promotional marketing

Nov

2023

How to Use Promotional Products Effectively: 9 Tips

Every global enterprise started as a small business with big dreams. Whether it’s Google, Amazon, or Apple, each had the drive to grow their business, and to do so meant standing out in a world crowded with competition.

In this guide, we’ll explore nine effective ways to use promotional marketing to grow your business. From choosing the right small business promotional items to understanding your target audience and beyond, we’ll help you learn the ins and outs of promotional marketing.

#1 Pick The Right Stuff

When it comes to choosing small business promotional items, your choice should not only show off your brand’s personality but also be something useful in your customers’ daily lives.

Picture a busy college campus where students get handed all sorts of promotional stuff. Now, if a local pizza place gives out branded pizza cutters with special discount codes, they’re not just giving out something practical — they’re also connecting with their college-aged audience.

The right promotional items are like messengers, telling people about your brand and what you stand for. Choose wisely, and your promotional products become a natural part of your brand, leaving a positive, lasting impression.

#2 Have Clear Promotional Marketing Goals

Once you have an idea of what promotional products to use for your business, you’ll want to be clear about what you want to achieve with your promotional giveaways or purchasable merch. These goals need to be specific and doable. For instance, if you’re giving out branded pens, a simple goal might be to increase brand recognition with 25 people.

But here’s the trick: these goals must align with your broader strategy for promoting your business. It’s about ensuring all the pieces of the puzzle fit together seamlessly.

Let’s take a look at some examples.

If you aim to cultivate customer loyalty, you might set a goal of offering special gifts to repeat customers, creating a sense of importance and encouraging them to stay.

Alternatively, if you focus on building a strong social media presence, you could distribute appealing items like stickers or tote bags that people are eager to share online.

These are measurable goals that are in sync with your overarching strategy.

#3 Get to Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is a powerful tool in the world of promotional marketing. It’s not just about giving things away; it’s about giving the right things to the right people. To achieve this, you need to know who these people are.

Know Your Crowd

Understand who you want to attract or keep happy. Create personas for your ideal customers, considering their age, interests, and what makes them tick.

Tailor to Interests

Once you’ve got these personas outlined, tailor your small business promotional items to fit their interests. For a tech-savvy audience, consider wireless chargers or Bluetooth headphones. If your audience is into fitness, think about items like water bottles, gym bags, or even yoga mats.

Getting to know your audience transforms your promotional efforts from a random giveaway to a thoughtful gesture.

#5 Stay on Budget

Staying on budget is a cardinal rule of promotional marketing, especially for small businesses aiming to make a big impact without breaking the bank.

Plan Ahead

Before randomly purchasing promotional items for small businesses, take the time to plan. Consider how much you can realistically allocate to promotional efforts without compromising other aspects of your business.

Bulk Purchases

Bulk purchasing will be your budget’s best friend. Many promotional product suppliers offer discounts for larger orders. By ordering in bulk, you not only save money per item but also ensure a steady supply of promotional materials for future campaigns.

Focus on Impact

Concentrate on impactful and budget-friendly options. Sometimes, simplicity can be more memorable than extravagance. Consider items that offer a high perceived value without a hefty price tag, maximizing your budget’s effectiveness.

Staying on a budget in promotional marketing is not about compromising quality or impact. Instead, it’s a strategic approach to making every dollar count.

#5 Use Social Media

Social media is like a big stage where you can put your stuff in the spotlight. Choose the social media platforms your customers like hanging out on — Instagram, Facebook, X (formally known as Twitter), or others. Then, get creative with your posts. Make them look cool and interesting to catch people’s attention. Use captions that make folks want to join the conversation.

Incorporating Influencer Marketing

Now, here’s another great promotional marketing strategy — get influencers to talk about your products. Pick influencers who are a good match for your brand.

When working with influencers, it’s not just about sending them your stuff. Team up and create a story that fits both your brand and their style. It could be unboxing videos, reviews, or pictures showing how your products fit into everyday life. This teamwork not only gets more eyes on your products but also connects with customers through someone they trust.

#6 Make Cool Designs

Designing your small business promotional items gives them a unique personality that stands out. The design is the silent storyteller that speaks volumes about your brand.

Create Eye-Catching Designs

First, make designs that grab attention. Use bright colors, bold fonts, and cool pictures to make your product stand out. Whether it’s a pen, a mug, or a tote bag, the design should instantly catch the eye and be interesting.

Be Creative But Stick to Your Brand

While being creative is important, keep your brand in mind. Your promotional products should feel like a part of your brand, with the same look and message. This makes your products not just cool giveaways but also important parts of your brand.

In short, designing your promotional products is a creative journey that mixes cool ideas with your brand’s style. It’s about making a statement without saying much.

