Rise to Success with Promotional Products
We have been in the industry for well over two decades, and we always notice apprehension from those shopping for promotional products for the first time.
We are in the age of technology, and most marketing teams gravitate to perform sale and brand strengthening efforts solely online.
But, because technology is prominent, it does not always mean that it’s the best way to reach your audience.
As experts in the field, we like to educate our clients and potential future clients on the effectiveness and affordability of promotional products, point of sale items and point of purchase items.
But, don’t just take our word for it!
Let’s look at the numbers and explore how your business can benefit from a little promotional product TLC.
Online Marketing
Although you MUST have some type of online presence, pure online marketing alone will not guarantee exposure, especially if you are a new business or pitching a new product with little following.
Online marketing efforts such as social platform maintenance and email marketing are a great way to nurture your audience. But unfortunately, it is not the greatest platform to draw in new customers, participants or leads. Especially for fields such as:
- Non-profits
- Education
- Healthcare
- Construction
- And financial services
That is why many of these businesses gravitate towards promotional products to increase their brand awareness.
PPAI, one of the largest service providers in the promotional industry, connecting suppliers and distributors alike, has released their analytics for 2017. These were conducted through large sample surveys from consumers.
According to the survey, 40-60+% of consumers:
- Avoid online video ads
- Do not watch TV commercials
- And ignore or block digital ads
Unlike the above, only 20% of people said they discard or pass along promotional products.
The odds are already in your favor by adding promotional products to your marketing strategies!
Know Your Audience
Our team has learned to quickly identify clients’ target audiences!
Although our priority is to provide clients with the best quality and pricing as fast as possible, we dig deep, to the root of the project, in order to achieve the best results.
Ask yourself questions like:
- For what will this product be used?
- What would I like to achieve from this marketing effort?
- Would I like to increase sales, attain new leads, or simply increase brand awareness or online traffic?
Focus beyond the product. Focus on your company’s goals!
Let’s take a closer look at what the survey had to say about how the general public reacts to promotional products.
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Consumers reported that they remember receiving at least one promotional product in the last 6 months.
70-85% of consumers said they recall the brand, the message, or the call to action.
And to top it all off, 83% had a favorable impression of the advertiser after receiving the product.
But why do consumers feel this way about promotional products?
The answer is easy.
Chances are consumers are keeping the items at home, on their own person, in their vehicle, or at work.
These are high traffic areas; areas that the consumer will see daily, hourly, even minute by minute. This increases the product’s visibility and your brand’s exposure, which automatically increases brand retention.
This is why products like:
- Wearables
- Drinkware
- Bags
- Writing instruments
- Desk, office and business accessories
- And computer products
…continue to thrive. These are the most purchased products in the industry, according to the PPAI report. And from our experience these are some of the most requested products.
But…
How do you use promotional products as a marketing tool?
Gifts and Contests
Most companies want to use promotional products to create brand or product awareness, retain or appreciate existing customers, generate conversions and referrals, or drive traffic to a website or to a real life store/office.
These are goals that can be easily achieved through promotional products.
But through which strategies can we achieve these results?
We’ve worked with several companies that have reached great results by using promotional products alongside other forms of marketing media such as social media, email marketing and sales promotions.
Most of these mixed media marketing strategies include social giveaways, contests or gifts with purchase.
Free products, or the chance to win a product, increases the probability that someone will click your link, give personal information (like an email or phone number) or simply visit your site or store.
Similarly, doing gift with purchase incentives or custom producing value added packaging increases the chances that your product will be chosen over the competition.
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 Father’s Day Gift with Purchase
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 Mail-in Gift with Scheduled Presentation |
Trade Shows and Events
Don’t want to get too fancy?
Use promo products in their most natural form, at events or trade shows!
Bumble – Aspen Winter Giveaways
Promotional products have a physical pull on those passing by, especially if it’s a free and desired product or sample.
Using promotional products as a form of crowd pull is a great strategy to use at trade shows or events.
These products come in all different shapes, sizes and mediums, so get creative or ask our team how you can be the focus of your next event.
Using statement pieces like inflatables, rolling banners, and bright table covers are a great way to catch every attendees’ eye.
Then, draw them in with on-trend gifts they cannot resist!
The past year and even now Bluetooth-compatible gifts and tech accessories have been on the rise.
Most recently we’ve seen increase in Bluetooth speakers and accessories like the Popsocket®, SlingGrip® and stretchy phone wallets.
This initiative is constantly and often solely used to increase brand awareness. And according to PPAI’s research it is fairly effective.
About 79% of people who receive a promotional product look up the brand. And even 83% of people said they are more likely to do business with the brand.
So think carefully about the products you will give out at your next event.
And if you’re feeling stuck, call an MRL team member and discuss the possibilities for your business.
Recognition, Retention, and Public Relations
We already know that promotional products are used to create new leads or to attract new customers.
But, once you’ve acquired your lead or customer, then what?
Promotional products are also often used as a form of recognition or retention.
Have you ever gone to a store and they’ve asked for your address? Or email? And soon after you receive a branded gift in the mail or an email with a branded gift offer?
This is another way that you can utilize promotional products.
They are also often used as form of recognition and retention for employees or partners like influencers.
Our team has created several of these products that appreciate partners, employees and existing customers. Check out some of our work below!
 Barrel Head Speaker – Influencer Gift |
 Employee Gear
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How does The MRL Group help companies like yours succeed?
Our team is a research machine. We are always searching online, and in our daily lives and events, for the most desired and effective products.
We scan our environment for products that could potentially enter and become relevant to our industry.
Take for example the popularity of the fidget spinner last year.
Although the fidget spinner entered commercially for the general public, we quickly identified that the product’s desirability could provide companies with the exposure that they sought.
We soon after found ourselves custom producing Fidget Spinners for companies like the Miami Heat, Bacardi and Douglas Elliman Realty.
Our company helps clients identify which products will achieve results, by pinpointing long term and short term opportunities.
For example, the fidget spinner product would be considered a short term opportunity.
Fads like these are common, but are not made to last. Many will lose their shine within months to a year. They are great exposure while they are all the rage, but soon after that they fall flat.
This is why items like the fidget spinner are great for quick exposure and short term goals. You can use them as a small gift incentive to have customers sign up for an email list, or visit your site for the first time.
Short term and long term goals helps our team identify what items within your budget will provide you with the results you are looking for.
Want to learn more about the power of promotional products?
Contact us today and we’ll lead you to success!
