Tag Archives for brand awareness

Conferences Are Not Old Fashioned

ConferenceIn our media-crazy world, sometimes we forget the importance of a face-to-face setting with others in our industry, or even in our same company.  But emails, the internet and the occasional video chat cannot entirely replace a well-run business conference where people can come together to discuss new trends and opportunities pertaining to the business.

Coming together doesn’t have to mean leaving your phones at the door.  In fact, today many conference attendees are sharing their experience in real-time on their favorite social media channel.  The event may even have a designated hashtag for sharing updates.  But regardless of the added bonus of today’s media sharing, the attendees are traveling from different cities, or even countries, for person-to-person educational opportunities, networking and (gasp!) a little bit of fun.  So, optimize your next business conference by planning well ahead.

Without going into the specifics of a complete checklist, there are certain important details that should be considered first  – namely, the location, the experience and the materials.  The venue should align with your brand, target market and event goals, while fitting within your budget demands.  The experience – speakers, product demonstrations, games, workshops, & dining – should be planned to address what the people will do, learn and take away from the event.  To enhance and expand on that experience, the marketing materials are designed and the promotional products are sourced.

Regarding promotional products, there are quite literally tens of thousands of product ideas for every event, and they range from the practical to zany.  Journals and pens for small indoor meetings are a must; tote bags, lanyards, badges and bottled water are perfect for larger trade shows and conferences; sport bottles, caps and tees work well with outdoor events; and any item that can be useful for travel events (beach towels in Florida or backpacks in Colorado) are always welcome.  Some items, like personalized robes or a laser engraved bottle of wine for the hotel room are just icing on the conference “cake”.

Conferences are not old fashioned – they are one of the best ways for like-minded professionals to stay in touch.  When planning your next conference, be creative.  In addition to the educational goals, add an element of fun, and take the time to consider which logo gift item will best keep the brand awareness alive after they return home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

 

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)

Your Brand And 3 Ways To Say Thanks

thankyouThanking customers and employees for their loyalty and support can be tricky business.  Showing appreciation in a way that is meaningful to the recipient takes thoughtful consideration of the appropriate gift, as well as the time to present it with a personal approach that makes practical sense.  After all, delivery of an appreciation gift will be much different for the employees of a national company than it will be for the customer base of a small graphics firm.  But in either case, the item and the distribution can be crafted, at any budget level, with a more personal approach that will be remembered long after the year-end festivities give way to the New Year.

Gift-giving can be approached three different ways:

  1.   Merchandise:  This category of gift is a long-lasting reminder of the giver and is considered by industry experts as the most effective gift for increasing brand awareness.  The product choice depends on the corporate budget as much as the personality of the recipients, and the number of product choices can be overwhelming.  But with the help of your merchandise provider, the right gift at the right price is waiting.  And don’t forget to ask about special wrapping and creative delivery options!
  2. Cash:  This option is reserved for employee appreciation, rather than for the customer base (of course!), and is always welcomed at the time of year when most people will be doing holiday shopping for food and gifts that are outside of their normal household budgets.  While it may not improve brand identity in the marketplace, it will certainly help to increase morale with your most important brand ambassadors.  Just be sure to send a personal holiday note with the official notice of the cash award – everybody likes to know there are honest feelings of appreciation behind the gesture.
  3. Charitable Donation:  While giving to a non-profit organization in the name of an individual or organization is not often considered as a way to show employee/customer appreciation, it is a worthwhile option.   Especially for those firms that have a strong commitment to social causes and work with a customer base that understands and respects that, giving to a charitable organization that either you or the recipient chooses will help to avoid the dilemma of a “no gifts” policy while demonstrating your company’s pledge to support those causes.  A short note on quality paper stock is all you will need to deliver the good news!

Your brand is associated with those positive qualities that your corporate leadership deems important.  Say thanks to the employees and customers that support your brand with a gift that represents those qualities as well as the personality of the recipient.  Now is the time to decide!

What Are Corporate Buyers Buying?

product matrixWhen evaluating what may be the most effective product options for the next branded giveaway, it’s sometimes helpful to know what has been successful for other companies.  Fortunately, the ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute) study of the market share of each product category is available every year as a summary of what was sold the previous year.  Most of the results are not surprising (sale of electronic items grew by 13% over the past two years), and others are a happy surprises (sales of sporting goods and leisure products jumped by 58% in the past five years).

