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Sarah Selects: Corporate Picnics

Sarah Selects: Corporate Picnics

It’s summertime and Merchandising Manager Sarah shows you her favorite products for your next company picnic or outdoor event.

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Ultimate Guide to Networking at Trade Shows

Ultimate Guide to Networking at Trade Shows

Networking can be intimidating in any context, and especially so at trade shows since you’re already exhausted from looking at all the vendors and staffing your booth. While it may seem like networking comes naturally to some people, it’s a skill that you have to practice, and just about anyone can get better with time. To help you make new connections at your next expo, we’ve gathered our 18 best tips for networking at trade shows.

1. Practice beforehand.

If you’ve never networked much before, trying to do a trade show right off the bat is definitely jumping into the deep end. You’ll be much less stressed, and your interactions will go much more smoothly, if you can get some practice before the main event. See if there are any local expos relevant to your industry happening in town that you can attend. Chambers of commerce, professional associations and other groups also have regular networking meetups (though you often have to become a member to go). Rather than stressing out about selling your company or yourself, focus on chatting with strangers and having a good time at these practice events.

2. Figure out who you want to meet.

You should have a good idea of what speakers and vendors will be at the conference as the date nears. Depending on how long the trade show is, create a priority list of three to four people you’d like to make contact with while there. If you already know them (say, they’re a current client), reach out before the expo so you can schedule a meetup. If you don’t, strategize a way to meet them, such as going up to a speaker after a panel or seeking out a potential partner’s booth during a quiet period when you can talk.

3. Arrive early and stay late.

Trade shows are already busy enough. Once you add in the networking, the schedule can become truly overwhelming. Give yourself some breathing room by flying out the day before and coming back the day after the expo. This will let you settle into your hotel, set up the booth, check in at the expo and complete other necessary tasks before the crowds get big and the lines get long. It’s also easier to network with potential new contacts when there are fewer attendees around since you’ll have less competition for their attention, making before or after the trade show the perfect time to meet someone.

4. Maximize your schedule.

Take a look at the trade show’s schedule and plan out your itinerary before you head to the expo. If you’re staffing the booth, block off those times, as well as any panels or expo events you want to attend. Make sure client meetings are on the plan as well. You might also want to schedule some additional “office hours,” where you work in a nearby cafe and interested people can drop by at their convenience. Don’t forget to leave time for meals and other breaks!

5. Know your pitch.

This should be covered in your staff training before the expo, but make sure you and your fellow attendees have a clear idea of what your marketing message will be for new contacts at the trade show. Practice with each other to make sure you’ve got the main points down, so you don’t freeze up the first time you have to talk to a visitor. If you have promotional materials you’ll be handing out—such as a press kits on a custom USB drive—review those materials as well so you know what’s included.

6. Tell your story.

Networking at trade shows isn’t just about pitching your company or product. Attendees will also want to know about you as a person. Think about how to tell your professional story in a concise but engaging way, covering important points such as how you ended up at your current company and what drew you to the industry. If you don’t like talking about yourself, you can practice giving a short “elevator pitch” about yourself, as you did for your company or product, at your trial run networking events.

7. Be authentic.

It’s pretty easy to tell when people aren’t genuinely interested in what you have to say, or just want to talk about themselves (or worse yet, are trying to lie about their credentials or company!). Focus on being yourself and sharing a bit of your personality (within reason). Trade show attendees are so inundated with canned sales pitches that a bit of authenticity will be a breath of fresh air and make you stand out from the crowd.

8. Don’t be too transparent about your agenda.

No one attends a trade show for the sake of just being there. Everyone has some kind of greater objective: meeting new customers, launching a new product, growing their own personal network, etc. Everyone knows you have some kind of agenda, and they have their own as well, but there’s no need to leap into it straightaway—this isn’t door-to-door sales. Coming on too strong and selling too quickly is a real turnoff, so chill out and focus on getting to know speakers and fellow attendees.

Networking

9. Dress professionally but comfortably.

You’ve probably heard the advice “it’s better to overdress than underdress” when it comes to job interviews, but this doesn’t really hold true for networking at trade shows. In fact, dressing too fancy can make you seem unapproachable and intimidating, especially if you’re trying to mingle with strangers on the trade show floor (which is why corporate apparel is a great option). The acceptable dress code will vary from expo to expo, so do some research beforehand and aim to dress in the middle of the spectrum—neither the fanciest nor the most casual outfit there. And whatever you do, bring comfortable shoes because you’ll probably be standing and walking a lot. If the event is in cooler weather, consider sending your employees in a jacket - one that's custom to your brand. Be sure to check out our best work jackets collection for ideas.

