Businesses and marketers often face a common obstacle: How to advertise a brand, its products and services under budget constraints. With the many costs involved in running a business, advertising budgets are one of the first to shrink when funds are tight. Therein lies another challenge. With less advertising, how can businesses garner enough attention to attract consumers and generate sales?

The solution is a concept called Credibility Marketing. It’s the idea that support by third-party consumers has higher credibility than messages created by marketers.

Here are three ways to generate third-party endorsements:
Testimonials- Offering prospective customers testimonials or blurbs about another client’s positive experience is a big credibility booster.

Case Studies- Consumers like product demonstrations. It gives them a chance to see how the product works, what it can be used for and how effective it is. Case studies are demonstrations on paper.

Press Releases- If your business is looking for a large audience, media publicity is the way to go. Dabbling in the publicity arena may seem scary because businesses feel as though they have no control over what is being said.

Using testimonials, case studies and press releases is a cost effective way to advertise a brand, product or service. These third-party endorsements are great credibility boosters that give consumers more confidence in a business.

Calendars are creeping toward April 15, which means federal and state tax returns are due very soon. We know filing a tax return can sometimes be a daunting task. That’s why tax preparers are always encouraging workers to file early before the deadline catches anyone by surprise. Whether you are a tax preparer or employer, it is important to remind workers to file their taxes before April 15. Promotional products and corporate gifts can serve as great reminder tools.

Tax preparers looking to attract customers can hand out Patriotic Stress Balls with an imprinted brand logo and message. Stress balls shaped as the Statue of Liberty or painted like the American flag are fun, reusable items. They remind workers that tax preparation can be a lot less stressful with a little help.

Employers can hand out Calculators to remind employees about the April 15 deadline. It’s a practical item that everyone will need to prepare taxes.

A Coffee Mug is also an effective year-round reminder. Full color mugs are highly noticeable and are versatile items than can be used in the office and at home.

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Spring is right around the corner, which means students are just waiting to close their textbooks and hit the warm beaches or cool slopes. Spring Break is the time for students and their families to escape bleak winter weather or to relax at new and exciting locales. Businesses that can’t reach their consumers at these Spring Break hot spots can use promotional products to keep their brand image on consumers’ minds even while they travel! Imprinting your brand’s logo on these products can remind consumers of your brand during their Spring Break escape.

- A Travel Vanity Bag is a great item for women or men who need a handy and space-saving bag to hold all their toiletry items.

-Duffel Bags are useful promotional products that generate extra brand exposure. Not only will your clients be reminded of your brand, other people at airports and hotels who see the imprinted logo will be exposed to the brand, as well.

-An imprinted Travel Toothbrush is an item consumers use day and night and is a sure way to keep your brand on consumers’ minds.

You may claim that St. Patrick’s Day is your favorite holiday, but what do you really know about it?

Here are 5 questions to test your knowledge.

First question:

Leprechauns had nothing to do with St. Patrick’s Day until which American movie producer created a friendly, cheerful leprechaun character?



Answer: Walt Disney. Irish folklore describes leprechauns as cranky souls known for their trickery and protectiveness over their treasure. The friendlier American version of the leprechaun quickly evolved into a St. Patrick’s Day and Irish symbol.

Second question:

Which city is home to a St. Patrick’s Day Parade that is the longest running civilian parade in the world?



Answer: Nope, it’s not Dublin. It’s New York City. The first parade started in 1762 and now draws more than 2 million spectators.

Third question:

In Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire Irish is the leading ancestral group. How many U.S. residents claim Irish ancestry?



Answer: 34.7 million-nearly 9 times the population of Ireland!

Fourth question:

What river is dyed green every year in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day?



Answer: The Chicago River. The city of Chicago uses 40 pounds of green vegetable dye to turn the river green for several hours.

Fifth question:

St. Patrick is credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland. According to Irish mythology, which reptile did Saint Patrick banish from Ireland?



Answer: If you said snakes then you are correct. However, Ireland was never actually inhabited by snakes. The “banishing of the snakes” is symbolic of Saint Patrick’s eradication of pagan theology from the island.

PS: Please feel free to email this quiz to friends or family!