April Showers: Popular Promotional Products for Wet Weather

by Woody Kaye on April 1, 2018

rain cloud glossy 150x150 April Showers: Popular Promotional Products for Wet Weather

It’s said that we must endure those April showers to enjoy the full glory of spring flowers that signal the start of a fresh, bright season. But, traversing amid rainy weather can present its share of challenges. Here’s a list of popular promotional products designed to keep the recipient high and dry:

 

  • Umbrellas – Whether you are considering compact retractable portable umbrellas, large diameter golf umbrellas, or stadium umbrellas, these popular promotional products are available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and logo options to make a bold and highly visible statement while offering shelter from the storm.
  • Custom Rain Boots – These are a unique, functional, fashionable and comfortable way to keep shoes from getting sopping wet. You’ll be able to help your staff or customers keep their feet warm and dry in these brandable unisex rain boots that are easy to pull on and are designed with a cozy lining and buckle closures. The non-slip, flexible outsole helps maintain steady footing on those wet sidewalks and pavements. Your logo can be imprinted on these to ensure the wearer puts his or her best foot forward!
  • Ponchos – These are popular promotional products that are practical because they can cover most of your outfit to keep you dry on a dash from the parking lot to your office building or during a downpour at your favorite sporting event.  These usually include a hood and can be reused again and again. They are great to give out in multiples so your clients or employees have one to keep in their office, one that can stay in the car, and one to have at home. They are available in a spectrum of colors and can be easily imprinted with company names, logos and verbiage.
  • Rain Coats – From windbreakers with detachable hoods to weatherproof jackets for men and women, everyone can use an extra rain coat to have on hand for a sudden downpour. These can also be imprinted with a large logo on the back or just a small feature on a pocket or lapel.
  • Internet Weather Forecasters – Stay on top of the weather with this handy forecasting device with Internet-powered wireless capability. This technology can provide accurate weather forecasts for thousands of locations across theUnited States andCanada, including temperature and weather conditions like rain, wind, and sun. It’s good to know what weather is on the horizon so plans can be made and travel provisions packed accordingly.

 

In Review

Here are the main ideas from this blog post to keep in mind as you seek popular promotional products this spring:

  • Popular promotional products during the spring season include those that can keep you dry.
  • Umbrellas are a top pick as you can never have too many in different sizes and colors to keep in your handbag, backpack, car, office desk drawer or garage.
  • Custom rain boots make a fashion statement while keeping you dry and warm.
  • Ponchos and rain coats are two outwear favorites to protect clothing and keep you dry on those soggy days.
  • Keep an Internet weather forecaster close by at home or the office to stay on top of sudden weather changes.

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Spring Fling: Fresh Promotional Product Ideas

by Woody Kaye on March 5, 2018

spring 150x150 Spring Fling: Fresh Promotional Product Ideas

Spring time is the season of renewal and rebirth. It’s the time of year to think about clearing out and reorganizing and taking a new look at how you do things. Helping your clients and employees take a fresh approach in various aspects of their lives – and in a way that promotes your brand visibility – is easy with these promotional product ideas:

 

  • Garden Accessories: With spring in full effect and nature in bloom, it’s time to think about spending time outdoors. Many like to spend this time of year beautifying their lawn and garden, so it’s wise to supply customers and staff with promotional product ideas for their yards, patios, plant beds, and flower or vegetable gardens. These ideas can include everything from garden gloves and barbecue aprons to seat cushions, bench covers, and patio umbrellas all of which can be emblazoned with a company name and logo. There’s even garden tool sets and barbecue tools that can be imprinted with a business brand or message.
  • Wet Weather Gear: As spring showers usher in May flowers, we all get wet in the process. This season is particularly good for branded wet weather products that offer protection from the rain. An incredible array of promotional umbrella options are available along with other logo-friendly weather products like rain boots, rain coats, ponchos, hats, and even forecasting weather station devices.
  • Fitness and Health Promotional Product Ideas: With the weather warming up, health and fitness efforts usually kick into high gear during the spring – especially as bathing suit season looms.  Now is the perfect time to freshen that exercise regimen with new logo-laden gear. Everything from jump ropes and exercise balls to yoga mats and pedometers can be personalized with a promotional brand name or logo. These are all great tools that help you get on track toward a healthier lifestyle.
  • Sports Accessories: Spring is the season of many sports playoffs like those for professional and collegiate basketball and the start of new seasons like baseball – not to mention all those in-between like golf, tennis, and hockey. Show your team spirit in a new way with a wide range of promotional products ideas for the on-the-field athlete or the armchair athlete. These ideas include branded products like binoculars, foam novelties, noise makers, sunglasses, apparel and more!
  • Wall Frames: Change the look and feel of an office or a home with new wall frames in different colors and sizes where you can insert anything from art and photos to poems to promotional materials about the company. These also come in a range of looks – from wood to plastic, steel to acrylic so that it matches current décor or even inspires a design overhaul of the space.