10. Relax and be approachable.

If you’re noticeably stressed out, people will be less likely to approach you, so relax and try to enjoy yourself. Smile if you make eye contact and don’t cross your arms over your chest. Beyond that, don’t fret too much over your body language. A lot of trade show networking success comes from attitude, so coming into every interaction with optimism and genuine interest in the other person will go a long way—even if you don’t walk away with a new customer or expo BFF.

11. Fly solo sometimes.

It’s less intimidating to approach someone standing by themselves than it is to break into a group who’s already chatting. Likewise, being approached by one person is less overwhelming than having a big group surround you. Even if you’re attending the expo with coworkers, or plan to meet up with contacts there, take some time to go solo and attend panels or networking mixers on your own. And if you were already planning to attend the trade show by yourself, take advantage of the opportunity to make some new friends, even it’s just for the expo.

12. Brainstorm icebreaker questions.

“So, what do you do?” is the most classic of networking icebreaker questions—and that’s what makes it so boring. Before you go to the event (or perhaps on the plane on the way there), brainstorm some unusual icebreaker questions that will get the conversation started and make you stand out among the crowd. If you can tie your questions into the event—such as asking what brought the other person to the expo or what they thought of the keynote speaker panel—that will open up a natural way to start the conversation without it feeling too forced.

13. Think about how you can bring value.

In networking interactions, many people are focused on what they can get out of the other person: a trial of their new product, introductions to more people, industry tips, etc. Instead of only focusing on what you need, think about how you can help other people at the trade show as well. Do you have a lot of industry connections you can introduce trustworthy new contacts to? Are you a subject matter expert on a relevant topic? Do you know a lot about the city where the expo is being held, so you can recommend restaurants for dinner? Bringing value to the interaction like this will definitely make you stand out in people’s memories after the show.

Woman with branded journal

14. Watch for an opening.

No one likes being interrupted, so choosing the opening moment is key for a successful networking interaction. Approaching someone standing by themselves, looking around, is an obvious choice, but that’s not always an option. Wait at a respectful distance for groups to break up, or for an obvious lull in the conversation, before trying to insert yourself. Don’t forget to smile and have icebreaker questions ready to go so you’re not left staring at each other waiting for someone to say something.

15. Leave at the right time.

Starting a conversation is only half the equation. You also need to know how to wrap things up at the right time. If the other person is acting distracted, looking around or giving short answers, that’s a good sign that they’re no longer engaged and that it’s time to wrap things up. And if you find yourself doing these same things, don’t feel obligated to continue the conversation. Offer an excuse, such as filling your drink or saying hi to another acquaintance you see, and say your goodbyes.

16. Bring business cards.

We may be living in the digital age, but when it comes to networking, good old-fashioned paper business cards are the way to go. Bring plenty of extra business cards so you can hand one out to each person that you talk to. Make sure they include your name, title and company, plus the best ways to contact you. You’ll probably receive a lot of business cards in return, so decide where you’ll carry them and how you’ll sort them. Many people like to make a note on the back of the business card to jog their memories about the conversation, but if you prefer the digital route, you can keep a running document on your phone instead.

Networking Tip - Business Cards

17. Have a lead capture system in place.

Scribbled notes on business cards are just the first step. Have some kind of digital master file where you keep track of all your contacts, whether it’s as simple as a basic spreadsheet or as fancy as a marketing automation platform. Inputting your contacts into some sort of database will make it so much easier to go through them and figure out how to follow up after the trade show. Plus, you’ll have a digital backup in case you lose any of the cards—always a risk at an expo.

Man on phone through window

18. Continue building the relationship.

You’ve survived the expo, made it home in one piece and slept for hours on end. So, your work here is done, right? Wrong! You’ll still need to follow up with all your contacts, but don’t give in to the temptation to give the sales pitch right away. Send a simple thank you email, reference the conversation you had at the trade show and offer to keep in touch. Using your newsletter or blog is a great way to nurture your leads without going straight for the sales pitch. So, if you have that content, put it to use. Lastly, you might consider keeping a stock of branded corporate gifts on hand to give as thank you gifts after making a trade show connection. 

