Seasonal Marketing Ideas

Apr

2010

Promotional Products on Mars

Breaking news: Pinnacle Promotions has become the first promotional products distributor to receive an order for promotional products to be featured at a trade show on Mars. The event is scheduled to occur on July 8, 2010 and will host companies from a range of industries including cable providers, plumbers, and electricians.

APRIL FOOLS!!

Did I trick you? Well, if you are anywhere near as gullible as I am, April Fools Day is the one day a year where other, more cynical people can relate to our predicament. One April Fools Day when I was in the sixth grade, a close friend informed me in the morning that her father had decided to accept a job in Alaska and she was moving at the end of the week. Of course, I had forgotten that it was April Fools Day and fell for her blatant lie hook, line, and sinker. She strung me along for about an hour before she took pity on me and came clean about her story. Read more about April Fools Day in the Corporate World

Mar

2010

Welcoming the spring with promotional products

As many of you know, I became a first time homeowner at the end of January. My husband and I had been house hunting for months and finally found our home last December, during the peak of the winter season. So while our new yard looked nice, we had no idea if the stick-like mounds in the island in the back yard would ever amount to anything more than kindling for a fire.

Mar

2010

National Craft Month Ideas and Promotional Items

Did you know March is National Craft Month? Now before you scoff at the mention of arts and crafts, a term you may think you have long out-grown, reflect for a moment on the enjoyment you derived from art projects during your childhood. I’m not talking about the required assignments from art class that left you (well, maybe that was just me, because of my lack of artistic talent!) disappointed because of a poor grade. I’m talking about the popsicle stick log cabins and handprint turkeys that you worked on at home with friends and family. It would be impossible for me to ever relive the carefree hours I spent sitting at my kitchen table with watercolors and construction paper, but just writing this blog post is enough to make me add “coloring” to my list of things to do this weekend.

I think encouraging your business to participate in National Craft Month is a great way to help staff relieve stress and unleash their creativity. You could even combine arts and crafts with a favorite philanthropy, such as volunteering at the children’s ward of a local hospital. Whether you decide to drop off handmade cards or artwork to the kids or spend time creating masterpieces with them, the thoughtful sentiment and bright, happy colors of the pieces are sure to bring smiles. And although the driving force behind your volunteer work shouldn’t be the positive publicity, you could always leave the beneficiary’s of your kindness with art-related promotional products like promotional markers so that whenever they spend time coloring and drawing, the imprinted messages will remind them of their special relationship with your organization and the fun times they have shared with representatives of your brand.

In college, one of the clubs I was a part of used to make tissue paper flowers that we hand-delivered to a local children’s hospital:

Materials:

Colored tissue paper

Green pipecleaners (to use as stems)

Scissors

Ruler

Directions:

-Cut tissue paper into rectangles of desired size (the photo above features 5″x7″ rectangles).

-Stack around 15 pieces of tissue paper. Use the same color or different colors. The greater the number of pieces you use, the fuller your resulting flower.

-Accordion pleat the tissue paper working from the long side.

-Wind one end of the pipecleaner around the center of the accordion pleated tissue paper.

-Trim the ends of each side to shape the petals. Try some rounded petals and some pointed; bouquets comprised of both types look beautiful!

-Gently separate each layer pulling upwards toward the middle of the flower. Repeat on the second side.

And voila- in just a few minutes, you have lovely decorations to display or share!

Mar

2010

Promotional Marketing in Action: Birthday Benefits

Everybody has one. As kids, we count the days until they arrive. As we grow older, we begin to anticipate them less and less. You know what I’m talking about… BIRTHDAYS! Today happens to be mine (I’m the big 2-3!), and I am still young enough to actually enjoy the festivities that accompany this special day.

“Birthday marketing” is a clever marketing ploy adopted by many companies because – no surprise here- it works! According to a 2008 study, 75% of participants stated that receiving a special occasion card, like a business birthday card, with a discount would increase the likelihood that they would conduct business with the company. Everyone wants to feel special and loved on his or her birthday, and letting customers know that you value their loyalty is a great way to ensure their continued support. Gestures as small and simple as sending a direct mail piece with a coupon, brief note, and maybe even compact promotional products will achieve the desired effect and encourage repeat business.

