Absorbent Ink. Marketing Ideas

Absorbent Ink. Marketing Ideas Absorbent Ink. Marketing Ideas http://www.absorbentprinting.com/article.php?type=article Mon, 12 May 2008 06:31:48 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2-ppt (info@mypapit.net) en Absorbent Ink. (c) 2008 Marketing Ideas Unconventional fundraising for non-profits http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/unconventional-fundraising
Although most businesses need to have fundraising events, these events are most crucial for nonprofit organizations. How can an organization raise money and awareness if it is not generating many funds to begin with? While nonprofit fundraising can be difficult, it can help the organization succeed and their cause gain awareness when done well.

One effective way for nonprofits to raise money is through partnering with a corporation to increase cause recognition. Cause-related marketing has been around for a while. Many charities and businesses have partnered together to achieve success. The difference between a mere partnership and a successful partnership, however, is quite different.

In the January 1, 2004, article “Making the Business-Nonprofit Partnership a Win-Win” on AllBussiness.com, Marion E. Gold stated that “the key is to create an environment in which the company's and charity's objectives are integrated to create a mutually beneficial result.”

Gold suggested that nonprofits present their partnership plan to businesses in a creative way to clearly explain why the partnership would benefit the community.

“The most successful nonprofits will position their causes as” brands or as products that their “corporate partners want to buy,” Gold said.

Gold also said that both sides of the partnership must hold up their end of the agreement, monitor the partnerships results, make the best out of the resources available and ensure that both partners have something to give in the joint venture.

Another unique way to raise funds is to go to the Internet. While many charitable organizations already use the Internet to raise awareness, there may be avenues they have yet to explore, such as social networking, email lists and article RSS.

The May 24, 2006, blog post, “Social Networking for Nonprofits” at Netsquared.org, suggested a few ways that nonprofits can use social networking sites, such as MySpace, Friendster and Facebook, to increase funding and exposure.

Nonprofits can create profiles for their organization with links to their official Web site, write blogs about issues the organization is concerned with and create groups that center on the issues the group works on.

Nonprofits can use the Internet for fundraising in other ways, as well. Starting email campaigns can easily, and economically, reach many potential supporters at once. The September 8, 2000, article “A Primer for Online Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations” by Michael Stein also suggested that nonprofits consider adding their organization to an online charity forum.

“Charity portals are Web sites that offer a directory of nonprofits, of which you'd be one of many. Their job is to attract lots of traffic to their site and encourage visitors to make contributions to the nonprofits listed. Often your listing is free, and the portal accepts secure credit card contributions on your behalf,” said Stein.

“Some charge a fee when you get a contribution, but usually there are no monthly charges. These portals make their money either from advertising on their site or through the fees they charge the nonprofit.”

Nonprofits come in all shapes and sizes. They can be large like the American Cancer Society or small, like your community’s homeless shelter. Size and visibility should not hinder any charitable organization’s ability to raise money. So start slow, build power and start implementing simple fundraising mechanisms to get your nonprofit off the ground today.
]]> Jacinta Langford Leave a lasting impression: Tips for an effective client meeting http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/client-meeting-tips
First it is important to have a set agenda. An effective agenda lays out the main points that will be discussed during the meeting and it also gives an approximate end time. The agenda serves as a guide to both the presenter and the client. Keep it short, however. You don’t want your client reading while someone is presenting. Since time is always of the essence, an approximate end time keeps clients from watching the clock and keeps their attention on the presenter. Follow the agenda, but keep it flexible. Small talk helps build rapport and can add to the quality of a face-to-face meeting. Flexibility also leaves room for new and unexpected dialogue.

A great way to create a memorable meeting is to make it experiential. Pretend it’s a trade show exhibit. Display and demonstrate the product to the client. Teach them new techniques and terminologies that may come with the product or service. The interaction can generate meaningful observations and inquiries. Giving clients a better understanding of the product can boost their overall confidence in the product and its brand.

Another strategy is to present the product in the form of a case study. First identify the problem or area of need. Walk the client through the steps toward solving the problem. Next, present the product or service as the solution to the problem. Focus on what the product can do and how it will meet objectives. Lastly, tell the clients the expected results, but only present results that can be delivered. Many professors use case studies to educate students. It is a clear and effective way to illustrate the problem at hand and the possible solutions.

Following these tips can make an impression on a client. To go the extra mile and really leave a lasting impression, give the client a corporate gift that they can take with them. Items such as technology pens or executive game sets imprinted with the brand logo or message remind clients of the business with every use! Add a card that thanks the client for attending the meeting and provides contact information to set up a second meeting.
]]> Jacinta Langford How blogging and social networking benefit nonprofits http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/nonprofit-blogging

Blogs and social profiles allow nonprofits to communicate with existing supporters and introduce the organization to new supporters.

According to Technorati.com’s about page, “a blog, or weblog, is a regularly updated journal published on the web. Some blogs are intended for a small audience; others vie for readership with national newspapers. Blogs are influential, personal, or both, and they reflect as many topics and opinions as there are people writing them.“

Nonprofit blogs can tell about the organization, discuss the causes the organization supports and update supporters about current activities and events.

In the Nov. 28., 2007, article “Nonprofit Leaders who Blog,” Nancy Schwartz mentioned some successful nonprofit bloggers, some of who are presidents and executive directors, that effectively communicate with supporters.

One stand-out blogger Schwartz mentioned was Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. Schwartz explained how Pope effectively communicated with people through writing about real problems and how he gave each entry a personal touch that could catch any readers’ attention.

Blogs are an accessible forum where an organization’s members can discuss topics of interest or concern at length. The March 22, 2006, blog, “10 ways Nonprofits can use Blogs,” Britt Bravo expands on nonprofit blogging by suggesting 10 ways nonprofits can use blogs.

Bravo wrote that blogs are great communication tools for organization members who are on the road or at a conference because blogs keep readers up-to-date with new information. In addition, blogs allow volunteers to interact with organization members by sharing ideas and discussing the work they’ve done for the organization. Blogs can also be used for wide-scale communication by creating media for a nonprofit organization and by reaching new donors.

Whether blogs are used in a personal manner for experience sharing or in a public manner as a marketing tool, blogs have versatility that is undeniable.

One issue many nonprofits face is reaching young supporters. Blogs and social network profiles are a great solution to this problem.

According to the Aug. 1, 2007, article “A New Generation Reinvents Philanthropy: Blogs, Social-Networking Sites Give 20-Somethings a Means to Push, Fund Favorite Causes,” at online.wsj.com, Rachel Emma Silverman said that blogs and social networking sites are effective ways to inform young adults and youth about your nonprofit.

Some sites that specialize in social networking are:

• Apps.Facebook.com/causes
• Change.org
• DoSomething.org
• Firstgiving.com
• GiveMeaning.com
• Impact.Myspace.com
• Kiva.org
• SixDegrees.org

Source: A New Generation Reinvents Philanthropy: Blogs, Social-Networking Sites Give 20-Somethings a Means to Push, Fund Favorite Causes; WSJ research

Whether your organization begins a blog, creates a profile on a social network or does both, you will most likely notice increased support. These simple and inexpensive means of communication can create exposure quickly and without too much effort. Become one of the many organizations that communicates with its volunteers directly through starting a blog or social profile.
]]> Jacinta Langford Credibility marketing: Advertising at virtually no cost http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/credibility-marketing
The core element that fuels Credibility Marketing is a concept called third-party endorsements. It’s the idea that support by third-party consumers has higher credibility than messages created by marketers. Remember those Ditech™ ads that said, “People are Smart”? There’s no doubt that consumers are smarter, or at least more well-informed. “Information at your fingertips” is truer than ever with social networks, blogs and wiki (community operated content) websites. With this wealth of information, consumers are now more skeptical and expect a higher level of credibility.

Businesses can generate credibility by using third-party endorsements, such as testimonials. When businesses get good at what they do, people start talking. Offering prospective customers testimonials or blurbs about another client’s positive experience is a big credibility booster. Essentially, it’s telling consumers “We have happy clients. Here is what they’ve been saying.” So if your clients are saying positive things about your business, listen! Or better yet, invite your clients to complete a simple survey that asks about their experience. Including a full name and job title along with the testimonial also adds more credibility.

Another third-party endorsement is a case study. 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. Use a more detailed survey to collect information for a case study. Ask the clients why they chose the product, how it satisfied their problem or need, and the results of their purchase. This information can be relayed to other consumers to present your product as a solution to their problem.

