promotional products

13
Jun
2024
The Evolution of Promotional Product Trends: A 30-Year Retrospective

The Evolution of Promotional Product Trends: A 30-Year Retrospective

We’ve reached a pivotal moment here at Pinnacle Promotions. It’s officially our 30th anniversary! That means we have worked with some of the biggest brands and sourced some of the coolest promotional products since 1994. 

It also means that we have seen the rise and fall of some very interesting promo trends. From the height of pens and slap bracelets to the increase of tech items, even to the notoriety of the fidget spinner age, we’ve sourced and sold household swag items people love to reminisce about.

So let’s jump in and explore some of our favorite promo trends through the last 30 years.

The 90s: The Rise of Traditional Promotional Items

To get us started, we’re going to step into a decade where flannel met fluorescents, and the Spice Girls ruled the airwaves. But amidst the grunge and neon, there was another phenomenon quietly taking the world by storm: promotional giveaways! Enter the world where pens were the major promotional player, along with a little added fun from slap bracelets and keychain flashlights.

So grab your Tamagotchis and pogs, because we’re about to take a trip down memory lane to explore the iconic promotional items that defined a decade of fun, fashion, and flair.

Pre-1990: Promotional Tees

Before the 90s even kicked off, promotional tees were already making waves as a staple giveaway item. These wearable billboards offered businesses a unique opportunity to showcase their logos and messages in a way that was both practical and stylish. 

Whether emblazoned with catchy slogans like “Just Do It” or “Got Milk?” or featuring colorful graphics depicting popular cartoon characters or iconic landmarks, promotional tees quickly became sought-after items at events, trade shows, and beyond. 

1990: The Sensational Slap Bracelet Craze 

True 90s connoisseurs remember the rise of the slap bracelet. These bracelets appeared to be flat pieces of plastic or metal that could be slapped onto the wrist to form a bracelet. Young people everywhere would collect them in different colors, designs, and materials. And business owners around the nation saw an opportunity to expand their brand reach. 

1995: The Rise of Gel Pens

Step aside, ordinary pens — gel pens were the true stars of the 90s! With their vibrant colors and smooth, gel-based ink, these pens brought a new level of excitement to writing and doodling. From metallic hues to glittery finishes, gel pens offered endless possibilities for creative expression. And in the world of promotional products, branded gel pens were a hot commodity, offering businesses a fun and practical way to showcase their logos and messages.

1998: Lighting Up Brands with Flashlight Keychains

Overall, keychains were in their heyday in the 90s. But keychains with built-in flashlights were at the top of the list of must-have promotional giveaways. These functional keychains had a built-in flashlight to help illuminate all kinds of things – from lost car keys to guide dog walkers on their nightly strolls. 

The 2000s: Customization and Tech Gadgets

Ah, the 2000s…an innovative time known for the introduction of social media, bloggers, Apple, and mainstream use of the internet. It was also a whirlwind of tech-savvy swag and personalized style! As the world embraced the digital revolution, promotional products began blending utility with undeniable cool factor. We also saw the retail revolution as name-brand products, such as Nike, could be branded and sold. 

So dust off your flip phone and break out the low-rise jeans, because we’re about to dive into a decade of trends and personalized swag that defined a generation!

2000: Bluetooth Speakers: Pump Up the Volume on Promotional Power

In the 2000s, Bluetooth speakers revolutionized the promotional world, turning up the volume on brand awareness like never before. With their compact design and wireless connectivity, these speakers were the ultimate companions for on-the-go fun. Because they were in such high demand, they became portable powerhouses that were like having a brand party in your pocket, spreading good vibes and brand love wherever they went.

2002: Stylish Statements with Silicone Embossed Bracelets

In the early 2000s, silicone-embossed bracelets took the promotional world by storm. These bracelets, made from durable silicone material, featured raised embossed designs that boldly displayed logos, slogans, or messages. Popularized by celebrities and influencers, these bracelets became must-have accessories for fashion-conscious individuals of all ages. Whether worn solo or stacked, they added a touch of flair to any outfit while promoting brand awareness wherever wearers went. 

