Promotional merchandise is often overlooked when it comes to brand awareness and boosting your business’ success. Items such as pens, notebooks, USBs, personalised tote bags and printed T-Shirts may not be something you’ve considered for your business, but you definitely should. The online digital marketing team is no doubt doing an excellent job, but what about the offline, more human part of business branding? In this article we’re going to take a look at a few of the different types of promotional merchandise available and when and where to use or offer them. A personalised T-Shirt will be well received at a networking event, but is it appropriate to hand one to your clients when they come into the office? That’s what we’re here to find out. So let’s delve head first into the wonderful world of promotional merchandising!
At the Office
You’ve got a beautiful, inviting office. Perhaps there are a few plants around to give the place a fresh feel, embracing the Danish ‘hygge’ (pronounced ‘hooga’) concept of cosiness. Or maybe you offer them a freshly squeezed juice instead of tea or coffee, all for the purpose of making the client feel comfortable, valued and instill confidence in the brand. This is all great, but you can go that step further by offering personalised promotional merchandise to your clients and also use it around the office to help with customer engagement and branding.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Personalised Coasters and Cushions for the Reception and your Client
Whilst your client is waiting to go into a meeting, make an enquiry or sign a deal, it is the perfect time for them to be taking in your brand image and for you to be making sure yours is the brand that remains in their mind long after they’ve left the office. Attractive, high quality printed cushions with your company logo on is one option. Or you could also think about printing some personalised coasters that you serve that juice on, later offering it as a freebie, along with any of the other gifts we’re about to look at.
Personalised Pens, USBs and Notebooks
When signing that deal or taking notes in a meeting it should really be with your very own branded pen and notebook. These can be very sophisticated and come across as very professional – think all black, soft matte cover with your brand’s logo debossed at the top. Accompany this with a stylish fountain pen and there’s no way you won’t turn some heads. So many that everyone will want one, especially your clients on their way out. Or, if pens and notebooks aren’t for you, you could offer a branded USB as a promotional gift. These are a great idea for tech companies as they are not only relevant to the industry, but also very useful.
At Networking and Corporate Events
Networking and corporate events are the perfect place to promote your business and in turn, attract new customers, clients, sponsorships and new employees. But is it enough to simply be there? The answer is no. If you want to make a lasting impression on the attendees, think about offering promotional merchandise in the form of personalised bags, printed T-Shirts and of course, business cards. Everyone loves a free gift and no one likes to leave a networking event empty handed, so don’t be the only stand to not offer promotional merchandise.
Personalised Bags
Personalised printed tote bags are a great option as they offer a large surface area where you can print your eye-catching logo, information and slogan. Like the USB, notebook and pen, this product is highly useful and has the potential to do the marketing and publicity team’s job for them. Due to the quantity of freebies given out at these events, the attendees will be in need of a handy bag to store such promotional merchandise in. So whilst the endless leaflets, pens and candies get lost inside, your brand remains visible, worn by the attendees and hopefully future clients. Furthermore, if you have a creative idea and produce a trendy bag, it will be used outside the event and serve as free publicity for your business.
Personalised Printed T-Shirts
Printing your logo, slogan and website on T-Shirts can boost your business enormously. At networking and corporate events it’s important that your company stands out from the crowd. One way to do this is to use as much visual stimuli as possible, meaning that printed T-Shirts are key. If, during the entire time you are talking to a potential client, they are looking at your brand stamped on your T-Shirt, they are much more likely to remember your company than if they were faced with a plain white shirt.
You also might want to consider offering promotional T-Shirts as freebies, as like the personalised printed tote bags, they will act as invaluable promotion for your business and no doubt boost traffic and profits. Although, printed T-Shirts might not be the best option for the office, they most definitely are for networking and corporate events.
So there you have it. The complete guide to using promotional merchandise to boost your business. If you’re interested in getting hold of any of the items above, or have any other promotional merchandise in mind, Garment Printing have experts on hand to guide you through the printing process and offer an express delivery service.
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