#7 Make It Exclusive

Creating an air of exclusivity around your promotional products is like giving your customers a VIP pass to something special. By instilling a sense of exclusivity, you’re turning your promotional products into coveted items that people feel compelled to grab before they’re gone.

Crafting Exclusivity

Start by making your small business promotional items feel special. This could involve creating limited-edition versions, exclusive color variants, or unique packaging. The goal is to make customers feel like they’re getting something one-of-a-kind.

Limited-Time Promotions and Discounts

Timing is everything. Introduce limited-time promotions and discounts to add a sense of urgency. Whether it’s a flash sale, a weekend-only offer, or a special discount code, the limited time frame creates a feeling of opportunity that customers won’t want to miss.

Invoke a Need to Act Quickly

Make people feel they need to act fast to get their hands on your promotional products. This urgency can be created through countdowns, exclusive pre-order opportunities, or limited stock announcements. When customers perceive limited availability, it triggers a psychological response that drives them to take immediate action.

#8 Track Your Progress

Tracking your promotional marketing progress is like having a compass on a journey — you need to know where you’re going and how well you’re getting there.

Monitoring Your Success

Start by keeping a keen eye on how well your promotional products are doing. Are they generating the buzz you hoped for? Are customers responding positively? Regularly check in to gauge the effectiveness of your efforts.

Utilizing Analytics for Insight

Measure key performance indicators (KPIs) such as engagement rates, website visits, or social media interactions. Analytics provide a comprehensive view of the impact your promotional products are having on your audience.

Making Informed Adjustments

The real magic in promotional marketing happens when you use the gathered data to make informed adjustments. If a particular product or promotion is resonating strongly with your audience, consider doubling down on those strategies. On the flip side, if certain aspects aren’t performing as expected, tweak your approach.

#9 Keep Customers Coming Back

One effective strategy is to transition from a one-off experience to a continuous relationship. Whether it’s offering exclusive discounts, early access to new products, or accumulating points for every purchase, try to create a sense of appreciation and value that encourages repeat business.

Transforming Satisfied Customers into Advocates

Satisfied customers are your best advocates. Encourage this advocacy by providing avenues for satisfied customers to share their positive experiences. This could involve social media shoutouts, testimonials on your website, or even referral programs that reward customers for bringing in new business.

Fostering Ongoing Engagement

Engagement is the key to longevity. Keep the conversation going through regular communication. This could include newsletters, exclusive emails, or sneak peeks into upcoming promotions. By staying on your customers’ radar, you become a familiar and trusted presence in their lives, increasing the likelihood of them choosing your products over competitors.

Unlocking the Potential of Promotional Marketing with Pinnacle Promotions

In the ever-changing world of growing a business, small companies have big potential. Think about big players like Google, Amazon, or Apple – they all started small and had to stand out in a crowded market. Promotional marketing can be a secret weapon to help jumpstart your growth.

This guide has been your roadmap through the tricks of effective promotional marketing. From choosing the right items to understanding your audience and staying on budget, each tip is like a building block for success.

As you dive into your promotional journey, remember it’s about more than just promo; it’s about telling a story that people relate to. Make smart choices, keep an eye on progress, and build lasting connections.

Ready to Boost Your Brand? Contact Pinnacle Promotions Today!

Turn those small business dreams into big achievements with effective promotional strategies. Contact Pinnacle Promotions today at 877.300.2007, and let’s take your brand to new heights!

Sep

2023

Promotional Marketing is about Problem Solving

Promotional marketing is like a puzzle – a multifaceted game where every piece must fit to achieve the desired outcome. Whether you’re an entrepreneur just starting out or a seasoned marketer looking to revamp your strategy, understanding the essence of promotional marketing as a problem-solving endeavor is key to success.

In this blog, we’ll explore why promotional marketing is all about problem-solving and share some of the best techniques and tips to ensure your promotional efforts hit the mark. We’ll also delve into the world of promotional gifts and items that work effectively. So, let’s dive right in!

The Problem-Solving Nature of Promotional Marketing

Before we dive into techniques and tips, it’s essential to grasp why promotional marketing is inherently a problem-solving endeavor.

Imagine this: You have a fantastic product or service, but nobody knows about it. This is a common challenge faced by businesses of all sizes. You need to find a way to bridge the gap between your offerings and your target audience. That’s where promotional marketing comes into play.

Promotional marketing is essentially the art of identifying and solving problems. It’s about recognizing the barriers that stand between your product and its potential customers and then using creative strategies to overcome those barriers.

The Best Promotional Marketing Techniques

Now that we understand the problem-solving aspect of promotional marketing let’s explore some of the best techniques to tackle these challenges effectively.

Know Your Audience Inside Out

One of the most critical aspects of promotional marketing is understanding your target audience. Who are they? What are their preferences? Where do they spend their time? What problems can your product or service solve for them? The better you know your audience, the more precisely you can tailor your promotional efforts to meet their needs.

