Imprinted promotional items
When you think of imprinted merchandise, you can practically make an endless list of items where a company can put its business name, logo, or message. Practically any product can be turned into imprinted merchandise depending on a client's needs and specifications.
But how do seemingly commonplace things such as pens actually be effective promotional and marketing tools when they bear the imprint of a company name or logo? Several studies showing the power of promotional products have already been made. These studies indicate that with the right techniques, companies and organizations can achieve great advertising and marketing mileage with imprinted merchandise.
In 1993 Baylor University released a study about the impact of imprinted merchandise on Mary Kay's new customers referral program. The study showed that customers who receive promotional products are more willing to provide leads than those who did not receive promotional products.
Twenty Mary Kay consultants participated in the survey where half of them distributed promotional items to customers and the other half did not. Both groups asked a total of 200 customers to refer names of friends and acquaintances to Mary Kay. Highlights of the study revealed the following points:
• Customers who received a promotional product were 14% more likely to provide leads than those who did not;
• Sales people who gave promotional gifts to their customers received 22% more referrals than sales people who did not use promotional products; and
• 40% of the salespeople who used gifts commented on how well the gifts were received by their customers.
This, and other similar studies attest to how an imprinted merchandise can effectively win customer goodwill, generate sales, open new accounts, strengthen brand recognition, and bolster customer loyalty. Most customers who receive imprinted merchandise would normally keep them because they find the items useful or attractive. Others who do find the items for themselves find a way to give them to others. This is definitely much better than flyers getting thrown in the trash or ads that can be easily shut off with a click of the remote control.
To maximize the value of imprinted merchandise, make sure that you choose a product that not only fits your business but also matches your client's business and goals. While it easier many times to decide based on the price and the quantity, it doesn't always make sense to have a generic promotional product for every person and for every occasion. People expect personalization and specialization even in imprinted merchandise.
Think about what your clients need and use in a daily basis and you can imprint your name or logo in those items such as pens, mugs, desk sets, key chains, etc. And when you think of a certain item for imprinted merchandise, explore all possible related products around that item for added variety. Consider also new innovations in materials and design to make your imprinted merchandise more unique and exciting.
Take hats, for example. Imprinted baseball hats are very ubiquitous as promotional items but you can also try other styles of hats like a fisherman's hat, which could as well bear your name or logo in style.
When you think of writing materials, go beyond the ballpoint pens. You can also consider highlighters, markers, pencils, sign pens, and even stylus pens. Go for brightly colored pens whenever applicable. These writing instruments are good potentials for imprinted merchandise.
Travel and coffee mugs also go a long way in helping customers remember your name and message every time they drink their coffee.
Indeed, there are hundreds of products that can be transformed as imprinted merchandise just by using your imagination and ingenuity. As PPAI president and CEO Steve Slagle once advised when thinking of promotional products: Find what is different and new. The acid test for such items (promotional products) is whether they have the "ah, ha!" or "wow!" factor.