Networking at trade shows can lead to new customers, yes, but also to great conversations and industry friends. Follow these 18 best practices the next time you attend an expo and all of your coworkers will be impressed with your newfound networking skills.

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Trade Shows 101

Trade Shows 101

When it comes to face-to-face marketing, few events can rival the ROI potential of a trade show. With the right marketing strategies and careful planning, a quality trade show can put your brand smack dab in front of a targeted audience who is searching for a product or service just like yours.

But what is a trade show, exactly? While you’ve likely walked through a crowded exhibit or convention at some point in your life, being on the other end of the display booth is a much different experience than being an attendee.

Before we dive right in, here is a quick primer on what you should know about trade shows:

  • Trade shows can benefit companies both large and small by putting their brand directly in front of qualified leads.
  • When used correctly as trade show handouts, promotional items can be extremely effective at generating qualified leads and meeting your company goals.

What Is a Trade Show?

Trade shows are exhibition events held in major cities where exhibitors in a specific industry set up a display booth to promote their products and services. Usually, trade show attendees must either pay to get into the event or be invited to the show, making them far more valuable of a lead than the average Joe off the street. These people have a vested interest in the products and services on display, which is one big reason why an estimated 1.3 million exhibitors set up a trade show display booth in 2014, according to a 2018 CEIR Index.

ROI on Tablet

Why Make Trade Shows Part of Your Marketing Plan?

Whether you’re trying to grow your brand awareness or break into the industry via smart networking tactics, trade shows have the potential to scale your business and grow your brand. Let’s look at a few specific reasons why business executives and entrepreneurs prioritize industry trade shows:

    • In-Person Interaction—In an age of social media, the value of face-to-face interaction shouldn’t be dismissed. In-person interaction is essential to making meaningful connections with attendees and moving them down the marketing funnel.Attendee Buying Power—According to The Exhibit Survey, more than 80 percent of trade show attendees have buying power. Attendees are ripe for the taking, but only if you can draw them to your booth.
    • High ROI—While the return-on-investment of trade shows can vary depending on industry, it’s not uncommon for businesses to come away from their trade show with a huge profit. According to atEvent, companies can expect to achieve an average ROI of $4.99 for every dollar they invest.
    • Boost Brand Awareness—From promising startups to established corporations, trade shows can be used by any size of business to grow their brand awareness and connect with their target market.

People looking at a laptop

6 Steps to Make Your Next Trade Show a Success

There is a lot that goes into planning for an upcoming trade show. From researching shows to determining objectives, here is a brief look at what goes into achieving trade show success:

  • Determine Goals—If you don’t have a goal for your trade show, how will you measure your success? Determining goals early is crucial to making your trade show a huge success. A few ideas of trade show objectives include boosting brand awareness, promoting the launch of a new product or growing authority in a particular niche.
  • Craft a BudgetHow much will you need to invest to accomplish your goal? Creating a trade show budget can be tricky, but it will help ensure that you’re investing your time and money wisely.
  • Find a Quality Trade ShowResearch trade shows in advance to make sure that each one is worth your investment.
  • Research the CompetitionWho are your biggest competitors at the trade show? Research their selling points and find ways to outshine them on the trade show floor. From flashy signage to unique promotional products, get creative with your trade show strategies.
  • Attract People to Your BoothGive people a reason to stop by your booth with exciting signage, engaging booth staff and, of course, trade show giveaways. Attendees have come to expect branded swag at trade shows, so be sure to check out our trade show swag ideas if you need some inspiration for your booth.
  • Follow-Up with LeadsDon’t wait for leads to lose interest in your brand. Follow up within 24 hours while your brand is still fresh on their minds.

Make a Lasting Impression at Your Next Trade Show

When you’re new to the trade show industry, exhibiting for the first time can be stressful. From developing an eye-catching booth to crafting the right messaging, you’ll probably be spending a lot of time, money and energy into your upcoming trade show.

While we can’t take away all of your trade show stress, we can make it easy to attract attendees with useful promotional products that are the talk of the trade show. Get in touch with us and we’ll help you pick promotional items that align with your brand messaging and help you maximize your trade show ROI.

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What Does “Swag Bag” Mean and What Items Should you Include?

What Does “Swag Bag” Mean and What Items Should you Include?

If you’ve ever left a networking event or trade show with a goodie bag loaded with promotional items, then you have some familiarity with a swag bag. A quality swag bag has the potential to delight event attendees and keep your business top of mind long after the event has passed.