To truly understand your audience, start by conducting market research. This can involve surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one interviews with existing customers to gather insights into their needs, preferences, and pain points.

Additionally, you can utilize online analytics tools to track website and social media engagement, allowing you to see which demographics are showing the most interest in your content or products. Combining these approaches will help you build a comprehensive profile of your audience, guiding your promotional marketing efforts in the right direction.

Craft a Unique Value Proposition

Your promotional efforts should clearly communicate the value your product or service brings to your audience. What sets you apart from the competition? How can you make your offer irresistible? Craft a compelling value proposition that answers these questions and resonates with your audience.

Embrace Multichannel Marketing

In today’s digital age, it’s essential to reach your audience where they are. Utilize various marketing channels, from social media and email marketing to content marketing and pay-per-click advertising. A multi-pronged approach ensures you’re casting a wide net.

Leverage the Power of Promotional Gifts

Promotional gifts can be a game-changer in your marketing strategy. These are tangible items that carry your brand and message, making them memorable. Consider practical, high-quality promotional items that align with your audience’s needs and preferences. Think custom-branded reusable water bottles, stylish tote bags, or tech gadgets.

Measure and Adjust

Promotional marketing isn’t a one-and-done endeavor. It’s an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and adjustment. A great way to measure performance is by A/B testing. It allows you to make data-driven decisions and refine your promotional strategies based on what resonates most effectively with your audience.

You can also track the performance of your campaigns using metrics like website traffic, conversion rates and sales. Use this data to refine your strategy and make improvements.

Putting it All Together: Promotional Marketing Tips in Action

Let’s set the scene — you own a cozy local coffee shop in a neighborhood filled with competition from big-chain coffee giants. Your challenge is to entice more customers to choose your coffee shop over the larger, more widely recognized brands.

Problem: Your coffee shop is struggling to stand out in a sea of coffee options, and you need to find a way to attract and retain more customers.

Breaking Down the Promotional Marketing Solution

Know Your Audience: You survey your regular customers to better understand their preferences. You discover that many of them value the personalized and friendly atmosphere of your coffee shop and appreciate locally sourced ingredients.

Craft a Unique Value Proposition: Based on the survey findings, you create a unique value proposition that highlights your coffee shop’s local charm and commitment to supporting local farmers. You emphasize the cozy ambiance and the personal touch that sets your coffee shop apart from the large chains.

Embrace Multichannel Marketing: You utilize social media to share behind-the-scenes stories of your coffee shop, showcase local suppliers and engage with the community. You also send out personalized email newsletters offering exclusive discounts to loyal customers.

Leverage Promotional Gifts: As part of your promotional strategy, you offer reusable coffee mugs with your logo and a discount code for future purchases. These mugs not only serve as promotional gifts, but also align with your brand’s sustainability values.

Measure and Adjust: Using data from your email marketing campaigns and social media engagement, you notice a steady increase in customer engagement and loyalty. Through A/B testing, you discover that email subject lines mentioning “local flavor” perform exceptionally well. You adjust your content strategy to emphasize this aspect even more, leading to increased foot traffic and sales.

In this real-world example, the local coffee shop used promotional marketing to solve the challenge of competing with larger coffee chains. By understanding their audience, crafting a unique value proposition, employing multichannel marketing, leveraging promotional gifts, and measuring and adjusting their strategies, they successfully attracted and retained more customers, ultimately boosting their business.

Promotional Items That Work

Now that we are more familiar with the best promotional market techniques let’s take a closer look at promotional gifts and items that have proven to be effective problem solvers in promotional marketing:

Custom Tote Bags

Custom tote bags are eco-friendly, versatile and budget-friendly, making them a popular choice for promotional marketing. They serve as walking billboards for your brand, and people tend to reuse them regularly, whether for grocery shopping, running errands, or carrying their essentials, ensuring your logo gets plenty of exposure.

Branded Apparel

Apparel is a timeless promotional item. Whether it’s custom-printed T-shirts, hoodies, or caps, branded apparel allows your audience to wear your logo proudly. Your logoed apparel can spark conversations and create a sense of community among those who support your brand. Plus, it’s a great way to add style to your promotional efforts and make a lasting impression.

Promotional Drinkware

Promotional drinkware, including water bottles and branded tumblers, are perfect for health-conscious audiences. These items not only encourage hydration, but also serve as on-the-go billboards for your brand.

What’s more, tumblers, in particular, have gained remarkable popularity on social channels like TikTok and Instagram. Their stylish designs and versatility make them highly shareable, often featuring in user-generated content and stories, amplifying your brand’s visibility among wider audiences. So, consider adding these trendy and practical items to your promotional marketing strategy for a modern touch.

