Products that are used to promote your organisation could be something as simple as items of daily use, albeit they will carry a print of your company's logo, the website or some form of a slogan. However, this practice is being used by a number of businesses. So, how do you ensure that the promotional products being used by you are capable of delivering the message and help you reap the benefits in a much better way than the rest of the herd?
Having Clear Perspectives:
Before you hire a professional team to create them for you and distribute them, answer one simple question - what exactly are you seeking from this campaign?
Is it about increasing the familiarity of your brand?
If yes, then don't splurge on too much in terms of the quality of products you are about to distribute. Since, your main goal is to spread the word around and make your brand more visible, spend more on their distribution.
Is it about thanking your customers?
If yes, then the quality of products you distribute will matter a lot. Since you would be distributing the product in the form of a thanking souvenir, it has to exude quality. So, here the outlook is in complete contrast to the first situation - you would have to spend more on quality rather than think volumes.
Is it about altering your image among the customers?
Let us suppose that you haven't been able to project yourself as a brand that is truly global in its outlook or you want to further build upon that image. One easy way of accomplishing this is by adding a theme to your promotional campaign.
Example:
Distribute products that are certain to attract a more educated and suave audience. For example: your promotional products could be themed towards keeping the environment green, conservation of energy or even being politically aware about one's rights.
Being Ingenious:
Yes, every advertising firm, keeps harping about this point - being creative and unique, however a very few are actually able to deliver the theme. The idea of being unique shouldn't be confused with being bizarre or creating a gimmick. Even the most traditional of giveaways like calendars or mugs can be turned into something more exciting by using a bit of innovation.
For example:
Just like your contemporaries, you can advertise your company's name on a coffee mug, but still stand apart from the rest by making a distinctive change - introduce a scheme wherein people who keep their cups and mail the code imprinted on the cup's handle at the e-mail ID would receive a free monthly newsletter and will be entitled to a 'special' 10% discount on certain items. This way, you have driven home two advantages - promoted your product and indirectly, created a scenario where at least some fraction of the people could become potential customers in the near future.
Being Sensible About Promotional Products