 

In Summary

Here are the main ideas from this blog post to keep it fresh no matter what you do during the upcoming spring season:

  • With the weather warming, it’s great to go outdoors and refresh that green thumb with a wide range of garden accessories or even tools for the barbecue chef who might be thinking about firing up that grill once more.
  • While spring showers abound, so do branded promotional products designed specifically for wet weather.
  • There’s still a chance to keep to your resolutions to exercise more and develop that beach body for the summer by taking advantage of a wide range of promotional fitness and health products for running, yoga, and cardiovascular exercises.
  • Spring time is game time for many sports and sports fans. Keep that spirit fresh by taking part in a sport or simply cheering your favorite team on the sidelines with a fresh group of sports accessories.
  •  Change your indoor outlook with fresh décor. One of the most cost-effective ways to change an office or home look is with wall frames that can present art, photos, and even promotional materials about a company.

 

 

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To Give is to Achieve: Corporate Gift Guidelines

by Woody Kaye on February 12, 2018

Post image for To Give is to Achieve: Corporate Gift Guidelines

A corporate gift does not have to be serious or stuffy in nature. Instead, it should be reflective of a company’s brand and philosophy, and meaningful to the recipient so that it resonates and deepens the relationship–whether the recipient is a customer, vendor, or employee. And, corporate gifting need not be complicated or expensive. Here are some key corporate gift guidelines that can help a business select the most appropriate items to give at holidays, as ‘thank you’ gifts, or in recognition of a job well done.

  • Be creative: There is nothing wrong with stepping outside of the traditional corporate gift box and opt for an item that will surprise and delight the recipient on a personal level, including sports-related items like golf accessories, a personalized wine bottle, a game, or even some type of fitness product.
  • Consider demographics: It is important to consider a person’s gender and age group to get the most bang for your promotional product buck. You do not want to give a younger client some type of house wares item when they would likely prefer a cell phone accessory or electronic device. Corporate gifts are meant to provide you with intangible ROI such as appreciation and allegiance as much as they benefit the recipient.
  • Represent the company’s values: Select items that reflect what the company believes in. For example, if the company is environmentally aware, be sure to select an item that has been manufactured from recycled materials and is produced in a way that’s safe for the environment.
  • Stick to a budget: Always be aware of how much the items cost, including any customization, to ensure that the budget is not overshot and increase the likelihood you can continue to offer the gift program each year or quarter. There are plenty of high quality, utility and perceived value items, including jewelry, barware, clothing and electronics, which will illustrate the level of appreciation you feel for the recipient.
  • Make it relevant: It is important to select those items that are relevant and of interest to the recipients rather than picking up a bunch of pens or diaries because they were specially priced. Take the time to select the types of items that illustrate you know what the recipient likes and is interested in. This small amount of effort will make a significant impact and go a long way toward building loyalty.
  • Go electronic: With so much of our collective professional and personal lives becoming digitized, electronic promotional products and gadget accessories are downright revered–from music and entertainment to travel and productivity, there is a myriad of digital options perfectly suited for corporate gifting.
  • Plan ahead: The best thing you can do with any corporate gift giving initiative is to plan ahead to ensure you can procure the right gift at the right price. This will save you from making rushed purchases that often reveal themselves as just that, which, in turn, may make the recipient not feel as special as intended. Take the time to get it right and you will be rewarded in turn.

In Review

Here is a quick wrap-up on the guidelines for corporate gifts:

  • Think beyond the traditional type of company gifts and go with something fun, practical, or memorable.
  • Make sure the gifts fit the individual based on their demographics, what you know about them, and what is relevant for today’s recipients.
  • Keep the gift in line with your brand, philosophy, and messaging.
  • Plan ahead and you will be able to pick the right item at the right price, staying on budget and delivering something special to the recipient.

References

Source: Premium Incentive Products, July/Aug 2012, p. 18

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Premium Incentive Products Enhance Employee Performance

by Woody Kaye on January 8, 2018

employee incentives 150x150 Premium Incentive Products Enhance Employee PerformanceIn tandem with fostering customer loyalty, a company must also cultivate employee loyalty through a culture that motivates and rewards staffers for superior performance. Such rewards and incentives can be in the form of promotional incentive products to deepen an employee’s commitment to the organization.

While some might prefer to allocate promotional products budget toward prospects, customers and business partners, investing in employee incentive products can have an equitable impact on your bottom line. Satisfied staffers have more longevity with a company, and they’ll also go the extra mile and perform at an optimum level, thus delivering a compelling return. This might be in the form of enhanced productivity and higher caliber customer service that translates to boosted revenues and sustained profitability.

Incentive products can vary greatly, and today’s promotional merchandise marketplace has no shortage of options. Here are some ideas of premium items sure to elicit the desired level of appreciation—and that will serve as a motivator in kind:

Leather Briefcases, Backpacks, and Computer Bags are a luxurious way to treat your staff. There is a wide range of high-quality carriers that can assist your talent, including soft and supple leather duffle bags, carry-all bags, laptop bags, computer backpacks, totes and portfolios in various sizes, styles, and colors.