Custom Notebooks

Custom notebooks are timeless promotional items! They’re perfect for jotting down ideas, notes, or sketches, making them an ideal choice for businesses in creative or educational fields. Your brand’s logo on a quality notebook reinforces your commitment to quality and creativity.

Tech Gadgets

Branded tech gadgets like phone stands, chargers, and earbuds are always in demand, reflecting the tech-savvy nature of today’s consumers. By offering these items as promotional gifts, you demonstrate that your brand is tech-savvy and forward-thinking, aligning your image with modernity and innovation.

Remember, the key to success with promotional items is to choose those that align with your brand and resonate with your audience. Don’t just slap your logo on anything; make sure the item adds value to the recipient’s life!

Get the Best Promotional Marketing Tips With Pinnacle Promotions

Promotional marketing is, at its core, about solving problems. It’s about connecting your product or service with the right people in the right way. By knowing your audience, crafting a compelling value proposition, utilizing various marketing channels, and leveraging effective promotional items, you can navigate the challenges of promotional marketing successfully. So, embrace the problem-solving nature of promotional marketing and watch your brand thrive!

Ready to put these problem-solving promotional marketing techniques into action? At Pinnacle Promotions, we specialize in helping businesses like yours create memorable and effective promotional campaigns. From custom tote bags to branded apparel and everything in between, our wide range of promotional items is designed to make your brand stand out.

Let’s work together to find the perfect promotional solutions tailored to your unique needs. Get in touch with us today, and let’s start solving your marketing challenges with creativity and flair!

Jun

2023

Top 10 Things to Think About When Choosing a Promo Partner

What should you consider when choosing your promotional partner? Are you price-conscious? Or do you need a partner with a finger on the trending swag pulse? No matter what, Pinnacle Promotions is here to help you make the best swag decision for your business and brand.

Finding the right business partner is difficult, no matter what area you are researching. It doesn’t matter if you are searching for new software to help your business become more efficient or looking to add an outside marketing agency, you’ll want to find a partner that will understand your business’s core values and help you meet important goals.

The same can be said for finding the right promotional partner to help ensure you have smart and effective planning to hit ROIs. Promoting your business effectively requires a combination of creativity, strategy and industry expertise. With so many promotional companies out there, how do you choose the right one?

In this blog, we’ll explore ten key factors to consider when selecting a promotional company to work with. Whether you’re launching a new product, planning an event, or looking to boost your brand’s visibility, these tips will help you make an informed decision and achieve your marketing goals.

Why choosing the right promo partner is so important

No matter if you are just starting your business or if your company has been established for some time, branded swag and promotional giveaways are going to play a role in growing your brand. According to Promotional Products Association International’s latest research study, 85% of people given a promotional item will remember that brand. That’s a huge market of customers who will remember the gift and become repeat customers.

So what sets a great promotional company apart from the competition? The short answer: curiosity. Great promo people are always thinking about and searching for new creative ways to use products to convey a client’s messages or perfectly highlight a client’s brand.

Let’s say, for example, your company is launching a brand new line of custom merchandise. This is a new market for your business, but since your organization is a well-established brand, leadership has no doubt this will be a fantastic opportunity to gain revenue and new customers.

The right promotional partner can help you develop a strategy for promoting your new merch, create engaging marketing materials and execute a successful launch event. Most importantly, your promotional partner can assist you with building and maintaining your online company store.

Your promotional partner becomes an extension of your marketing, operations, sales and human resource teams. At Pinnacle Promotions, we are constantly curiosity about finding products, technologies, solutions, and services that can be deployed to generate connections and impact.

No matter the project or the department, your promo partner should be able to source the right products while understanding the nuances of your departmental needs.

In this way, promo partners become proactive collaborators, actively seeking opportunities to enhance your promotional efforts and tailor their services to suit your specific requirements.

Top 10 Things to Think About When Choosing a Promo Partner

Promotional partners meeting to discuss marketing strategy

Now that you know the “why” behind choosing the right promotional partner, let’s dive into the ten things to think about when you begin your research.

# 1 Reputation

Look for a promotional company with a solid reputation in the industry. It’s always a good idea to check reviews, ratings and testimonials from previous clients. Positive feedback and a strong reputation indicate that the promotional company has consistently delivered satisfactory results and will handle your promotional project with care.

#2 Experience

Choose a promotional company with a proven track record of success in your industry or niche. Research what brands the organization has previously worked with. While big-name brands are always a great way to see that the organization has the experience to handle your project, it’s important to ask for examples or case studies — especially relating to your specific industry.

For example, if you’re in the fashion industry, partnering with a promotional company with a deep understanding of the latest fashion trends and consumer preferences can help you create targeted and impactful promotional campaigns.

#3 Services offered

Your promotional partner should offer the services you need. Sourcing products is an obvious service, but does the company have specialized kitting? Drop-shipping? Can they help with branding, marketing, event planning, or product launches? Do they build online company stores or employee swag stores? These are just a few services your organization may need.

