It’s a brand new year and the perfect time to reinvent your brand. A clean slate of possibility is out there waiting for you to grab it! There are endless ways to reinvigorate you brand identity but here are a few of my favorites.

1) Promotional Products
Being in the promotional products field makes it easy to recommend the use of promos. People really get excited about freebies and giveaways, so you should take advantage of that. A great way to keep people talking about your brand is to give an item that will be useful and keep you in mind. What better way to do that than with promotional products? It’s best to use quality, reusable products that people are interested in. Items such as, Aluminum Travel Bottles, Custom Biodegradable Pens or Reusable Grocery Bags will gain repeat brand exposure because they are everyday items that people use. Make sure your custom imprint is bold and noticeable and that the promotional products you choose are of a quality you feel represents your brand.

2) Social Networking
What better way to spread the word about your company or brand than social networking? If you don’t currently participate in online social platforms, now is the time to get started. Social networking is an effective way to engage your target audience, increase visibility and build relationships. Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are three terrific places to start making connections.

3) Creativity
Have fun with your advertising or marketing and create a buzz for your brand. You don’t necessarily have to reinvent the wheel. Try to come up with a great viral video or a tantalizing contest to get people interested. Anything that might spread the word about your business or brand will work. As mentioned earlier, unique promotional products are also a great way to get people talking. Customized Flash Drives, Printed Temporary Tattoos and Personalized Dog Tags are a few fun examples.

Start the year off right and start revitalizing your brand. Shop Absorbent, Ink. today!

I got a knock at the door yesterday and was surprised by a bunch of school kids selling candy bars for their school fundraiser. They endearingly explained to me what the fundraiser was for and showed me the items they had available for purchase. How could I say no to such adorable kids? It was impossible. I ended up buying way too many candy bars, but at least it was for a good cause!

This made me think about all of the possible fall fundraising ideas on Absorbent, Ink. One of the most important elements of successful fundraising is making a profit. Whether you’re raising money for schools, churches, awareness campaigns, animal shelters, sports teams or charities, the most important aspect is profitability. Luckily, custom fundraisers offer great returns. Absorbent, Ink. has a great selection of products that are perfect for fundraising events. Here are a few popular choices:

Food and Candy Items have to be one of the most popular fundraiser items. It’s great to have an excuse to buy delicious treats, especially if it’s for a wonderful cause. Gourmet Snack Gifts can include personal chocolate bars, candy gifts, cookie tins and more. They’re the perfect fundraiser ideas to sweeten your profit margins. Check out our huge selection of delectable Food and Beverage Gifts.

Another outstanding fundraising promotion is Rubber Awareness Bracelets. Custom Silicone Bracelets were created as a fundraiser by the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help raise money for cancer awareness. They quickly became a popular fashion accessory worldwide and remain a sought after promotional item. Why not kick your fundraising campaign off right with Rubber Awareness Bracelets?

Custom Sports Bottles are an effective fundraiser idea. When they are imprinted with your logo or message they become walking billboards for your organization or event. They’re available in a wide variety of styles, including; aluminum water bottles, bike bottles, Nalgene water bottles, eco-friendly bottles and a whole lot more. They’re perfect fundraisers any time of the year.

Let Absorbent, Ink. help you get your fundraiser off on the right foot. Start shopping for Fundraiser Products and Business Promotional Items today!

Good luck,

Abby Ink

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been seeing internet based advertisements everywhere. It makes sense – the internet is booming! Being online is becoming a big part of people’s everyday lives. Whether it’s for work, leisure, or networking – the internet is the place to go. Social networking sites and location based services like Facebook, Twitter, Gowalla and Foursquare are becoming networking hubs for people of all ages. So, why not use promotional products to reach out to customers and help steer them to your online resources easily and effectively?