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. That’s not entirely true. Whether a business is holding an event, introducing a new product or receiving an award for superior service, the media can be informed through the use of press releases. Here’s a tip. Journalists receive tons of press releases, so to cut through the clutter, be sure to research their target audience. For example, an editor for a technology magazine is only looking for press releases that are relevant to their tech-savvy audience. Also, be conscious of editorial deadlines and send press releases accordingly.

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. So when your business is working with budget constraints, try these alternative methods to save money and improve your brand’s image.
]]> Jacinta Langford Employee safety tips: Reducing work-related injuries http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/employee-safety
Falls: Falls from both high and low elevations can result in serious bodily injuries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends employers create a comprehensive fall-protection program. At a minimum, employers should:
1) incorporate safety in work planning,
2) identify all fall hazards at a work site,
3) conduct safety inspections regularly,
4) train employees in recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions, and
5) provide employees with appropriate protective equipment and train them in its use.

Transportation: Traffic accidents account for nearly half of all work-related injuries. The use of safety belts is the single most effective strategy to preventing serious or fatal injuries. Although safety belt usage has increased throughout the years, it is still an important safety measure that employers should emphasize. Try giving employees a practical item that sends a friendly “Buckle Up” reminder. Imprinted travel mugs are an effective product since employees can use it going to and from and while they are on the job.

Overtime: Fatigued workers are much more susceptible to work-related injuries. NIOSH conducted 16 studies of general health with results that associate over-time with poorer perceived general health, increased injury rates, more illnesses or increased mortality. The studies observed employees working 12-hour shifts combined with more than 40 hours of work a week. Psycho-physiological tests showed patterns of deteriorating performance, decreased alertness and lowered cognitive functions. Managers who want employees working at peak performance need to re-organize schedules. Juggling schedules can feel like a daunting task, but it is essential to both increased safety and productivity measures. Here are some tips: Keep schedules consistent and predictable and avoid long work days followed by prolonged off time. Examine start and end times of every shift and allow time for employees to adjust to shift changes.

Safety Incentives: Manufacturers can implement an employee reward program that motivates employees to think safe and be safe. Workers can receive points for properly reporting injuries and accidents, points for wearing protective gear and following safety procedures and points for making safety suggestions. Incentive points can be rewarded to individuals, teams or the entire facility. Employees who accumulate enough points can redeem them for corporate gifts or extra personal time off. Not only are employees being rewarded for positive behavior, the program also adds to the overall safety environment.
]]> Jacinta Langford Creating a Successful Promotional Products Campaign http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/promotional-products-campaign

1. Choose the Goal:

2. Specify Objectives:

3. Define the Target Audience:

4. Research When, Where & How to Reach the Target Audience:

5. Choose a Theme:

6. Create a Message:

7. Select the Product:

8. Implement the Campaign:

9. Evaluate:

Example

Business: First National Bank of Collegetown, USA

Goal: First National Bank wants to increase the number of savings accounts created by college students.

Objectives:
1) Increase the number of student savings account by 30 percent by Aug. 31, 2008.

Target Audience: College students between the ages of 18 and 24 within the FNB service area.

Reaching the Target Audience:
1) College Orientation; approximate attendance is 100-200 students per session; Dates: May 26-July 25, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2) Ice Cream Social; approximate attendance is 800 students; Date: Friday, Aug. 15, 7:00 p.m.
*Obtain permission from University Special Events office.

Theme: Savings for Your Future.

Message: Start off your future on the right foot. Open a Savings Account with us today.

Product: 500 Pizza Cutters and 300 Piggy Banks with bank logo and message imprinted on the products.

Implementation: Sue, our bank manager, is in charge of ordering the product. Three representatives from different branches of the bank, Joe, Cindy and Nate, will attend the orientation sessions and distribute the products at the company booth. The same representatives will administer a survey and sign-up table at the Ice Cream Social. Students who fill out a survey receive a FNB piggy bank. Additional collateral material will also be printed and distributed at every event.

Evaluation: An average of 120 students visited the FNB booth at each orientation session. All accepted a promotional product, and 2 out 3 students picked up brochures and asked additional questions. All 300 surveys were completed at the Ice Cream Social and all promotional products and collateral material were distributed.

The number of students savings accounts increased by 35 percent by Aug. 31, exceeding the campaign objectives.

Strength: Students responded well to the promotional products. Many said the products were useful, fun and appealing.

Weakness: Many students wanted to sign up for an account at the orientations while their parents were with them. We were unable to provide that service. Consider setting up computers that allow account set-up at next year’s orientations. ]]> Jacinta Langford To be or not to be...traditional, that is http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/alternativeadvertising
A recent survey by IBM titled “The End of Advertising as We Know It,” found that “Traditional advertising players risk major revenue declines as budgets shift rapidly to new, interactive formats, which are expected to grow at nearly five times that of traditional advertising.”

Alternative advertising refers to marketing that uses unconventional methods, such as text messaging via cell phones, viral advertising on the Internet or social networking through Web sites like MySpace and Facebook, or promotional marketing opportunities.

Here is a list of more alternative advertising ideas from Kaboom Advertising:

- Street teams
- Street Stunts
- Pop-up lounge
- Guerilla Signage
- Promotional Materials
- Event and Conference marketing
- Mobile marketing and Video interactive marketing

Alternative Internet Marketing Strategies:

- Blog marketing
- Email marketing
- Online media buying

- Source KaboomAdvertising.com

Although new marketing strategies are constantly emerging, traditional strategies do not have to disappear, but evolve.

Consider sending out a street team to spread the word about your new company and send traditional mail fliers to local companies. This strategy allows you to reach the general public with an alternative marketing strategy with the street team and helps you to get local business recognition with a traditional flier.

Alternative advertising is new and exciting, but some traditional methods are still useful. Update your flyers with your Web site address or send out a monthly email with insider news about your company. Using a mix of alternative advertising and traditional advertising is an effective way to get your brand recognized.]]> Jacinta Langford Mardi Gras promotions for restaurants and bars http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/mardigras
In the article, “Recognizing the power of promotional products is key to building repeat business,” by Laura Walker, Walker said, “Unlike ads that can be overlooked, a good-quality promotional product is functional and used for a very long time.”

Simple, yet useful, promotional items such as napkins, coasters and plastic cups and mugs are ideal. These items can be imprinted with Mardi Gras salutations and the time and date of the holiday celebration. To make these items extra special, consider using the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, which stands for justice; green, which stands for faith; and gold, which stands for power.

Another useful item to give at restaurants and bars are imprinted glassware. Mugs that are personalized for the holiday can be used to serve drinks and patrons can also keep the glassware as souvenirs. Promotional products that can be used multiple times will remind patrons of the fun they had at your celebration each time the mug is used.

While promotional products are useful souvenirs, they can also make valuable coupons. Consider printing out coupon wooden nickels during Carnival season. These coupons could offer great drink specials if patrons collect a certain amount. This could entice people to come to your establishment throughout the season in preparation for the big day.

Another nice promotional idea for Mardi Gras is honoring New Orleans and using promotional products as fundraising items. For example, when patrons buy a hurricane, a traditional Mardi Gras beverage, state that all proceeds from these drinks will go to rebuilding New Orleans. This is a unique, and thoughtful way to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Through the use of traditional promotional items, such as coasters and napkins, and unique items, such as wooden nickels, your bar or restaurant will have a successful, and profitable, Mardi Gras celebration.
]]> Jacinta Langford Last-minute holiday gift ideas http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/holiday-ideas
Chocolate gifts have a shorter production time than most other food gifts. Spice up the everyday box of chocolates with a Truffle Box that includes a custom chocolate centerpiece. Sizes range between 8 oz. boxes to 48 oz. boxes. Choose between nine centerpiece options and have your company logo or promotional message imprinted on the chocolate. Create buzz among office employees with the 1 lb. Presentation Bar made of milk chocolate and packaged in an elegant gold or silver gift box.

It’s the holiday season so that means plenty of wine and champagne at office parties and family dinners. The unique and stylish Architetto Bottle Cradle is sure to turn heads at social gatherings. It makes for a great corporate gift with its contemporary design, turning an ordinary bottle of wine into an art display. The Macchina Ergonomic Corkscrew complements any wine gift. It also has a sleek and stylish design and is useful for year-round events.

Game sets are great stress relievers or practical gifts for the holiday traveler. The Regolare Execu-Dart Set comes with six darts, an aluminum case and can be placed on a desk or hung on a wall. The popular game of Sudoku is revamped with the Touch Screen Travel Sudoku Game. This gift is both convenient and technologically impressive! Other travel game sets such as dominoes, chess and foosball can be found online.

