Getting The Message Through: How Promotional Products Can Benefit Your Company

Getting The Message Through: Scott George of Propel Promotions Explains How Promotional Products Can Benefit Your Company

In A Nutshell, What Are Promotional Products? Promotional products are any item that can be imprinted or decorated with a company or organization’s name, logo, brand or message. They are used to promote a product, service or company programme and are also used in conferences, trade shows, events and product launches. Promotional products are also ideal to create awareness or help fundraise for a cause or benefit such as schools, organizations and Not-For-Profits (NFP).

Examples of commonly used promotional products include pens, calendars, apparel, caps, coffee mugs, calculators, key-rings, desk accessories and umbrellas. There are literally thousands of different types of promotional products available and in many cases they can be custom designed and developed to a client’s individual needs and requirements.

Where Do Promotional Products Fit In A Company’s Marketing Mix? They’re an essential component of marketing and communication programmes, irrespective of industry type. They have real impact and play an important role in enhancing a company’s profile and business growth.

What Can I Give My Clients That They’ll Actually Like? Promotional products and corporate gifts are a great way to reward and build brand loyalty. It is important to continue to acknowledge and thank clients, employees and suppliers. According to the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) 88% of people recall the advertisers name on a promotional product. Keep that in mind, the type of industry you’re in and the sort of people it attracts. Imprinting your companies or organizations brand is important however, make sure it’s discreet the last thing a client of staff member wants is something that’s over-branded. 

Gifts relating to sports or outdoor activities are often gratefully received as are family and leisure-related items like picnic sets and wine accessories. In our increasingly health and safety-conscious times, company branded car emergency and first-aid kits can also be a practical idea. There is a strong trend towards cool IT-related gadgets like Smart Phone Accessories, USB Flash Drives, MP3 Players, Earbuds/Headsets etc. Gifts often range in price from $10 to $100 but remember … it’s the thought that counts.

I Can Order Plenty Of Promotional Products On The Internet. Won’t That Do? There’s a significant difference between purchasing promotional products on the Internet and working with a promotional products and promotional marketing professional. The latter gives you the highest quality products and the creativity to make your promotion successful: don’t forget that you’re dealing with your organization’s name, logo, brand or message.  Promotional products professionals appreciate their clients’ brand equities and the importance of maintaining and protecting their brand and identification standards. They’re skilled at recommending products that fit perfectly with clients’ marketing strategies.

How Do I Recognize A Quality Promotional Products Distributor? In the United States and Canada, most promotional product and promotional marketing professionals are members of industry organizations or associations such as ASI (the Advertising Specialty Institute) or PPAI (Promotional Products Association International). ASI & PPAI members are recognized as providers of professional business marketing and promotional solutions.

About The Author: Scott George is the Managing Director of Propel Promotions, a focused entrepreneur with 10 years experience in the marketing and promotional products industry. Propel Promotions is a specialist and innovative marketing and promotional products company providing effective, individual and personalized promotional and marketing solutions for North American businesses and organizations. "We’re a marketing and promotional products company; with a passion for innovation, strategy and problem solving we deliver promotional marketing solutions companies love." Scott and his team has worked with such companies and organizations as; Shell, MasterCard, Coca-Cola, World Vision, National Geographic and BNI (Business Network International) to name only a few. Scott has been featured in a number of promotional product and business publications.