Where branded merchandise is concerned, businesses and consumers have become accustomed to seeing a non-U.S. country on the label relative to where the item was manufactured. Producers of such branded merchandise have chosen to develop their goods outside of the USA due, in large part, to the economies of scale and cost controls of manufacturing outside of American borders.
However, in recent years there has been a surge in demand for American-made products, promotional and otherwise. Here we’ll spotlight a few product categories where more “Made in the USA” goods can now be found.
Go American!
Despite the labor cost challenges and other operational issues, the tide is turning as more consumers are taking a nationalist stand with their pocketbooks and selecting products made in the USA—even if they cost more.
According to a survey conducted by Perception Research Services International, 80% of U.S. consumers recognize the “Made in the USA” label and 76% say that this label positively influences their purchase decisions because they equate it with quality, patriotism, and the need to boost what has been a sagging economy. More consumers are moving away from the “consumption society” mentality, preferring a more traditional and environmentally sensitive view of the world. That is, if products are made better, then they last longer and do not have to be thrown away as often.
Branded Merchandise from America
Certain product categories are offering more American manufactured items amid growing demand for domestic goods:
- Markers and pens are making their mark as a domestic product, including more unique, customized, and functional types of pens and markers in a wide range of colors with a range of pen features and functions.
- Paper products like calendars, coloring books, diaries and decals are also growing in domestic production as printing technology has advanced to the point where manufacturers are able to lower their costs and become more price-competitive as well as provide a greater range, variety and value for customers.
- Domestically manufactured hats, clothing, and bags are also on the rise as consumers associate an enhanced level of quality with such apparel items. The rise in using recycled materials for bags and clothing has enabled American manufacturers to save money on materials and fabrics, thereby passing on a lower cost price that is palpable to customers.
In Summary
Here is a summary of the main points about branded merchandise and buying American:
- Surveys show that more Americans now want to buy American regardless of whether it costs more or not because domestic merchandise represents quality, patriotism, and a boost to the economy.
- Consumers would prefer better made merchandise so they do not create as much waste and overly consume, which puts stress on the environment.
- More industries are increasing their domestic production of certain products, including markers, pens, paper and promotional goods, clothing, hats and bags.
References
http://counselor-digital.com/publication/?i=131646&p=32
Branded merchandise doesn’t have to eat up your entire marketing budget, and one can look beyond pens and magnets for low-cost options. Check out these top ten low-cost promotional products that can effectively help you achieve strategic goals:
Brilliant Branded Merchandise Below $10
- Apparel – While you may think apparel is off-limits at this price point, there is an array of wearable branding available like t-shirts, hats, and headbands
- Golf accessories – Golf is the ultimate relationship sport, so branding some favorite accessories for current or prospective clients is a great way to keep your logo and messaging top-of-mind
- Drinkware – Whether it is a wine or champagne glass, beer stein or coffee mug, you can satisfy your customers’ thirst for a great brand and fill their mind with your corporate messages.
- Health and safety – Offering something practical and personal can equate your brand with customer care and concern.
- Sporting goods and outdoor products – Appeal to your client’s leisure interests with bargain items like stadium cushions, Frisbees, grill covers or coolers.
Penny Promotional Items Under $1
Then there are those branded merchandise items that are well under $10, but still allow you to build your brand with clients and prospective customers:
- Food and drink items – One of the best ways to a client’s business and loyalty can be through their stomach. From chocolate boasting your company name and logo to custom-labeled water bottles or refreshing breath mints, these items will leave clients and prospects “hungry” for what you offer them.
- Pins and tattoos – These have the benefit of sticking to your customer, making them a walking billboard, or provide a way to have your logo in plain sight.
- Stress balls – Help clients unwind with this fun, affordable, and practical item that can be kept on a desk. It’s a reminder that you are on their side to help them feel better.
- Business supplies – From desk pads and address books to bookmarks and letter openers, branded business supplies will be put through the paces and remind clients you offer practical solutions.
- Fun or silly products – Business marketing doesn’t have to be stuffy. Why not make your clients laugh or smile with a banner pin, blinking ball, or flying torpedo?
Takeaways
Consider these takeaways on how to build your brand through branded merchandise for less:
- Be creative and find items that are memorable and practical for your clients and prospective customers.
