Everyone seems to have something on their desk or in their closet that a brand gifted to them. Maybe you’ve had it for years, or it’s quickly becoming an item you use all the time.
Anyone who’s received a cool or useful promotional item has probably wondered if these gadgets and knick-knacks actually do their jobs. Does slapping your logo on a pen or portable charger make people more likely to choose you? You might be surprised to learn how effective printed promotional products can be when you use them strategically.
Why Use Custom Promotional Products?
Promotional products let you connect with your audience in a tangible way. While many advertisements exist only on screens or paper, promotional items are three dimensional. They have the power to engage the senses, particularly the sense of touch. Because they allow your customers to interact with your brand, they are more memorable.
Further, promotional products continue to generate impressions after you hand them off. Many of them end up on a desk for the entire office to see, and others travel with a person wherever they go. A promotional umbrella will earn you 1,100 impressions in the 14 months the average branded umbrella is kept. Why? Whenever it rains, its owner displays your logo to busy city streets and parking lots.
As ads you only have to pay for once, promotional swag is a fantastic investment. When handed out strategically, those impressions generated are from people who are likely to use your service. For example, at a trade show, almost everyone who picks up one of your giveaways is a potential customer.
These impressions are also more meaningful than other forms of advertisements. While many ads are an interruption, nearly 10 out of 10 people say they would go out of their way to get a promotional product. Everybody loves a freebie. The reaction to promos is overwhelmingly positive, with 83% of recipients more likely to do business with a brand. Nine in 10 recipients can recall the branding later, and 79% have then researched the brand. One thing is clear — promotional products work.
Promotional products can serve many purposes, from generating buzz and goodwill to adding value for consumers. They can be thank you gifts to customers and employees or act as an incentive to upgrade or drive referrals. Whatever the initial purpose, they will continue to remind your customers of your brand.
Creative Ways Different Industries Can Use Promotional Products
Nearly any industry can use promotional giveaways effectively. Here’s how different sectors can use promotional giveaways in unique ways:
Education
In education, making strong impressions with students, parents, and donors is crucial. Here are some opportunities for branded educational gifts:
- Admission events. How many schools are your accepted students considering? Your admissions events are your chance to stand out. Many schools provide branded pens and notepads because they have an immediate use for note-taking. You can go above and beyond by offering T-shirts or other swag attractive to young people.
- Orientation. The next challenge for most schools is retention. One way to prevent transfers is through campus involvement, which you can encourage through promotional swag branded to different student groups. The key is to make these items fun and useful to new students. Some examples include dorm accessories and ID cardholders.
- School spirit events. School spirit weeks are another opportunity to promote student involvement with custom promotional items for different clubs. Another angle is to select swag that aligns with each student group to urge those with similar interests to learn more. For example, the marching band or radio station can hand out branded earbuds. A sports team can give away stress relievers shaped like footballs.
- Fundraising. You can incentivize donations with gifts at fundraisers or as rewards for meeting contribution tiers. For example, a gift of $30 can earn the donor a T-shirt, while $500 wins a thank you gift basket, filled with delicious treats and promotional swag.
Construction
The construction sector is one of the top industries that use promotional giveaways. Here’s how you can provide outstanding, useful gifts for construction:
- Client retention. Construction clients spend thousands of dollars with your business. High-quality corporate gifts can be smart investments. Outerwear or duffel bags are excellent ways to show your best clients the value they get from you.
- Contract signings. Residential contractors can promote their business at the contract signing through items useful to homeowners. You can use a branded tape measure or flashlight to remind clients of you any time they begin a home fix-it project.
- Workers at job sites. Saying thank you to your team every now lets your workers know you care. You can try branded safety equipment or carpenter pencils for construction-themed gifts. You can also consider a thank you breakfast near the end of a job, complete with branded single-serve coffee packets.
Financial
Showing customers they can trust you with their hard-earned cash calls for premium corporate gifts. Consider engraved office supplies or leather checkbook holders to project wealth and dependability. These make great gifts for new accounts and seminar attendees. Banks can also consider some on-site amenities like branded coffee or candy for customers to enjoy when they pop by.
Insurance
Car insurance agents can consider car accessories like ice scrapers, phone holders, or tire pressure gauges. A promotional umbrella is a perfect canvas for messaging about how you protect your customers. Offer these promotional gifts to new clients or as a way to build relationships with existing clients.