For those who like to stay connected, Absorbent, Ink. has the USB Coffee Warmer and USB Massager. Both gifts are great for the long work hours and will surely provoke more “oohs and aahs” for their uniqueness and practicality.

Avoid the crowded malls and long check-out lines by conveniently shopping from your own home or office. Have your brand stand out along with these gifts. It’s a great way to say thank you and helps businesses remember your brand every time your product is used.
]]> Jacinta Langford Promote good health with branded merchandise http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/better-health
Dr. Robert Epstein, chief medical officer at Franklin Lakes, NJ-based Medco, says that this could be indicative of the obesity epidemic that is currently taking place in the United States. However, the earlier these medications are started, the better for the patient experiencing difficulties in these areas.

In the spirit of this interest in prevention and healthcare, it would not be a bad idea to promote it further. There are many products that can be personalized and used to promote a business or organization as well as good health and exercise.

A pedometer is a good start for such a promotion. It will inspire people to take more steps during the day. If you are looking to motivate employees, make it a competition. Whoever takes the most steps in a certain length of days wins a special prize. It would be a great way to promote good health and inspire employees to take a step toward better health. Perhaps less people would be taking the elevator and more people would be prone to taking the stairs.

Your clients and customers would appreciate these products as well. They could be looking for something to help them start exercising more or they just need some inspiration.

Another product that might serve as an inspiration is a sport or Nalgene bottle. This could help people to drink less soda and more water or juice. Sport bottles and Nalgenes are incredibly convenient to carry and range in size from 14 ounces to 36 ounces. This may also cut down on the amount of garbage that your business or organization deals with.

If you know of customers, clients or employees that are already into fitness, you could purchase exercise and yoga mats. These mats are easy to carry and come in a variety of colors.

A personal radio is also a great idea for promoting good health. There are few better companions out there than music. Personal radios come in a slew of colors and styles. There are radios available that clip on and some even have fans attached. If the recipient of the gift gets a little overheated during their workout, they can cool down with their new running partner. All radios can also be imprinted with a personal message. Perhaps you wish to combine the pedometer and the radio idea. No problem, Absorbent, Ink. has a pedometer radio available as well.

Despite some rumors, Americans are working to create a healthier life. With this new interest, your business or organization should get in on the act. Not only will you be promoting your company, you will be helping people to live happier, healthier lives.
]]> Jacinta Langford The gift of goodwill http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/goodwill
Here are some ideas on how your business can develop goodwill during the winter holiday season:

Embrace the power of the hand-written letter. Although e-mails are quick and efficient, they tend to be cold and ineffective. If certain employees have recent accomplishments that deserve praise, let them know through a short, hand-written letter. Better yet, let their families know, as well.

Provide gift-giving essentials such as wrapping paper, boxes and tape at the office for employees to take home. This can help calm down holiday stress and display a considerate management style.

Poll employees on their favorite causes and then make a donation to such charities in their name. Donations can be monetary or products can be submitted for charity auctions. Businesses can also provide supplies or giveaway prizes for charity events.

Take a day off or time during the weekends to do charity work. Groups of employees could gather to volunteer at a local soup kitchen or work at a holiday charity event. And it might not even be “work” at all. Groups can also visit retirement homes and childrens’ hospitals. Hardly anything beats the value of good company.

Create goodwill baskets filled with food and various essentials that can be delivered to homeless shelters. For shelters that house families with young children, include small toys inside the gift baskets.]]> Jacinta Langford Holiday Parties: How to make your office’s party a success http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/holiday-office-party
To ease this year's office party planning woes and office party attendees’ stress, read through the following suggestions.

What planners should do long before the office party:
Setting a day and time that everyone can meet is very difficult, so it is best to start early. It is also essential to find a good location. Try to find a place where everyone can move around comfortably.

Party planners should also keep the office party nondenominational. The article “Throw a Successful Holiday Office Party,” on Allbusiness.com says, “to guarantee that your employees all feel equally welcome and included in the holiday celebration, avoid those decorations, practices or food and drink that lean too far toward any one religious tradition.” Try to create a party that is centered on winter and celebration.

Things to check on before the office party:
In the article “Office Party Etiquette,” Susan Bryant says party planners should “clearly convey to employees who is invited to the party. If spouses and children are not included, make that clear.” A couple of days before the party, make it known who is allowed to come.

Check if the party attire is formal, casual or business. If no attire is suggested, ask the party planner. There is one, steadfast rule to follow when deciding what to wear for the office party, however: Extremely revealing clothing should be left at home.

At and after the office party:
Do not drink too much. It is as simple as that. Bryant says “Alcohol plus you and your boss can equal Monday morning's 'I can't believe I said that.'” Drinking is fine, but do not over do it. Make sure there is a driving service of some sort people can access if they cannot drive.

If you follow these simple rules, the office party you create will be a success and those attending will be well prepared and comfortable. So stay calm, relax and enjoy the holiday season!
]]> Jacinta Langford Custom coasters are a unique version of subtle advertising http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/wholesale-custom-coasters However, he says that unconventional advertising media does have its place, as long as it complements the product or business it is promoting. There is a way to advertise your company without alienating your potential customer. He calls it “subtle advertising.” One prime example of this is wholesale custom coasters. Wholesale custom coasters are perfect for a bar, restaurant or beverage company. It complements the product and will not leave your potential customer with a bad taste in his or her mouth.
Subtle advertising does not mean that the ad goes unnoticed. Wholesale custom coasters are noticed by those who use them, especially if they are brilliantly colored and designed. There are many different ways to design advertisements using custom coasters. With a wide array of colors and styles to choose from, the possibilities are innumerable. Custom coasters are often used in bars and restaurants and are a great way to advertise businesses because they are noticed and talked about.
Say you’re in a bar and you order your favorite drink. When the bartender sets it down on a unique looking coaster, what are you going to be looking at, the drink, or the coaster? The great thing about custom coasters is that they are advertising that doesn’t scream, “Buy, buy, buy!” at the consumer. They can enjoy the advertisement and their favorite beverage at the same time. Wholesale custom coasters could be the subtle approach to advertising that your business is missing.
]]> Jacinta Langford Political promotional products are an effective use of campaign dollars http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/political-promotional-products

According to a USA Today article by Jason Lieberman, presidential candidates are planning to spend more than ever before on advertising. "Political campaigns likely will spend more than $4.5 billion on ads and marketing in the 2008 election season, a 64% leap from 2004." Perhaps these candidates and their campaign organizers should also consider spending money on political promotional products.

Of course there will be the typical bumper sticker and hand fan campaigns, as well as yard signs to promote the candidates. However, there is a new trend in campaign advertising: unique political promotional products. There are many unique political products that take the campaign off the beaten path into uncharted and highly effective territory.

Political promotional products range from the typical signs and buttons to things like stress balls and awareness bracelets. These political promotional products can be even more effective in raising awareness of the candidate’s political views, and all can be imprinted with the name of the candidate along with their slogan or personal message. Voters will be highly impressed to see that the candidate is creative and takes extra time in thinking about his or her voting public.

Political promotional products are often overlooked when discussing how a candidate will spend money on advertising, but are usually the most memorable of advertisements. Commercials are great, but often don’t leave a lasting impression. Political promotional products are useful because they stick around longer than the typical 30-second ad. Political promotional products are seen by just as many people and can generate a lot of interest in a candidate- especially if the political promotional product is unique and ties in with what the candidate has to say. There is a myriad of products available that can achieve this objective.

Candidates should consider investing in a variety of political promotional products as well as the well-known staples. There is a political promotional product out there for any campaign and on any campaign budget.
]]> Jacinta Langford Business gift-giving tips for the holiday season http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/giftgiving
Be the First to Say 'Happy Holidays'
While it may be fashionable to show up late to the holiday office party, it is not fashionable to send your holiday gifts late. Send your holiday gifts early to make an impact. Consider sending a gift basket the week after Thanksgiving. You could also consider sending a gift to celebrate the New Year around the 28th of December. Sending holiday gifts at a different time than other companies will make your gifts stand out!

Be Creative, but Considerate
People say, "It is the thought that counts" when they receive a gift. If the gift you send, however, has nothing to do with your clients' interests, they will think, "Wow. They did not even put thought into this gift."

Make sure you know what your clients and employees like before selecting their gifts this year. If they are avid golfers, consider giving your clients or employees Nike Golf Bags or a gift basket filled with golfing essentials like golf balls, divot tools, and golf markers. When giving a food item, take into consideration any dietary restrictions due to religious or medical reasons. Make sure your gifts fit your clients' and employees' likes to make a positive, lasting impact this holiday season.