#4 Creativity

You want your promotional products to be creative, trendy and functional! You need a promotional company that is creative and innovative in its approach to marketing and promotion but also has a finger on the pulse of what is popular right now.

For example, Stanley tumblers are a big-ticket item, but stock is limited. You want an organization that can generate fresh ideas, think outside the box and research alternative drinkware that will still end up on social media feeds.

#5 Customer service

Who doesn’t love good customer service? Choosing the right promotional company means finding an organization that values its clients and provides excellent customer service. Make sure they are responsive to your needs and questions and are always ready to jump into whatever project you have on the horizon.

#6 Pricing

Look for a promotional company that offers fair and competitive pricing for its services. It’s important to strike a balance between affordability and quality. Be wary of companies that offer prices that seem too good to be true, as they may compromise on the quality of the products or include hidden costs that can arise later in the project.

Remember, selecting a promotional company based solely on the lowest price can often result in mediocre outcomes, whereas choosing a company with transparent and reasonable pricing ensures a valuable investment in your promotional efforts.

#7 Multichannel expertise

Your promotional partner should be able to solve more than just swag problems. It’s important that you consider a promotional company that excels in executing multichannel campaigns. This means they have the knowledge and capabilities to handle various channels, including digital platforms, social media, email marketing, and traditional print materials like brochures, flyers, or direct mail.

Their expertise in print materials allows them to design and produce visually appealing and effective promotional materials that align with your brand’s message and resonate with your target audience.

#8 Communication

Communication is key.

You need a promotional company that communicates clearly and regularly with you throughout the project and ensures delivery of your products is on time, just the way you want them. Make sure they are accessible and responsive to your questions and concerns.

#9 Technology

Online company stores and employee swag store software are a great way to get your merch out into the world — especially in a digital world with remote workers. You’ll want to find a promo company that uses the latest technology and tools to streamline the promotion process and maximize results.

#10 Results

Finally (and most importantly!), choose a promotional company that can deliver measurable results. Choosing the right promotional partner can help you achieve a better return on investment (ROI) for your marketing efforts. A partner who understands your business and goals can help you create a more targeted and effective marketing strategy, resulting in higher conversions and revenue for your business.

Professionals Choose Pinnacle Promotions

In a nutshell, finding the perfect promotional partner is a game-changer for your marketing game plan. By taking into account factors like reputation, experience, offered services, and industry know-how, you can make a savvy choice that jives with your business goals.

A top-notch promotional company won’t just bring creative sparks and strategic genius to the table; they’ll also shower you with exceptional customer service and a results-driven mindset. Remember, picking the right partner isn’t just a walk in the park, but once you find them, it’s a match made in marketing heaven.

With the right promo partner, you’ll rock the brand promotion scene, outshine the competition, and hit those marketing targets like a boss. That’s why at Pinnacle Promotions, we understand what it takes to make promotional magic happen! From sourcing trending products to crafting captivating and engaging employee kits to building your custom online company store, Pinnacle is here to partner with you as your organization grows.

Dec

2022

What is Promotional Marketing? Getting Your Swag On for Your Startup

Let’s explore promotional marketing and how to get your swag on for your newest business endeavor.

Knowing how to market your small business or startup appropriately can take a lot of work. Should you focus all your attention on digital marketing? Or is offline marketing still worth it in 2022? The short answer is that it requires a thoughtful promotional marketing strategy that utilizes digital and offline marketing efforts. But you may be asking yourself, “what is promotional marketing? How do I even get started? Where does marketing swag fit into all of this?”

That’s why here at Pinnacle Promotions, we are an extension of your marketing efforts and are here to help you as you begin to build your enterprise.

Let’s tackle the most significant part of your marketing strategy — promotional marketing.

What is promotional marketing?

If you are just starting out, you are most likely feeling the urgency of getting your organization off the ground. Sales may be your most critical focus, but without a thoughtful promotional marketing strategy, you will ultimately run into bumps in the road.

So what is promotional marketing? Indeed.com states in its article, Examples of Seven Types of Promotions, “Promotional strategies are an excellent way for companies and organizations to communicate with a variety of audiences.” Each promotional element must be thought out and discussed as you develop the overall strategy for your business.

Here’s a short list of the types of promotional marketing strategies:

Personal selling – products or services are sold through person-to-person conversations.
Sales promotions – short-term sales initiatives such as discounts, coupons or giveaways.
Direct Marketing – directly reaching potential customers through direct mail, emails or even telemarketing to advertise products, services and related deals.
Digital marketing – utilizes content, search engine optimization, social media, email and affiliate marketing to boost your brand, helping you reach a global audience.
General advertising – reach a mass audience through areas such as newspaper ads, magazines, TV commercials and billboards.
Public Relations – campaigns centered around social media, press releases, publicity stunts and influencer endorsements to help boost public brand awareness.
Sponsorships – paying to help fund a specific event or individual to support a cause and boost your brand reach.

