November 14, 2013

4 Ways to Use Promotional Items Online

[image title=”GAO” size=”full” id=”600″ align=”left” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com” ]

These days, most companies put the bulk of their advertising budget into online marketing campaigns. Even though offline marketing isn’t quite as effective as it once was, it’s still an excellent way to complement an existing online marketing strategy and reach out to audiences that may not be using the Internet as much as other groups of people (i.e., older adults).

Here are four ways that you can use promotional products to help your online marketing strategy.

1. Promote Your Website

You’ve put time and money into your website, and you want traffic to come to your site. Getting your site to the top of the search rankings is exhausting to say the least, so why not give your company some true exposure by printing the URL on your promotional items? This is a win-win because you can reach out to your target audience, increase traffic to your site and generate quality leads.

2. Online Contests and Drawings

Encourage your followers and fans to join in a Facebook contest or Twitter giveaway. Offer a number of prizes, as well as free “gifts.” Select a variety of promotional items to fill these purposes, and send them out to those who participate in your contest or drawing. This is a surefire way to increase traffic and engagement, get more likes and follows on social media and positively connect with your customers.

3. Motivate Return Transactions

The advantage to generating quality leads is that you hope they will be a source of continued transactions. If a customer makes a purchase online, motivate them to buy more by offering a free promotional item with their purchase. This a great way to encourage those who are on the fence to complete another transaction, or spend a specified amount of money to get the free product.

4. Reward Your Best Customers

If there’s one thing that really pays off, it’s customer appreciation. These days, customers can go anywhere with their business, so they really appreciate when companies notice their loyalty to a particular brand. Don’t be afraid to send out promotional items to the best supporters of your brand – they won’t mind giving you a glowing review on social media!

October 22, 2013

New Trend Alert! Promotional Items with Hashtags

[image title=”hashtag” size=”full” id=”447″ align=”left” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com/” ]

Hashtags are becoming one of the most effective ways to market your business on social media. Whether you find them useful or annoying, the fact is that hashtags are no longer limited to Twitter, and are now expanding to sites like Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Hashtags are a great way to cut through the noise and find an audience that your brand will appeal to. They are also useful for users who want to narrow in on a particular idea, concept, product or service. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that hashtags are branching out to promotional items as well.

If you want hashtags to be effective for your company, the best approach is to have a few words or phrases that are unique to your brand. When someone searches for that particular hashtag, they should see material that relates only to your brand. The best way to make these hashtags stick? Have them printed on promotional items.

Brands That Have Used Hashtags Effectively

Logos are still integral to a brand, but they are becoming simpler by the day. That’s because there are other ways to recognize a brand, one of them being a hashtag. Take a look at Starbucks. Surely we all know the green and white Starbucks siren, but people also recognize the coffee chain by their hashtag #treatreceipt. Customers who purchase a drink in the morning can show their receipt for a discounted drink in the afternoon.

Starbucks isn’t the only one. Cover Girl launched their #EasyBreezySummer campaign by including this hashtag in Twitter and Facebook posts. The hashtag has reached so many people, it’s now synonymous with the brand and shows up in event descriptions for pop-up parties and award shows.

It can be hard to make a hashtag stick, especially with so many of them floating around online, but if you commit your brand to one or two of them, you can see real results for your brand. Having your custom hashtag printed on promotional items brings all the benefits of positively reinforcing your brand while also enhancing your social media marketing campaigns.

October 15, 2013

Don't Skip Promotional Products: Everybody Loves Free Stuff!

[image title=”Promotion” size=”full” id=”439″ align=”center” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com” ]

There was a time when the bulk of advertising came from direct mailings, flyers and commercial advertisements. Outbound marketing could be effective at times, but the trouble was that you had to market to people who may have been trying to block out your brand. Inbound marketing has proven to be much more effective since brands can reach an audience that has already expressed interest in the product or service. Still, companies must balance both inbound and outbound marketing, making it hard to know how to allocate an advertising budget.

Promotional items are the perfect cross between inbound and outbound marketing techniques. You’re getting your brand name into the hands of people in a specific area, but depending on the location you’re at – trade show, venue – you’re targeting people who will have a purpose for your brand. As you create your marketing plan and allocate your advertising budget, don’t forget to leave room for promotional items. Why? Because people LOVE free stuff!

