A Little on Business Marketing: 11 ways to make promo items work harder (Part II)

Part I of this two-part Little Hacks' article covered five of the 11… and by no means are any of them the #1. Numero Uno is what works best for your business, but I find the 11^th tip, at the bottom of this article, to be among the can't-miss opportunities to use promotional items. So, picking up where we left off:

6. Being a Good Corporate Citizen

Active company involvement in your community is more than just good citizenship — it’s good business. In sponsoring charitable events or promoting worthy causes as mentioned elsewhere in Little Hacks, you also have a chance to spread your logo on a memorable item.

7. Repair Service Lapses

Promotional products are also invaluable in repairing the service shortcomings that sometimes occur in spite of our best efforts. Giving a valued customer a gift is a terrific way to build bridges, make amends and reassure the customer that they are always right — and always wanted.

8. Stay in Front of Your Customer

Out of sight, out of mind — it’s an old saying, but it’s especially true about customer relations. Even if your customers average only one transaction with you a quarter, it’s important that you keep your name in front of them on a regular basis. With over a million items on which we can imprint your logo, you can find new and innovative ways to remind your customers about the value you provide, encouraging repeat business and referrals. And who doesn’t like to get gifts?

9. Promote Employee Safety

Insurance premiums for companies with high accident and injury rates are soaring. Add to that lost time, increased inefficiency, attorney fees, and equipment repair/replacement expenses. Prevention is On Fleek: Remind staff of that with a lasting promo item or one that is everywhere in the office (pens, mugs, mousepads, etc.)

10. Promote Landmarks and Milestones

Don’t let opportunities for publicity and exposure pass you pay. Celebrate, commemorate and promote events like: Company anniversaries ('Our 50th year'); Your 1,000,000th product shipped; Being named to a local 'Best Of' list. Public relations pros are quick to dash out press releases for these milestones, but your promo can have more lasting impact than a single news article or headline.

11. Company Name or Product Change

Change can be confusing — even traumatic — for customers. Promotional products can help reassure them that while your company or product name may change, your commitment to their satisfaction remains the same. A promotional products campaign can also help you educate customers about the benefits of your new and improved product. Every business doing a name or address or logo change on the letterhead, should roll out the change with a promo item.

Photo by Inokentii Rybtsov , used with permission.
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A Little on Business Marketing: 11 ways to make promo items work harder (Part I)

For years Your Minuteman has been helping small business owners put their names and logos on items such as calendars, notepads, ballpoint pens and key tags for customers and prospects. Not intended simply as an act of business generosity, this is promotional products advertising to be exact.

The problem is that many small business owners don't know the fine points of the promo item form of advertising and don't maximize the advantages it offers. Here are the first five of the 11 ideas for using promos:

1. Establish Employee Incentive Programs

Salespeople like commissions, but thrive on recognition. Certificates and plaques are yesterday’s news, though my business still does plenty of them. Today you can affordably offer sales stars everything from customized apparel to display pieces (crystal is always popular). Incentive awards can backfire if they're cheaply done... a bigger investment almost always is paid back in loyalty, or more sales.

2. New Prospect Gifts

Combining marketing literature -- like a capabilities brochure -- with promotional products is one of the surest ways to make a good impression on prospective customers. It's difficult to get in front of a person even once, so make sure they remember your name/website/phone. Make a good impact with a useful item and your promo products can pave the way for productive follow-up contact and a better sales conversion rate.

3. Use Promotional Products to Launch New Products or Services

It’s important to make the launch of any new product or service memorable. In a good way. If possible choose an item or a graphic on the item to point out your new offering's unique features or demonstrate its benefits.

4. Promo Items Increase Expo/Trade Show Traffic

Trade shows are ideal venues for making a big impact. But don’t wait until the week before the show before thinking about what kind of trade show promotional items to distribute. Instead, count on the turnaround times mentioned earlier.

5. Reach Out to Inactive Accounts

If you have lost customers or there's been a lull between orders, promotional marketing products are an excellent way to re-establish contact, rekindle that relationship, and bring your company top-of-mind once again. They won't repair ill will, if there is any, but it might also be a door-opener for a conversation about how/why the client lost touch.

Look for Part II and the rest of the top 11.

Photo by Inokentii Rybtsov , used with permission.