use at your business.
Tumblers
In a quaint sort of way, tumblers are the perfect drinking vessel. Vacuum-sealed and able to keep drinks warm or cold as you travel give them an edge over other types of cups. Tumblers come in all sorts of different sizes, colors, and distinct designs. Tumblers also frequently have a lid and straw, making them ideal for cold drinks. This can come in handy on long trips or the morning commute. Consider selling them for a low price at your business or giving them away as a social media contest prize to get the most promotional value from them.
Coffee Mugs
If you’re looking for an inexpensive item that doubles as a canvas for your marketing needs, look no further than coffee mugs. An inexpensive item with plenty of variety, coffee mugs are the way to really stretch your advertising budget. Coffee mugs are something that people use every day, so they’ll be reminded of your company whenever they drink coffee or tea out of their mug. That’s a good way to improve brand recognition and make an impact on your loyal customers (which will hopefully keep them loyal). It doesn’t hurt that they’re useful, practical, and come in different sizes. You can even make them out of ceramic, glass, plastic, or metal. That gives them a bit more variety than some other types of drinkware. When you want somebody to think of you each time they sit their morning brew, a custom coffee mug with your logo on it can work wonders for your brand.
Sticky Notes and Stationery
Sticky notes—those little paper squares with a sticky pad on the back—are useful for jotting down quick notes, making lists, or writing down phone numbers. They come in handy at the office and are ideal for keeping communication with colleagues open. Sticky notes can be used to make a note of an idea or brainstorming point that you want to remember later on. That can be extremely valuable when it comes to a team meeting at some point during the day. You can also use them to write down an email address or phone number so you don’t have to keep searching for it in your contacts list via email or on your phone. Finally, they’re ideal for leaving a quick out of office message for somebody. Stationery is just a good promotional vehicle and you should consider using it today.
Keychains
Keychains are great for marketing because they remind customers of your brand, and they’re not easy to lose. Since a keychain will most likely be physically attached to someone’s keys, they will see it each time they use them. Better yet, the keychain won’t get lost if attached to a keyring. Keychains also have plenty of novelty value. They come in a fantastic variety of different configurations. From bottle openers to flashlights to fantastic custom characters, keychains are fun for customers and businesses. You can help your company grow for a small upfront investment by offering a variety of complimentary keychains at your business.
Pens
Pens are the ultimate value when it comes to offering custom promotional items with your logo to your customers. Pens are available in so many different styles, it can be challenging to decide which ones are best for your business. Ballpoint pens are the standard for most businesses. Metal pens and fine tip pens offer a touch of class that’s well suited to contests or giveaways. Gel pens or engraved luxury pens can make an impact as gifts for colleagues, employees, or other folks in the business’ network. But to optimize your marketing strategy, it’s crucial to use them effectively. Include a pen with every sale. Put them in a cup by the register. Give them away at conferences or trade shows. Offer them for free. Pens are so versatile and inexpensive to purchase in bulk that you can readily use them to handle most (if not all) of your promotional needs.
