The wonderful thing about promotional products is that you can measure their effectiveness. Let's say that your business thrives on having people refer business to you so you decide to set up an incentive program for referrals from your existing customer database.

You run this program during the second half of 2009 and any referral that you receive that results in an order or a new client you give some kind of a reward to the giver. The more clients they bring in the better the reward. It is amazing what people will do to win points or a free gift.

A supplier of mine was running an incentive campaign and I ended up winning a new digital camera and a golf bag. It worked on me and I'm sure it could on your clients. At the end of the campaign you can see how many new clients you have and how much money you spent on advertising the campaign and the rewards. You can then MEASURE the results!!

Being that it is the final day of the U.S. Open Golf Championship it is only fitting to talk about a golf product. Golf tees are an inexpensive way to promote your company at a golf outing or as a business gift that can be paired with golf balls, a polo shirt, golf umbrealla or a hat. Here is a link to one suppliers catalog page for the 2 3/4" tees. You can also find other products there as well:
http://www.teeline.com/ClientProductDetails.asp?action=1&ProductID=183&HCatI .

Calendars are extremely popular because they are used 365 days a year and that gives you great exposure to your advertising message. Most of my calendar suppliers offer an early order discount. If you want to be safe order before the end of June and on the average you will get a 6% discount. The best part of this deal is that you can order now but request that they be shipped later in the year and you pay later as well. The calendar company will print them now, warehouse them, then ship them on the date requested. It helps them to spread out their work over the course of a year instead of the last 4 months of the year.

Here are some links to some of my very best calendar suppliers web catalogs:
http://www.norwood.com/
http://www.hotlineproducts.com/
http://www.hourglasscalendars.com/
http://www.readyreference.com/
http://www.finn-line.com/ (computer calendar strip photo shown above)
http://www.magnuspen.com/

When preparing artwork for an item I like to create a page in Adobe Illustrator that is the precise size of the available imprint area for that particular item. I will then arrange the artwork in that space, save it, then send a pdf file to my client to proof. I always suggest to them that they print it out so that they can see how it will look when printed the exact size on the item. When viewing the pdf on the item it may look great but remember that most of the time it is much larger than how it will be printed on the item. This process is especially important when printing in a small area on an item like a pen, golf ball, lapel pin, etc.

I also suggest following the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) philosophy when printing in a small area.

So you need something fast, go to www.leedsworld.com . Leeds is a Pittsburgh supplier that can turn around an order in one day if we give them a perfect PO and artwork.

The WOW! Card

Have you ever wanted to know something but just didn't know where to look, who to ask, or just simply didn't have the time to figure it out? The WOW card gives the caller toll free access to a live 24/7/365 personal assistant.

You can ask the personal assistant to help you with anything such as driving directions, traffic/road conditions, price comparisons, movie times and dozens of other applications. The assistant that answers the call will address the caller by name and deliver a customized script such as "Hello Ms. Williams. Thank you for calling (YOUR COMPANY NAME) personal assistant. This is Amanda, how may i assist you?"

The card can be customized with your artwork on both sides. Being the size of a credit card, it fits conveniently in your wallet so you can use it anytime, anywhere. Here is the suppliers web catalog http://www.woweveryone.com/

The card can be used as a business gift, an employee benefit card, a trade show handout, a new member gift, a travel companion, or part of an incentive program.

Impact of Marketing

Many businesses tend to cut their funding for marketing and advertising during a recession thinking it will save them money and in the long run help their business. This couldn't be further from the truth because when the economy is slow the market is less saturated with advertising campaigns. Marketing helps drive customers to your business. You wouldn't get rid of the road to your store to save money would you? During an economic slump, it would make more sense to increase funding to marketing.

The beauty of promotional products is that you can conduct a direct marketing campaign and measure the results.

One of my favorite low priced promotional products is the sticky note pad. Everyone uses them and they are easy to send in the mail. Bic has a special on the 4"w x 3"h pad, 25 sheets, until the end of August. For a quantity of 500 they are .60 each but you then get 500 free! Plus, they are printed in full color 4 color process. The above photo shows how you can print a halftone of a photo in the background and then 100% ink with a logo and/or copy. Did you know that you can send a 3" x 3" pad in an envelope with a letter for no additional postage. Why not send one with you next letter and keep your company in front of your client for many days to come. They may throw out the letter but I guarantee that they will keep the sticky note pad.