Quality Gifts Deserve Classy Wrapping
No one enjoys seeing a gift wrapped in newspaper or a paper sack. To avoid running into any last minute wrapping problems, think about the proper wrapping utensils you need to make your gift's wrapping as spectacular as the gift it's concealing.

]]> Jacinta Langford Health benefits of red wine boost sales of wine gifts http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/wine-health
This information has shocked milk and tea drinkers the world round. However, with this information, there has been an increase in the consumption of wine by those who would have never considered it before. According to winebusiness.com, wine sales in the United States were higher in 2006 than ever before. The site also says that the sale of red wine in particular continues to surge. In order to tap into the trend, wine gifts have sprung up as a way to compete for many companies. Wine gifts are used to promote corporations, foundations and even events.

Wine gifts range from basic corkscrews to wine and cheese carriers. Wine gifts can be simple or extravagant. All gifts are easily engraved or printed upon in order to promote a business or foundation. Wine gifts are available in a variety of styles, colors and uses, which makes them ideal as promotional products to anyone a company is trying to reach.

Wine gifts can add a touch of class and fun to an otherwise boring promotional event. There are few better ways to reward a client with great taste than a wine gift. More extravagant wine gifts, such as a wine and cheese carrier, make great prizes during corporate events. After all, as any wine enthusiast will tell you, a wine drinker can never have too many ice buckets, corkscrews or glasses. The simplest wine gift can make anyone’s day a little brighter.

There are also few better ways to spread the word about the health benefits of red wine than with a gift that accessorizes it beautifully. Anyone who is interested in the benefits will be interested in consuming it. Sales numbers have shown that this information has contributed to the success of wine; why shouldn’t your company be a part of the phenomenon?

ec]]> Jacinta Langford Achieve political success through a promotional product political campaign http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/political-campaigns
Political campaigns, similar to marketing campaigns, must use effective and useful slogans in order to grasp a typically uninterested audience. In order to do so, political candidates need to get up and work for support. How can Barack Obama or Rudy Giuliani accomplish this, you inquire? Well, that is simple – through political promotional products!

The single most important thing to accomplish in any campaign, whether it is a marketing campaign or political campaign, is name recognition. A political candidate will never achieve success if no one knows who they are. A simple way for a political candidate to accomplish name recognition is by using promotional products in their political campaign. Two very simple and common ways to do this is through using catchy political signs in yards or bumper stickers on cars. Other promotional products ideal for a political campaign are buttons. These three promotional products can effectively promote any political candidates name at home, while driving and while walking around.

Every political candidate wants to ensure their constituents are able to quickly identify the issues their political campaign supports. This may seem easy at the surface, but it is not. The current political campaign for president is filled with multiple potential political candidates. All of these potential political candidates have very different views on a myriad of issues. In order for political candidates to effectively clarify what issues they support, they could consider printing their causes on different colored awareness bracelets. This way, supporters and political candidate alike would be able to quickly identify which issues are important and to whom. Another way issue recognition can be clarified is through political balloons. Balloons have been used in political campaigns for years, but that is because they are easily noticeable, readable and depending on their size, can be seen for miles.

Trying to decide what promotional products to give at conventions or election night? A great promotional product that is perfect for outdoor conventions is a hand fan. A politically themed hand fan can allow potential voters to sit in the comfort of a cool breeze while they listen to a political candidate’s speech. Looking for a perfect promotional product for election night? Get a plethora of stress balls to hand out to political campaign workers and supporters. A political stress ball can help calm everyone’s minds as the voting numbers roll in through the evening.

Political campaigns may be stressful and time consuming for political candidate, but through using political promotional products, getting voters attention can be simple.
]]> Jacinta Langford Wine gifts are a unique way to say thank you http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/wine-gifts
Wine gifts usually come with a plethora of wine accessories and are available at many different prices. Wine gifts equipped with a corkscrew, bottle stopper and a neck ring/stopper are great for the amateur wine drinker, while wine gifts that contain a pressure pump uncorking set with a stopper, funnel and lead cutter are great for the wine expert. Finding the right wine gift for your employees, clients or bosses may be a daunting task, but it’s well worth the search.

Nothing is worse than trying to open a wine bottle with a cheap corkscrew. This horror is amplified, however, when performed at a corporate meeting or event. Ensure that you and your fellow employees do not have to endure this by giving them a wine gift that contains an ergonomically designed corkscrew. This corkscrew is designed to allow you to remove a cork effortlessly. An added bonus to this tool is that none of the cork particles that fall from the cork when using a traditional corkscrew will get into your wine.

Another wine gift that will be appreciated after your event has concluded is a wine bottle stopper. Seriously, it is not classy to shove the wine cork back into the wine bottle if you do not finish the bottle. A wine gift with a bottle stopper engraved with the company logo will protect your wine and promote your company simultaneously.

A wine gift with something for anyone is a wine carrier that includes wine accessories. An insulated wine carrying case that comes equipped with a pair of wine glasses and a travel sized combination corkscrew and wine stopper will enhance anyone’s evening and allow them to recoup and be rested for the next week of work.

Custom imprinted and engraved wine gifts are great for employees who have just earned a promotion, bosses who are about to retire and by clients who have been faithful to a company for years. Unique wine gifts will make any recipient take notice and remember your company.
]]> Jacinta Langford Personalized engraved gifts http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/engraved-gift
- Engraved gifts show that an employer actually thought about the recipient and the gifts message when choosing the engraved gift.

Feeling unique at work is difficult. Everyone works in identical cubicles and acts in a certain way to maintain a stable office environment that is employee and customer friendly. While keeping this atmosphere is important, it can be disheartening to the individual. Reminding employees’ that you know who they are and appreciate the work they have completed is important. An easy way to do this is by giving them a personalized engraved gift. Sending an employee or customer a pen is fine, but when the pen is given as an engraved gift with a personal message that states, “Thanks for helping us for 10 years, John. Here is to another 10 more,” John will think, “Hey. They actually do care about the work I do here.”

- Engraved gifts are great for commemorating your business’ anniversary.

Woohoo! Your business has successfully been around for 15 years. To celebrate this anniversary, you could give engraved gifts such as bottle stoppers or business card holders to employees at the company anniversary party. These engraved gifts are classy and will make your employees proud to have contributed to your business’ success over the years.

- Engraved gifts are perfect for personal celebrations.

Personalized engraved gifts are perfect for family reunions or weddings. Don’t want to pay for the clean up of the bird seed on the steps of the church after your wedding? No problem. To help a bride and groom ring in their new marriage as they walk out of the church, give out bells with the bride and groom’s name and wedding date engraved on the bell’s face. This is an engraved gift that will be appreciated by everyone at the wedding, except the birds, perhaps.

Engraved gifts are unique because they can be personalized to an individual or occasion. Whether you are telling a long time employee thanks or giving a memento to family members at a reunion, make your message unforgettable by giving it in the form of an engraved gift.
]]> Jacinta Langford Personalized gifts http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/personalized-gifts
 Know your employee or client on a personal level

This does not mean you need to go to each of your employees or clients’ houses on the weekend for dinner. It simply means you should make an effort to know who you work with in the office and who you serve. You can easily figure out what type of personalized gifts someone wants by asking an employee what they are doing over the weekend or holiday or by paying attention to a client’s buying trends. These simple observations can help you identify what type of personalized gifts your employee or client likes, and what they do not.

 Personalized gifts come in all shapes and sizes and prices…oh my!

Really, personalized gifts do not necessarily mean pricey gifts. Personalized gifts can be found at many different price levels. If you choose to buy more expensive personalized gifts, you could opt for engraved wine gifts or personalized corporate gift baskets. If you, however, want to spend less money on the personalized gifts, you could purchase some engraved pens or picture frames. Whether the personalized gifts are expensive or not, if they have meaning behind them, the recipients will like them.

 Personalized gifts can build trust

It may seem silly, but if an employee feels like their employer bought them personalized gifts that were catered to their liking, the employee will feel more confident about the job they are doing and their job security at the company. The same goes for a client. If a client gets personalized gifts from a company for being a loyal customer for a number of years, they will appreciate the recognition. Customers stick with certain brands because they trust them. Why not show your clients, just like you show your employees, that you appreciate them?