More promotional marketing ideas and chatter below the fold…

Feb

2010

A Promotional Products Remedy for the Common Cold

Sneezing, runny nose, scratchy throat – yes many of us know all too well the symptoms that correspond with acute viral rhinopharyngitis, or a “cold.” In fact, the common cold is indeed so common that it is the number one cause of lost work time (about 150 million workdays), followed closely by diarrhea – but that’s a remedy for another day. Of course there are several ways to avoid being stricken with the cold virus, and if you do happen to catch it, ways to make yourself better. And surprise – there’s a whole bunch of promotional products out there that can help you feel and get better too!

Continue reading →

Feb

2010

Get your heart-shaped promotional products ready!

Ahhh, love.

Can you feel it in the air?

It’s unavoidable today at Pinnacle Promotions. And I mean that in the best possible way.

Our mailboxes are overflowing with Valentine’s Day wishes, sweets and chocolaty goodies.

Oh, and I do mean mailboxes. Not our inboxes. But the good ol’ fashioned type. Our fabulous bringer of cheer, Deidre, fancied up mailboxes akin to those used in elementary schools across the nation every February. Just the perfect size to hold an abundance of happiness in candy and Valentine card form.

As you can probably tell from the Fun Stuff section of our website, as well as all of our Facebook shenanigans, we here at Pinnacle love to have a good time. No matter how big, or how small, we can make a party revolve around just about anything. While the immediate satisfaction you receive from a fun-size candy bar may only last a minute or two, the impact of this small gesture lasts.

Keeping the atmosphere of your office energized and positive can often be challenging. The hustle and bustle of the workweek can at times be stressful and even disheartening for your employees. Keeping the attitudes on the up and up your workplace should always be an “A” priority on your ever-growing list of to-dos.

Consider implementing an awards program or distributing promotional products to your team on a regular basis. Even the smallest gesture can make a difference. We all know that smiles are contagious. Whenever you get a chance to make someone’s day a little better – just a little bit more positive – you not only spread the positive energy, but your efforts can actually be life changing.

Now I’m not saying you have to exchange store bought Valentines to do this. A simple “thank you” for a job well done will often do the trick. Just remember to keep it up. Spread the love at Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. You’ll help make the world (or at least your office) a brighter place.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Kim
Marketing Coordinator

Feb

2010

From the Runway, to Your Promotional Products… Spring Fashion Report

For some, fashion is a hobby. For others, a sport. Twice a year, in February and September, fashion lovers of all income brackets, styles, and ages unite to take in something I like to equate to “The Superbowls of Fashion,” New York Fashion Weeks. Men glued to their tvs screaming as their favorite football team fights for yardage does not begin to compare to the intensity with which many women follow the coverage of Spring and Fall Fashion Weeks. We live vicariously through bloggers and press coverage, keeping a mental, or for some fashionistas who are even more obsessed with couture than I am, a physical, checklist of all the trends we want to incorporate into our seasonal wardrobes.

Spring/Summer trends were defined at 2009’s Fall Fashion Week (confusing, I know), and I have already spotted some of the key trends permeating the dreary Winter attire demanded by Atlanta’s current climate. It isn’t too late to design custom apparel items for clients and employees that will put them at the pinnacle (pun intended!) of fashion in their professional and personal lives this Spring.

Neutral tones: One of my current favorite promotional products is Leed’s Laminated Non-Woven Large Shopper Tote, which can be found in our Tradeshow Bags & Totes category. This eco-friendly carrying bag is offered with a grass stock background, keeping it in line with the neutral theme that dominated Spring runway shows. A former roommate’s 7 year old sister once asked her why everything in my closet was “dirt-colored,” so clearly I was far ahead of the times with this trend!

Preppy stripes: Many people are not wasting any time at all interspersing chunky stripes and nautical accessories into their Winter wardrobes, and this craze is expected to grow exponentially as temperatures heat up. Our playful Large Striped Canvas Tote is one item to help your female constituents capitalize on the nautical theme, and even men can get onboard (again, pun intended- that one was just way too easy!) with polo shirts featuring subtle stripes.