2005: Unleashing Creativity with Custom USB Drives

In the 2000s, custom USB flash drives were all the rage! With an array of custom possibilities, from pizza slices to unicorns to tiny guitars these little giveaways became big players on the promotional scene. The best part? These nifty gadgets were for everyone, from students to tech wizards, meaning that brand awareness could be raised no matter the audience. 

2007: Retail Everything: Your Brand, Your Lifestyle 

Adding a brand to anything name-brand became the popular choice for exposure. Nike shirts, Adidas hats, Nalgene water bottles, you name it — every item became a canvas for creativity, turning customers into walking billboards for the brand. This fusion of retail and promotional branding not only elevated the visibility of businesses but also transformed everyday items into coveted fashion statements, allowing consumers to express their individuality while showcasing their allegiance to their favorite brands.

The 2010s: Riding the Wave of Promotional Innovation

Finally, we step into the vibrant world of promotional products in the 2010s, where innovation, style, and practicality collide to redefine brand visibility. From eco-friendly essentials to tech-savvy gadgets, this decade saw a kaleidoscope of trends that captivated audiences and left a lasting impression. Let’s explore the iconic promotional items that shaped the landscape of marketing in the 2010s. 

2010: Reusable Shopping Bags: Tote-ally Trendy

The early 2010s saw an uptick in reusable shopping bags as consumers began looking for sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. With concerns about plastic pollution on the rise, branded reusable bags emerged as both practical accessories and statements of environmental consciousness. Businesses seized this opportunity to align their brands with sustainability, offering stylish totes that showcased their logos while promoting eco-friendly practices. As they gained popularity, reusable shopping bags became ubiquitous symbols of responsible consumerism, making waves in both fashion and sustainability circles alike.

2011: Drinkware Delight: Branded Mugs and Tumblers

In the early 2010s, branded drinkware surged in popularity, offering both practicality and style for users on the go. From sleek stainless steel tumblers to classic ceramic mugs, these promotional items became staples in homes, offices, and cafes alike. With customizable designs and vibrant logos, they served as effective marketing tools, spreading brand awareness with every sip. Whether enjoying a morning coffee or staying hydrated throughout the day, branded drinkware kept brands at the forefront of consumers’ minds. As the decade progressed, the demand for stylish and eco-friendly drinkware continued to rise, solidifying its place as a timeless promotional favorite.

2015: Powerbanks: Charging On the Go

In the 2010s, branded powerbanks emerged as indispensable accessories, ensuring that smartphones and other gadgets never ran out of juice. These portable chargers weren’t just practical; they were essential companions for busy individuals on the move. With logos prominently displayed, they turned every charging session into a branding opportunity. As technology became increasingly integral to daily life, powerbanks became must-have items, reflecting the importance of staying connected in a digital world.

2018: Fidget Spinners: Spinning into the Limelight

Who could forget the fidget spinner craze of the mid-2010s? These addictive gadgets took the world by storm, captivating people of all ages with their mesmerizing motion. Originally designed as stress-relief toys, they quickly became a cultural phenomenon—and businesses didn’t miss a beat, slapping their logos on these spinning sensations and handing them out like hotcakes at events and trade shows.

2020 and Beyond: Navigating the Future of Promotional Trends

As we embark on the journey into the next decade and beyond, the world of promotional products is poised for an exciting evolution. 

So far, the 2020s have brought unprecedented changes to the way we live, work, and connect with one another. The global pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, reshaped our behaviors, and heightened awareness around health and wellness. 

From custom face masks and viral sensations to the future of virtual event swag, the promotional products of tomorrow are designed to meet the unique needs of today’s consumers.

So let’s take a look and uncover what trends took us by storm and the exciting possibilities that could lie ahead. 

2020: Custom Face Masks and Health Essentials

With the global COVID-19 pandemic reshaping daily life, the demand for health and safety products skyrocketed. Custom face masks, hand sanitizers, and other health essentials became indispensable promotional items, emphasizing the importance of wellness and hygiene in both personal and professional settings.

2022: Drinkware Goes Viral

Amidst the challenges of the pandemic starting to ease, one trend that began to make a splash was the rise of viral drinkware. With people spending more time working from home and seeking the comfort of healthier routines, branded mugs, tumblers, and water bottles became sought-after items for both hydration and style.

