:: Logo Products Blog ::

With the holidays approaching, people are starting to think about corporate gifts.  While most people give gifts around Christmas and the New Year, why not set yourself out from the crowd by giving thanks at Thanksgiving to your customers?  Moreover, with products like an imprinted flash drive, they can remember your business all year long.  This is a cost-effective corporate gift that is useful for your customers and keeps your name in front of them throughout the year, no matter where they are.

I recently went to the doctor for my flu shot.  When she put the adhesive bandage over the drop of blood, it surprised me that it was an advertisement for the immunization “Gardasil“.  I thought about how anything can be imprinted and what an ingenious idea it was to put an ad on something visible, yet unassuming.  It’s such a simple, inexpensive line of advertising and it makes perfect sense in the field of health.  While at the doctor’s office, I noticed so many other places that pharmaceutical companies were advertising on, from posters on the wall to calendars to hand sanitizer bottles to cotton ball dispensers to boxes of tissues.  It makes perfect sense that when advertising, a company should keep their own product in mind and maybe find something so special that it really can only pertain to what they are selling. 

Although, we may not realize it in sunny California, there are parts of the world that are getting temperatures way below the 90 degrees we’ve become accustomed to in November.  Imprinted sweatshirts and jackets are a great way to keep your clients comfortable knowing that you’re thinking about them.  There are all different styles, sizes and colors to choose from.  You can purchase pullovers,  zip fronted hooded sweatshirts or rain jackets that simply, but proudly, display your company’s logo.  People will be asking about the company that had these fine pieces of clothing made and distributed.  It’s easy publicity at a reasonable cost.   

Being 7 months pregnant, I realize the importance of a good night’s sleep.  This got me thinking about all the ways to make your clients dream of what your company can do for them.  Whether it’s stress related, pregnancy or something else, there are plenty of ways to advertise while giving your clientele practical ways to remember you.  For example, there are imprinted stress balls that they can squeeze to help them relax.  There are imprinted sleep masks and sleep kits that include lotions and pillows to help your client find their zzzz’s.  There are imprinted sleep kits, perfect for the traveler, that include CD’s and neck pillows to find that comfortable position in a not so comfortable airplane.  Even imprinted alarm clocks, perfect for a hotel stay or just to wake you up for that morning meeting are other perfect ways to advertise your business.  Finally, there is the imprinted mug, which signifies the end of the good night’s sleep or the unfortunate lack of sleep, as it sits on your clients desk each morning waiting to be filled with piping hot coffee.  What could be a better way to start the day!

Ordering your corporate gifts each holiday season is no small task. Who should you include on your list? How much can you afford to spend? There’s thinking, planning and lots of number crunching to do. The biggest question of all, however, is what on earth you should buy for all these clients and employees?When it comes to holiday gift buying this year, two words are all you need to know: technology and eco-friendly. Both are the hottest trends in promotional products for 2008. Stick to these categories this holiday season and you can’t go wrong.

With the tough economy, it’s that much more important to identify promotional products that can grow your business.  When I saw the DOW down another 300 points today, I wondered about how small business owners could best leverage their tightening advertising budgets.  There are plenty of fairly inexpensive ways to get your name out there, with quality products that don’t break the bank.  For example, imprinted pens and pencils come in a wide range of price points, yet provide a level of permanence for your advertising dollar.  Then again, what better way to acknowledge our challenging economy but with an imprinted piggy bank.  Whatever you decide to do, it’s important to remember that the best way to get business is to get your company’s name out there.  Advertising specialties are the perfect way to let everyone know about the services you provide. 

Imprinted pens can range in cost from over $100 per pen to only a few cents per item. A wide variety of pens can sometimes make picking a pen the toughest part of the process. Your goal should be to keep your imprint simple, easy to read and provide the information needed to the receiver. One key is to always add your telephone number and web address, not just your logo. I often receive pens imprinted with a person’s company name and the business logo, but no other information. Yes there is some value in branding your logo but you must make it easy for the user to find your business and contact you directly if needed.Promotional printed pens are a commonly used promotional tool. Make sure you find a product that stands out from the crowd. You do not want to be one of the “cup pens.” If you focus solely on price you might end up with an inferior product. Keep in mind that you can combine a beautiful metal pen with a matching mechanical pencil for a gift set that will make a perfect holiday hand out.Here are just a few great benefits from using the personalized pens. First they create goodwill with your clients and prospects. Second they invite new prospects to reciprocate the goodwill gained by giving a hand out by trying out your goods and services. Lastly it reminds your customers and prospects of who you are and your willingness to serve their needs.

Another tradeshow?! We all know by now in our tradeshow laden industry that lanyards are an essential. Woven or screened, they come in all sizes and colors.  I never really felt like a badge on the end of a lanyard was enough. In recent years, by the end of a show, (and I don’t think I’m alone) I had business cards, mints & aspirin, cash, my room key, receipts, directions to the cool sushi restaurant, the free shuttle card, all tucked in behind my badge. And if it had fit, there would have be some kind of foot massager behind there too. I’d take out the chapstick that was usually attached to the lanyard, and slide in a pen, so I would have that tradeshow essential handy, too. But it never failed, usually sometime during the last day I’d lean the wrong way and everything would come tumbling out.  My once disorganized tradeshow life has now been vastly improved by our own custom imprinted Zippered Neck Wallets.

On the front a clear vinyl pocket for identification badge, and on the back , a zippered pocket to store everything I mentioned above. With a handy pen loop, it makes the tradeshow floor more manageable and finding things easy. Need your own business cards handy quickly? There’s a back vinyl pocket for just that purpose.  Every time a customer comes into the booth, they swap out the traditional lanyards for these convenient and cool neck wallets. With a logo imprinted on the front it’s a great way to build brand awareness at a show.