Firstly, promotional products or in slang terms, schwag, can be viewed as any product that is imprinted with a company logo, company name or company motto that's then given away at industry events, at conferences, or merely as employee or company incentives/giveaways. Giving away these promotional items is a way for companies to promote and advertise their brand, image and products.
Promotional products, unlike flyers and brochures, are meant to be useful to the buyer and something that will not end up in another trash can that's spotted. The primary goal of a of using this kind of advertising is stamina! In case a consumer retains these items for daily use, they're then constantly reminded of the business, as are those around them.
The research is in! Promotional items are a good way to create consumer knowledge of your brand/company and a terrific way to generate traffic to your internet site or business establishment! A late 2009, two-part study by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), discovered that, out of over 1,000 participants who were surveyed:
- 94% could recall finding a promotional item in the last two years
- 89% could actually actually recall the business name that has been imprinted on the item
- 76.2% could actually recall the precise product, the advertiser and the message!
- 83% said they enjoyed receiving this kind of merchandise
- 48% would want to receive more
- 38% feel that promotional products serve as a continuing reminder of the advertiser
Is there really staying power though? The PPAI study also discovered that of the consumers surveyed:
-91% had at least one promotional item in their kitchen
-74% had a minumum of one promotional item within their work area
-55% had at the very least on promotional item within their bedroom closet/storage space
Bottom line, the initial section of this survey found that consumers "like promotional products, keep promotional products and want more promotional products."
The second part of the PPAI study asked end buyers to judge different mainstream advertising media outlets including; print, online, television and promotional products, just to name several. The findings:
- Promotional merchandise ranked as their top advertising choice
- 72% of end buyers use promotional products sometimes, often or always (7 out of 10)
Why? Each media outlet was evaluated predicated on 8 different attributes and promotional products ranked number one in the next areas:
- Ability to achieve long-term memorability
- Said to have the flexibleness to fit well within different budgets
- In a position to bond audience to advertiser as a way to promote repeat business
- Audience friendly
- Ability to generate traffic
With these findings it is easy to note that promotional products are becoming a popular advertising choice. A quick browse on the net yields thousands of different product choices. The primary question now becomes not whether or not to utilize promotional products but those to choose.
Simply adding your organization name or logo to something without any thought is no longer the answer. With so many selections to pick from companies can now be more creative and also have their promotional products reflect and enhance company marketing goals and in addition promote their brand.
A Few Tips To TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHENEVER CHOOSING Promotional Merchandise:
- Relevant and Useful (products usually do not always have to be related to the products or services that you offer. branded merchandise is more important to find a product that your marketplace would find useful or interesting)
- Keep your budget in mind (important when thinking about relevance and usefulness, in the event that you go too cheap the product may be thrown away or company image could be hindered.)
- Scope (look for a product that can reach many people all while keeping another tips at heart; going very costly on products could yield fewer products and reaching less people)
- Find something that allows you to give as much information about your company as possible (an ordinary logo on a chip clip for instance sometimes gives too little information)
- Find something that sticks out! (Eye-catching products are key! Not only does the owner of your promotional product notice it but so will others who are around it! Do try to reflect your brand image aswell though, if your organization is not all about what's funky and retro then find something that is more sophisticated and sharp)
WHERE YOU CAN Present Your Promotional Merchandise:
- Trade shows (make your organization stand out contrary to the rest!)
- Promotional Giveaways (Either by inviting people to your organization location or by performing a direct mail campaign)
- Employee incentives (Your employees can be great advertisers simply by owning your promotional products and showing other folks)
The profits on return from your own promotional campaign will be strong. Your potential consumers will now manage to discover more about your company and find out the products and services you offer. Let your organization be known to the world!