Real Estate
Many customers on the market for a new home are also looking to sell. They might still need a real estate agent when they take the first look at one of your properties. Open houses are an excellent way to catch these potential clients while they’re thinking about real estate. It’s the perfect opportunity to advertise your services as well as the home. Kitchen-themed promos, like corkscrews or custom coffee, can match the inviting vibe you’re cultivating.
Another good tactic for real estate agents is to use business card supplements as a unique gift. Since business cards are crucial for networking, an unusual one will help you stand out. You can find business cards that double as punch-out picture frames, coasters, or refrigerator magnets. You can also try a bottle opener business card or one printed on seed paper.
Food Services
Get your name out there on your grand opening through food-themed promotional giveaways. For products to build brand awareness, reusable straws and wine openers are great for restaurants.
Any company in the food services industry has many opportunities for on-site branding. From napkin holders and placemats to branded mugs and a custom coffee blend, you can turn your restaurant into an experience. Any diner, cafe, or eatery can customize their to-go cups and doggie bags, too.
Health Care
Hospitals, doctor’s offices, and dentists can use promotional products for:
- Fundraising. Like schools, health care facilities can often use promotional giveaways to drive donations. It’s crucial to choose high-quality giveaways to make the contributions feel worth it.
- Patient care packages. Deck out cold packs, tissue packets, bandages, and hand sanitizer with your logo and a reminder of the top-quality care you give your patients.
- Wellness fairs. Whenever you host a booth at a wellness fair, attract visitors with health-themed freebies. Water bottles, pillboxes, mini first aid kits, and exercise equipment can all be big hits. Don’t forget a branded table cloth to spruce up your station.
Hospitality
Hotels are known for their amenities like mini shampoo bottles and free coffee and tea. Each of these items presents the opportunity for on-site branding with your logo. A coffee bar in the lobby can also contribute to your on-site branding.
Another opportunity for the hospitality industry is upgrade incentives. Guests who upgrade to your VIP rooms will receive a complimentary gift basket, filled with a branded assortment of tasty treats. You can also go with a high-end travel bag or beach towel set, keeping with the hospitality theme.
Automotive
Car charger adapters, trunk organizers, air fresheners, and phone mounts are great promos for car dealerships. Mechanics can find on-brand giveaways like roadside tool kits, tire pressure gauges, and oil funnels. Further, premium branded products make great signing bonuses or thank you gifts.
How to Use Custom Promotional Products Effectively
It’s easy to see the benefits of connecting with your customers through free promos. If you want to see results, it’s crucial to incorporate promotional products the right way. Follow these tips to get the most out of your giveaways.
Set a Goal
Promotional products have many uses, so it’s vital to stay focused on one goal. Your objective can affect the type of products you choose, who you give them to, and when you give them. Some common aims for promotional giveaways include the following:
- Gain customers
- Recruit team members
- Promote brand awareness
- Improve customer loyalty
- Say thank you
- Incentivize sales
Make Branded Merchandise Part of Your Marketing Strategy
Like with your digital or television ads, a smart strategy should guide all your decisions related to giveaways. Remember to tie the products into your company’s personality or the messaging you want to achieve. For example, a paperweight can contribute to your image of stability with a clever slogan to match.
It helps to create brand guidelines for your promotional items. Besides color schemes, your brand guidelines might favor certain textures or materials for custom promotional products. For example, 100% cotton T-shirts feel softer than polyester, which may be important for your brand.
Understand Your Audience
As you match your promotional products to your brand, you should also align it to your ideal customers. Niche products work well for particular industries and provide something relevant to your customers. A veterinary clinic will have great luck with collar bandanas, dog and cat toys, and food scoopers because all their customers are pet owners.
Another angle is to go for broad categories of popular items useful to everyone. For example, 89% of consumers own a branded writing utensil, and 88% own drinkware. The key is to use gifts your target audience values. Taking the time to consider these factors helps to ensure your customers will want to use the items.
Use Quality Products
Fast fading logos will generate fewer impressions. A long-lasting, high-quality product has the potential to be part of someone’s daily life. The more appealing you can make your swag, the more impressions it can generate. Further, your products — even the free goodies — are an extension of your brand. Anything you put your name on needs to reflect the same quality you hope to project into the world.
Consider Your Budget
Some companies have a brand so strong they can sell merchandise. Famous restaurant chains and educational institutions, for example, often sell T-shirts and other promotional items to their raving fans, offsetting the cost. A successful coffee brand can even sell branded coffee mugs or brewing accessories.
If you plan to use your branded promotional items as free swag, you’ll have to consider your budget. While corporate gifts need to be excellent quality, you can buy them in lower quantities. You may be able to reach more of the right audience with a few top-quality branded gifts distributed strategically. For a tradeshow giveaway, you can sacrifice some quality in favor of a high volume that will have a broader reach.