Here are a few fun facts about promotional products from PPAI Research:

83% of people like getting free promotional items
48% of people would like to get promotional items more often
38% of people feel that promotional items serve as a constant reminder of the brand
23% of people use the promotional item that they are given, regardless of what it is
69% of people would pick up a promotional item if they found it to be useful

It’s a good thing that promotional products are abundant, giving companies a world of possibilities for branding their image while sticking to a modest budget. In many instances, quality is more important than quantity, so it can pay to invest in higher-quality items to give to a smaller target audience. To make your brand more relevant, choose products that are useful for the consumer and reflect the purpose of your product or service. Examples include a plastic piggy bank or vinyl wallet from a bank, or a stress ball from a newly opened office supplies store.

We know that small businesses have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to marketing materials, but don’t forget the promotional products. People love to get free stuff!

October 8, 2013

7 Must-Have Promotional Items for Football Season

[image title=”football” size=”full” id=”427″ align=”center” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com” ]

It’s football season! Football fanatics love getting free stuff to show off their passion for the fall sport. To get your brand noticed, include these seven marketing items on your list.

1. Koozies – Koozies are always a great buy for football season because they keep cans of soda and beer cold while tailgating. Not to mention, they’re lightweight, cost-effective and easy to transport, making them a great handout at an event booth.

2. Mini Foam Footballs – What kid – or adult – doesn’t love a mini foam football to throw around? These promo items never go to waste, and you can opt for cool designs that match your brand’s personality, such as two-toned colors and stress reliever styles.

3. Cowbell – Loud fans are proud fans, and a personalized cowbell gets the job done. Sure, the crowd will be extra loud when leading their team to victory, but they will surely get noticed. Isn’t that what your brand needs?

4. Stadium Seats – These seats are certainly a more expensive promo item, so you’ll want to reserve them for your best target audience. Still, they are well worth the cost. These seats are lightweight and easy to bring with to football games, as they provide back support and make stadium seating comfortable. Stadium seats will surely give your brand a positive image and show loyalty to your customers.

5. Folding Chairs – If you love the idea of stadium seats but want something more cost effective, opt for folding chairs. They can be purchased in multiple colors with your brand name on the back for all to see. And trust us, these chairs are never left at home. They are perfect for tailgating, t-ball games and firework displays.

6. Hand Fan – Sitting in the crowd can get, well, hot. Give your target audience a hand fan that shows off your company name or logo. These fans will be welcomed by your recipients because they can make a game much more comfortable!

7. Tailgate Cooler – These coolers are a bit more costly, so again, you’ll want to reserve them for a smaller audience. That said, these coolers will be a real hit at the game or a tailgating party since they are very practical. They can be used for snacks and drinks at all types of sports events, giving your brand plenty of exposure.

September 25, 2013

4 Tips for Marketing Your Business with Promotional Items

[image title=”Brand” size=”full” id=”423″ align=”center” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com” ]

There is so much information out there, it’s becoming more difficult for businesses to attract potential customers. Even though online marketing is where much of the budget is going for today’s businesses, promotional items still have much value to them. The important thing is that you know how to maximize your investment so that you market your brand effectively and put your advertising budget to good use.

Here are four helpful tips for marketing your business with promotional items.

1. Establish Clear Goals for Your Promotion

What do you want the products to do for your business? Are they intended to build brand awareness? Get people to visit your website? Boost sales? By knowing exactly what your goals are, you can better select the best promotional items for your needs.

2. Set a Budget, and Don’t Waiver

Promotional items can get expensive because there are so many things out there. But, it’s still important to stick to the products that are within your budget. Identify your spending costs in advance, add them to your marketing strategy and track all expenses. Stick to your budget, even if you find another product you really like. Remember, things like shipping and storage also cost money.

3. Leverage Partnership Opportunities

Here’s a good idea to getting the products you want and sticking to a budget: ask one of your suppliers to share the cost. In exchange, you can feature their logo on the item, giving both you and the supplier brand exposure. Plus, joint promotional efforts boost rapports and show your commitment to using promotional items to strengthen your company’s image.

4. Acknowledge the Shelf Life of Promotional Items

Many promotional items only have a short shelf life, and some may go along with a particular season. Since you don’t want a warehouse stocked with more than you need, order smart. Promotional items are a great way to market your business, but they still cost money, which means you should hand them out wisely, use what you have and move on to a new campaign. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a warehouse stocked with odds and ends of items you can’t use, and that’s wasted money.