And since social media has become the primary mode of connection, the popularity of branded drinkware has soared even higher, with consumers proudly sharing photos of their favorite tumblers and bottles online.

2024: Sustainable Swag for Eco-Conscious Consumers

With environmental sustainability taking center stage, eco-friendly promotional products have become increasingly popular among conscientious consumers. From bamboo pens to recycled tote bags, businesses embraced sustainable swag as a way to reduce their environmental footprint and align with the values of their target audience.

2028: Virtual Reality Experiences and Digital Swag?

As technology continues to advance, virtual reality experiences and digital swag are poised to revolutionize the promotional products industry. Brands may start leveraging VR technology to create immersive brand experiences by offering logoed VR headsets with built-in digital swag such as custom avatars and virtual gifts to engage with consumers in the digital realm. 

But of course, we will just have to wait and see how VR technology plays a role in promotional products!

Celebrating 30 Years of Swag: Pinnacle Promotions’ Legacy of Innovation

As we commemorate our 30th anniversary here at Pinnacle Promotions, we’re not just reflecting on the past; we’re celebrating a journey of innovation, creativity, and unparalleled dedication to our clients. Over the past three decades, we’ve witnessed the ebb and flow of promotional product trends, from the rise of traditional items like pens and tees to the emergence of cutting-edge tech gadgets and eco-friendly essentials.

Throughout our journey, we’ve remained committed to providing top-notch service and delivering the highest quality promotional products to our clients. From startups to Fortune 500 companies, we’ve had the privilege of partnering with some of the biggest brands in the world, helping them elevate their marketing strategies and leave a lasting impression on their audience.

As we look ahead to the future, we’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and exploring new trends in the ever-evolving world of promotional products. From customizable wearables to eco-conscious giveaways, we’re committed to staying ahead of the curve and helping our clients stand out in a crowded marketplace.

So here’s to the next 30 years of swag, style, and success. Thank you for being part of our journey, and here’s to many more years of partnership and prosperity!

Posted by Chrissy Petrone, 0 comments
28
Sep
2023
Promotional Marketing is about Problem Solving

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

Coffee shop owner in his shop

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!

Posted by Chrissy Petrone in Brand Identity and Corporate Logos, 0 comments
01
Sep
2015
Choosing the Perfect Promo Products for Your Trade Show Giveaway

Choosing the Perfect Promo Products for Your Trade Show Giveaway

A trade show is an excellent opportunity for you to meet potential customers, and convey your brand message to the masses in a more casual setting. As trade show attendees are visiting and passing by many businesses’ booths, putting together a professional presentation and display that is memorable is more important than ever.

At trade shows, many businesses frequently give their booth visitors some sort of promotional swag, in the hopes that their brand is seen as unique and truly one of a kind. Your brand can succeed using this method, only by distributing the right promotional products. How can you decide what promotional giveaways will Make the right impression™, those products that will not simply be thrown away after the show? Here is what you should remember when deciding what promotional swag works best for your company at the next trade show.

1. Is the product representative of your brand?

When you are thinking about what sorts of promotional swag to give to booth visitors, you should first and foremost remember why you are there in the first place—to communicate your brand message to potential customers in a way that doesn’t come off as forced or a hard sell, and ultimately, generate qualified leads. Your chosen promotional product should tie in to how your brand is a solution for a prospective customer. If the product is just another tchotchke and is not representative of your business, then it is most likely headed for the trashcan. A product that is consistent with your brand doesn’t just mean that if you’re in the tech industry, for example, you should give out custom power banks. Does that product actually align with your corporate personality? Some products may be more fitting for buttoned-up brands, while some products are more appropriate for sporty or quirky brands.

The Karera UL Listed Powerbank

2. How useful is the product?

For a promotional giveaway that actually has an impact on your audience, that product has to be a combination of creativity and practicality. The product should have some valuable use to the customer, while still have a creative flair. After all, the right product will trigger the customer’s memory of your business—what you do, what are your products/services, and what is your unique selling proposition. It should be a high quality product that has the potential to see long-term use, and have a lasting charm.