So, What is a Swag Bag?

But let’s rewind for a minute: What is a swag bag? What does “swag” even mean? Briefly, here is what you need to know about the meaning of swag bags:

  • Swag is an acronym for “Stuff We All Get.”
  • Swag refers to promotional items that companies hand out to attendees as a form of advertising.
  • To delight attendees with a swag bag, event managers and marketers must develop an effective promotional strategy.

A Brief History of Swag Bags

“Swag” isn’t a new term. In fact, it’s not even a new concept. We’ve been giving out swag since the 1700s, and at funerals, of all places!

While the meaning of swag has steadily evolved over the years, the goodie bag we know and love today first arose during the dot com bubble. They gained widespread attention thanks to the Oscars and the Emmys, which were known for giving out swanky, lavish gift bags as a consolation prize for all the nominees.

Today, swag bags are used for a variety of events, from fun runs and races to conferences to fundraisers and everything in between. Whether you’re a startup trying to create brand familiarity or an established company wanting to generate buzz for a new product, a swag bag can be an extremely effective marketing strategy for your business.

How Your Business Can Benefit from a Quality Swag Bag

Swag bags are not just fun; they’re a strategic tool in brand promotion. Look around your office—you likely have several promotional items within reach. These aren’t just useful tools; they’re constant reminders of the brands they represent.

Brand Recall

A study by the Advertising Specialty Institute shows that 85% of people remember the advertiser that gave them a promotional item, making swag an effective memory hook.

Customer Loyalty

Over one-third of people who receive promotional items are more likely to do business with the company that gave it to them, enhancing customer loyalty.

Cost-Effective Marketing 

Swag bags provide a more budget-friendly alternative to costly advertising methods like TV or radio, perfect for companies with limited marketing budgets.

Enhanced Visibility

Every time someone uses a promotional pen, wears a branded t-shirt, or carries a tote bag, your brand gets exposure far beyond the initial recipient.

Perceived Value

Well-chosen swag can feel like a thoughtful gift, increasing the perceived value of doing business with your brand.

Versatility

Swag can be tailored to fit any event or audience, making it versatile for any promotional need.

Sustainable Options

Offering eco-friendly promotional products can improve your brand’s image and appeal to a more environmentally conscious consumer base.

Community Engagement

Swag bags can be used to support local events, charities, and schools, showing your business’s commitment to community involvement.

Employee Morale

Swag isn’t just for customers. It can also boost employee morale and create a sense of belonging within a company.

Trade Show Traffic

At trade shows, a compelling swag bag can draw attendees to your booth, increasing leads and potential sales.

Swag bags offer a unique combination of practicality and promotional power, helping to cement your brand in the minds of consumers and encouraging both loyalty and new customer acquisition. Invest in quality swag to reap the benefits of an affordable yet impactful marketing strategy.

Swag Bag Items

Swag bags, much like those delightful goodie bags from childhood parties, contain a variety of promotional items and samples aimed at leaving a memorable impression. They often feature branded gifts that recipients can use, promoting prolonged brand exposure.

Custom Power Banks

Keep your recipients powered up with custom power banks. They’re perfect for charging devices on the go, making your brand a daily convenience in their lives.

Recycled Paper Journals

Offer a sustainable choice with journals made from recycled paper. They’re ideal for note-taking at conferences or daily planning, showing your brand’s eco-conscious side.

Branded Tote Bags

Durable and reusable, these tote bags extend your brand’s reach every time they’re used for shopping or carrying essentials.

Personalized Water Bottles

Keep attendees hydrated with water bottles customized with your logo. They’re practical for both gym goers and office workers.

Custom USB Drives

Share your brand digitally with custom USB drives. Load them with your company’s portfolio or presentations to make a professional impact.

Branded T-shirts 

Create walking billboards with stylish, comfortable T-shirts featuring your logo. They’re great for team events or as casual wear.

Promotional Sunglasses

Add a fun touch to outdoor events with sunglasses that protect eyes and showcase your brand on sunny days.

Eco-Friendly Straws

Show your commitment to the environment with reusable straws. Pair them with your logo for a green message.

Portable Bluetooth Speakers

Let your brand be the life of the party with portable speakers that carry your logo and deliver great sound.

Custom Stress Balls

Offer a way to de-stress with squishy, branded stress balls. They’re perfect for office environments and trade shows.