Taking a balanced approach to your marketing strategy will involve all types of promotional marketing. It is up to you how you develop and implement your plan. Just be sure you understand that each plays a vital role!

Getting started with marketing swag

“When selecting a giveaway item, it’s important to not only consider the budget, but if the item will be useful to your target customer.” – Ryan Salay

After creating your promotional marketing strategy, you will need to take a proactive approach to the areas of marketing you deem the most important. Marketing swag should be on that list! Marketing swag will help drive customers cost-effectively and get your brand out into the world.

So, where does marketing swag fit into all of this? Well, you can think of company swag as an extension of your direct marketing efforts. You are effectively marketing your organization through branded items you can give or sell to your customers.

Ryan Salay, the Digital Merchandising Manager at Pinnacle Promotions, explains, “Depending on the item, recipients are likely to bring them back home, to their office, or use them in their daily lives, with your logo right there to remind them where it came from.”

Let’s say, for example — you just finished working with a new client. They ask for your card to pass along to a neighbor, but you’ve just run out of business cards! However, you do have notepads and pens on hand, so you give your client a few extra pens and notepads to hand to the neighbors.

Best swag for startup businesses

You will want to choose marketing swag that will make the right impression but won’t bust your marketing budget all in one go. Ryan shares some smart promotional tactics to help you get started, “When selecting a giveaway item, it’s important to not only consider the budget, but if the item will be useful to your target customer.”

He goes on, “Avoid gimmicky products that are likely to be thrown away and instead focus on something you envision your audience using in their day to day lives, whether that be a tech accessory, a pen, a calendar, or something unique! You can even add contact information like a website or phone number as a part of your imprint to make it easy for your recipient to reach back out to you.”

That’s why it’s important to look at cost-effective and functional products customers and employees will want to use daily. Here are our favorite starter swag items for your small businesses and startups.

Marketing swag ideas for startups and small businesses employees

Your employees are the frontline of your business! Marketing swag helps establish unity across your brand and build rapport and grow relationships with your team.

Apparel

When you get your business up and running, you will want to outfit yourself and your team in promotional apparel, such as branded t-shirts and hoodies. (Be sure to find the best custom hoodies). Not only will this provide a uniform look to your team, but it will also help with exposure!

Office and desk products

Promotional office and desk products are an effective way to showcase your brand around the office and provide usefulness! Promotional items such as mousepads, wireless chargers, and other desk organizers can help your employees stay on task and promote brand unity.

Notebooks

Even in the digital age, people love using branded notebooks to take notes! Your employees need a practical, handy way to jot down innovative ideas or to record meeting highlights.

Lunch coolers/food containers

Lunch coolers and food containers make useful employee gifts! And these promotional items are just great for toting lunch to the office -– they are great for game day coolers, glamping and travel – which means your brand gets more exposure!

Computer backpacks

Nothing is more convenient than carrying all your professional essentials with you on the go. That’s why custom computer backpacks are essential for your employees — with a wide variety of stylish choices to ensure your team has room for all their necessities.

Marketing swag ideas for prospective customers and giveaways

Promotional giveaways are great because they are budget-friendly, and you can pass these items along to your customers or future partners.

Tote bags

Custom printed branded tote bags are cost-effective and beneficial items that help get your brand out into local communities and provide a sustainable way to promote!

Tech giveaways

Custom tech giveaways are a unique promotional option — which customers love! Branded tech also provides customers with a valuable item that all households and offices need.

Pens

You never know when you will need a pen! Having custom pens on hand to give away is a great way to get started with your marketing swag.

Custom keychains

Custom keychains can be fun ways to get your logo into your community! If you are looking for a more functional keychain, choose the carabiner, LED light or bottle opener types.

Grow kits

You should plan to set your brand apart, and customizable grow kits are an excellent way to do so! They make lovely gifts and help raise brand awareness. Your customers will remember you every time they look at their plants!

How to take your promotional swag to the next level

Now that you have a better understanding of promotional marketing and getting your marketing swag started, it’s time to take this knowledge out into the world. We have a few suggestions for utilizing your swag and getting your brand name out there! Here are our favorites:

Trade shows – an excellent opportunity to see new industry developments, meet and network with others, see what your competitors are doing and pass out free giveaways for customers or potential partners to take home.
Chamber meetings – help you stay in touch with your area businesses and help you make necessary connections.
Local music festivals – offer a fun, engaging environment and allow you to give away your more unique promotional items.
Local businesses – we cannot stress enough how important it is to meet your neighbors! Spending an afternoon going out and networking with local businesses can hugely impact your startup — especially if you leave them a few branded goodies! Do this periodically to help maintain your reputation and build potential partnerships.
After completion of service – give your customers something to walk away with. Functional items such as pens, notepads or keychains are great giveaways to help show your customers that you appreciate their business.