- Pick items that can be displayed somewhere so that others can see your company name, turning your merchandise into a mobile billboard.
- Select a branded products company that can offer a wide range of items to choose from, especially with a large variety under $10 and even under $1.
- Consider offering different seasonal items throughout the year, which clients and prospects will consider relevant.
Corporate gifts can be a highly effective means of strengthening the employer/employee relationship. Indeed, such business gift programs can prove integral in increasing employee satisfaction, thereby enhancing staff productivity, retention, loyalty and goodwill toward the organization in kind. [click to continue reading…]
It is important to always continue strategic marketing efforts that keep your brand name visible and top-of-mind with existing and prospective customers. One of the best ways to do this is with logoed promotional products, which do not have to be expensive to be an effective “billboard” for your company.
Focus on Smart Branded Products that Add Value
It doesn’t pay to simply pick the cheapest promotional item out there and slap your logo on it. Here’s why:
- This item may not represent your company’s brand image or industry relevance.
- Low cost doesn’t have to mean ‘cheap’ in terms of quality, making items impractical for long-term use and requiring a higher volume – and higher cost – purchase.
- Spend your money on lower cost items more likely to stand the test of time – the less moving parts, the better.
Instead, purchase wisely:
- Select an industry and/or demographic-relevant item that may be used over the long-term – optimally one that solves a problem or makes life or work easier.
- Consider selecting an item that is out of the ordinary to help you stand out and build “buzz.” While pens or refrigerator magnets have their place, try to think outside of the proverbial box so customers will think of you more often and fondly.
Do Your Research
Take the time to do research before you select a budget-friendly promotional product rather than hastily picking items in that catalog that’s been sitting on your desk for a while, or just going with the first company that pops up in the search engine. Consider this strategy:
- Ask customers what kind of promotional product would be useful to them by conducting a quick survey, however informal. This will tell you what’s hot and what’s not.
- Check out newly introduced products in your low-end price point being offered across multiple companies.
- Compare prices between companies; call various firms to see if they provide any special discounts for new customers, return customers, bulk orders, end of month/quarter/fiscal, etc.
Find a Trusted Partner
Lastly, you may want to consider finding a trusted partner from which to purchase all of your branded products. Here’s why:
- They value your business and can provide special incentives or value-added pricing.
- They can advise on ways to determine which low cost products provide the best return on investment.
- Your partner would have your best interests at heart and be ready with great quality product suggestions that meet your budget and marketing objectives.
In Summary
In highlighting the top points about economical promotional product procurement, remember this:
- Be unique but practical.
- Represent your brand and carry through your marketing theme.
- Don’t just pick the cheapest item on price, alone, as there are other strategic factors to consider.
- Do research on what’s available and what your customers want.
- Compare prices, products, and companies.
- Pick a partner for a long-term value-added relationship.
When it is time each year to honor those hard-working and dedicated dads, it’s also a great time to identify those notable promotional products that guys gravitate toward. Here is a rundown of category-specific, Father’s Day-inspired promotional products that are particularly suited for men – those with children and without:
- Sports Fans: No matter what type of sports fanatic he is – from golf and tennis to basketball, football, and baseball, there are sports-themed promotional products that can represent his team and love of the game. These include everything from the tools of the trade to play that sport to sports gear to sports apparel. From actually playing the game to simply rooting the home team on, sporty dudes will love to receive something that shows their spirit.
- Exercise Buffs: For those guys who like to stay in shape, there are many branded products to choose from, including running gear, branded water bottles, MP3 holders, tachometers, and more. He can even enjoy his very own personalized towels, gear bags, or gear organizers so he can always be ready to go for a run, bike ride, or hike.
- Tech Heads: So many men are into gadgets and electronics, and with today’s ever-changing world of technology, there always seems to be something new to play with. Logoed products include MP3 players, digital cameras, computer accessories, USB drives, remote-controlled vehicles and more.
- Car Lovers: Guys typically love promotional products that’ll keep their car, truck, or van looking its best. Some great promotional auto accessories include air fresheners, floor mats, license plates and frames, vehicle covers, maps and map holders and travel mugs. Whether it is for his restored classic or his everyday commuter car, he will appreciate that you thought to make his trip more comfortable and stylish.
