I remember summers as a kid – being sent off to a three-week summer camp that was polluted with teenage hormones and an endless amount of water activities. That’s no mind, though. There’s no need to sit and reminisce about days of old and first kisses with braces intact. As an adult, I find summer is about traveling (just not to Mexico… not this year, anyway). The funny thing is, some people are expert travelers who could handle a three-layover international flight with their eyes closed, while others become completely unhinged trying to find long-term parking.

Regardless of which traveler category you fall under, be it “I-could-this-do-this-blindfolded” or “novice,” many products exist that ease the inevitable frustrations of traveling, especially luggage-finding. We’ve all been there: You get off the plane in hopes of being one of the first to arrive at baggage claim, grab your luggage and be on your merry way. After power-walking all the way to that infamous conveyor belt, you stand patiently with both eyes peeled for your belongings. “Oh, there it is! Wait, no. Wrong one. There it is! Oh, no. Wrong again. Oh that’s definitely it.” After the fifth time this happens, things get extremely irritating. Each new piece of black luggage blends into the last one and you realize that, were this a life-or-death situation wherein someone said you have to find your bag now or else, you would be in trouble.

Fortunately, there is a perfect solution. Absorbent, Ink. offers a special luggage tag that will help alleviate this particular airport pain. The Grip-It Luggage Identifier is a brightly colored, helpful accessory that travelers can wrap around the handle of almost any piece of luggage. These luggage identifiers are an ideal promotional product for transportation and travel companies. Travelers of all shapes and sizes will accept these helpful gifts and not only use them to their traveling advantage, but will also be continually reminded of your company’s efforts to accelerate the tiring process of spotting luggage on the belt.

The captain has turned off the “fasten seatbelt” sign. You may continue your voyage … with more ease.

Safe (and easy) travels,

Abby Ink

Last week, I made the absolute mistake of attending my friend’s father’s retirement party. I should have known better considering that, nowadays, most conversations among people beyond the age of 25 hardly ever go beyond the dreaded economy. And that is exactly what happened. I was treated to three unending hours of “economy” talk and how lucky my friend’s dad was to be able to retire.

But that led me to think that I am definitely not the only one tired of reading and listening to how bad the economy is. I know, from experience, that the people who discuss this are themselves sick of the topic. So why do it? Well, when there is an elephant in the room, you can’t stop talking about it. Likewise, when something as large as the economy starts affecting people’s lives, they can’t stop themselves from talking about it even if they don’t want to.

So, I figured I might as well join the bandwagon and give you my two-cents worth. One of the best - and most economical - ways to promote your business today is to make use of promotional items that are different, topical and stand out from the rest. If you have been giving pens and calenders to your customers, it is time to change! Try something like mini fans (recipients will definitely appreciate those in this weather!) with your brand name on the fans or even on the fan blades. Or how about imprinted gumball machines for your V.I.P. customers? These will definitely let people know that you have a fun side too! Another promotional item that is fun, and cute to boot, is a stuffed animal. Customers of all ages will definitely love a cuddly teddy bear or stuffed moose.

And when people are talking about these great promotional products that you just gave them, they won’t be talking about the economy. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and dazzle everyone with your innovative gifts!

Yours,

Abby Ink

I just read an article that talked about promotional products that businesses can hand out. It was an interesting read, but the items discussed were quite generic and lacked the oomph a product needs to really get your message “carried away.” It’s summertime! Give them something they can use right now!

You’ll want your recipients to appreciate your promotional products and remember your business (that’s what it’s all about, right?). To achieve this, there are two things you absolutely have to remember: be timely and topical. Recipients should be able to use the products as soon as they receive them. For that to happen, it is essential to tie your products in with current events or seasonal trends.

For starters, since summer has finally arrived, your customers are going to start dusting off their barbecue grills and picnic paraphernalia. Why not dish out some folding chairs or insulated coolers (imprinted with your logo, of course) that they can use right now! And don’t be afraid to bend the rules a little; maybe your message would be better imprinted on an ice scraper if you are trying to keep it cool.

If you would like to give something that is more affordable, but useful all the same, then products that might suit you include water jugs, sunglasses, sunscreen lotions…. Whatever your budget, Absorbent, Ink. has something to suit you and your recipients during any season.

Sometimes it’s easy to take the USPS for granted. It’s aggravating when they don’t get a letter delivered properly. But overall, they deliver a lot of mail to a lot of people with relatively few mistakes.

From a marketing perspective, as postage rates increase, so do the costs associated with direct mail campaigns. For those of us in marketing roles with our companies, this affects how we do business. With tightening budgets we have to be even more creative in how we promote our brand.

I’ve been in marketing for more than 20 years. Increasing mail costs don’t surprise me. But what did surprise me was the amount of the decline in mail last year. It was approximately a 9.5 billion piece decline in mail for 2008. According to the USPS, “Declining mail volume was a symptom of the worsening national economy, particularly related to the financial and housing industries and to trends toward the use of electronic mail.”

