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Promotional Products: Why They're Vital to Small Business and Tips for Using Them
June 21, 2018 (Investorideas.com Newswire) In 2015, more than 400,000 startups were established in the US. Though only about half of those actually succeed, for small business owners, this means that every year there are thousands of competitors entering the market. With competition growing at a rapid pace, standing out from the crowd becomes extremely important. Essentially, you can have a great business plan with the best intentions, but, if no one knows who you are, you fade into the background.
In comes the importance of marketing. In order for a small business to reach the masses, they must find creative and diverse ways to get their brand to their target audience. Though many are focused on digital platforms like social media, blogs, vlogs, images, content, and email, to overlook the importance of traditional methods like promotional products would be a huge mistake.
What are Promotional Products?
Promotional products are free-to-the-consumer, branded items that are provided to your target audience. In times past, this equated to company pens and calendars. Today, however, you can customize just about anything to get your message out to the masses. You can choose Bella and Canvas wholesale tee-shirts with your company logo on them, cell phone wallets with contact info, a coffee mug with a funny message or slogan. The options are endless and the benefits are major. If you're not using this traditional method of marketing, consider these advantages encouragement to start:
Repeat Recognition
Most business owners want their brands to become a staple in the households of their customers. How can you keep your brand fresh in the minds of your audience? Offer them a promotional product they can use. Now, every time they pick up your company pen or drink coffee from your mug with a customized logo on it, they're reminded of your brand.
Great Return on Investment
There's a common misconception that traditional marketing methods are expensive. Though it can be said about television commercials or radio time, the same isn't true for promotional products. You can have merchandise customized in bulk for a very low rate. Though you're giving away these products for free, it's a great way to increase customer loyalty and keep your audience interested in your brand.
Reach Larger Demographics
Some businesses get so hung up on the virtual aspect of marketing that they fail to realize that their customers live in the real world. Another benefit to promotional products is that you're able to reach larger demographics. Someone who doesn't have internet access isn't necessarily looking for your brand online, or simply isn't well-versed in technology won't ever find you online. Promotional products give you further reach and allow you to connect with those who don't live on the internet.
Ways to Market Promotional Products
How can you get your promotional products out to the masses? The options are bountiful. Here are a few:
Trade Shows: One of the best places to hand out promotional products are at trade shows. As potential customers come over to your area to view your demonstration, read materials provided, or talk more with you about your brand, you can easily hand them an item as a token of appreciation for their time (and something to remember you by).
Job Fairs: Believe it or not, job fairs can be a great place to advertise your business. Whether you have open positions or are just looking for prospective employees for future openings, having a booth with brochures, information about your company and promotional products will attract interested parties to you. You can offer pens or folders with your company logo on them to applicants, or hand out t-shirts to those you're thinking about hiring.
Corporate Events: When you've just started your business , networking is everything. Sometimes, your first customers are other entrepreneurs looking for products and services that you offer. Instead of handing out business cards, you could give out pens, lip balm, USB flash drives, or other small items. It's a creative way to introduce yourself and potentially bring in new business.
Giveaways: Here's a great opportunity to combine digital and traditional marketing. Giveaways are awesome avenues for trying to gain a following and retain loyal customers. You could offer to give out a free product to customers who sign up for your email list, reward customers who send referrals your way, or simply host daily giveaways for new followers on social media. Either way, free products generate buzz which equates to new business.
There's no way around it, the historically, competition has always been stiff . There's no reason to expect that to change. If you're going to stay a step ahead of the rest it is imperative for you to be creative and diverse in your marketing strategies. Tapping into old tricks with great returns like promotional products is one way to do this. They serve as tangible reminders of your brand, are cost-effective, and yield a positive return.
About The Author:
Jane is a online freelancer who has worked on writing projects for fun and work since college. Jane's education comes from the John Cook school of Business at Saint Louis University. Whether it is writing about online business and digital marketing which she is heavily involved, Jane also likes please pieces about history and education when she can write about more open ended topics! Reach out at anytime!
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