- The Head Chef: For those men who like to tap into their inner culinary master, gift some new tools of the trade: kitchen cutlery or appliances, an apron, or new recipe books that will inspire him to keep on dishing out those epicurean delights.
In Review
The main points from this blog post are:
- Guys enjoy a wide array of promotional products based on some favorite pastimes.
- From sports fans to exercise buffs, there are ways to enjoy and celebrate these hobbies with gear, clothing, and accessories.
- Most men are a gadget geek and techie at heart so give him something that will keep him busy for hours, especially if there are lots of bells and whistles to explore.
- Car nuts love anything that make his ride look better or that offers comfort and enjoyment while out for a spin.
- Men who love to cook love to be treated to anything that adds further enjoyment to this often passionate hobby.
The summer season offers a perfect opportunity to provide customers and prospects practical and timely items that will duly promote your business and keep your brand top-of-mind while they are out and about. Here are some perennially popular summer promotional products that your customers will enjoy as they try to beat the heat.
[click to continue reading…]
With the Memorial Day holiday now past us and with summer nipping at our heels, now is a great time to start considering branded products around the season’s favorite pastime—barbecuing!
We’ve rounded up a list of hot branded products to help kick the imminent outdoor BBQ bonanza into high gear while keeping your brand name or identity top-of-mind:
- BBQ Tool Sets: These branded products come in a variety of sizes with sets that include as little as three tools up to deluxe options with fully 24 different barbecue cooking utensils for the barbecue aficionado.
- BBQ Mitts: Keep it safe with reliable cooking mitts so the barbecue chef can stay cool under the pressure of grillin’ up that incredible meal. Look for mitts that offer special protection for the high-heat conditions that the barbecue grill puts out. Those with hooks make a nice touch so the grill master can hang it up when done with his culinary duties.
- BBQ Aprons: Let everyone know who is in charge by giving the chef his or her very own apron. Not only is it a great way to show off, but these aprons also have a practical side in ensuring the chef’s attire stays clean and free of barbecue sauce, marinade, or cooking juices.
- BBQ Cookbooks: When not inspired to whip up original creations, the barbecue master will be sure to enjoy a cookbook full of mouth-watering recipes that inspire further barbecues throughout the season. These cookbooks even help the novice barbecue griller to learn the technique and bravely move beyond hot dogs and burgers to more sophisticated fare like pizzas, fish, vegetables and even grilled fruit!
- BBQ Sauces and Rubs: A true barbecue lover appreciates the intense flavor that rubs and sauces can add to what’s cooking on the grill. A gift of sauces, rubs, or a combination basket is sure to please!
- Matches: Spark a smile with the barbecue chef – whether they ascribe to gas or charcoal – with a personalized set of matches to get them cooking. Both traditional matchbox size and the long matches are branded products that are available to keep the barbecue going all summer long!
In Summary
Here are the main ideas from this blog post:
- There is a wide range of barbecue branded products available that the grilling professional or novice will be sure to enjoy.
- Tools of the trade, such as tool sets, mitts, and matches, provide the basics for cooking up a tasty meal.
- BBQ aprons keep the chef looking sharp and protect clothing in the process.
- To keep the meals at their most mouthwatering levels are a wide range of cookbooks, rubs, and sauces to enhance the barbecue experience.
In today’s fast-paced, double-duty world, it seems like everyone is trying to do more with less time in all facets of their lives. To help your staff, customers, clients and partners become as productive as possible, consider a promotional product that helps them be more efficient and effective while driving your brand visibility. The feelings of appreciation these items evoke also elevates a company’s image and fosters brand loyalty.
Here is a promotional product list bursting with items that’ll enhance outputs in various areas of life – from work to home and other productivity points of interest in-between.
Calendars: Nothing will keep you on schedule better than a well-managed calendar, where you can write down where you have to be, by when, and what you have to do. This is fundamental to being productive. It’s a promotional product that comes in all types of shapes, sizes, and perspectives. There are peel-and-stick calendars, perpetual calendars, weekly view calendars, pocket-size calendars and those calendars that also double as appointment books or schedulers. All of them offer ample amounts of space for your logo or brand messages.