Nylon anoraks and color blocking: A quick search for the term “color block” on our website turns up hundreds of results, from color block drinkware to tote bags. Appropriately, some of the search results were nylon color block jackets for men, women, and youth from popular promotional apparel brand Port Authority®. I don’t think I could have found a better example of either of these trends than these particular lightweight jackets- perfect for crisp, clear Spring mornings, Port Authority® takes nylon outerwear from functional to fashionable with ease in these statement pieces.

And that wraps up my summary of Spring trends; I can’t wait to summarize next week’s events for you, as I’m sure I will have plenty of ideas about how Pinnacle Promotions can help you bring Fall 2010 trends from the runway to YOUR way with unique promotional products.

Dana
Team Lead – Social Media

Dec

2009

What’s Your Promotional Products Marketing Resolution?

So we’ve come to the close of yet another year.

As we brace for the New Year and all that it can bring, it’s a great time to add some key resolutions to work towards in 2010. We’ve all got our personal list of resolutions. And I’m sure we all know the regulars:

1. Get out of debt
2. Lose weight
3. Go to the gym more
4. Stop smoking
5. Get organized
6. Etc…

But as businesspeople, do we take the time to set business resolutions for the New Year?

Of course we usually have our executive level goals, but are they as specific as they could be? No matter what your corporate goals may be, finding a way to increase your branding and marketing should have a place in your marketing plan. Say your overriding corporate goal is to make more money. A great goal to strive for; but pretty general. Add a system of smaller goals into your mix and you can have a more targeted approach.

As we start fresh in 2010, consider adding some stepping-stones into your plan:

1. Commit to attending a tradeshow or conference or two.
2. Make a resolution to thank your customers after each sale.
3. And resolve to further your branding by getting your name into the hands of each and every one of your customers and employees with promotional products.
4. Etc…

By adding a few strategic resolutions to your already established corporate goals, you are sure to do great things in 2010. Your New Year’s resolutions can be so much more than a personal to do list!

Have a safe, happy and successful New Year’s!

Dec

2009

Bags, Bags and more Bags!

In the Holiday Season, I found myself among the hundreds of other shoppers feeling the pressure of finishing up my holiday shopping for my friends and family members.

In the mall this past weekend I couldn’t help but notice all of the unique shopping bags draped on shoulders, stuffed into carts or piled onto ever-so-friendly husbands on the benches in the middle of the mall. I realized this weekend the amazing power of custom bags and the impact they carry when being toted around the mall.

Whether the bags promote holiday graphics, or the store name, or 50% OFF EVERYTHING, custom bags can become a walking billboard for your store or brand. It’s almost as if your customers are paying you to advertise.

Hmm – now there is an interesting concept.

Eliza
Account Manager

Dec

2009

Pinnacle’s Lyrics Lounge: Promotional Products Inspired by Music

Today featuring: Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, commonly referred to as just, Let it Snow, written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne in July 1945 in Hollywood, California, ironically during one of the hottest days on record.

Oh the weather outside is frightful,  But the fire is so delightful (1),  And since we’ve no place to go,  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn’t show signs of stopping,  And I’ve bought some corn for popping (2),  The lights are turned way down low,  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight,  How I’ll hate going out in the storm!  But if you’ll really hold me tight,  All the way home I’ll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,  And, my dear, we’re still good-bying,  But as long as you love me so,  Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (3)

Lyrical references:

1 – A promotional lighter to get the fire started.

2 – A screenprinted gift box filed with caramel popcorn.

3 – A promotional ice scraper to remove the snow from the windshield.

Find these promotional products and more at Pinnacle Promotions!

And here’s a version of Let it Snow performed by Bob Lido in 1963:

Seasonal Marketing Ideas

Promotional Products on Mars

Welcoming the spring with promotional products

Promotional Marketing in Action: Birthday Benefits

A Promotional Products Remedy for the Common Cold

Get your heart-shaped promotional products ready!

From the Runway, to Your Promotional Products… Spring Fashion Report

What’s Your Promotional Products Marketing Resolution?

Bags, Bags and more Bags!

Pinnacle’s Lyrics Lounge: Promotional Products Inspired by Music

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