Once you combine that usefulness and some personality, you could potentially create some brand buzz during, and even after the trade show. This will allow your business to really stand out in the crowd. You should also remember to scope out the audience. Don’t give out swag to every single one of your booth visitors, only to those who actually expressed a sincere interest in your products or services. If you are trying to reach a very specific audience, then consider having two sets of promotional swag—one set that caters to those top prospects, and one set of products with more mass appeal.

For instance, journals and portfolios are usually popular with everyone, while a more valued customer may get a wireless speaker. With a proper understanding of your audience, you can utilize promotional products that cater to their needs, and at the same time, you can still gain valuable leads and business.

Leeman New York Mini Tuscany Journal                          blue mini bluetooth speaker with logo

3. Quality Matters

At the end of the day, quality product really does make the difference between closing a deal and losing a deal. You want to inspire potential customers, not discourage them from conducting business with you. You will have to ask yourself what is the best quality promotional giveaway you can get within your marketing budget. Just because you have a limited budget, doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice quality. You can easily find a unique, brand appropriate custom promotional product to ramp up your trade show booth, and connect with customers. If your promotional item looks cheap and breaks easily, it is nothing but a poor reflection on your brand and business. No matter what your industry or line of expertise may be, you don’t want your business to be associated with inferior quality. By providing booth visitors with this sort of product, customers have much lower expectations of the quality of service that they can expect from your business.

Merit Business Tote

Once you have your trade show booth and professional presentation all ready to go, a high quality, creative, and practical promotional giveaway item that represents your brand and business will certainly encourage your potential leads to become real customers. By following these guidelines, you will be on track to having the best trade show ever, well within your marketing budget.

Posted by Admin, 1 comment
27
Aug
2015
The Right Color Choices for Promo Products

The Right Color Choices for Promo Products

When you, as a consumer, walk through the supermarket, how do you make your purchases? You may first think of price, but unknowingly, product packaging is influencing your purchase decisions. You gravitate towards items that physically appeal to your senses. The shapes, forms, colors, patterns, and typography all have an effect on you, and how you think and feel. So, when it comes to your business, you have to get into the mind of the consumer, and design your product and packaging in a way that represents your brand, and still appeals to the customer’s sensibilities.

Promotional products are excellent brand building tools, but in order to utilize them successfully, you have to take this into consideration when it comes to customization. The most successful companies have developed such a characteristic brand identity that consumers even immediately associate certain colors with those companies. If a company has such effective branding, that can easily be translated into different mediums, from print advertising, to television, to promotional products.

When choosing the most appropriate colors for your promotional products, there are a few key elements that you should keep in mind.

1. Target Audience

If you understand precisely who your target audience is, you will not only choose the most appropriate promotional products to give to customers, but specifically those that visually appeal to them. Each color generally conveys different emotions and messages within different demographics and cultures. For example, the color green can represent nature, money, health, greed, calmness, or good luck, depending on with whom you are communicating. Red can represent passion, danger, speed, or excitement. In terms of culture, as an example, in the western world, white represents peace, while in parts of Asia, it represents death. Vibrant colors tend to resonate more with a younger audience, while more subdued colors resonate with an older crowd. A neon mug might not attract an older consumer as much as a stainless steel mug.

 2. Corporate Identity

When choosing a color scheme, it is not just about personal preferences. Those colors should be representative of your brand. What color suits your brand personality and the characteristics of your products or services? What do you want customers to feel when they interact or associate with your brand? Remember, you don’t have to limit yourself to only one color. If done so appropriately, you can choose multiple colors that complement each other and work together well even on different backgrounds.  For example, this structured cap combines a few different colors successfully, without being jarring to the eye.  There aren’t certain colors that represent specific industries; it’s just finding what works best for your particular brand.

3. Your Competitors

Examine what sorts of color schemes your main competitors are using, and choose the opposite. In this way, you can differentiate yourself from the crowd. Still, always remember the importance of staying true to your brand. By going against the grain, you avoid looking as though you are simply jumping on the bandwagon. In branding, it’s all about being memorable.

Ultimately, if you have your goals in mind, you will make all the right choices when it comes to your color selection. Through good color choices, you can truly communicate your brand’s message, make your brand’s personality shine through, and Make the right impression™ time and time again.