- Organizers: Nothing works as well at keeping you organized as, well, an organizer! No matter what area of life is in disarray, there’s sure to be a logo-friendly organization tool to help quell the chaos. This includes items that’ll keep your office, home, car, leisure time and even health in tip-top shape. Top-line items can include three-ring binder organizers, filing systems and desk accessories, portable padfolios, disaster survival kits, tool keepers and pill boxes. Containers of every shape, size and sort abound. When organized, life becomes less stressful. Energy can then also be put into more important and enjoyable activities.
- Incentive Programs: If you are looking to motivate your own staff to produce at a faster rate or at a higher caliber, nothing incents productivity better than a tangible incentive of value. Or, help other businesses motivate their staff pools in this same regard. Such employee productivity programs are well-proven to drive productivity and even boost company culture and morale. Human resource rewards can involve commemorative plaques, trophies, certificates and even great signs like “employee of the month.” From there, brand-able glam gifts like leather attaches, watches, technology items and such will keep the staff’s collective eye on the prize.
- Stress Relievers: It’s a fact: when a person is stressed, they are more distracted, disorganized, and have a difficult time being productive. Stress is known to block creativity and good decision-making not to mention it just drags a person down both physically and emotionally. Logo-friendly stress relievers can go a long way to help alleviate the tension. And, they are available in many forms. Stress balls are intended to address the problem directly, while sports equipment can help get a person up, moving, and loose as an opportunity to clear their mind and “reboot.”
In Summary
Whether there is a need to stay organized and tidy or stay motivated and energized, productivity is a key to success. There are many promotional product picks that inspire in both respects:
Calendars and organizers remind you of what needs to be done and by when, how it should be prioritized, and where the right tools can be found to get it done – all the components that foster productivity.
- Nothing elicits the urge to pick up the pace like dangling a carrot that incentivizes productivity – from awards and plaques to personalized luxe gifts that conveys a company’s appreciation and recognition.
- Nothing is more stifling than stress, so a good promotional stress ball or piece of exercise or sports equipment can thwart productivity pitfalls.
The sweltering heat of the summer months calls for a more air conditioned form of apparel, which can be proffered from your pool of promotional products. Hot summer styles that’ll keep your customers, clients, partners and employees feeling cool while highlighting your brand are the order of the season.
Fashion-forward promotional products abound. Here are a few summer style staples that sizzle:
Sunglasses and Shades: It’s a bright idea to help your staff and customers shade their precious peepers with a chic or fun pair of sunglasses. Today’s trends in branded eyewear offer everything from those retro Ray-Ban-style black sunglasses and cat’s eye shapes to super cool designs that have fluorescent highlights or are outlined in a bright color like red or orange. There’s a style to coordinate with every outfit and, at a relative per unit low cost, you can ensure everyone receives stylish shades!
- Shirts: Whether the preference is a casual tee to a bit more structured polo style with a collar, cool and comfortable shirts are always a summer wardrobe staple. Coupled with their adaptability and economical price point, such shirts are a perennial promotional products favorite. Ever versatile, shirts are available in a wide range of colors and cuts to fit men and women of all shapes and sizes. Just as notable is that they can be embroidered or silk-screened with logos, images, and/or messages in many places, allowing your “body billboard” to be seen on the beach, at the golf course, and everywhere in between.
- Visors and Hats: Many summer outfits and activities can do with those finishing accessories – particularly hats that do double-duty by protecting your customers and employees from too much sun on their heads and faces. This summer fashion favorite can range from a visor that works on the tennis court or golf course to baseball-style caps that help those working or playing outdoors. Of course, your brand will be front and center on these promotional products for all to see.
- Flip Flops: It wouldn’t be summer without at least one pair of new flip flops for those more casual occasions. Today’s flip flop footwear comes in nearly any color as well as a dizzying array of patterns and even sole thickness. Some even bring the “bling” with luxury features like rhinestones or seashells. Even better is that your staff and customers are tracking your brand everywhere they go.
In Summary
Here’s a quick checklist of the promotional products you can offer that will expand your target’s warm weather wardrobe:
- Sunglasses minimize the brightness factor while upping the cool factor of the person behind those stylish shades.
- Practical, yet fashionable, t-shirts and polo shirts can go from casual to semi-professional and work well for most types of outdoor activities.
- A wide range of hats, caps, and visors are available to help shield the head and face from summer’s damaging rays.
- Flip flops are a shoe-in as a popular summer fashion item that allows you to promote your brand on-the-go.
