I don’t mean to keep repeating myself, but I can’t stress enough how important it is for you to continue to market in these economic times.  In my last post, I discussed how promotional products are the single most effective marketing solution – next to word of mouth – that you can use, especially now.

But, the question I keep getting is how to achieve maximum effectiveness.  If your promotional products campaign is your only (or one of only a few) marketing strategies you are employing right now, you want to be sure that it works as effectively as possible.  What techniques best ensure that you get the most bang for your marketing buck?

You should be looking at products that are affordable, but also can be packaged in such a way that they create a positive, lasting impression.
Here are just a few tips and techniques that we’ve found to work well to enhance your promotional products campaign, even in a less-than-vibrant economy.

Use a Theme

Find products that tie into your current promotions or the particular season. During beach season consider using beach balls or flip flops.  In golf season, you can liven up a trade show exhibit with golf-themed games and giveaways.   Get the idea?  By using promotional products to create an interactive experience built around a theme, you can use products at various price points to attract attention and draw in potential buyers.

Make it Useful

Think about what your target audience uses on a daily basis and then cater to their needs. Think about when and where you’d most like a prospect to see your name. For prospects that work in an office, flash drives or eco-friendly pads of paper give you multiple exposure.  Likewise, if you sell to traveling salespeople, offer a travel alarm or travel kit. By using promotional products that are useful, people will keep them - and they’ll be reminded of your business when the time comes to buy.

Send Something Home

If it’s getting harder to find something for your average demographic, consider products that can be taken home and used.  Let’s say that your average prospect is a 35-year-old man.  Why not wow him by wowing his children? Offer fun items for kids, like Silly Putty, a Frisbee or rubber ducks. Or, help him surprise his spouse with a spa set or manicure tools. For animal lovers, offer a pet dish or sweater.  By touching them emotionally, your promotional product will more effectively reach them – and it gives you a whole new arsenal of product ideas.

Make it Fun

Fun promotional products draw attention. Give your prospects, clients or customers a break from real life with something fun like a Rubik’s Cube® or yo-yo or puzzle key chain. There are countless fun products that can be imprinted with your name - and these are the kinds of products that people will keep at their desk, so they’ll always be pleasantly reminded of your organization!

These are just a few tips to help you maximize your promotional products campaign.  If you swear by some ideas of your own, please e-mail me at jordy@iceboxmail.com.  I’d love to hear from you.  If you’re just ramping up a campaign, feel free to give me a call to discuss some ideas to help you get the most out of your promotional products solution.