When you hear the term “promotional item,” a drawer full of pens, sticky notes and magnets may come to mind. But the landscape continues to evolve for promotional items and logoed apparel, and they can be a highly effective tool for building brand awareness.
Now is especially a good time to consider incorporating promotional items into your marketing strategy. Given the recent lack of in-person events (e.g., conferences, trade shows), most people have not received as many branded items this past year. So, your brand’s materials have more of a chance to stand out.
Why do promotional items and branded apparel work?
- They keep your brand top of mind. By giving someone something that they can regularly use, they are continually seeing your logo. This helps to connect people to your brand more organically.
- They reach prospective clients. You never know who will see your branded apparel, coffee mug, water bottle or notebook once you’ve put it in new hands.
- Gifts prompt a feeling of gratitude and connection. When someone receives something they appreciate, they are more likely to want to do something in return. This could be making a purchase, posting a photo of the item to their social media feed, or referring someone to your company.
Do you want to order new promotional items or branded apparel? Here are some quicks tips to consider.
- Don’t go cheap. The item you choose is a reflection of your brand. If you give someone something that falls apart or breaks within a couple of weeks, it certainly doesn’t communicate value.
- Phone a friend. As you consider what to give away, poll some of your current clients and colleagues to gauge what they think would be a functional item to have. And don’t simply choose something because you personally like it or because it has worked in the past; consider updates in technology, like new types of phone chargers and Bluetooth speakers, as you weigh your options.
- Don’t be afraid to keep it simple. The more functional the item, the more likely the person is to use it. From a user perspective, traditional options can stand out just as much as something that is more “out of the box.”
- Consider the whole package. As you make a plan for gifting an item, consider the packaging and messaging that will complement it. The materials will look more professional and will be more memorable if they are part of a broader theme. You don’t have to give an item just to give one. Make it have more meaning for your audience by explaining why you are giving it. A creative team can help to develop a theme, including a tagline, that can become part of a broader-reaching campaign (e.g., billboards, digital ads).
- Work with a professional to source your items. While the internet has made it simple to conduct a search for promotional items and branded apparel online, an experienced expert can help you find the highest-quality products for the best price. At The Jakes Group, our team has decades of experience helping clients source functional and effective promotional items. We can help you source top-brand and high-quality logoed apparel as well.
Want to explore promotional items and branded apparel for your organization? Let’s talk today.