What are promotional gifts?
Promotional items or promotional products are merchandise items used in marketing and communication programs. They are typically imprinted with a company name, logo, or slogan and given away at trade shows, conferences, and as part of marketing campaigns. Sometimes they can simply be given to customers when they purchase a particular product or service.
The first advertising articles were probably those related to political campaigns. Button badges became a very popular way to get the word out about a particular campaign. They were a walking advertisement for the politician or campaign and the public were only too happy to wear symbols of their loyalties on their chests!
Why use promotional items?
I have received many promotional items during my business life and at Lighthouse Printing and Promotional Goods here in Cardiff South Wales we have supplied many as well so I think I have been able to see how useful they can be from both perspectives. The way I see it, the main benefits of promotional items as marketing tools are the following:
low cost
Button badges, key chains, pens, and pencils are examples of promotional items that can be produced at very low costs per item, especially when run in large quantities.
easily focused
Promotional items can be used in very focused campaigns to eliminate the waste that comes with a broader campaign (radio or newspaper ads, for example). Decision makers of certain companies could be the target, for example, of a postal campaign that supplies an item of relatively high value (for example, a leather desk planner, a silver business card holder, or a watch), which keep the name of your company or organization constantly on your desk.
Durable
Many types of marketing are very much ‘here today and gone tomorrow’. The effects of an advertisement. Gold flyer campaigns are very short-lived, while some promotional items can be used for literally years.
Worth
Many campaigns are seen by the consumer as attempts to ‘sell’ them something, whereas promotional products can be seen much more like giveaways, making the consumer feel much warmer towards the ‘giver’ and hopefully more likely to make a purchase.
ease of access
Business buyers and decision makers are very busy people and constantly receive large amounts of brochures and emails from companies trying to sell their products. Sometimes it is quite a task for them to methodically review the information submitted by potential providers. Sometimes it’s easier for them to look at your diary, pen, desk, mouse pad or whatever to find your phone number or web address than to spend a lot of time looking up other providers’ details.