Ryan agrees — stating how these events can have a big impact, “Small giveaway items benefit businesses by keeping their brand top of mind without breaking the bank. At trade shows and other events, even the smallest giveaways can attract attention in a crowd, which brings more potential customers face to face with your company and engages conversation.”

When can you start growing your brand?

Once you’ve established your business and are ready to grow your brand, you can begin to think about niche marketing swag items that apply to your industry. These high-end promotional products may be more costly, but you aim to establish a relationship with your partners and employees to create a lasting story with them.

Here’s a short example: Kathy is an up-and-coming real estate agent. She just closed on a beautiful new home for her clients. Instead of gifting these clients branded pens or notepads, she gives the young couple a custom charcuterie board with her logo. This makes for a great housewarming gift, and her brand will grab attention at dinner parties. Plus, it leaves her clients with a warm, fuzzy feeling that she genuinely values their business. It’s a win-win.

Partnering with Pinnacle Promotions

It’s important to remember to take your promotional marketing strategies a little at a time, as with most things in life. If you begin to feel overwhelmed about budgeting or how you can attend local events, just try to focus on one area at a time before moving on to the next. It’s all about building the foundation of your business!

The best part is that you are not alone – Pinnacle Promotions is here to help! We help you find the best promotional products for your budget as you promote your small business or startup. We can send Idea Kits™ right to your inbox with creative ways to showcase your brand and grow your business. For more information on kits or if you are interested in a specific product to get your promotional marketing started, call us at 877.300.2007 today!

Nov

2022

Is Offline Marketing Worth It in 2022?

In the digital age, you may think online marketing is the only way to scale your business successfully, but is that true?

We all know we live in a fast-paced, digital world. This computerized environment impacts how we communicate, how our customers’ shop and how we promote our businesses. It is indeed a different time from when our parents and grandparents were employing their marketing strategies! Because of this, we know that we must utilize digital efforts when it comes to our businesses’ marketing and sales efforts.

Still, there must be a place for offline marketing strategies, right? Yes! Offline promotional marketing allows your business to connect with your target audience on a broader scale and helps you to create a memorable experience — rather than relying solely on digital efforts to make connections.

Maybe you are just getting your business off the ground and still putting your marketing pieces together. To help you, we will explore the types of promotional marketing, what offline marketing strategies are and how these play a role in your overall growth efforts.

What are the types of promotional marketing?

Before we get into the brass tacks of offline marketing, we need to fully understand all the types of promotional marketing to see the broader picture. Indeed.com states in its article, Examples of Seven Types of Promotions, “Promotional strategies are an excellent way for companies and organizations to communicate with a variety of audiences.” Each promotional element must be thought out and discussed as you develop your overall strategy.

Personal selling

This is what most people think of when they think of “sales” or a “sales team.” This strategy involves person-to-person conversation, and products or services are sold through a more personal connection, whether in person or over the phone. This type of promotional marketing is crucial because it builds relationships of trust with clients.

Sales promotions

Sales promotions are short-term sales initiatives such as discounts, coupons or giveaways. This strategy helps drive sales on specific products and introduce new customers to your business.

Digital marketing

Most of us are familiar with online or web advertising efforts at this point. Digital marketing utilizes content, search engine optimization, social media, email, and affiliate marketing to boost your brand, helping you reach a global audience.

Public Relations

When you envision public relations for your organization, try to think of it as the face of your brand. Public relations efforts involve campaigns around social media, press releases, publicity stunts and influencer endorsements. This can help not only enhance your brand but also protect it.

Sponsorships

For this type of marketing, you are bringing awareness to your business by paying to help fund a specific event or individual. Sponsorships are a great way to support your local communities and strengthen your credibility as an organization.

Direct Marketing

With direct marketing, your business reaches out directly to potential companies or individuals through direct mail, emails, or even telemarketing to advertise products, services and related deals.

General advertising

The area of general advertising allows you to reach a mass audience through areas such as newspaper ads, magazines, TV commercials and billboards. While these aren’t as targeted as the other types, it helps bring awareness to your brand.

According to Forbes, taking a balanced approach to your marketing strategy will involve all types of promotional marketing. It is up to you how you develop and implement your plan. Just be sure you understand that each plays a vital role!

What is offline marketing?

Now that we know a bit more about the types of promotional marketing, you may be wondering what offline marketing is and how it plays a role in the overall picture of your strategy.

To put it simply, offline marketing is any marketing efforts that take place offline. When you send out direct mailers, place ads in the newspaper or give away free branded swag, you are supporting your business. Offline marketing should be a part of the spectrum of your promotional marketing strategy.

While there are many different types of offline marketing, we have chosen a few to help you get started!