Posted by Admin, 2 comments
20
Aug
2015
How to Throw the Perfect Labor Day Corporate Event

How to Throw the Perfect Labor Day Corporate Event

We are just a couple weeks away from Labor Day, the federal holiday that represents the end of summer, and pays tribute to the contributions of American workers. Americans generally celebrate this day with parties, parades, and athletic events. It’s the time of the year to break out the barbecue, and put together an unforgettable bash. As a business owner, this is a good opportunity to bring your employees, co-workers, and their families together to recognize and celebrate their efforts. With that, here are some tips to help you organize and execute the perfect Labor Day corporate event.

1. Choose a Theme and Decorate Accordingly

Tying all of your party elements together cohesively will create the appropriate party atmosphere, which guests will be able to connect with. This will even make party planning a bit easier, as there is a unifying message that you are putting forward. You could go with an All-American theme, and incorporate the red, white, and blue colors into everything, from the food to the decorations. For example, you could put red, white, and blue balloons up, and even have them custom printed with your corporate branding. These 100% biodegradable latex balloons will be a fun and colorful addition. You could also hand out these USA Promotional Pinwheels to guests, as party favors that kids and adults alike will appreciate. Custom print your company branding on the stick, and you’re good to go! You can even add your corporate branding into items like drinkware, and plates, as a gentle reminder to guests of who is making the party possible!

USA Promotional Pinwheel

2. Plan a Memorable Menu

Finally, every good party needs good food, and now is the perfect time for barbecue. Grilled chicken and veggies, coleslaw, and burgers are just a few of the popular favorites for Labor Day. You will look and feel like a grilling pro with the right equipment. The Grill Master Promotional Picnic Apron Kit is perfect the chef, as it allows for all cooking tools to be easily within reach. The kit comes equipped with an apron, detachable bottle opener, padded oven mitt, and a towel. There is no need to worry about messes, as the apron is machine washable. The best part is that you can have the apron custom printed with your corporate branding, which means your brand can make yet another subtle appearance.

Grill Master Promotional Picnic Apron Kit

By following these tips, you can inject a bit of branding into your corporate Labor Day event in a fun, but not intrusive way, and put together one heck of a shindig! Bring together your team, friends, and family, and incorporate a bit of branding for a completely cohesive and unique get together that will be remembered long after Labor Day.

Posted by Admin, 0 comments
18
Aug
2015
Recognize Excellence with Custom Promotional Awards

Recognize Excellence with Custom Promotional Awards

Whether it’s for your staff, students, or an athletic tournament, awards are a pleasure to receive and to give. If you want to truly show respect for those recipients, those awards should be of a quality that you would be proud to receive yourself. The award should truly embody the spirit of your brand, and at the same time look professional. Custom promotional awards will help you celebrate the awardees in a classy and memorable way. At Pinnacle Promotions, you can find the custom awards that are most appropriate for your ceremony, from ribbons to plaques to trophies available, all in a variety of styles and materials.

Office & Employee Awards

Rewarding employees and businesses for their fine work and accomplishments is not only an incentive to them to continue performing at their best, but it also builds the overall morale within the business. If you want to express your gratitude to employees in a more creative manner, these custom promotional office & employee awards are an excellent option. Looking to go against the grain? You can make a statement with the Centarus Tower Crystal Award.

With this unique design and your inscriptions etched in it, this will be a keepsake that recipients will be proud to display. Another unique option that may even earn applause on its own is the Pyramid Employee Award. Recipients will understand that striving to receive such a special award is truly worth the effort.

Acrylic Awards

Even a simple design can make an impression. The sleek, sharp look and feel of the custom acrylic awards is a bold expression of gratitude. For example, the Large Sweeping Ribbon Award is a blue rectangular award with a swirling ribbon decoration. Both the recipient and the award itself will shine! You have plenty of space to have your desired inscriptions clearly screen printed across the front, which will be a wonderful memento of an important achievement. Or, the Medium Star Sculpture Award is composed of a rectangular base with star-shaped, acrylic top.

This distinctively geometric combination is pleasing to the eye, and is not at all bulky, which makes it perfect for presenting and for keeping. The overall professional, yet still personal feel to these awards will really resonate with recipients and those seeing it.