Below is a summary of what’s hot and what’s not by percentage of sales:

  • Shirts:  19.7% (shirts accounted for approximately $4 billion of sales)
  • Writing Instruments:  9.7% (grew from 8.1% of the market to 9.7%)
  • Bags:  8.6%
  • Drinkware:  8.5% ($1.74 billion worth of drinkware products in 2013)
  • Other Wearables:  6.8%
  • Caps/Headwear:  5.0%
  • Desk/Office/Business Accessories:  5.0% (sales increased by 16% last year)
  • Calendars:  3.4% (sales dropped by 21% over past 5 years
  • USB drives:  3.4%
  • Health and Safety Products:  3.2%
  • Buttons/Badges/Ribbons/Stickers/Decals/Emblems/Transfers/Lanyards:  2.7%
  • Housewares/Tools:  2.6%
  • Electronics:  2.6% (sales from electronic items grew by 13% over the past two years)
  • Recognition Awards/Trophies/Jewelry:  2.5%
  • Computer-Related Products (except USB drives):  2.0%
  • Sporting Goods/Leisure Products:  2.0% (sales in this category have jumped by 58% in the past five years)
  • Automotive Accessories:  1.9%
  • Magnets:  1.6% (magnets accounted for $330 million worth of sales)
  • Books/Cards/Postcards/Stationery/Giftwrap:  1.6%
  • Textiles:  1.6%
  • Food Gifts:  1.5% (more than $300 million worth of edible promotional products were sold in 2013)
  • Personal/Pocket-Purse Products:  0.9%
  • Clocks/Watches:  0.7%
  • Games/Toys/Playing Cards:  0.7%
  • Gift Cards:  0.7%
  • Other Products:  0.8%

Branded giveaways are a proven successful tool for increasing brand awareness.  Knowing how each category of promotional products is trending provides valuable insight into the consumer trends that every company should track.  Stay informed, and connect with your customer using products that hit the mark!

Get In The Game

blanketIt’s September, and football season has started – time for the corporate branding team to get in the game!   Almost everyone has a favorite team – high school, college or professional – and many of those fans will find themselves at a game this season.  According to ESPN, every NFL team drove between 942,000 and 1,279,000 fans to their games in 2013.  Football attendance topped 50 million for the first time in 2013 for NCAA schools, and Friday night at the local high school stadium remains a favorite fall outing. Considering the vast number of fans and the snug seating arrangements in the bleachers, companies have a great opportunity to take advantage of the high visibility for any branded merchandise that is used by employees and customers at those games.

Imagine the possibilities:

  • Two-sided blankets that offer the warmth of fleece and a waterproof backing
  • Square, round or rectangle shaped stadium cushions to soften the hard, cold seats
  • Waterproof pouches for phones
  • NFL approved clear vinyl totes for all the essentials we have to carry through stadium security
  • Covered stadium cups for the pre-game tailgate party
  • Knit scarves and hats in the corporate colors
  • Rain ponchos for the inevitable inclement weather

All the products that make game-day easier for the football enthusiasts are appreciated and used all season long.  Get in the game! and consider these options when looking for a high profile seasonal giveaway for increasing brand awareness.

 

 

Made Better In America

usaThere are many reasons to prefer merchandise that is made in the USA – patriotism; opposition to foreign standards on low wages and poor working conditions; support of domestic jobs – but the one I like the best is the quality of US-made goods over that of many overseas manufacturers.  And when a corporation adds their logo to an item that will be distributed as a way to increase brand awareness, that company wants to know the quality of that product reflects the quality of their brand.

Americans recognize the competitive advantage of American-made goods, and are not settling for just the cheapest product anymore.   Added to the fact that the cost competitiveness of US manufacturing has begun to take off, while the rising labor costs in China erode their cost advantage, USA-made merchandise becomes not only a choice that’s good for the corporate conscience, but is also a practical decision for the budget-minded.

As for the quality of those goods – the high US manufacturing standards and strong employee attitudes around pride in the quality of their work, contribute to the product excellence buyers are looking for.  According to the Boston Consulting Group, 80% of consumers surveyed said they would be willing to pay more for “made in USA” products than those with a “made in China” label.  Not surprisingly, BCG goes on to report that 82% of Chinese say they “agree” or “strongly agree” that they feel better about Made in USA quality.  Made in USA has come to represent old world craftsmanship and socially responsible values.

But once convinced that the quality and price for USA-made goods make it an attractive choice for corporate logo products, it’s good to know the types of merchandise that are easily sourced and readily available for timely shipping.  After all, very few corporate event planners consider their giveaway sooner than a few weeks prior to the need date.  I have listed below a few of the most common promotional items in the Made in USA category.

  • Items made from recycled materials:  drinkware, flyers, ice scrapers, bag clips
  • T-shirts
  • Pens
  • Tote bags
  • Key tags
  • Ceramic mugs
  • Mouse pads
  • Calendars
  • Lip balm

When considering your next promotional product, consider the quality of USA-made merchandise.  Your customers will notice!

 

 

 

Low Price Losers

costBranded merchandise doesn’t have to be expensive to have a high perceived value, just as high prices don’t guarantee quality.  It is the job of your corporate supplier partners to introduce you to product options in all price categories that will enhance your company brand and carry the message of quality, creativity and reliability that most firms want their customers to see in their own products and services.