Swag items are more than just gifts; they’re a strategic marketing tool that enhances visibility and engagement. Choose items that resonate with your audience and reflect your brand values to make your swag bags a hit.

A Few Tips Before We Go

It’s clear that swag bags can create brand familiarity and delight event attendees. They also have the potential to be a massive disappointment and a waste of money if event managers don’t know what they’re doing.
Before you order cool swag items for your swag bag, remember that your items need to be useful, relevant and align with your brand. Why not check out our best sellers for more inspiration before you go and if you need help choosing promotional products that will give you the best bang for your buck, we’re happy to help! Get in touch with us and we’ll help you create a swag bag that makes a lasting impression on your target audience.

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Sarah Selects: Eco-Friendly Products

Sarah Selects: Eco-Friendly Products

Merchandising Manager Sarah is here to help you save the environment while promoting your brand with her favorite eco-friendly and sustainable products. #savetheturtles

 

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Inexpensive Promotional Products

Inexpensive Promotional Products

No company would be successful without a strong marketing team implementing effective advertising and promotional efforts on behalf of the brand. With hundreds of marketing strategies available to you, it can be tough to determine which methods will work best to grow your company.

Though specific techniques, such as direct mail or social media advertising, may work better for some companies than others, using promotional items is an effective and time-tested marketing tactic. Spreading your brand’s name and message is the most fundamental aspect of garnering new leads and customers.  Smart distribution of promotional products can help accomplish this goal.

Why should your business use promotional products?

For decades, companies have used promotional products as a means of getting their brand logo noticed by prospective clients. Using promotional products as a startup is a particularly effective method for introducing your company to your target market by helping them learn and  remember your brand name.

The reason promotional products can be so effective is that they put your logo and what your company represents on useful items that people can interact with daily. When someone sees your company’s name frequently, it is much more likely that they will remember you and hopefully return to you as a customer. Distributing unique and high-quality promotional products can also leave people with a favorable view of your business. Keep in mind when ordering bulk promotional products that you want to give people something useful and not another impractical item that’ll get tossed in the junk drawer!  

Where can you give away promotional products?

Promotional products are extremely versatile in that they can be presented in many different ways. By using promotional items during trade shows, companies can make an impactful impression and stick out in the minds of attendees once the event has ended. Providing people with a physical item that includes your company name can help them associate your brand with your services and goods.

Events of all sizes are great venues for distributing promotional products. Research events related to your industry and try sponsoring or renting a booth at one of these gatherings. If your company is involved with the food or restaurant industry, attending a food festival would be a novel idea. When ordering bulk promotional items for these types of themed events, you may want to branch out from the standard products, like pens or koozies, to provide people with gifts unique to your field such as custom hand sanitizers (for healthcare) or branded car scrapers (for automotive).

Our favorite budget-friendly promotional products

Ordering impactful promotional products doesn’t need to break the bank. By playing it smart, you can easily choose affordable branded items that stay within your budget while maximizing your brand awareness. Check out the following budget-friendly options that are sure to delight recipients:

1. Customized sunglasses

Custom sunglasses are a great item to distribute as promotional products because people typically always need another pair. If you’re giving away products at an outdoor event, sunglasses are useful as some people may want to put their new shades on right away. They’re also a fun accessory to receive and can easily be customized to feature your logo and funky, eye-catching colors.

2. Travel mugs and water bottles

One of the best promotional products you can give is a custom travel mug or water bottle. People use these objects every day, so this will provide your brand with a valuable opportunity to stand out. When your current or prospective clients are on-the-go, mugs or water bottles can serve as great conversation pieces and generate even more business.

3. Totes and travel bags

For trade shows and events, customized totes and custom drawstring backpacks can be used to carry around other items from the event while reminding attendees of your company. Look for a bag made from durable material to ensure that your potential new customers will want to continue using this item for months or even years to come. Custom totes are especially great for promoting environmental consciousness. Browse our collection of best work backpacks for women and best work backpacks for men.

Promotional pens

Though one of the most common promotional products on the market, custom pens featuring your company colors and logos are extremely effective. As with many of these other items, pens are something that people use every day, so when they reach for one of your pens, they are sure to remember your company name. Pens are very affordable bulk promotional items, so you can distribute multiple products to one person, increasing your brand awareness even more.

