The average consumer’s attention span is 8 seconds. That’s right – you have 8 seconds to get people to stop won’t they’re doing and notice you. If your company doesn’t get their attention fast, you don’t stand a chance!
Are you ready to win the crowd with your marketing? A good start is by printing your logo on unique promotional items and distributing them in a creative way.
If you want your logo on merchandise, your best bet is to work with a promotional products distributor. They can handle a large volume of printed t-shirts, pens, coffee mugs, or any other branded items you want to offer.
There are many processes that are used to put your logo on products:
Screen Printing – plastisol ink is pressed through a screen, covered in emulsion, and transferred onto item; usually includes 1 free ink color
Heat Transfer – logo is transferred from special coated paper using heat; usually includes 1 free ink color
Dye Sublimation – digital printer used to put logo on item; unlimited ink colors included
Pad Printing – giant stamp is dipped in ink and pressed onto item; usually includes 1 free ink color
Deboss – logo is pressed into the item, creating a deep imprint without using ink
Emboss – logo is raised on the item, creating a 3D effect; no ink is used
Laser Engraving – laser etches the logo onto the item without using ink; commonly used on glass, wood, or metal items
Embroidery – machine stitches a digital file of the logo onto fabric items; multiple thread colors includes in the cost
A wide variety of everyday items can be branded with your company’s logo. Here are some unique promotional items that you probably didn’t even know existed!
A company can print their logo on almost any item. From the pens you use for grocery lists to the posters hanging on your wall. There is even branded toilet paper out there! It’s the businesses that use unique promotional products that get the most attention.
64% of consumers want to feel a connection with a brand. For this reason, it’s not enough to buy a bunch of promotional items, throw them on a table, and call it a day! You need to use these items to forge an emotional bond with your audience.
Are you ready to connect with customers through promo items? Here are some ideas on how to give them out!
Everybody likes to win! Set up a fun game at a trade show, fair, or convention. You can also create a contest on social media like a photo caption competition, vote to win poll, or funny filter challenge. Give away cool promo items as prizes!
Pop-up shops, grand openings, and parades are all exciting events that draw crowds, especially if free branded merch is part of the deal. Take it a step further by partnering with a nonprofit and making it a fundraiser. This is a win-win since it promotes their cause and your brand at the same time!
Direct mailers may seem antiquated, but no one is going to turn their nose up to a free promotional item in the mail. For this strategy to work, it’s best to pair a unique item with something actionable like a coupon people can use at your store.
90% of marketers believe influencer marketing is effective. Pitch your products and services to a popular influencer, and to really stand out, try also sending them plenty of free samples and cool promo giveaways. This extra gesture isn’t going to go unnoticed.
Give promos as gifts to your local chamber of commerce, or sponsor events in the community like bake sales, golf outings, or marathons. It’s important for your brand to get involved in any way that you can, especially if you’re a small business.
61% of companies say customer retention is their biggest challenge. You can keep people coming back by choosing a “customer of the month” based on sales or who leaves the best online review. Give a stylish promo item to the winner like a branded travel mug or wireless charger.
Starbucks, DSW, Chipotle, and Speedway are just a few brands with awesome loyalty programs. Join these titans by starting your own program on a downloadable app. Your customers can redeem points for discounts, freebies, and logo items from your company.
Do you have a new product at your store? Build excitement to the launch on social media, and then have a live event that’s open to the public. The first 100 customers to buy your new product can receive free branded merch!
People don’t want a regular business card! They want something more useful like a cute stress ball printed with your contact info, or a flash drive featuring your website URL. Stop wasting paper and start using logo promo items instead!
Look for podcasts or YouTube channels that relate to your industry, and randomly send them extra promo items with a handwritten note in the mail. With any luck, you’ll get a mention on their platform!
Be bold with guerilla marketing! You can try a ton of creative marketing campaigns like custom stickers around a city, a scavenger hunt for branded merch, or even a flash mob with freebies for the crowd. It’s a risk that may just pay off in a lot of social media shares!
On average, you can expect to pay a minimum of anywhere between $100 and $150 for a bulk order of promotional products. This total price will vary based on many factors, including the quantity needed, the imprint process used, shipping, and the number of product and/or ink colors. There may also be setup charges, depending on the item.
90% of people who receive a promotional item can recall the name of the brand.
You will get the most bang for your buck if you buy useful promos. 69% of people will stop and grab the item if they can use it in their everyday lives.
63% of consumers will donate or share a promotional product they no longer want.
Think about how to use your swag to really win over customers! Promotional items are worth the ad dollars if you use them creatively.
Alyssa Mertes is an expert on branded swag. She's done it all, from uncovering the world's first custom tote bag to interviewing the designer who created AC/DC's logo. Her work has been featured on several podcasts and media websites.