Wooden Awards

If a statue-like design is not your cup of tea, than these wooden awards may be just right. A commemorative plaque can just as effectively and appropriately Make the right impression™. The Aberdeen Rosewood Plaque has a rosewood finish with your choice of a handful of different plate styles. Conveniently, these awards fit in with any event, whether it’s for a school function or an office event. The beautiful laser engraving adds that extra special touch. You will be able to create meaningful tokens of recognition at an affordable price.

Celebrating and recognizing deserving individuals for their hard work and achievements is an important contributor to the success of your group. The myriad of custom awards at your fingertips will allow you to do this creatively and professionally. Ultimately, awardees will have a memorable way to capture that winning moment in a way that symbolizes your brand and business.

Posted by Admin, 0 comments
13
Aug
2015
Seasonal Promotional Products: How to “Fall” Into the Perfect Marketing Strategy

Seasonal Promotional Products: How to “Fall” Into the Perfect Marketing Strategy

As a business owner, you may find yourself more engrossed in the day–to-day processes and challenges, than in the big picture. Instead of being narrowly focused, remember your primary goal–growing the business and building your brand.

To achieve that goal, you will have to play the role of a business owner AND a marketer. You need to have a strong, overall marketing strategy in place, which you can adhere to and implement consistently within your means.

By doing so, you have the ability to capitalize on seasonal marketing opportunities. Though your particular business may not be a simply seasonal one, you may have started to notice that consumers’ purchase behaviors are influenced by seasonal changes, trends, and events-i.e., Back to school, Easter, winter weather, etc.

A great way to leverage these occurrences is to develop promotional campaigns. In these efforts to develop marketing that actually resonates with consumers, offering custom branded promotional giveaways and incentives will help you to effectively attract customers, and retain them for the long run.

As the fall season is officially just a month away, we are here to provide your business with some fall marketing tips and ideas.

Fall Weather

The way that consumers, feel, their habits, their moods, and their interests are, believe it or not, influenced by changes in the weather. By keeping your brand relevant to the season and these seasonal desires, you are showing customers that they matter, and you can stay connected and engaged with those consumers. With the arrival of color changing leaves, and cooler days, consumers are dressing warmly and spending more time outdoors with the family, playing sports, taking pictures, camping, attending fall festivals, etc. To set your business apart from the competition, and to provide customers with incentives to begin or continue business with you, you could provide them with complementary, custom branded promotional gifts.

For example, with the Game Day Hooded Blanket in hand, watching a thrilling game of football couldn’t be more relaxing. It’s a cleverly designed combination hooded poncho, backpack, and even a blanket, with inner hand-warming pockets all in one! The backpack allows for easy storage and transportation. With all of these features and your corporate logo custom printed on it, customers will carry literally carry your brand to a larger audience, and you can set yourself apart from the competition.

Ultra Cotton Long Sleeve T-Shirt                    Game Day Hooded Blanket

 

Fall Holidays/Events

The fall season brings with it many notable holiday observances that you could utilize in promoting your business. For one, there’s Labor Day. Labor Day is generally celebrated by Americans as the symbolic end of summer, and it’s a time when people like to have picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor events. It is the perfect time to promote your business, and help customers enjoy the special day. Some custom branded giveaways could give your business the extra marketing edge.

The Chill and Grill Outdoor Kit takes the hassle out of outdoor shindigs. This handy portable grill comes equipped with a large cooler compartment and tongs included, as well as extra zippered compartments to store grilling supplies and food. Comfortable grip handles and a shoulder strap make it easy for customers to become the grill master of the party. The best part is that you can custom print your corporate logo on it in a large space. In doing so, consumers enjoy their get togethers, while you can effectively develop brand awareness.

Chill and Grill Outdoor Kit

This is just one instance in which providing your customers with custom promotional products can be useful for the fall holiday season. Consider how you could utilize the spirit of other fall holidays to promote your brand in a way that is truly relevant to consumers – especially your desired target audience.

Capturing the spirit of the season creatively will help your consumers connect and relate to your brand and your message. Custom products or schwag will make that possible within the scope of your budget and marketing strategy. You ultimately want to build your business and your overall image.

So, put on your marketing AND business leader caps, and “fall” into the perfect marketing strategy!