One highly effective and inexpensive promotional idea to help you advertise your online presence is Custom Drink Coasters from Absorbent, Ink. Paper Coasters are a great choice because they are cost effective, easy to distribute, and offer a large printable area to showcase your imprint. You can imprint your URL, RSS feed, Twitter link or Facebook URL directly onto our Bar Coasters for a simple promotion. One of the best ideas I’ve seen recently were the coasters Google gave out to small businesses to promote Google Places. I also love the idea of Custom Drink Coasters printed with QR codes that can be scanned to reveal text, a URL or other data.

I woke up this morning and realized that it’s President’s Day today. The holiday began as a day to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday but it has become a day to honor all of the individuals who have served as President. It has also become a day known for its outrageous President’s Day sales and a day that many people have off of work. Whether you are working today or enjoying a nice long weekend – why not use this time to reflect on the leaders of the past and the role they have played to shape our nation.

Thinking of President’s Day makes me think of branding. It’s important to have a brand that reflects the professionalism and message you are looking to convey. Quality business printing adds strength to your branding that can make a huge statement.  Absorbent, Ink. has an excellent selection of Presentation Folders that are perfect for revitalizing your brand and for making a notable impression.

Pocket folders are one of the most popular business promotions out there. They are extremely versatile, perfect for a variety of budgets and are an effective way to establish your brand or promote an event. Business folders may not lead America to victory like some of our previous presidents, but they can lead you to advertising success! Why not make a memorable impression and customize your very own business folders from Absorbent, Ink. We have everything you need to help your business rise to the top and look great doing it!

Kind regards,

Abby Ink

The holidays are on their way! Now is the perfect time to check holiday shopping off of your to-do list. Here are some of the hottest holiday gift ideas for 2010.

1. Gift Tins
One of my favorite gifts to receive are gift tins filled with scrumptious treats! Gift tins continue to be a holiday staple because people just love receiving tins filled with delicious food. Popular tins include; tri-flavored popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels, cookies, nut assortments and more.

2. Metal Drinkware
Two of the hottest drinkware items of the season are stainless steel travel mugs and aluminum water bottles. Metal drinkware is an incredible gift choice for anyone on your list. It is durable, will be used often and slook fantastic imprinted with custom logos or artwork. Choose from a variety of colors, styles and shapes.

3. Calendars
Personalized calendars are an excellent gift idea that will be seen all year long. They are available in a variety of styles and are suitable for a variety of interests and industries. If you are looking for an inexpensive gift that will last 365 days a year, calendars are the gift you’re looking for.

4. Gift Pens
Personalized gift pens make beautiful and useful corporate and business gifts. They will get used time and time again. Print or engrave each pen with a logo or name to add a personal touch. Gift pens make excellent gifts for co-workers, clients, business partners and a whole lot more.

5. Picture Frames
Customized picture frames make fantastic corporate gifts any time of the year. They will proudly be displayed on desktops, nightstands, mantles and won’t go un-noticed. If you’re looking for an elegant gift for the holiday, picture frames are a great choice.

These holiday gift ideas are just the beginning. Stay tuned for five more unique corporate gifts ideas from Absorbent, Ink. We have everything you need for your gift giving this holiday season.

See you soon,

Abby Ink

Wow. This year is really passing by like a freight train. I just looked at the calendar and realized how quickly the holidays will be upon us. I can’t believe it is nearly November! It’s that time of year to get busy making plans and shopping for gifts. It’s really never too early to start doing holiday shopping, right? Now is the perfect time to start shopping around for business gifts too. You don’t want to forget to build and maintain all of your important business relationships, and the holidays are a perfect time to do that.

I took a quick look around Absorbent, Ink. and found an abundance of great gift ideas for co-workers, clients, customers and business partners. There are classics like custom Bettoni gift pens which make beautiful and practical corporate gifts. Business card cases will make everyone’s job title look important. Personalized briefcases and bags are another great business gift idea. It’s always important to pick items that recipients will get a lot of use out of. You don’t want your gifts to go unused.