Personalized gifts are appropriate for any occasion and will always be appreciated no matter who the recipient is. So, start doing your research and find out who your clients and employees are and what they like!
]]> Jacinta Langford Fresh personalized promotional products for the fall http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/fall-products
As the cooler months begin approaching, warm beverages are consumed at a high rate. Custom-made coffee samplers can be given to employees at raffles or conferences and they are appreciated by most everyone. With assorted flavors and personalized packaging, the coffee will look as good as it tastes. While your employee is enjoying their warm cup of coffee why not give them a travel mug to take it to a football game. The chilly weather won’t be able to discourage them from going. Finally, why not also provide a stadium cushion to employees who have really gone above and beyond this year. People can use these cool seats for tailgating on game day or for extra seating at the last company picnic of the year. With coffee and a seat, there is no way the employee will forget the comfortable outing you helped them have!

Bosses and executives work hard year round to produce and maintain company profits. Show them appreciation by giving them nice corporate watches, casual watches or sport watches. These watches will guarantee that they will never be late to another meeting or golf date. Speaking of golf dates, another idea that the bosses will surely love is golf ball markers or divot tools. These items are things that will have the boss remembering your appreciation while both on and off the clock.

The last great thing that would be a good idea to present to any person at your business or institution would be a desk calendar. Although electronic calendars are available, they are at times unreliable. Systems can crash and important dates can be lost. In the article “The Master Plan” by Cynthia Graham in Promotional Marketing, Jeff Taplin of PlannerStores said “Calendars and planners are far more portable and reliable than their electronic counterparts. People are either reverting back to paper planners or using them in conjunction with their electronic organizers.”

These fall promotions will help all employees and bosses stay dedicated to their work while reminding them they are appreciated.
]]> Jacinta Langford Corporate gifts http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/corporate_gifts
Employees all too often complain about their bosses or the company where they work. Maintaining your employees’ happiness is crucial to you business. One simple way to do this is by occasionally giving corporate gifts. Corporate gifts not only let employees know their importance to the company, they also remind them you appreciate and notice the hard work they complete throughout the year.

Corporate gifts come in an array of prices. You may want to give an employee an expensive corporate gift, like a briefcase, or something simple like a desk clock. When deciding what corporate gift to give your employees, make sure the corporate gift will be valued by them.

In the article “Corporate Business Gifts” by Kent Pinkerton, he said, “An appropriate corporate business gift conveys an accurate and outstanding reflection of your value and appreciation for your clients and employees. Thus, a business house should always choose a unique and comprehensive collection of upscale professional-quality presents for corporate gifting.”

Perhaps your employees really enjoy upscale snacks of the salty and sweet variety. If this is the case, get them a corporate gift basket that is brimming with tasty treats with a personalized company ribbon. Maybe your employees love puzzles. If so, a simple executive desk game may be the perfect idea.

Corporate gifts are effective in building employees’ confidence. Reminding your employees they produce quality work will only improve their performance, which will affect the way they work with clients in a positive manner.
]]> Jacinta Langford Customer loyalty builds better business http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/customer-loyalty-
In the article “The Stairs of Customer Loyalty,” Dr. Tony Alessandra said this is not a re-wording of a concept, but a re-defining. “Instead, it is a paradigm shift, moving away from transactional customer satisfaction and towards permanent customer loyalty.” This is perhaps an idea that companies should begin to embrace.

Customer loyalty with long term customers is important to a company. Giving long-term customers anniversary gifts after each year of service can help remind customers how important they are to the company. After a customers’ first year of service, why not give them a food gift basket or a wine gift after five years of service. These types of gifts will make customers want to return and do business with your company, thus creating customer loyalty.

Customer loyalty can be emphasized through a customer loyalty program. Providing an e-newsletter with special news and coupons from the company can give customers an incentive to return. Newsletters allow the customer to see how involved and knowledgeable your company is about the industry - and giving out coupons to returning customers helps customer loyalty stay intact.

Customer loyalty is also enforced through great customer service and communication. Customer loyalty can only be maintained when customers are treated well. This fact is why customer service is so important. In the article “Ten tips to build customer loyalty” on AllBusiness.com, the writer said that customer service representatives should be willing to go above and beyond their standards to discover what customers want. Well trained employees will help better serve customers and will help build customer loyalty.

Customer loyalty is difficult to gain and maintain, but its importance is undeniable. Through recognizing long-term customers, having a customer loyalty program and by having outstanding customer service, a business will surpass the level of customer satisfaction and gain customer loyalty.
]]> Jacinta Langford Back to school: Helpful supplies for students http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/back-to-school
For most students, the month of August is a time for preparation. Students from elementary through high school must decide which school supplies they will need in the new year. Buying these essential supplies is a task for anyone, so why not ease the pain on parents and their wallets? It is time for your educational institution to welcome in a new era of supplies for students, show appreciation to parents and create awareness on pressing issues through providing fresh, new products that promote going back to school in 2007.

Although students are the ones who are actually going back to school, parents have a lot to plan for and must prepare for the new school year as well. Parents are just as stressed about the approaching school year as their kids. Parents may not attend class every day or take midterms, but they do shoulder some of the cost of tuition and school and living supplies.

To calm parents and let them know you and your institution understand the stresses they are experiencing, give them memorable gifts at events like "Back to School Night" and new student orientation. These events are not the same boring traditional events where parents walk around the school and end up in the gymnasium to eat stale cookies and drink purple punch. These events are perfect times to reach out to parents with simple gifts. According to Alan Dessoff in the article "Action Teams" in PTO today, replacing open houses with more informal functions like barbeques, picnics, and ice cream socials before the school year begins will help parents become better acquainted with their student's school and the school's layout.

Another important cause to create awareness for is school violence. At times, school can be a scary place. Violence in schools is something that students have to deal with. To promote school safety and tolerance, hand out megaphones with the slogan, "Talk about your thoughts" or "Voice your opinion" with "Shout out to stop school violence" under the slogan. In the article "How Safe is Your School" in the magazine District Administration, Carol Patton writes about how to better promote school safety. When asked how to deal with school safety, Paul Houston, executive director of AASA, said that "Schools should be a place of some joy and of a sense of openness." Although these megaphones may not physically be able to protect students, the message on them can encourage students to talk about their differences rather than keep them inside.

Let's face it. College can stink...literally. After a couple months attending class and having an erratic schedule, students' dorm rooms, their clothing and at times, the actual student can begin to go a bit bad. For times such as these, why not provide students a care package at the beginning of the school year with health and beauty products, breath mints, gum, other dental hygiene products, and hand sanitizers. Another item that could be added in this pack that would come in handy is flip-flops. It is common knowledge that NO students should brave a high school or junior high locker room or public shower without protection for their feet. Specialized flip-flops with your school's name and colors will allow all students to walk without worrying about foot safety.

Through providing these products to your institution's students and parents, you are helping them start off the new school year on the right foot.

]]> Jacinta Langford Tech gifts to promote your business http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/tech-gifts
With all the technological advances over the past ten years, the consumer market has created and designed entirely new products available for everyday use. Innovations like the cell phone and even DVD player have revolutionized the way people think, shop and want because companies and businesses face them with more and more options. "Technology is an extremely popular category and has a much more condensed life cycle, with new products and subcategories cropping up daily. Not only has the technology category expanded from flash drives to digital photo frames and computer accessories, technology has impacted other categories.... Writing instruments have become hybrids with the laser pointer, stylus and even USB pens," explained Lindsay Hoylman, marketing specialist of Leed’s.

For the promotional product industry this means that companies not only have more and better products to provide to their audiences, but also it makes the industry as a whole more mainstream, said Jeff Lederer, vice president of Prime Line in a recent article called “It’s Evolution, Baby.” This article also says that technology products like iPod and mp3 accessories are as popular in the promotional product industry as in the retail market. Technology products can therefore help your campaign and company fit the needs and wants of a more advanced audience. With the overall increase in products, you can bolster the effectiveness of your entire campaign within a larger, more hi-tech consumer group. This also makes your company more current and aware of the changing market in the minds of the audience.

Products like mp3 player accessories, USB drives and digital camera accessories represents some of the most popular items to use in a promotional product and marketing campaign. They all provide plenty of space for logos and branded messages. They are all current and hot items in the market which gives your brand a trendy feel to the audience. This updated image can improve the overall perception and image of your company, thus making you a desirable and useable brand. With increased use and product satisfaction, your brand will have an overwhelming positive effect on the target and set you ahead of the competition.
]]> Jacinta Langford Upgrade your products http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/promotional-upgrades
Since the promotional products category started in the 17th century with cups, political campaign pins and ballpoint pens, it’s grown to a more than $18 million industry today. This means that not only have the amount and choices grown, but they have also morphed and been upgraded to fit the changing times and demand throughout the years. Cups, political campaign pins and ballpoint pens still represent popular products, but now offer new features and better designs. All these upgrades have not only contributed to the $18 million, they have also allowed for the overall growth in reach, perception and effectiveness of promotional products.