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11
Aug
2015
Top Tips for Choosing the Right Promotional Products

Top Tips for Choosing the Right Promotional Products

By now, you should know that promotional products offer tremendous value to the advertiser, as well as to the recipient.

According to research by the Advertising Specialty Institute, one third of recipients said that they are more likely to do business with an advertiser after receiving the promotional item than they were beforehand.

Recipients not only remembered the name of the advertiser, they also overwhelmingly felt more positive about the advertiser.

With this information in mind, you should know that promotional products can convey your company message creatively. But to achieve the maximum impact, you have to give the right product to the right person, and still stay true to your business image.

What does it really take to choose the promotional products that work for your business (and satisfy customers)? Without a clear marketing strategy, you are setting yourself up for trouble.

This applies to every company, whether a non-profit organization or a small business. Here are some tips to choose the promo products to make your business shine and Make the right impression™.

1. Know Who You Are

It goes without saying that you should know your products and services inside out. But aside from that, you should know your company values, what you represent, what sort of image you want to present, and what is your brand message. You should build your marketing strategy based on that. Ask yourself if the product in question is appropriate for your brand. For example, if your business is in the educational industry, a custom beach towel may not be the ideal choice, but a custom clipboard may be better. It sounds too obvious, but by knowing yourself, you can know your customer too. That means that you can tailor your product to meet the needs of your target customers, while still building your brand accordingly. Also, you could consider distributing one sort of promo product to existing customers, and a different one for potential customers, as you are conveying two different messages–one as a reminder, and one as an invitation.     

2. Be Unique

When it comes to promotional products, all too often, businesses choose generic products that they may personally like, but in the end are forgettable. The idea is to convey your brand message in a way in which customers feel appreciated, and your brand is remembered. To put your best foot forward and make the right impression™, choose promotional swag that is in tune with your brand and connects with customers on a personal level. For instance, a non-profit company could swap out a general promotional notepad for a Recycled Journal. Choose a product that will be a memorable keepsake, unlike a generic product that any company could use. Consider what sort of items your competitors are likely to give away, and go against the grain, but remember to represent your company appropriately and creatively. If everyone in your field is giving out branded sunglasses, think of what makes you unique and make your decisions based on that.

3. Consider Location

Think about how and where you are planning to distribute the product. If it will be at a company picnic, you have more leeway to customize larger promotional items like a cooler tote, while at a trade show, something lighter may be in order, like a convention tote. So make sure that you take location of product distribution into account when selecting the most effective and appropriate promotional products.

As you can clearly see, there is more to the story of promotional products than meets the eye. Promotional products are highly valuable tools to include in your marketing strategy, but only if you know how to make them work for you.

When you have a clear strategy, an understanding of your brand and your customer, and a unique selling position, choosing the most effective and most appropriate promotional products for your business to give away to both potential and new customers will be straightforward.

But always remember that if you are still completely lost, you have Pinnacle Promotions.

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04
Aug
2015
Trade Show Tuesday: Gearing Up for Your Winter Show

Trade Show Tuesday: Gearing Up for Your Winter Show

Trade shows are a great opportunity to capture the attention of potential customers, showcase your new products or services, and learn about industry trends and news. But to truly be prepared for presenting at a trade show, you need to start planning at least a few months in advance. Summer vacations are winding down, but before you know it winter will be upon us. That means that now is the time to start getting geared up for the winter trade shows.

At a trade show, perhaps more than in any other place, it is the optimal chance for your business to connect with customers and Make the right impression.™ To generate traffic to your booth, aside from having an excellent presentation, you can offer clever and creative giveaways to your visitors. Custom branded promotional products or schwag will help attendees remember your brand and appreciate your service. Here are some of those products that will be perfect giveaways for the winter trade show.

It’s cold and trade shows might not be the best or funnest thing to do (it depends on your opinion of course) so make sure you make the most of the event. Wear a nice Richardson cable knit beanie to stay warm, or find the fuzziest jacket around now with that said,

Winter Combo Set

Your booth attendees will literally warm up to your brand, when they have the Winter Combo Set in hand. This includes a comfortable fleece scarf, gloves, and cap in a neat drawstring bag, all of which can be custom embroidered with your corporate branding. Offering this convenient and useful branded bag to potential customers and clients as a token of appreciation, as opposed to items that will more than likely be tossed aside, will allow your brand to stand out amongst the competition, and hence be remembered. So, when planning for the trade show, remember to take timing and the season into consideration, and take advantage of that.