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What to Wear to a Conference – Trade Show Attire Tips from the Pros

What to Wear to a Conference – Trade Show Attire Tips from the Pros

Figuring out what to wear for conferences and trade shows can be tricky. On the one hand, you don’t want to look sloppy, but on the other hand, you also don’t want to dress so well that you intimidate trade show attendees. There’s also the huge importance of dressing in a way that aligns with your brand culture and image.

If you don’t know what to wear to a conference, you’re in good hands. Before we give you some trade show attire tips, here is what you need to know about dressing for your next event:

  • The best trade show apparel strikes the right balance between comfortable and professional.
  • Branded trade show apparel can make your booth staff look and feel like a cohesive unit and may help you attract high-quality leads.
  • Dressing for your industry and your brand is essential to looking professional on the trade show floor.

1. Check the Weather

Every seasoned exhibitor knows to check the weather forecast before they get ready for their trade show. If it’s going to be pouring rain all day, you’ll want to dress accordingly so you don’t arrive to the event with mud-splattered pants and wet feet. If you’ve ordered custom umbrellas with your company logo, this is also the perfect opportunity to show off your brand before you even set foot on the trade show floor.

Man tying shoes

2. Wear Comfortable Shoes

You’re going to be standing on your feet for hours on end, interacting with attendees and handing out trade show giveaways. Unless you want to be grimacing in pain all day, good footwear is essential. Comfortable, yet professional-looking shoes can be hard to find, but they’re worth the hassle and price. At the very least, you can always try using custom insoles to help stabilize and support your feet.

3. Have Your Staff Wear Coordinating Outfits

We can’t stress enough the importance of having a cohesive trade show display, from your booth décor to your booth staff. Outfitting your booth staff in branded trade show apparel not only makes your booth look more professional, it also makes your team members stand out from other trade show attendees.

And trust us, your trade show booth could probably use all the help it can get to attract more foot traffic. With the average exhibitor investing 31.6 percent of their total marketing budget into exhibiting, you can expect the competition to be fierce. Wearing branded apparel is just another way to make a strong first impression on attendees and capture more leads.

4. Dress for Your Industry and Status

What you wear at a trade show or conference will largely depend on your industry. For example, those in the financial and banking industry may want to wear more formal attire compared to those in the outdoor industry.

On a similar note, you’ll want to pay extra close attention to your attire if you’re speaking at a conference during the show. For men, a suit with slacks will fit in just fine at most conferences, while women can dress in either a full suit or a dress with closed-toe shoes. If you’re concerned about appearing too intimidating to attendees, consider adding a pop of color beneath your formal attire to make yourself appear more approachable.

5. Make Your Outfit Versatile with Layering

Wearing layers at conferences and trade shows can be a huge life-saver. If someone spills their drink on you (which happens often, given how crowded trade shows are), you can simply remove a layer and reveal a clean shirt underneath. Smart layering can also save you money because you don’t need to shop for a new top for every trade show. Just wear the same base layer while switching up your outer pieces.

Make a Good First Impression

When deciding what to wear for a conference or trade show, there is more at stake than you might think. You and your fellow exhibitors are investing a significant amount of marketing dollars into your upcoming trade show. In fact, exhibitors spend $24 billion annually on trade shows, according to statistics compiled by HubSpot.

To win your next trade show, dressing the part is a key component to your success. With these tips, you can increase your likelihood of attracting prospects and making a great first impression on attendees.

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Ways to Make Your Company a More Sustainable Workplace

Ways to Make Your Company a More Sustainable Workplace

Sustainability. It’s the buzzword that everyone seems to be talking about right now, but what does it really mean? By definition, sustainability is the “quality of not being harmful to the environment, depleting natural resources and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance”. In reality, being a sustainable workplace means that your company is striving to make changes to reduce your environmental footprint while simultaneously creating an office environment that encourages healthy behavior and employee satisfaction.

It might seem overwhelming when you start to think of all of the ways you could try to incorporate sustainability into the workplace, but that’s why you have us! Right? Right. There are so many easy ways to make small changes that make a big impact in the long run.

Gift Reusable Branded Products

Take a minute and think about how many plastic water bottles are thrown away at your office every single day.  Would you be able to guess how many? How about plastic utensils in the kitchen? Or plastic bags that employees use to bring in their lunch?

A great place to start when it comes to incorporating and encouraging a sustainable lifestyle in the workplace is to provide each employee with some branded, reusable products.  By simply providing each employee with a reusable water bottle and lunch bag, you are drastically reducing your waste.  Not only are you encouraging sustainable behavior, but you are also creating the warm, fuzzy feeling for your employees by showing them that they are appreciated.  The best part? They will be carrying around products decorated with your company’s logo for extra impressions – score!