Best Custom Promotional Products to Use
The key to finding the right promos is using products your customers will use and want to get their hands on. If your customers already have a desk drawer filled with branded pens, adding another to the pile might not help you stand out. Here are our top picks for creative promotional products that will make an impact and drive your message home:
Why Use Custom Cups for Keurig as Promotional Items?
Free swag is a great way to get the word out about your brand. Most companies choose the same promotional items — pens, T-shirts, mugs, and other outdated options.
Personalized Cups for Keurig are an exciting alternative that your customers will remember. Whether you need a giveaway item or something to put into the hands of potential clients, we’ve got you covered at Joe’s Garage Coffee.
Customized Cups for Keurig with your logo offer many unique benefits. Here are the top three reasons to consider using Cups for Keurig at your next trade show or event.
1. Personalized Cups for Keurig Boost Brand Recognition
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. When you get your personalized Cups for Keurig into the hands of coffee-loving customers, you’ll make your brand more recognizable.
Free Cups for Keurig can brighten someone’s morning when they need a little caffeinated assistance. This promotional item helps keep your company at the forefront of customers’ minds.
2. Coffee Is a Promo Item People Actually Keep and Use
Promotional items help you create professional contacts and grow your company’s name, reputation, and sales. But this growth can only happen if potential customers keep the items you give away.
You want something useful. Something people will use and not throw away. Cups for Keurig are the answer — an item people will keep around, whether in their office or home.
Keurigs and Keurig-compatible coffee makers are popping up in businesses everywhere. They allow everyone in the office to enjoy unique coffee flavor selections. With custom Cups for Keurig, your name is out there for whenever they need your services.
3. Almost Everyone Likes Coffee
It’s hard to find a promotional item that appeals to a wide audience. But almost everyone loves a good cup of coffee.
Use your branded Cups for Keurig as giveaways at trade shows and business expos. You can also add them to corporate gift bags for prospective clients. Personalized Cups for Keurig set your company apart.
Coffee is just the beginning. You can create other Cups for Keurig filled with delicious hot water-soluble beverages, such as tea and hot chocolate, for those non-coffee drinkers out there.
Tote Bags
Canvas totes and reusable shopping bags are a popular branded item because people tend to use them in high-traffic areas while traveling, grocery shopping, or heading to the beach. The average promo tote bag will leave 3,300 impressions. They’re the fourth most-owned promotional product, with 73% of consumers counting them among their possessions. Tote bags offer a perfect blend of quality and utility when made with a thick, touchable fabric.
Drinkware
Like tote bags, promotional drinkware can become a favorite everyday item. Many consumers carry a refillable water bottle with them everywhere from the gym to the office, where plenty of onlookers can catch a glimpse of your brand. Successful online coffee brands often give away free travel thermoses or ceramic mugs as an incentive for customers to purchase a larger order. They might even sell drinkware merch to their brand-obsessed followers.
T-Shirts
Free T-shirts offer real value to consumers. An attractive or unique design can become someone’s next fashion statement. Other consumers are happy to wear a shirt that represents their Alma Mater or a favorite product. Your customers might be hitting the gym or running errands while donning your logo for all to see, generating 3,400 impressions along the way. A comfy T-shirt or a classic long-sleeve is a crowd favorite that 80% of consumers have in their closets.
Headware
One-third of men say they wear their favorite promo hat at least once a week. Prominently displayed on heads, promotional caps can rise above a crowd and stay visible in many high-traffic settings. Hats and beanies offer freedom of expression to their wearers, and creative designs or bright color schemes can get your brand noticed. Since 69% of consumers own a piece of promotional headwear, it’s an excellent way to connect with a wide range of customers.
Pour Your Customers a Cup of Branded Coffee from Joe’s Garage Coffee
At Joe’s Garage Coffee, we can help you promote your brand with the bold, smooth flavors of coffee. While coffee is one of the world’s favorite beverages, many people are picky about their brews. It’s central to your brand’s reputation that your promotional coffee packets are filled with high-quality, fresh-roasted beans like ours.
We’ll make the entire process simple, with roast-to-order beans and custom printed portion packs ranging from 1 ounce to 5 ounces. We also have low minimums, starting at 100 pounds of coffee, which is perfect for your promotional needs. Create a flavor profile as unique as your brand using coffee your customers will crave. Contact us to begin discussing your custom coffee and labels.