Plush Blanket

This is the perfect medium to get brand exposure and help customers stay warm and cozy all year long, not just in the winter. Your company logo can be embroidered on this microfiber fleece blanket for maximum branding impact. Since this product is not limited to a particular audience, you can attain even greater brand reach, which makes it a useful marketing tool at the trade show. Showing customers your soft side has never been easier, or more appealing.

Malmo Mix n Match Gift Set

When it starts to get chilly, nothing hits the spot like a hot beverage. That is why this gift set is an excellent choice as a giveaway. A sturdy and stylish travel mug AND a travel tumbler will make enjoying hot drinks on the go easy. Your corporate branding can be custom printed on both, and the two are packaged neatly in a silver gift box. You have lots of colors to choose from, and can also choose to have both the tumbler and the mug the same color or two different colors. Even better, you can enjoy free printing set up on the second item. You can really show that your brand has personality, and can create an inviting atmosphere for your booth visitors.

For the winter trade show, tap into the timing and spirit of the season with promotional products like these in your marketing arsenal. Remember, that to Make the right impression™, you should be able to connect with customers, and show them that you have put some thought into your entire trade show package, from the display to the presentation to the giveaways.

Make sure that everything that you do comes together to produce a cohesive brand message, with a dose of personality.

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28
Jul
2015
Event Planning: How to Organize a Killer Company Event

Event Planning: How to Organize a Killer Company Event

When it comes to your business, you’ve probably heard the phrase “image is everything.” This is true, as showing a sense of professionalism is important if you want to connect with other businesses and even with your own employees. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with your brand.

In actuality, to Make the right impression™, it’s important to build a brand that’s truly professional with a sense of personality. A great way to promote team building, encourage new clients to consider doing business with you, to raise money for a cause, or even to launch a new product is to host a company event.

But, to put together a successful company event, it takes time and planning. From the location, to the publicity, to the catering, there are lots of elements to take into consideration. Here are some of the important steps to making your event a success.

Step One:

Obviously, the first step in planning a company event is to define the business purpose for holding the event, and who your target audience is. Every planning decision that you make will be driven by this knowledge, such as the event format, the content of the event itself, the location, etc. For example, is your aim in hosting this event to generate business leads, or to raise awareness for your company or a specific product? Once you have established this, you should make sure that your team is aware of that purpose.

Step Two:

The next step is to establish a budget, and accordingly, the complete experience. Determining a set budget allows you to understand what you can realistically do within your limitations and the scope of your resources. At the same time, once you have a set budget in mind, know if it will allow you to achieve your event goals.

Step Three:

Then keeping your goals and budget in mind, the third step is to figure out a theme and plan the experience. What do you want attendees to learn, achieve, and have as a result? What sort of entertainment, or activity sessions should invitees expect to see and hear, for example, games, speakers, maybe product demos, and/or food & drink? There should be some sort of element of engagement or fun, otherwise it will not be a worthwhile or memorable experience for you or for attendees. Think about what type of business you have, and what activities would be appropriate for your brand and your goals.

Step Four:

The fourth step, and probably one of the most important parts of putting on a great corporate event is to promote it. Why is this so important? Because, without promoting your event, nobody will know that it even exists, and without people, you don’t have an event! A couple of good ways to get the word out are to publicize it through social media, targeted emails or newsletters, or creatively reminding them by distributing custom branded invitations or other promotional products.

Now, right from the moment that event invitees enter your event space, you can create a completely branded experience. You could first give them these handy Badge Holder Neck Wallets, which are perfect for storing ID cards, money, business cards, etc. This will make it easier for attendees to network at the event. Then, along the way, every display could be branded using these custom printed 8-foot economy table throws available in lots of different colors to meet your brand standards. From the décor to the swag and right down to the beverage glasses, don’t miss out on valuable branding opportunities.

Follow these steps, and organizing a killer company event will be a breeze. Finally, remember that utilizing effective branding in your corporate event with items like promotional schwag present a cohesive and professional image that STILL has personality.

Happy planning!

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