When it comes to running a successful and profitable business, there is nothing more important than implementing a well thought-out marketing strategy. Marketing is essential to helping your business grow and exposing your products or services to a wide audience. Over the years, promotional products have been a popular addition to marketing and advertising strategies due to their ability to help increase brand awareness.

Promotional items are great for small businesses because they’re cost effective and versatile. Other forms of marketing, such as radio and print ads, are expensive, and they’re usually hit or miss in terms of success. Promotional items, on the other hand, are highly effective when given out to the right people. Promotional products allow your business’ name and logo to be seen by a wide range of people, and the next time someone needs the product and/or service you offer, they’ll likely think of your business.

Why use promotional products

Look in your closet, desk drawer or cup of pens. If you’re like most people, you likely have at least one promotional product lying around from a recent conference, meeting or event. Promotional products are growing in popularity, and all different types of businesses are buying promotional products for their customers.

The benefits of promotional products are endless. They allow you to target people who are interested in your product or service, they have a long shelf life, they’re customizable, they’re memorable and they help increase brand awareness. Although people tend to forget the billboard they saw on the way to work or the ad they read in a magazine yesterday, people rarely forget the business that gave them a promotional product.

Why they’re effective

Traditional forms of advertising come and go. One month, your ad will be in a magazine, but the next month it’s gone. Promotional products, on the other hand, last far longer than traditional forms of advertising. People tend to keep their promotional products longer, and this helps with increasing brand awareness and top-of-mind awareness. A pen or notebook with your logo will likely be seen far more than a magazine ad, and people will get more use out of the pen or notebook.

When done correctly, promotional products help to create a lasting impression among your audience. Regardless of whether someone decides to do business with you after receiving a promotional product, it’s important to remember that seeing your logo every single day will help them remember you. And if they do ever need your product or service in the future, you’ll be one of the first people they think of.

Promotional products help increase brand awareness largely due to how long people keep promotional products as opposed to other forms of advertising. Promotional products are tangible items that help leave lasting impressions in the mind of the recipient. Time and time again, promotional products have proven to be effective in helping businesses increase their brand awareness and reach, and they work great for businesses of all sizes.

How to choose the right promotional product

Choosing the right promotional products for your business is often more difficult than it first appears to be. If this is your first time buying promotional products, don’t feel like you’re confined to buying the ever-popular pens, key chains and notepads. These days, promotional product companies offer you the ability to customize everything from water bottles, umbrellas, sunscreen, golf balls and more. If you’re having trouble picking out promotional products, try picking items that are related to your business. For example, if you’re a doctor’s office, try giving out first aid kits, sunblock or stress balls. If you’re a travel agent or tour guide, beach towels, beach bags and passport cases are great options. Technology companies can try out USB drives, car chargers and even headphones. Choosing items that are related to your business is a great way to help with brand association and recognition. No matter what you choose to buy, make sure the products are good quality and have a perceived value to your audience.

Promotional products are a great way for you to get your business’ name in front of a large audience, and they’re a great addition to your marketing strategy.