Huge marketing campaigns spanning over all relevant media outlets such as radio, TV, newspapers, billboards, and the internet are something most businesses can only dream of. For most medium and small businesses, campaigns like that are out of reach. However, that doesn’t mean that effective marketing is out of reach. It’s possible to achieve your goals with a low-cost high-payoff campaign that is based solely on promotional items.
Promotional product manufacturers keep the prices of these items incredibly low for businesses interested in large quantities. The more you buy, the cheaper your promotional items will be. What’s even better is the fact that although these products have a low cost, their impact on your existing and potential clients is immense.
According to research, some promotional products have more effect than others. Mugs are a time-tested choice that helps people remember advertisers. If you give away mugs with your logo and promotional message on them, 57% of people will be able to recall the name and purpose of your business. That’s almost 6 out of 10 people. Now try to remember when was the last time you saw a TV ad and could recall the name of the advertiser 5 minutes later? That’s why promotional products are such an amazing tool for winning over new clients and keeping the old ones.
When you see a billboard, it’s just for a few seconds, a minute at most. When you see a TV commercial, it’s there for a few brief moments, and then it’s replaced with dozens of similar messages. However, promotional product gifts are in your eyeline most of the time, and you are actively using them. Same goes for your customers. If you give them an interesting printed bag or a trendy t-shirt, they will wear it for a long time. If you give them a coffee mug, they will sip from it every once in a while. Free promotional items such as these are a great way to increase your business’ exposure on a day-to-day basis.
According to research, 76% of people are able to remember the name of a business from which they received a branded promotional item in the past year. Doesn’t sound like much? Then compare that number to 53.5% of people who could remember a business’ name after seeing it on TV or in a magazine within the past week
Nowadays, when the market is overwhelmed with thousands of businesses for every niche, brand recognition is everything. You need people to be able to recognise your company and remember what your services or products are the instant they see your logo. For instance, as soon as people see two blue and two white squares in a circle, they think of BMWs — reliable, high-quality vehicles. When they see the double yellow arch, they recognise McDonald’s — a fast food chain. A blue bird is Twitter — short text sharing platform. That’s what brand recognition means — being memorable enough for people to automatically associate you with products and services you’re offering.
But building brand recognition isn’t easy. That’s why you need to use promotional items. Every gift you give to your potential or existing customers helps them remember, and then recognise your business.
According to one study, 89% of consumers can remember the advertiser who they received a promotional item from in the past two years.
What’s even more important than that is the fact that those items stay with those people for a long time. They remain in their cars, offices, homes, and bags. According to research, promotional products stay with consumers for about six months. So the next time they see your logo within those six months, they will remember the present in an instant, associate it with something positive, and recognise your business.
If you need a quick boost in sales, there’s nothing better than promotional products to achieve it. These items are a great driving tool that will increase customer loyalty in a short period of time.
There’s just one catch — you need to ensure your promotional products are high-quality and branded. When you gift premium items, people will associate high-quality with your products and services, and, consequently, your business. Plus, people are more likely to buy things from you if you give them a present they like.
Another thing you should bear in mind — your promotional gifts should be well thought out and innovative.
If you combine branded promotional items with your other marketing campaigns, you can create a buzz around your business and reach even more people.
For instance, if they go shopping and see the logo of a business they got a branded promotional item from, they will reward that business by recognising their products or services and trying them out.
Promotional products can do a better job at introducing your business to people than any flyer, email, or business card ever could. When you’re distributing your promotional items, you are basically saying “Hi, this is my business, and here’s what we do.” What’s more relevant, you’re doing it efficiently. According to one research, 71.6% of people who received a promotional product were able to remember the name of the business that gave it to them.
What makes these items better than business cards? It’s simple really.
A business card is a simple piece of paper with your business’ name and contact details. It has no perceived value to your potential customers. However, promotional gifts do. They can also carry your business’ information, logo, and slogan, which turns them into business cards people have a use for.
Another thing promotional products are great for are social media campaigns. Nothing better for boosting interest in your business than a bit of cross-platform promotion. Try printing your QR codes on promotional notebooks, or put your hashtag on promotional bags and t-shirts.