I am not really a huge fan of exercising. I don’t mind it, but it’s not the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning. But realizing that exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, all I need is a little prodding (OK, sometimes a lot) to get into my exercise gear and head to the gym. But on days when I get off work late or when it’s raining and I don’t feel like stepping out of the house, I feel I have a legitimate excuse to skip exercising (Oh, happy day!). I leap at the opportunity to turn into a couch potato and spend the rest of my day in front of the T.V.

But one fine day, my boss just had to go and ruin my bliss. He handed out exercise mats and pedometers to all the employees and gave us all some good news (at least that’s what he thought it was). He happily informed us that research proves that when your employees exercise, it reduces absenteeism and improves the quality of work. Yoga in particular provides mental AND physical relaxation so, according to him, it’s the perfect exercise for us. So a friend of his, who is a hot-shot yoga instructor, was going to come in once a week and give us lessons free of charge. At that moment, I could actually see all my exercise-free days jumping out the window.

So, if your organization is looking for ways to get your employees to exercise, too, then Absorbent, Ink. has got you covered. Exercise and yoga mats and pedometers will definitely give your employees a push in the right (??) direction.

Oh, in case you are wondering … yes, I am still holding a grudge against my boss. It’s getting smaller. Like my tummy.

Still running,

Abby Ink

April showers … carry on over through May, through June and sometimes even July, make it frustrating to enjoy what are supposed to be hot, lazy summer afternoons. Depending on your locale, a “hot, lazy summer afternoon” may actually end up being unusually cool or involve an unexpected torrential downpour. And we’re all in the same boat when it comes to being under-prepared for the rain – the same wet, annoying and slippery boat.

It’s happened countless times to all of us – we run out of the house failing to check the forecast and get caught in the rain without a jacket, umbrella or even a plastic covering for our heads (channeling older ladies!). There’s really not a lot worse than getting caught in a rainstorm when you are entirely unprepared – frizzy hair, wet suits and overall exasperation will ensue. BTW, you think yours is bad; you should see MY hair when it rains!

That said, Absorbent, Ink. has a number of rain protectors to consider. What better way to promote your company than by dropping your logo onto an umbrella? When you keep people dry, you’ve got a friend for life! Not only will you indirectly be protecting your current and potential clients, you will be saying to the world, “Hey, we know how awful it is to be unexpectedly rained on during your lunch hour. Let us help keep you dry!” The message can be big and bold on a Tsunami Vented Umbrella. Or, Absorbent, Ink. offers Budget Mini Windy Umbrellas, mini-er than usual umbrellas that fold down to a size small enough to fit in a roomy purse or briefcase or under a car seat, ready for action.

Suppose your recipients may not want to carry around an umbrella? There are plenty more ways to keep them dry - and spread your message or brand around. Check out Absorbent Ink.’s PVC Rain Coats. Affordable and incredibly useful, these lightweight rain coats are available in either a clear or a black surface color. Easy to tote around and scrunch up into a bag, PVC Rain Coats will come in handy in protecting your clients against Mother Nature and all she has to offer.

Here’s to hoping none of our Fourth of July weekend plans are ruined by unexpected and untimely rainfall, unlike the U.S. Open in Bethpage, N.Y., last week. Just in case, let your clients know that they can stand under your umbrella-ella-ella.

Stay dry,

Abby Ink.

Plastic: The very word makes me think of huge piles of garbage that do not decompose and are eyesores. If you haven’t already guessed, I am a fervent champion of eco-friendly products. I have made it my personal mission to find products that can permanently replace non-biodegradable materials and that is how I came across corn plastic.

Corn plastic, basically, is plastic produced from corn. Since it’s made from plants, it is biodegradable, which makes it a nice alternative to normal plastic. Absorbent, Ink. practically has a corn plastic category – just search our site for “corn plastic” and see what pops up! Many of the products are both affordable and practical, and they ensure that your business’s name is in front of your customers’ eyes 24/7.

We have the traditional coffee mugs and soup mugs in corn plastic, and don’t forget about pens, like the Corn Plastic Husker Pens. Got clients who golf? We have Corn Plastic Golf Tees. And for something that’s a little bit different, check out the Corn Thermometer.

Too much talk about corn. I think I’m getting hungry!

Abby Ink

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.

Yesterday it was announced that news anchors Brian Williams, Katie Couric, and Charles Gibson of NBC, CBS, and ABC, will sit on one set for a prime-time telecast called “Stand up 2 Cancer.” The special will air September 5, 2008 at 8pm et. www.standup2cancer.org

“Katie, Charlie and Brian will report on potentially life-saving research, speaking with both patients and scientists. We hope to entertain you, educate you, move and inspire you,” said movie and television producer Laura Ziskin, who will produce the special.

You can donate to the organization here: http://www.standup2cancer.org/donate

Awareness bracelets are another great way to join in the fight against cancer and raise awareness.

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.

[If they can make up the word ‘Bracketology’ we can get creative too!]

College basketball teams are deep into their conference schedule and March Madness™ is just around the corner. Bars and restaurants can benefit from the excitement of March Madness™ by implementing marketing strategies that optimize their brand exposure and increase sales traffic. Traditional marketing strategies such as newspaper ads or radio spots can be effective, but including a sales promotion or premium product in a marketing plan has been proven to be even more successful. These ideas can be customized to fit your business and customers’ expectations to create a fun and exciting atmosphere for March Madness™.

Tournament Brackets: Spice up bracket contests by awarding participants who correctly complete a region or round of games on the bracket. Discounts on a product or service or imprinted products can be given away as prizes. Breaking down the bracket and prize pool increases the number of winners, which boosts traffic at the business. Display the grand prize at the business location to increase word-of-mouth or “buzz” marketing for the prize and brand.

Prize Drawings: Create a prize drawing for a March Madness™ watch party sponsored by your business. The winner can invite friends to watch a basketball game and enjoy snacks, refreshments and other special treatments provided by the business. Other prizes can be given away such as imprinted bottle coolers or tee shirts. Not only are drawings a great way to attract customers, they can also be used to survey participants. It gives your business an opportunity to ask customers about your product or service and how it can improve.

Promote Game Day or Night: Create a calendar and label featured games that will be broadcasted at your business. Place the calendar on dining tables or at a bar where customers can view the schedule. A great way to attract customers to game nights is to create a trivia game. Trivia questions can be general or customized for different themes. Get creative with prizes and include your brand name. Glassware imprinted with the brand logo or message is a great giveaway.