September 11, 2013

How To Use Promotional Items Effectively

[image title=”Effective” size=”full” id=”411″ align=”left” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com” ]

Promotional items are an effective way to brand your image and boost sales, but they must be used effectively. Too often, businesses will order promotional products, hand them out and stop there, hoping that the items will do the rest. There are better ways to use these types of products while maximizing your budget and getting more interest in your company.

Here are a few things to think about:

Choose promotional items that people will actually want. Be willing to spend a bit more if you know that what you’re handing out is useful.

Pay close attention to the design. Select a company that has a good reputation for delivering quality work. If your design looks good, it speaks for the rest of your brand.

Think quality over quantity. It’s not how much you give out, but who you’re giving the products to. If you can get your promotional items into the hands of prospective buyers, you’ll have a better chance of sealing the deal.

To expand on these ideas, let’s first talk about what useful items you should choose. Think about the types of items you usually see at a trade show: lanyards, pens, stickers, folders and so on. Even though these items may be cost-effective, skip them. You want to stand out and be different, so choose a unique item, but also one that is useful for people. For instance, reusuable shopping bags are eco-friendly, trendy and handy, plus feature logos front and center. Other neat ideas include USB memory cards, sticky pads and highlighters.

Next, take time to design your promotional item. This is the very representation of your business, so if you couldn’t say any more about your business to someone, this product would have to do all the talking for you. Make sure your business name and logo is printed neatly and that everything looks professional. Bottom line: be proud of the design. Simple is best, so you don’t need to go overboard.

Finally, always focus on quality over quantity. Many companies order a cheap promotional item, hand out as many as they can and stop there. Narrow in on your customers by looking for two groups: repeat customers and likely customers. These are the best ones to target because they are most likely to make a purchase in the near future, and your product could be that deciding (or reminding!) factor. Finding these groups can be difficult, especially at trade shows, and you don’t want to be stingy. Sending out light mailing materials can help you target people who are interested in your product or service.

September 4, 2013

Top 10 "Green" Promotional Items

[image title=”Screen-shot-2013-09-10-at-4.32.30-PM” size=”full” id=”399″ align=”left” linkto=”https://greatatlanticoutfitters.com/” ]

There is no better way to show your customers that you care about the environment than by handing out “green” promotional items. These items positively brand your image and display your concern for a better future, something that is definitely appreciated by families, environmentalist groups and others. Here are the top ten “green” items that you should consider for your next trade show or event.

1. Reusable Shopping Bags – Reusable shopping bags cut down on plastic bags in the landfill and environment. They’re practical for shopping or beach days, and they position your logo front and center.

2. Drinkware – Think of how many water bottles are thrown into the garbage each day? How many coffee cups at the office get tossed away? Coffee cups, tumblers and water bottles made from recycled materials are the perfect alternative, and they look cool, too.

3. Coffee Gear – At home or the office, coffee gear made from recycled materials is a great compromise to the traditional stuff. Look for sleeves, cups and lids made from recycled material – your business clients will love them!

4. Flash Drives – Flash drives are great for businesses, college students and everyday people. These handy gadgets cut down on the need for printing on paper. For an added touch, choose a flash drive with a bamboo cover.

5. Recycled Paper Products – Notepads, notebooks and sticky pads have always been great marketing materials, but they waste paper and trees. Instead, aim for paper pads made from materials like recycled paper or stone, and look for companies that produce their products using renewable energy.

6. Mints – What could cut down on waste more than an edible promotional item? Choose organic mints made in the USA that come in a recyclable box.

7. Bamboo Pens and Pencils – Writing utensils are a great way to market your business, and they are handy, too. Make yours stand out by choosing a bamboo exterior and organic ink.

8. Fleece Blanket – Opt for blankets made from environmentally friendly polyester fiber fleece. These blankets have so many uses for adults, kids and pets, and they are perfect for the upcoming fall and winter months.

9. Organic Clothing – From t-shirts to sweatshirts to baseball caps, there are many types of clothing that can be purchased in organic cotton. Also choose products made in the USA.

10. Bamboo Coasters – What better place to put a coffee cup or can of soda than on a bamboo coaster? They’re attractive, biodegradable and perfect for the workplace.

« Newer Posts