Pinnacle Promotions Top 6 Offline Marketing Strategies

#1 Newspaper & magazine ads

Newspapers and magazines are great, low-cost ways to get your brand out to a broad audience. While the number of views may be lower initially, it’s a great starting point for small businesses just launching their brand or products. The one downside is it can be difficult to track metrics.

#2 Direct mail

Another cost-effective solution to offline marketing is direct mailing. It’s especially useful for engaging older audiences. It can help your organization create a brand presence and promote discounts on products and services for new customer engagement.

#3 Billboards

We’ve all seen them on our daily commutes — billboards are great ways to reach a large audience quickly and effectively. The one downside is that you have to rely on the customer to complete the final step by reaching out via phone or on your website. That means you must ensure that your message and logo are clear, concise and compelling!

#4 Word-Of-Mouth

The tried and true marketing method, word-of-mouth will be a critical factor in building your brand loyalty. When a previous customer refers your company to their family, friends or neighbors, and you deliver consistent service, you can guarantee that word-of-mouth referrals will continue to spread.

#5 Radio ads & TV commercials

Both radio and television can give you some wiggle room to be creative and show off your brand using both audio and visual elements. Radio ads are a more cost-effective way to reach your target audience over commercials, but without the visual aspect, you will have to create a detailed message that conveys your brand and your products and services.

On the other hand, TV commercials are more expensive and don’t allow for last-minute changes. However, you can visually appeal to your customers.

#6 Promotional products

Last but not least (especially to us) are promotional products. Known as promo, swag and merch, promotional products are a great way to showcase your brand. Branded giveaways can provide your customers and business partners with a long-lasting way to showcase your logo.

The better the gift or giveaway, the more memorable the experience is for your customers.

Is offline marketing still worth the effort in 2022?

When it comes to promotional marketing and how offline marketing fits into your strategy, you must look at how each piece plays its role within your entire business plan. Offline marketing strategies aren’t the bad guy here. In fact, offline marketing should be evaluated and implemented to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that compliments your online marketing efforts.

For example, let’s say you are promoting a contest on your company’s social media pages for a free corporate kit with eco-friendly promotional products supporting Earth Day. You can get several kits full of branded items that you can easily send to your top clients, with one saved just for the winner of your social media campaign. It helps get the word out about your sustainability efforts, supports your digital strategy, engages your customer base and helps bolster your relationship with your top clients.

Offline marketing strategies do not play against your online marketing efforts but are just one piece of the whole marketing puzzle. It is up to you how you want to piece it together!

Let Pinnacle Promotions Help Piece It All Together

No matter what your offline marketing strategy may be, Pinnacle Promotions has a solution for you. We understand that offline marketing strategies require quality products, branded just the way you want them and delivered when you need them.

Our team of dedicated promotional marketing professionals can assist with sourcing products, build kits and even help you scale your business with MyPromo Solutions online stores. Think of us as an extension of your offline marketing strategy! To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 800.300.2007.

Oct

2012

Engage with Customers with Promotional Products

In today’s fast paced, virtual landscape it is becoming more important than ever to engage with your customers. It has become commonplace to communicate via text, purchase products on your mobile and download music online. We can go through an entire day without actually interacting with another human face-to-face. As humans we crave interaction and a tangible way for companies to fill this need is to use promotional products, like puzzles or games.

I recently read an article on Springwise.com about a Canadian musican that offered a DIY cardboard turntable with his new album. This limited edition version came with a make-your-own cardboard turntable that actually plays the record! This was thoughtfully created to “invoke the old-time aspect of blues music and toy-building activities reminiscent of childhood, as well as forcing the listener to put in some work and attention in order to hear the music.” What a unique way to get fans to engage with this musician and his music!

By using a promotional product you have a physical branded product that your customers and fans can hold in their hands. If you incorporate a nostalgic toy or puzzle you can get people to slow down and play or build something. This creates an experience that your fans won’t soon forget. Here are two promotional products that came to mind after reading this great marketing case study.

Continue reading about promotional products that build engagement

Aug

2012

The Anti-Promotional Product

Look, I’m just going to go ahead and say it…

I’m really glad the Olympics are over.

Yes I know it’s only once every four years and that it is, supposedly, a spectacular display of athletics, dedication, and various precious metals, but man am I glad I won’t have to deal with this for another 4 years. I found myself overwhelmed with dives, jumps, spins, kicks, tears, victories and new memes. And, apparantly, I wasn’t the only one.

With the same fervent intensity and worldwide interest that followed the Royal Wedding (on which we did a great series of posts about, check them out here), London has become slightly difficult to move around in for the everyday folk, and the British are using their famously composed snark to make a not so subtle statement.

In the spirit of the Royal Wedding Sick Bags, I present to you the Sick of Olympics Tote Bags.

[image source]

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…