On the go Lunch Bag

Providing reusable utensils, bowls, plates, etc. in the kitchen area of your office is another great way to discourage wasteful behavior. Instead of using disposable plastic utensils and potentially paper plates or bowls, employees will be able to use and reuse dishes daily.  Some companies even go as far as placing a “ban” on plastic bags and water bottles!

Encourage Energy Efficient Habits

Starting a carpool program or encouraging the use of public transportation or bikes can be easy ways to motivate employees to shift their behavior. Looking for a way to jumpstart this process? Create incentives and awards for your employees if they participate in any of the above options. Happy hours, gift cards or catered lunches all work well as prizes for adopting a more sustainable lifestyle.

Encourage your employees to enable and utilize power saving features on their computers. This one might seem small, but it makes a world of difference and takes less than five minutes to implement. Another small change is to encourage a paperless office. Challenge your employees to print one less document a day and see what the overall reduction in paper is at your office.

Lastly, switch out those inefficient lightbulbs. According to energy.gov, energy-efficient lightbulbs (halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps, light emitting diodes) typically use 25% - 80% less energy than traditional incandescent lightbulbs and can last 3 – 25 times longer.  This simple switch will save you time, energy and money.

Make Recycling Easy

If you asked your employees to identify which items out of those they throw away daily are recyclable and which items are not, would they have an answer for you? Do you even have recycling bins in your office? The answer to these two questions must be yes before you can make any sort of difference.

Step one – acquire recycling bins.  Step two – create flyers noting which materials can be recycled.  Once your employees are educated about which items go where, they’ll be more likely to participate in the initiative.

Incorporating sustainable practices into your everyday office life can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.  By adjusting your workplace behavior even slightly, you can create an atmosphere that is healthy for your employees as well as the environment.

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Company Events: A Perfect Place to Use Promo Products

Company Events: A Perfect Place to Use Promo Products

Sometimes your own employees can be the best source for spreading brand awareness through promotional products. Many companies offer new employee welcome kits filled with essential information and promotional gifts with their brand logo to encourage staff to support and represent the business.

Everybody loves receiving free swag, so be sure to order bulk promotional items that your team will appreciate and want to use even outside the office. Hosting team-building company events is another great time to distribute promotional products and build a positive office culture. Follow our tips to create a memorable company event that will spread brand awareness and overall benefit your business.

Benefits of hosting a company event

1. Create a strong company culture

Fostering a distinct company culture is important for employee retention as well as building your brand because it aligns the values of your staff and your company. If you create an office environment that your employees genuinely enjoy, they are much more likely to remain loyal while also spreading the word about how well your company operates. According to Forbes, 87 percent of people who feel that their company encourages engagement are more likely to stay with the company.

When employees are more satisfied and engaged, they are also likely to be more motivated and produce higher quality work. A company event is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate your company’s culture in action. As you plan the event, consider what core values you can emphasize to your staff and brainstorm ways to demonstrate these principles. During the event, give away promotional items to show your employees your appreciation for them.

2. Encourage teamwork

Without hosting company events, it can be difficult for employees to find time outside of work to mingle with other staff. These festivities provide your team with the chance to relax and connect without the pressures of office duties. When employees have the opportunity to speak in a social setting, they form stronger bonds, which encourages better working relationships.

Not only do company events allow colleagues to interact, but they also open the door for communication between leadership and employees. Sometimes management may seem unapproachable because they are in a position of authority and employees, particularly new hires, don’t always feel comfortable turning to them with a problem. In a low-stress setting such as a company event, employees have the chance to get to know their bosses better and feel more collegial, making it easier to approach them in the office with work concerns.

3. Demonstrate employee value

When employees feel as though their contributions to the company are important, they are much more productive, motivated and happy in the workplace. Throwing a special company party is an excellent way to display your gratitude for each of your staff members. Many companies opt to host an Awards Ceremony event each year to personally reward employees that have done an outstanding job over the course of the year. This type of company event is fun for everyone and provides the recognition many employees seek.

When planning a company event, you should build in a time to gift your team with useful and high-quality promotional products. These gifts are another token of your appreciation and work well as visual advertisements to others.

