Think you know everything about promotional product marketing? Even those who work in the promotional merchandise industry learn new things every day! Although marketing largely takes place online, we can’t forget the importance of reaching consumers with tangible, memorable items. When people use their five senses to experience your product, your brand becomes real and connections are formed.
Below are four neat things you didn’t know about promotional product marketing. Enjoy!
1. Promotional products are one of the most cost-effective advertising methods.
Every dollar counts, especially for small and mid-sized businesses. Happily, promotional product marketing is one of the most affordable forms of advertising. In the United States, these items have the lowest cost-per-impression. The best value product is a promotional pen. The cost-per-impression is less than 1/10th of a cent!
2. People love receiving promotional items.
Consumers don’t always like being advertised to. Promotional product marketing is different. It’s not bothersome or interruptive. The items offer real value to the user, and people genuinely enjoy receiving them.
Some of the most popular promo products in the U.S. include:
- Shirts
- Outerwear
- Caps and headwear
- Desk accessories
- Drinkware
- Bags
- USB drives
- Writing instruments
3. Promotional items offer repeated exposure.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), promo products are kept for an average of eight months. Also, more than half of consumers will pass along the products to someone else rather than throwing them away. This leads to repeated brand exposure and an entirely new customer base. In other words, promotional merchandise is always working for you!
4. Usefulness is more important than attractiveness.
Rather than choosing popular items for your marketing campaign, select those that are useful to your audience. ASI reports that usefulness outweighs attractiveness by at least five to one. That’s not to say that your item doesn’t have to be attractive, especially if it will be worn. But it does show the importance of handing out practical, everyday items.
Promotional product marketing never ceases to surprise us! The industry continues to evolve based on consumer preferences. People still enjoy receiving shirts and outerwear, but technology has soared in popularity. Items like USB drives, screen protectors, phone cases, stylus pens and cleaning kits are always a hit! Hopefully you’ve learned a few exciting things about promotional product marketing and how it can separate your brand from the pack.