My personal favorite gift idea is incredible edible corporate gifts, like custom chocolate, personalized gift boxes and logo candy gifts. Who wouldn’t love receiving delicious tasty treats? I know I would! Gourmet food items will almost never go to waste, at least that is true at my office. teehee

As you can see, there are a ton of great business promotional items to choose from. So why not avoid the rush and start your holiday shopping today!

Ciao,

Abby Ink

Are you looking for an effective way to grab attention and promote your brand or event? Custom promotional products are just what you’re looking for! By giving away or promoting with printed items you are increasing your brand exposure and increasing your chance for future success. Try these tips to help you better realize what you’re looking for and ensure you choose the right promotional products.

Know your Budget
An important first step when selecting the right custom promotional products is to determine your budget. When you have established your advertising budget you can determine how much per piece you have to spend. This will help you know what price point to look for. Regardless of your budget, advertising with printed promotions does not have to be expensive. There are promotional products available for every budget. If you’re looking to hand out a few upscale gifts for special occasions, there are plenty of custom promotional products to choose from. If you’d rather give away a large volume of inexpensive items, there is a huge selection of low-cost items available. Strive to promote with the highest-quality products you can afford to ensure your products make a great impression and are reliable.

Know your Identity
Promotional products are meant to advertise an event, display a logo or carry a message. These customized items should represent your organization, your event, or your business. It’s a great idea to figure out how you want to convey your message or what impression you want to leave. Do you want to make a professional impression? Do you want a unique product that recipients can have fun with? Do you want to give a functional gift and show your practicality? The possibilities are endless with promotional products.

Know your Target Audience
It’s essential that your promotional items resonate with recipients. Try to know and understand your audience. What age groups are you trying to appeal to? Is there a specific business market you are aiming for? At what venue will you be distributing your product? You want to interest people in your brand, and knowing what your target audience wants is an important part of your success. For instance, if you’re focusing on advertising to eco-friendly groups, green keychains, corn plastic mugs or seed infused items would be a smart choice. However, if you’re marketing to tech minded individuals; customized flash drives may be a great choice. Get to know the individuals you’re trying to reach and your promotional advertising will be more successful.

Advertising with custom promotional products is an important part of marketing your company or brand and it can make a huge impact on your sales and customer base. A little research into your target audience can go a long way. Every business is unique, so it’s best to determine what products are best for you and your company and focus on that market. So, start thinking about whom you’re trying to reach, how much you can spend and what you are trying to achieve and your endeavors are sure to be a success!

Don’t you just love when someone tells you that you’ve done a great job or that they appreciate your hard work? It’s always a good feeling to get recognized for your efforts. I was thinking about this on my way to work this morning and it made me realize that I haven’t expressed my appreciation to my co-workers lately. I must remedy the situation! What’s a girl to do, I thought? Then, I remembered that Absorbent, Ink. has an excellent selection of business promotional items that are just waiting to be customized.

Custom coffee mugs always make popular gifts for the office. They are guaranteed to perk up your co-workers, customers, clients, friends or business associates. Coffee cups will get a lot of use at home or in the office and there are a ton of different styles to choose from! You can customize them with practically any artwork or logo and really make them special.

If coffee mugs aren’t your thing, food gift baskets are another great idea! There is no better way to say thank you, than with personalized gourmet treats. Delicious desserts, custom candy and printed snacks are perfect gifts for showing your appreciation. Food gifts are a great tasting way to put a smile on anyone’s face! Who wouldn’t love receiving a tasty treat from Absorbent, Ink?

Business card cases and holders will make anyone’s job title look important! They’re excellent for corporate gifts or employee anniversaries. They’re also ideal for rewarding dedication or showing appreciation to your clients or co-workers. Giving the gift of a classy business card holder is a great way to strengthen business relationships and show you care.

How about it? Do you have co-workers, clients or business associates that you’ve been meaning to thank? Now is the perfect time to let them know they’re doing a fantastic job. Who wouldn’t love receiving custom business gifts?

Here’s to saying “Thanks” in style,

Abby Ink

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