Business owners are looking for alternative ways to promote their business. This includes social media, email, and of course, promotional products. The promotional products industry still enjoyed a good year in 2008 with more than $18 billion in sales. Why? Because promotional products are a cost effective way to promote your business.

Head on over to AbsorbentPrinting.com and check out the changes we’ve made.  You’ll notice an orange navbar that highlights our Green products, our products that are made in the USA, our clearance section, our newest products, and our unique products.  You can now shop by brand, as well!

I just filled up my gas tank for a little over $15 bucks yesterday.  Great for me but experts say its a sign of how bad the economy is right now.  Oil is selling at 43 dollars a barrel!  Nobody is spending money.

Here are a few tips for your business to help increase awareness and sales:

-Emphasize the value of your product or service to your customers. With budgets being tight, people want to know how a product or service will benefit them.

-Offer coupons and sales. Everyone is looking for a good bargain right now.  Show you care by giving them one.

-Studies have shown that companies that keep or increase their spending on marketing during a recession end up in better shape at the end of a recession. The average cost-per-impression of a promotional product is $.0004, according to a recent ASI study.  Of the surveyed respondents, 84% remembered the advertisers of the promotional product they received.

Mayor Gavin Newsom of San Francisco made news last summer when he issued an executive order banning San Francisco City and County governments from purchasing bottled water. The order was effective on July 1 and extended to a ban on water coolers by Dec. 1. Newsom made the decision based on economic and environmental factors, citing the environmental impact and the amount of tax payer dollars used to transport and dispose plastic water bottles.

The city of Ann Arbor, Mich. made the next move soon after San Francisco, barring city vendors from selling commercial bottled water at city events. Most recently in late January, Madison, Wis., a city partly known for its eco-friendliness is also considering a proposal to ban both bottled water and plastic grocery bags. City governments are not the only entities jumping on the no bottled water band wagon. Restaurateur and Iron Chef Mario Batali also put an end to bottled water at his Del Posto Ristorante in New York.

(more…)

For businesses with a .com domain, piggybacking on the high search authority of .edu or .org sites can improve search engine optimization. A business can earn a link on sites of area colleges, universities, or not-for-profit organizations that it has good relations with. (Keyword: Earn).

Seomoz.org says folks who receive such coveted links on .edu sites have four things in common:

1) they are generous with their time,
2) generous with their talent,
3) generous with their money, or
4) know a lot about an academic subject and are very good at writing about it.

Helping an organization with its Web site, writing professional articles that professors can recommend to their students, making donations in your business’s name or volunteering at charitable events are just some ways in which a business can earn a link. Earning a link on a .gov domain may or may not be more difficult, but try getting more involved with your city and state government through civic events. You never know when an opportunity can arise. The core tactic to earning links is to create a mutually beneficial relationship.

Keep the winter blues at bay

The holiday season is an extremely difficult time for anyone. According to therapist Joe Kort, “After the holiday season is over, many people suffer from depression. The fast pace to get presents, visit with family, send out cards and get school and work business done keeps the depression at bay. However, returning to work and school, dealing with the family issues which surfaced over the holidays and facing the winter blues can be very depressing.”

When the after-holiday doldrums set in, what is a manager to do? How can you motivate your employees to keep up the good work that they did all year long? Here are a few great ideas for your company to keep productivity up and the post-holiday doldrums down:

1. Candy gifts
After the holidays, everyone begins to miss the treats they received just a few days ago. Candy gifts are a great motivator and comfort to a worker who needs a little pick-me-up in the middle of the day. It is a small token of your company’s appreciation and can convince the employee that you care, even after the holidays.

2. Hand sanitizers and soaps
The period during and directly after the holidays is prime cold and flu territory. Keep your employees healthy by giving them hand sanitizers and soaps. Your employees will appreciate the gesture and the disease prevention.

3. Relaxation products
From bath salts to massagers, relaxation products are a great way to help your employees get through those post-holiday blues unscathed. Not only are they ideal after the relatives leave town, but they are a treat after a long day at the office. Relaxation products will be a reminder that the company cares about their mental health.

4. Yo-yos
It may sound silly, but a yo-yo is a timeless and ageless gift that your employee will enjoy for a long time. It is a great tool while brainstorming because it keeps the employee’s hands busy and eases the pressure exuded by deadlines. Yo-yos are a great break time accessory and an easyway to boost morale.

5. Ceramic mugs
The smell of freshly brewed coffee is always a great pick-me-up, but when coupled with a brand new ceramic mug, the effect is doubled because it is also aesthetically pleasing.

Pep talks are great for motivating employees, but they only go so far. A small gift can be a fantastic way to motivate and cheer up your employees. Let your employees know that you are thinking of them, even after the holidays have ended.

A couple of days ago the president of Absorbent, Ink. talked to Small Business Trends Radio about how to get the most out of giving gifts to clients. They were nice enough to post the interview on their website.

Click here to listen to the interview.