Increase Brand Awareness By Lending A Hand

20371212As a corporate neighbor, it’s good business to roll up the sleeves and contribute to the health and vitality of your surroundings.  Programs like Keep America Beautiful help to empower the community by “…driving positive social, environmental and economic change.”  Within your own company, the effort can be a large community-wide undertaking, or it can be as simple as setting aside an afternoon to weed the community garden.

While every company deals with budget restrictions, employee concerns and the ever-present necessity of accomplishing more with fewer resources, lending a hand to help your neighbors is more than just the right thing to do.  It should be considered a strategic piece of the overall corporate profit agenda and factored in as one of the tools in play to increase brand awareness.

After all, consumers are becoming more and more aware of the environmental and social implications of their purchases, and therefore remember those brands that support their concerns when making purchases of goods and services.  Those are the customers that will be more loyal to the brand and give positive word-of-mouth advertising to their friends.

Give a branded tee shirt, hat or pair of gloves for the volunteers.  You want to be sure everyone knows who’s sponsoring the event!  Bring a few extras for anyone that might want to join the group at the last minute.  Have plenty of water available, and don’t forget to plan for a lunch break with a healthy menu that can be carried in a reusable bag.

Doing the right thing can be fun, rewarding and, eventually, profitable.  Plan your community cleanup event now – spring is right around the corner!

 

Are You Ready For Trade Show Season?

21531952January brings cold weather, another chance to make a New Year’s resolution that may last beyond February, and two of the most high profile trade shows in the country – The Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and The International Auto Show in Detroit.  Besides giving us nerd-worthy gadgets and the newest trends in car design, those two shows remind us that trade show season is in full swing!  Are you ready?

One of the first things to consider when planning for an upcoming trade show is the signage.  Printed handouts and creative booth giveaways are normally front of mind, but banners, table covers and flags should also be refreshed occasionally for attention-grabbing exposure.  Consistent branding is crucial, but the vehicle for that branding should be crafted in a way that stands out, making it hard to ignore.

Whether your trade show is inside a convention center, or you are hosting a community event outside on the town square, there are several different options for promoting your brand and driving event attendees to your booth.

  • Retractable Banner Stands
  • Custom Inflatables
  • Event Tents
  • Stands and Displays
  • Advertising Flags
  • Promotional Seating
  • Custom Games
  • Indoor and Outdoor Displays
  • Table Covers and Runners

In 2016, start early and resolve to take a new approach to driving traffic to your trade show booth with creative banners, flags and tents.

Back To Cool

zenThe word cool can have several different meanings.  It can refer to the temperature of water, the calm personality of an individual, or an indifference to an idea or encounter.  But for the purpose of this article, we are thinking of the definition that brings to mind a company that is aware of the latest trends and developments, and isn’t afraid to step away from the safe, traditional ways of doing things.  Safe may be comfortable, but knowing the direction of customer tastes, and responding quickly with appropriate branded products, will capture the attention of an ever-fluid audience.

So what products might be considered “cool”?  The answer depends on the budget, the recipient, and the campaign.  Virtually every product category  – from pens to parkas – offers trendy options for logo merchandise.  A few of my favorites are listed below.

  • Acid wash burnout fleece in a variety of fashionable colors, for men and women
  • Totally crushable, packable western/outdoor styled hat with shapeable brim
  • Fitness tracker that encourages better exercise habits
  • Liquid filled mouse pads with images beneath surface that offer a mesmerizing liquid motion to your message
  • Selfie stick – no description necessary!
  • LED running wristband improves visibility while running at night
  • Pantone matched winter wearables, like texting gloves and beanies
  • Sunglasses with logo graphics printed on the lenses
  • Copper moscow mule mugs for the next evening event
  • Waterproof pouch for phones – a must for beaches, sporting events and gyms
  • Charging stations for mobile phones and tablets

And, of course, it’s good to keep in mind that almost any promotional item can be cool with creative graphics and decoration methods.  Visually appealing items will grab attention every time.

Next time you’re planning a corporate giveaway and you want to get back to cool, think outside the box and consider products that reflect the trends your customers have already embraced.

Social Media, Golf And The Millennials

6917-miniature-golfAccording to data cited by the Wall Street Journal, golf participation rates among the 18-to-34 crowd (defined as the millennials) were down 13% in 2013 from 2009, while rates for active sports like running jumped 29%.  In 2013 alone, some 400,000 people gave up the sport in the U.S., according to the National Golf Foundation.  But now, we have youthful champions like Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.  Their high profile wins have brought welcome attention to a game that desperately needs a way to connect with the millennials populating and influencing corporate culture.

Millennials, also known as GenY, were born into a new era of technology and founded the social media movement.  How a company – golf market agents or any other company – markets to a demographic that thrives in this fast-paced, ever-changing technological fray is an ongoing uncertainty in the business world.  In order to draw them into a game that requires 4+ hours of time, expensive gear and and an income that can allow for greens fees that can easily exceed $40 for 18 holes, companies must incorporate tools that support and enhance their tech experience.  (I must add here that the snowsports industry, another expensive, time-consuming pastime, is facing the same challenges with millennials).

What marketing tools would drive excitement for a game struggling to stay relevant while increasing brand visibility for your firm?  Read on for a few ideas on how to integrate golf, social media and the millennials.

  • Selfie Snapper:  Wireless bluetooth remote for snapping pictures on a smartphone.  Great for post-round pics of the foursome.
  • Silicone Phone Backstrap:  Holds credit cards, license, cash on the back of a phone, giving the recipient a useful reminder of the giver every time he texts, tweets or talks.
  • GPS Rangefinder:  Handheld or on the wrist, a touchscreen, bluetooth-enabled tool for saving strokes will appeal to those players who don’t have time to walk off the yardage.
  • Microfiber Cell Phone Bag Pouch:  Holds the phone – cleans the phone.  Taking care of the millennial golfers most prized tool will be appreciated well after the last hole.

The game of golf is here to stay, but the new generation of golfers will expect to experience it in different ways.  Give them something in their gift bag they can relate to besides that sleeve of balls.  They will reward you with appreciation for your foresight and your brand.

Embrace The Rain

622-MMRain might be a nuisance if you’re planning a picnic or attending the opening day of baseball season, but, as a vital part of our existence, everyone agrees rain is a good thing. Humans, animals, vegetation, lakes, oceans and farmlands all need the water that comes from rain. And at this time of year it’s particularly plentiful, so why not embrace the rain and all the opportunities it brings for increased brand awareness.

Rainy-day gear may not be the first thing companies think about when planning for a marketing giveaway, but many times it’s the just the thing that everyone needs, and don’t think to buy until they get caught in a rainstorm.  Be the brand that protects your customers and consider some of these popular gifts for staying dry.

  • Umbrellas:  From purse-size models to double-canopy golf umbrellas, there is a style and price for every audience.
  • Rain Jacket:  Available in men’s, women’s and children’s sizes, and offered in several different colors to support any corporate or school identity.
  • Rain Pants:  For serious golfers, rain paints are a must!
  • Poncho:  These handy rain protectors come in single-use, disposable material for a one-time event, or in durable PVC for a lifetime of use.
  • Rain Hat:  Bucket or cap style hats for men and women come in water resistant fabrics that work well for any outdoor sporting event.

At your next corporate outing, team-building event or community outreach, give branded rain gear so everyone can embrace the rain!

(Image via AAA Innovations)