  • Jewelry and Watches are time-honored incentive gifts. Designs available include stainless steel and two-tone watches, bracelets and necklaces for both men and women. It’s a great way to be reminded that you support their efforts every day.
  • Mantle and Table Top clocks are beautiful décor items for a home or office in both gold and glass/crystal to rich wood mantle clocks that are an elegant way to incentivize your talent.
  • Golf Clubs and Accessories will be coveted by the golf-crazed employee, including golf clubs like putters and drivers, golf bags, golf stands, tour bags and golf shoes.
  • High Tech Gadgets are a popular item that employees will fall in love with, especially if it’s something that they might not have sprung for themselves. Great gadgets include GPS Navigation devices, iPods, headphones, portable DVD players and Blu-Ray players. Other great ideas include shelf systems that are compatible with your iPhone or iPod, an HD camcorder, digital frames and flat screen TVs.
  • Cashmere Items like beautiful throws and scarves make a gift of comfort and luxury that anyone is sure to enjoy as they wrap themselves in softness and warmth during those cold months.

In Summary

Here are some key points to remember when it comes to enhancing employee performance and incentive products:

  • Luxury products are a way to show that you truly treasure your talent and want to give them something as special as they are, including items like cashmere throws and scarves, elegant watches, and stunning jewelry.
  • Special décor items are always appreciated like mantle and table top clocks.
  • High-tech items are always a hit, especially when so much of our personal and professional lives revolve such items as iPods, DVD players, camcorders, TVs and navigation devices.
  • With so many gadgets to transport, a beautiful leather briefcase, computer case, or all-in-one bag makes for a beautiful and durable way to keep all those electronic toys at our beck and call.

 

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Urban Line Apparel Trends

by Joey Klinger on January 2, 2018

Post image for Urban Line Apparel Trends

Source: Urban Line Apparel Trends.

Urban clothing lines are trending throughout the apparel industry. Every major brand now has a line that is featuring items influenced by the fashion world outside of the workplace. People’s lives are becoming more transient, travel has become easier and more efficient, and technology has made everything and everyone more accessible. We are also seeing a cultural movement within our professional relationships where people are connecting on a casual and personal level more often. We no longer have a separation of work and life, and with that, people are dressing in such a way that adheres to this new lifestyle. Professionals want to be comfortable yet well-dressed and these new lines of apparel are making that easier. We need our clothing to perform in all aspects of our lives. Active wear and specific fabrics are making this possible. These apparel trends started to pop up about six years ago in the apparel industry and with each season continue to evolve and become more refined.

Major brands are responding. We are striving to have less “stuff” and consumers are expecting the items we purchase to last longer and fit better. Fabric in these lines are more comfortable, well-made and customers are willing to pay the price for these luxuries. You’ll also notice patterns such as camouflage and regional trends such as pigment dyed are making a major statement. It is a very exciting time in the apparel industry as technology is making it possible for today’s clothing to wear better, look better and be more functional than ever before.

In the words of Nike, There’s Always Better!

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Does Branded Merchandise Work for Fund Raising?

by Woody Kaye on December 26, 2017

Branded Merchandise: An Effective Medium to Create Awareness & Influence Behavior

Marketing professionals are given many choices to increase brand awareness and responsiveness including print advertising, digital advertising, TV, radio, social media content and event sponsorships. This essay explores the effectiveness of promotional products and branded merchandise as an alternative advertising medium. Consider the following1:

  • 76.2% of recipients of logoed giveaways recall the product, advertiser and message from items received within the past two year period.
  • Of the recipients of promotional products who were surveyed 91% had at least one item in their kitchen, 74% in their work area and 55% in their bedroom closet or storage area.
  • 55% of those surveyed kept their logoed items for one year or longer.
  • Brand impressions are considerably higher for logoed merchandise than conventional advertising.

Not-for-profit case study: Heartland, a national parenting ministry mails a $3-$5 item every year 2 months ahead of the December 31st year end giving deadline. It’s a coordinated and strategic activity which has proven to be a very effective part of their development campaign accomplishing several things:

  • Provides a tangible and useful reminder of the brand and business or ministry that will be seen throughout the year
  • Demonstrates a willingness to ‘invest’ in donors
  • Differentiates the brand from those competitors who only solicit using email or US Mail.
  • Communicates dedication and commitment to the mission or enterprise.
  • Uses a touchpoint to move a candidate from prospective donor to committed donor.

Promotional products are an effective marketing tool.  They compliment more traditional forms of advertising by creating awareness for your brand and engendering good will with your donor base.

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Emerging Branded Merchandise Best Practices

by Woody Kaye on December 18, 2017

Having a concerted strategy and well-honed process for selecting branded merchandise is important for any Best Practices 150x150 Emerging Branded Merchandise Best Practices organization that wants to maximize results from their promotional efforts. Rather than guessing what logo products and related marketing mechanisms might prove effective, discern in advance what has been successful for other companies in the same, or comparable, industries.  With this effort you’re sure to uncover some best practices worth emulating…and be sure to document and continue improving upon best practices of your own.  [click to continue reading…]

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