Distributing quality merchandise, regardless of the price point, should be one of the most important considerations for corporate marketing and procurement departments.  There are thousands of well-made low-cost items in the advertising specialty industry that can improve brand awareness.  However, there are just as many inexpensive giveaways that are poorly made and/or have little or no value for the recipient.  So why consider those options just because they are cheap?  After all, if the gift you decide to give is discarded immediately, why give it at all?

I have listed below a few of my favorite low-cost promotional items, and have followed that list with the same number of low price losers that I recommend leaving off your list of options for the next giveaway.

Favorites:

  1. Pen/Stylus:  Less than $1.00.  You never have enough!  Available in multiple colors with double duty practical applications for writing and working on a touch screen device.
  2. Anti-Slip Phone Sticker:  Less than $2.00.  Keep that phone in place!  Full color digital graphics on phone grip that comes attached to a full color marketing card.
  3. Laser Cut Acrylic Magnet:  Less than $1.50.  Creative approach to a classic!  Available in custom shapes with full color graphics, and inexpensive to mail.
  4. Neoprene Can Cooler:  Less than $1.00.  Especially in the summer!  Multiple colors and decoration options from camo pattern to rhinestones.
  5. Hand Sanitizer:  Less than $1.50.  Everyone uses it!  Full color label graphics available on a variety of container options from small bottles to credit card shape.

Losers:

  1. Small Plastic Toys:  Choking hazards are never good!
  2. Scented Anything:  So many people are sensitive to smells and additives, it’s safer to choose unscented products made from natural ingredients.
  3. Inferior Tools:  Tools that break under the pressure of using them are frustrating for the user and a poor reflection on the giver.
  4. Low-Grade Speakers:  Speakers are meant to improve sound, not drive the listener to turn it off!
  5. Open Cell Foam:  Fingers, balls, hats.  These things are cheap for a reason!  For the tournament game, go with a noisemaker or rally towel for close to the same investment.

Creative marketing giveaways can be found at every price point.  Be sure to enlist a supplier partner who understands the merchandise as well as the budget.  Your customer will be glad you did!

Cold Weather Staple: Fashion Fleece

fashion fleeceWhen it’s important for your brand to be seen in more places than just the customer’s backyard, fleece garments with fashionable styling, lighter weight fabrics and better fit are an option that has grown in popularity.  And since branded apparel purchases are generally more costly than the average promotional product, selecting a style that many consumers would choose for themselves is the best way to get the biggest return on those limited marketing funds.

The trends in retail fashion influence the corporate clothing market, and now that market offers styles that range from rustic, casual fleece jackets to polished, sleek options with contrasting drawcords and white metallic zippers. Performance fabrics provide warmth with less weight, and moisture-wicking technology draws perspiration away from the body in order to maintain warmth and dry skin.  Color choices range from earth tones to jewel tones, while always maintaining the classic white, black and navy for the more conservative crowd.  Even with classic college-style crewneck and hoodie sweatshirts, corporate apparel suppliers have answered the call with distressed fabrics, hockey style laced fronts and retro styling.

Gone are the days when the choices for branded sweatshirts and fleece jackets were limited to four basic (or some might say “boring”) styles offered in three colors and the five standard men’s sizes.  Enlist creative thinking and consider your audience when choosing the best fashion fleece for that next executive premium or customer gift-with-purchase – the improved brand awareness and customer appreciation will be worth it!

(Image via Tri-Mountain)

The Story Behind The Product

8710cotton_plantWhen considering product choices for corporate branding, the trend is as much about the story behind the product, as the product itself.  Consumers are questioning if they are manufactured in a responsible way, can they be recycled, is it USA made.

From cotton apparel to electronics, whatever brands do to embrace the consumers growing demand for more information on the products they receive, will help build brand loyalty.   It is more important than ever for corporate buyers to consider products that will engage their customers with things to think about and stories that will inspire them.

One of my favorite stories comes from the USA manufacturer of casual cotton clothing, American Apparel.   Founded in 1989, with manufacturing based in Los Angeles, it is one of the few clothing companies exporting USA made goods.  To its credit, it promotes labor policies that excludes use of clothing manufactured in sweatshops, and with the current worldwide attention on the horrors of the Bangladesh clothing factories, this story is one that will resound with every person who receives that branded t-shirt.

Another example of a product supplier with a story worth telling is Gary Line, a manufacturer of plastic molded products such as bike bottles, stadium cups and ice scrapers.  Since the 1960’s, long before recycled products became such an industry trend, they used trimmings and rejects from their molding department to produce recycled products.  Today, using both their own waste and other post-consumer recycled plastics in their USA manufacturing process, Gary Line can offer products that support a cleaner environment and a facility that fosters the call for more USA made merchandise.

These stories, and all the subtle facts behind the other branded products that are distributed to increase brand awareness, could be just the thing that differentiates your t-shirt or bike bottle from the dozens of other logo products every consumer receives.  Your ability to get people thinking about more than just the giveaway, will also make your brand more interesting.  Next time you’re in the market for promotional merchandise, ask about the story behind the product!