All categories of promotional products have changed in sometimes drastic and other times subtle ways. Take the basic tote bag as an example. In the early days of the promotional products industry, a person interested in designing a distributing a tote bag as a gift to consumers had one option and one only. The classic one, large pocket bag, designed to carry folders, paperwork and books represented the single, although popular, option for bags. However, as the market has evolved with the developing technology and fluctuating audience, bags now included more storage designed for more specific purposes. As Lindsey Hoylman, marketing specialist of Leed's, in an article called “It’s Evolution, Baby!” said, “As life becomes more complicated and new electronics are developed, it raises the bar on bag performance. Where briefcases used to have one large compartment, now there is a drink ware pocket, laptop holder, MP3 pocket, an entire compartment devoted to organizing pens and small accessories and a built-in filing system.” These more interesting upgrades have made promotional products more appealing to the audience. They can now view them as a useful and important product which they can incorporate into their everyday life.

Matching the promotional product to the target audience embodies the most important stipulation of choosing and using an effective and profitable premium campaign. Thus, using upgraded and made-over promotional products gives your audience more of a reason to use your product more frequently which, in turn, leads them to patronize you more frequently as well. Audiences also appreciate a product that fits their current wants and needs, because you must remember, as the retail market develops, so do the demands of the consumer market. So make your consumers happy by giving them an upgraded product as a part of your marketing campaign.

Investing in newer, upgraded promotional products can impress and earn the permanent business of your entire target audience. Your audience will use a product that fits into their everyday wants and needs, and luckily for you, the options of new products in the promotional products industry increase almost daily. Since, people love things that are new and different, especially after they have received a make over, choose promotional products that not only fit the demographics of your audience, but also reflect your awareness of the advancing consumer market. This way you look cool and edgy while bringing in more business.
]]> Jacinta Langford Get over first impression fears http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/impressive-promotional-products
So why not squash some of that fear and turn it into something that will wow and impress your clients right off the bat. Design a promotional product that will surely make a lasting first impression of you and your company. After all, as Georgia Southern University study found, 52 percent of people who have received a promotional product not only did business with the company, but also showed a positive perception of the brand as a whole.

Whether it's meeting a new client and costumer base or at the introduction of a new product, service, strategic message or brand to your audience, including a promotional product in a marketing plan can help create a lasting memory, connection and relationship in the future. A recent study done by L.J Market Research found that most people who have received a promotional product in the past 12 months have kept it in their possession for more than two years. In two years a promotional product can increase your sales, concrete a solid relationship and prove that giving a promotional product gives the great first impression.

When you make a positive first impression, you can pretty much guarantee that your audience will remember you in a positive light. This means they will most likely chose to do business with you in the future. Promotional products encourage this by radiating a sense of comfort and welcome with your business. The survey from L.J Marketing also noted that 52 percent of people reported a more favorable impression of the company after receiving a promotional product. With the statistics reporting such a high percentage of happy and impressed people, using promotional products as a compliment to an introductory campaign is a no-brainer.

Promotional products when tied to an introduction of any product, service, client, campaign, etc. can build a strong and healthy relationship between company and customer. A good first impression basically makes creating this desired relationship an easy reality. This great first impression followed closely by a solid relationship proves time and again, that people are willing to put their money and trust into companies that show they care.

Promotional products not only take the awkward and tense moments out of making a good first impression, they also solidify a strong relationship and put more money in your pocket. So next time you need to bite the bullet, introduce yourself and your company and make that once in a lifetime impression, design a promotional product campaign that will for sure impress your audience. It will be like love at first sight.
]]> Jacinta Langford Increase brand awareness: express yourself http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/express
With technology exploding and everyone trying to be ahead of the curve, promotional products that are customized for new media are becoming very successful. In this day and age of iPods, Blackberrys, and Macs, it seems like everyone is trying to make technology personal. Advertisers need to recognize and take advantage of these trends. The industry has come a long way since the days of promotional products consisting only of pens, polo shirts, and Frisbees. These are all great products, but as an industry we have to adapt to the changing landscape.

While doing some secondary research, I found that when I did a Google search for laptop covers, it came back with hundreds of results for a product that 10 years ago was non-existent. The same goes for iPod skins and personalizing your Mac. Everything in our industry is being customized to the point that there is a demand for being “different.” Imagine the look on your employees' faces if you were to customize an iPod skin for them as opposed to offering the typical company promos. Most people have iPods these days. In fact, in just its fifth year on the market, Apple has sold 100 million iPods. That is a lot of iPods - which is a large opportunity for you! Not only would your employees be impressed with your technological awareness, but they also would be more likely to sport your product than if they were to receive something like company polos.

There are many of options to customize your new technology in your office. I’ve already mentioned the iPod skins, and PC and laptop covers. There are also flash drive holders, flash drive bracelets, cell phone covers, and gift cards. Our industry has changed so much in the last 10 years that it was definitely time to rethink the means of promotional products. Now that we have, we need to pass that information on to you, the business representatives, to help you reach your clients more effectively. This way, your clients and employees will be happier, which makes you happier, which makes us happier!

All of these products are available on the market today. It’s only a matter of time until your employees and your customers buy them off the shelves. If you beat them to the punch, they’ll have a great product and they’ll look upon you much more favorably. A study shows that 35 percent of consumers keep their promotional products for over 2 years, so jump on the bandwagon before everybody else does. Think outside the box and express yourself.]]> Jacinta Langford What men and women really want http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/his-hers-gifts
The “his and her” theme for your promotional product campaign radiates an inclusive tone to your clients. It shows that rather than choosing a more generic product, you looked to more specialized items to give to your client. It relays a more comfortable and fun message while also delivering your corporate message. It incorporates the preferences of both populations of your target audience, male and female. Promotional products that can appeal to the entire population result in a higher usage of the brand, thus generating greater brand and message awareness and active participation in the brand.

Going back to the Nike example, a female Nike customer can customize a shoe that encompasses her passion for sports with a completely feminine look through color and pattern. It ensures that the audience will use the product more frequently because it appeals directly to their lives and wants. This gender customization makes the customers want to continue choosing Nike because it makes them feel special in the eyes of the brand.

With the seemingly limitless options in the promotional product industry, you can easily incorporate a “his and her” theme into your next marketing campaign. In even the last year, promotional products have grown to include more products that please both men and women. Filling a vanity bag filled with beauty products like make up brushes and cosmetic mirrors, as well as pamper products like lotion and lip balm will compliment your female clientele. They also serve as products she can take everywhere and use at anytime. This will increase your brand’s reach and exposure because they serve as simple, everyday products. So the next time your client uses your lip balm in public, she’s automatically advertising your brand name.

Just as the vanity bag appeals to your feminine population, a duffel bag with golf accessories and sports regalia will excite her male counterpart. Fill the duffle with things you know a man both wants and needs. Items like baseball caps, golf tees and towels and customized beer mugs can grab the attention of the client in a personal avenue. It demonstrates that you both know and care that the wants and needs of men and women can be completely different. It also allows for a couple to communicate your same brand, but on two different media.

Choosing and designing products that suit the wants and needs of your mixed gendered audience adds to the strength of your brand through higher awareness and exposure. It proves to your customers that you too understand the desire for mass customization and personalization of everyday, simple products. So take that classic cliché of men are from Mars and women are from Venus and apply it to your next set of promotional products.
]]> Jacinta Langford Add promotions to your marketing campaign http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/maketing-mix
Promotion, as a tactic in a marketing campaign, communicates important information to the public and helps achieve the overall objectives of the entire campaign. Promotion can include anything from personal selling and a sales force to traditional advertising and public relations. Within all these sub categories lays plenty of opportunity to incorporate a strong promotional product program. Traditionally, tradeshows and industry expos use promotional products more often; however why not enhance these other categories with a promotional product?

PepsiCo did just that with a campaign known for its advertising and merchandising. During the Cola Wars of the late 1990’s, PepsiCo designed a fully-integrated international marketing campaign the encouraged and used all categories of Promotion. The campaign, known as Pepsi Stuff, encouraged customers to collect Pepsi Point by collecting the points from specially marked Pepsi cans and fountain drinks and purchasing the Points for 10 cents per point. Participants used the pointed to purchase merchandise for the PepsiCo empire. To successfully diffuse this idea, PepsiCo used celebrity sponsored print, television, outdoor, in-store, Internet and catalogue advertising along with top-quality promotional products.