The perfect bulk promotional items for company events

Personalized shirts and other apparel

Personalized shirts are popular and valuable promotional items to distribute to employees. They can be worn to work on casual days as well as outside the office. Seek out high-quality apparel, like custom embroidered jackets from reputable brands such as Columbia and Under Armour, and customize them with your company logo.

Corporate gifts and awards

If you’re planning to host a company-wide Awards Ceremony, you’ll need gifts and awards to give out to your winners. A traditional award like a plaque is an excellent way to make your outstanding employees feel special, but you can also opt to offer other types of prizes such as custom Yeti tumblers or branded Wrapsody headphones.

Custom drinkware

To commemorate a great company event, hand out beautiful custom glassware that your employees can take home and use for years to come. Custom wine glasses with your company logo and the name of the event are classy favors that people will love. You can also consider giving away something people can use every day such as coffee mugs with your company logo.

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Marketing Ideas that Don’t Break the Bank

Marketing Ideas that Don’t Break the Bank

If you’re just getting your business off the ground, you’re probably wondering how you can introduce your startup to your target market without spending too much money on expensive marketing tactics. Luckily, small business owners have more opportunities than ever to get their brands in front of the right audiences, particularly with the use of promotional products.

These customizable items are affordable and effective methods for capturing the attention of potential customers. While most companies opt to give out bulk promotional items at events, trade shows or to new clients, there are plenty of other ways you can get your custom promotional products into the hands of the right people. Test out some of these affordable marketing techniques to increase awareness of your brand.

1. Host a social media giveaway contest

Social Media Icons

People of all ages interact with brands on social networks on a daily basis. Because so many people are exposed to these sites each day, social media platforms have become extremely important for advertising and marketing efforts. While some people prefer to run sponsored social media ads, if you’re looking for a cheaper way to get your business noticed on social media, you can run a giveaway contest. There are specific laws that regulate giveaway contests via social media, so be sure to read up on these important rules before planning the contest.

Before you are able to run a promotional contest, you must first have an account on a social media platform (or platforms). When selecting where to host your competition, you should consider your target demographic and which sites they are most likely engaging with. Create a thoughtful post announcing the contest along with a photo of the bulk promotional product you will be giving away.

Instagram is a well-liked platform for these types of competitions. Most businesses require contestants to follow their page, tag a friend or two and sometimes include a hashtag in their post in order to qualify. These rules are effective because they require people to follow your business on social media.  This will provide your company with the opportunity to engage with these new followers and show them what your brand is all about.

2. Team up with another company in your industry

Sometimes forming alliances with other companies within your industry can benefit both parties. Organize a low-key, affordable event with another company to promote each other’s brands. During the event, each respective party will be able to interact with the other’s customers, spreading their companies’ messages to people already familiar and interested in the industry.

At this event, you can help attendees to remember your business through promotional products given away at the door. When teaming up with another company, you want to make sure that you are in related businesses but not direct competitors as that can make things confusing for consumers and hinder your potential business prospects. One popular example of this type of co-branding is GoPro and Red Bull. Though the two companies sell different products, their target markets tend to overlap, so they have formed a global partnership through which they host thousands of events each year.

3. Get featured on a popular blog or vlog

Blogs are effective at spreading the word about everything from breaking news to the latest trends. Even if your company has its own blog, you should seek out other more popular bloggers in your field that would be willing to include a special review or guest post on their site, which will in turn draw attention back to your company’s website. In exchange for the favor, you can offer bloggers quality promotional products or allow them to give away one of your branded t-shirts or other promotional product via their blog.

4. Get involved in your local community

Earning the support of your local community is vital to creating customer loyalty and brand credibility. Event booth rental and/or sponsorship can be expensive but there are dozens of free or low-budget volunteer opportunities at local events. Even if you are not looking to be a vendor at an event, you can always reach out to event planners looking for in-kind donations of take-home items (also known as “swag bag” items) for guests. Although attendees may not have had the chance to talk with one of your employees face-to-face, they will have a unique item with your company’s brand to take home for future use.

5. Promote exclusive promotional products

Exclusivity is an excellent sales method because everyone enjoys feeling special. If potential customers think that they are getting access to something others are not, they are much more likely to make a purchase from your company or simply engage with your brand on social media. Regardless of what platform you use to offer an exclusive promotional product, be sure to use language that makes it clear this special is not available to everybody. For example, Victoria’s Secret often hosts sales exclusively for Angel Cardholders, which also include a free branded item when cardholders make a purchase.

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