The traditional advertising coupled with promotional products led to extensive publicity for the PepsiCo company and helped it to establish itself as a leader in the cola industry. According to various critics, the Pepsi Stuff campaign significantly surpassed Coca Cola Company’s marketing and advertising campaigns for the Atlanta Summer Olympics. It also allowed for PepsiCo to gain two points of share over the Coca Cola Company.

The Pepsi Stuff campaign, with its merchandise giveaway, started in 1996 and generated enough participation and revenues to continue into the next several years. The campaign ran again in last October and now included “virtual awards” like downloadable music. This campaign now serves as a classic example of both the marriage between the online and off-line advertising and use of merchandising and promotional products.

Obviously, a successful marketing mix needs a larger and more distinct approach in order for your brand message of a campaign to work. Including promotional products serves as a great way to diversify and broaden a marketing campaign. You can achieve various campaign objectives like sales increases, increasing brand perception or introducing a new product can all succeed by integrating a promotional product as an informational medium. Think about including simple giveaways like pens and baseball hats to generate higher awareness and recognition. Rather than the message falling into the background with television commercials and outdoor boards, your message can stay fresh and top of the mind with your audience with promotional products.

Promotional products reinforce the message heard in the various tradition media used in the categories of the four P’s. Using them can definitely enhance the exposure of your brand and in some cases put you miles ahead of the competition. Stay in the marketing mix and include promotional products to break away from traditional advertising and incorporate more active participation from your audience.

]]> Jacinta Langford Promotional jewelry can enhance your business http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/promotional-jewelry
Jewelry can communicate a number of different messages depending on everything from the color, weight and design of the piece to the environment, time of the year and culture. For example, a simple silver ring band with a diamond plopped on top, in the United Sates given around the notorious February 14th date pretty much means the man wants to get hitched. But a simple silver bracelet with a charm logoed and engraved with your brand given as a part of an event gift bag can communicate appreciation, gratitude and higher profits.

In the promotional products industry, professionals constantly look for new ways to enhance their marketing campaigns as well as to reach and influence the target audience. Choosing a personalized and classy piece of jewelry can help increase the usage and impress your audience into patronizing your company time after time. A study done by the Promotional Products Association International revealed that 52 percent of people who received a promotional product in the last 12 months did business with the advertiser on the product. This means that the recipient kept and used the product on a frequent basis.

Now think of that product as a piece of jewelry. With the correct piece and design, the audience is likely to use the product daily and in turn conduct business with your company. Jewelry, unlike some other products in the industry, represents an evergreen product which can be used constantly throughout the year. Also, current statistics from the PPAI study also show that 35 percent of people who have received a promotional product keep it for at least 2 years. This too shows that promotional products already have a great shelf-life and that using jewelry can potentially up that time span by months and even years.

Since using jewelry as promotional product can really impress and reach your target, you want to know the right time and way to use them. Including a piece of jewelry in an everyday promotional program to raise awareness might make too much of an opening statement, but events and parties represent a great avenue in which to dress up your audience. It brings a sense of class and sophistication to your brand and company. Jewelry can make a bolder statement than a T-shirt or even champagne flute, which in turn creates a significantly more positive opinion of the your company and a higher likelihood of patronizing your business on a more consistent basis.

So at your next event or promotional party, add some more sparkle with a good piece of promotional jewelry. It will not only get used more frequently and kept for a longer amount of time; it will attract the attention of your audience. It will make them feel elite, special and truly appreciated. Transform your audience from the loyal fan base that follows the trendy music artists into the trend setters. ]]> Jacinta Langford Show them the promotions, boost your success with trade show gifts http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/trade-show-gifts
According to a 2003 Georgia Southern University survey, more than 70 percent of trade show attendees who received a promotional product remember the name of the company that gave them the product. And more than 76 percent of those participants showed a favorable attitude to the company branded to the promotional product. These findings prove that promotional products at trade shows results in greater awareness and a positive perception of the company as a whole. This can generate a more loyal and happy client base as well as new business potential.

Get ahead of your competition by starting your trade show branding with promotional products early. Georgia Southern University conducted another study in 2004 which observed the effects of promotional products as invites to a trade show. The study included all pre-registered trade show participants and gathered attitudes and behaviors. The attendees, divided into three different groups, all received separate invites to the upcoming show. A third of the participants received a post card from a company at the trade show. The second group received a postcard along with a branded magnet of the company. The last group received a postcard with a coupon to redeem a free T-shirt from the company if they visited its exhibit at the show. The study found that 78 percent more attendees responded to the T-shirt offer, while 57 percent more people responded to the magnet more than the postcard alone.

This study shows that getting a head start on trade show branding can ultimately increase traffic and participation at your exhibit, but even more so when you add a promotional product to the invite. This way the target has you in mind before they head to the show and, in turn, make your booth a priority.

Although promotional products generate such a high response and success rate, you need to take into consideration which product to use. Sometimes the typical key chains and pens have little to no effect on the target. Like any other part of a marketing campaign, the product must coincide with the wants and needs of the target audience at the trade show. It must be a product that stands out and makes the clients want to have it and keep it around. Because, in essence, by having and keeping your promotional product, the client chooses to keep you and have you around. For example, instead of using the company stress ball as a premium at a trade show, design a tumbler cup series customized to the specific trade show and your specific booth. This keeps the client excited about not only your premium but you as well. It’s also a practical product that tends to get heavy use by more than just the intended target.

By adding a simple, branded gadget to the booth and trade show invite, people tend to return more frequently and also take the company home with them. This generates more word-of-mouth advertising and exposure. It also, as the studies show, creates an overall positive perception of the company and higher interest involvement. So the next time your company plans to attend a trade show, make sure promotional products not only complement your booth, but also appear in the hands of your target before the trade show even starts. ]]> Jacinta Langford Say thank you with more than just words http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/say-thank-you-promos
Promotional products can add so much depth to a marketing campaign when used as a thank you program. They put your company in good standing with your target audiences because it shows that you not only appreciate their business, but also, that you care about them too. Sure, a simple “thank you” can go miles to keep your client and employee base happy, but a well-chosen and well-labeled promotional product can do so much more in the long run.

When a person receives a good product from a company as a thank you, the person feels a sense of importance and some times, can even get the warm and fuzzies. However, thank you gifts can do more than just ensure costumer satisfaction and build brand loyalty. A customized thank you gift can strengthen name recognition, brand message and brand identity. If the product remains visible on a frequent basis, people passing by and seeing it will remember the company and its generosity. They serve as conversation starters as well. If you choose to thank your clients with boxes of fine chocolates, every time they reach for the candy they will start talking about from where they received it and why. This spreads the word about you and ultimately creates positive buzz and word-of-mouth advertising.

Also, since promotional gifts usually end up going home to the family, you can reach and please more people. You can indirectly expose your company identity and message to a higher number of people. This then, in essence, thanks every person who sees you and uses your product.

To make sure your thank you achieves that warm and fuzzy feeling, like always pick a product that appeals to your target audience. If you have nut enthusiasts, give a bag of assorted nuts. If you have car lovers, give them nice customized license plate frames. If you have a big office and not a lot of money, send several bags of ground coffee. Think creatively in your gifting to really create a lasting impression and connection with your clients and employees.

Not only should you think creatively in your gifting, you should think about the time of year in which you would like to say thank you. Every client and employee receives piles upon piles of thank you’s and promotional gifts around the holidays. So many, in fact, that some get re-gifted and even forgotten. So think about saying thank you during the slow times of the year. In an article called “Great Ways to Say Thanks,” author Lisa Bennett writes, “Think about saying thanks at an unexpected times like in February, when the winter blahs are setting in. Your gift will be more memorable if it’s the only one they receive.”

When you choose the correct timing and product, using promotional products to say thank you can appease more than just the wishes of Mom and Dad’s early childhood guidelines. They can increase your awareness, brand and recognition. But more importantly, promotional products make your clients and employees feel appreciated and special.
]]> Jacinta Langford Multi-purpose marketing: The 2-in-1 promotional product http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/mulit-purpose-marketing
Advertising and event promotions can get the word out about you and your event, but promotional products offer an avenue for more freedom and creativity. Choose a promotional product that can serve more than one purpose at your event. If you are planning a wine tasting event, use a promotional product that can serve as your invitation as well as a gift for your attendees. On a wine glass, engrave your name, event and time and place. This gives both the company and event a sense of class and sophistication. It shows that your company can use inventive and creative ideas and promotional products to reach different audiences. This gets your guests excited and curious about the event so they absolutely can’t miss it.

By using a promotional product as an invitation, your company and product get more use and have a longer shelf life. The promotional product remains visible for weeks before and after the party. If you choose a reusable promotional product like a champagne flute, every time the guest uses the promotional product they will remember you and that specific event. Promotional products that serve as invitations have a timeless appeal that will generate constant branding and recognition of your company. A promotional product can build product and brand loyalty especially when connected to a memorable event. Your clients and guests will want more of you when they realize the extent to which you would go to please them.

Furthermore, when you use a promotional product for more than one purpose at an event, you can save some event budget dollars. Many components play an important role in creating a successful event. You must include the invitation, printed materials like posters, napkins and coasters and awards and plaques, and the ever important gift bag. In order to save money without cutting corners consider combining the function of the promotional products. Instead of just serving as the invitation to your event, choose a product that works as both the gift and the invite. This saves you some stress and thanks the guests for coming before the event even starts.

At P. Diddy’s 29th birthday party, he used a promotional product as an invitation and gift for his guests. They received a leather-bound photo album filled with pictures of his previous parties. So, for your next event consider pulling a “Diddy” and combine the purpose of your promotional product. Get creative and practical at the same time to stand out and make a positive impression for your brand on your entire audience.
]]> Jacinta Langford Add some pizzazz to your internal marketing plan http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/internal-marketing-campaign
Many companies, before launching their internal marketing campaign and advertising plans look to bolster support from their own employees and clientele first. This serves three important purposes.

-First, internal marketing campaigns teach your employees about your change or new product before the company releases it to the public. It allows for familiarization of the transition so that your employees know all the details and can really sell it.

-Second, internal marketing campaigns encourage more unity and cooperation in the office. If you can get the employees excited first, they will get all current and potential clients excited and ready to buy.

-Lastly, an internal marketing campaign can generate an overwhelmingly positive perception of the company as a whole. To execute a successful internal marketing campaign, add promotional products designed especially for your employees.

A solid internal marketing campaign and appropriate promotional products can achieve all three functions and expose your company to more than just the employees.

The promotional products industry places high importance on promotional products designed to thank employees and prepare them for an upcoming event or change in the company. These promotional products support the company’s event or change and serve as a constant reminder. If an internal marketing campaign includes promotional products that endorse an upcoming event, they can serve as the invitation and save-the-date item. The products can also raise awareness and inquiries about the event. A well-chosen promotional product for an employee and event mirrors the theme and motif of the event. For example, if you’re putting together a wine tasting charity event that requires a high attendance of your employees, construct an internal marketing campaign that gives them a wine glass with the name, date and time of the event engraved on the glass.

Other than events and transitional periods, promotional products provided during an internal marketing campaign can raise overall company morale. In a slow time during the year, think about having an internal marketing campaign that gives your employees promotional products like boxes of chocolate or bath kits. These gifts will remind them of your appreciation and encourage them to rejuvenate themselves.

Various products can work to enhance your ideal internal marketing plan. Want to give your employees something useful in the office? Think about giving them well-labeled desk calendars or desk clocks . Want to encourage them to relax and focus? Given your employees aromatherapy candles and beauty kits to emphasize a stress-free environment. Planning on introducing a new program or product? Generate excitement with awareness bracelets, flags and even T-shirts.

No matter what you plan on doing to your company in the next couple of years, whether you want to add a whole new tagline and logo or throwing a corporate event, make sure to include promotional products as a part of your internal marketing plan.
]]> Jacinta Langford On-target products during off-season months http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/timeless-promotional-items
In an annual promotional item marketing campaign, maintaining awareness through traditional advertising can get difficult during down-times and off seasons. Flighting during this time drops and consumers see less of your brand. Also, your traditional ads begin to lose their initial edge due to overexposure of the same advertisement if it does not have an evergreen theme. Finding a way to retain the attention of your clients can get difficult if you don’t take a different approach. Promotional items can shake things up a bit and bring more excitement during the slower months. Not only do promotional items add excitement, promotional items in general, can increase and strengthen awareness and remind your clients exactly why they love you.

Sure you can go along with industry trend and send out promotional items for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Cinco de Mayo. When you choose the right promotional item, these holidays can prove a successful time to profit. Consider making a change and think outside of the box. Correlate your promotional item with the theme of a given month so you can stand out in the memories of the clients. If you don’t have a large enough budget to have a monthly schedule for promotional item giveaways, start with three or four of your favorite months and promotional items.

Consider the following when investing in a non-traditional annual promotional item giveaway schedule:

February: Responsible Pet Owner Month
February isn’t about loving only your spouse, children and friends, it’s also about showing appreciation to people who take good care of their animals. Choose a promotional item that rewards both the owner and the pet, while at the same time reminding your clients about your dedication and appreciation to them.

March: National Peanut Month
From peanut butter to chocolate covered peanuts and plain old salted shell peanuts, March let’s you treat your clients to a universal feel-good snack. Send your clients a jar of peanuts to say hello and thanks. It’s a good time to get them excited for baseball season since spring training kicks off in March also.

April: National Anxiety Month
Stress and anxiety can be a killer, especially around tax time. So consider sending your clients a gift bag filled with branded promotional items like soothing teas ,stress balls and aromatherapy candles so they can get out of April anxiety free.

May: National Good Car Care Month
Any mechanic will tell you that good car maintenance increases the life and overall performance of your car. Encourage this by putting your name and logo on promotional items like ice scrapers and funnels .

June: National Ice Tea
June 22, the longest day on the calendar and the summer solstice official mark the beginning of summer. With the summer come pools, BBQ’s and ice tea. Get behind this fun loving month and theme by sending you clients promotional items like plastic pilsner glasses and tea sets. Let them know you want them to enjoy a nice refreshing break courtesy of your company.

July: National Tennis Month
This month means more than just fireworks and beer and bratwursts, it’s about enjoying yet another summer pastime, tennis. To increase your reach and exposure in July, Give your clients gift baskets with promotional items such as labeled sport towels, water bottles and even a set of tennis balls. You’ll take their minds off the left over potato salad and put in on your company.

August: National Golf Month
Could there be a better time to get the attention of your clients? The popularity of the sport makes it so easy to find promotional golf items to brand and send to your clients. This offers a great way to show appreciation for their business and keep them thinking about you on the greens. Logo promotional items like golf balls, putters, tees and towels. Give them in honor of National Golf month!

September: National Courtesy Month
Give a gift of thanks to your loyal customers to follow the theme of the month and prepare them for the fall. Think practical, maybe a promotional item like a branded umbrella or new travel mug. Both of these promotional items can appease your audience and get your business the recognition you want.

When your company feels the need to put some extra energy in your promotional item campaign, look to promotional items that have an interesting and unique theme. Promotional items given on a themed schedule keeps your company at the top of our clients’ minds year-round because they produce such positive outcomes. These promotional items will put your business in front of your clients and audiences during the off season holidays and generate increased exposure, recognition and perception of your brand.
]]> Jacinta Langford How to build a great promotional gift bag http://www.absorbentprinting.com/articles/gift-bag
1. Taylor to the event: Not every event planner always makes gift bags for an event. Sometimes it’s a committee or person under the event planner that designs and fills the gift bag. In this case, know your event and all its details. Research the location, number of attendees, nature of the company and other events and gift bags done in the past. You want to make sure your promotional products match the theme and purpose of the event.

2. Be one with the target: No promotional product or gift bag is successful if it doesn’t appeal to the target audience. Ask yourself some questions: Who is coming and why? What would they like to receive from the company throwing the event? What kinds of activities do they do and like? When you know all the information about your target audience, you can begin to choose promotional products that fit into their lifestyles. You can choose the promotional products to put in your gift bag that will get the maximum use by the audience.

3. Know the promotional products: Now that you’ve all the information on the details of the event and the target audience, hit the promotional product sources and research the products available. What was popular a year ago may not work for a gift bag for an event now. You want to know what’s new and popular so your gift bags includes promotional products the target audience wants and will use repeatedly. Make sure your gift bag fillers dictate the message the company wants to relay to event attendees. The promotional products should encourage the target audience to want to attend another event hosted by the company. Also, remember to pick promotional products that have a long shelf life so that the company and its message remain in the target’s home.

4. Don’t go overboard: Once you find all the great promotional products for the gift bag, limit yourself to a reasonable number of gifts per bag. As much as people love to get free gift bags from a company, you don’t want to bombard them with one too many travel mugs or aromatherapy candles. Given that all the promotional products in the gift bag have your business’ brand logo on them, the audience can get overwhelmed and overexposed to the company—thus creating a somewhat negative impression and perception of the company.

5. Try a different approach to gift bag packaging: Sure, traditional paper gift bags work, but why not try putting all your goodies in a backpack