Bags are trendier in 2009 then ever before, with high end retail brands such as Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada appearing as a style statement on the arms of everyone from toddlers, like Suri Cruise, tweens, like Miley Cyrus, teens like Selena Gomez, and high paid actresses, like Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz they are clearly making a statement.
When a woman is carring a fashion forward bag it sets a tone, it mean's look at me, I am a force to be recokened with. Remember the more fashionable and trendy the bag is, the longer a person will hold onto it.
Fashionable bags are available in a range of price points. From affordable hand woven and non woven bags to high end leather products, bags used as a fashion accessory can can fit a multiple of promotions.
Bags are the number two promotional product (next to shirts) and represent about 12% of the promotional industries revenue. Bags are great because people use and reuse them over a long period of time and they offer a large space in which a logo or brand name that has constant visability.
The most important thing about bags is to offer diversity in your promotional bags. Think about your audience, think about weather a reusable grocery bag will be best or will a leather bag that screams trendy be better. Decorating techniques are very important when selling bags for promotions. When you have a nice looking bag, it's important to decorate it in a subtle, trendy, yet sharp looking way that the user will want to use it over and over again.
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marketing. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Hot Markets for Intimates
1. Colleges, sororities, fraternities, and spring breakers.
From the college gift shop to the cell phone company that wants to stake out a spot in Cancun for spring break to sign students up for a wireless plan, intimates are a great giveaway. Frats and sororites are also great candidates for loungewear promotions.
2. The spirits industry
In two words- LIQUOR COMPANIES. From in pack promotions- where there is thong inside every six pack to retail sales, liquor companies are selling a sexy young image.
3. Resorts and Hotels
Boxers are a great souvenir with the resort name on the band or the leg. Resort gift shops often sell boxers and other sleepwear. In addition if the resort is known as a romantic getaway branding women's intimates would be a natural for the gift shop or in room gifts.
4. The Entertainment Industry
Boy shorts for local radio station giveaways are very popular. They also work well for TV shows and rock band merchandise to give away or to sell after a concert. The entertainment industry is all about edgy hip promos.
5. Trade Shows
Now, this may seem a bit strange to you- but it's a great way to create a buzz. Get a conservative company to give away panties or boxers and everyone will be coming to their table to see what all the fuss is about.
From the college gift shop to the cell phone company that wants to stake out a spot in Cancun for spring break to sign students up for a wireless plan, intimates are a great giveaway. Frats and sororites are also great candidates for loungewear promotions.
2. The spirits industry
In two words- LIQUOR COMPANIES. From in pack promotions- where there is thong inside every six pack to retail sales, liquor companies are selling a sexy young image.
3. Resorts and Hotels
Boxers are a great souvenir with the resort name on the band or the leg. Resort gift shops often sell boxers and other sleepwear. In addition if the resort is known as a romantic getaway branding women's intimates would be a natural for the gift shop or in room gifts.
4. The Entertainment Industry
Boy shorts for local radio station giveaways are very popular. They also work well for TV shows and rock band merchandise to give away or to sell after a concert. The entertainment industry is all about edgy hip promos.
5. Trade Shows
Now, this may seem a bit strange to you- but it's a great way to create a buzz. Get a conservative company to give away panties or boxers and everyone will be coming to their table to see what all the fuss is about.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I see London, I see France, I see promotional underpants!
Okay, let's get the blushing out of the way, yes I said it underwear and yes it has it's own place in the promotional industry and it should hold a category in your apparel sales arsenal. Now, while your clients may feel desensitized to the novelty of the branded apparel items that they have used for giveaways over the years, it's almost guaranteed that intimate apparel will still hold a great deal of novelty and interest and defiantly humor for all involved. Intimates are also at a great price point for small giveaways and promotions. For the price of a mug or a T shirt you can get two or three times the impact with using intimates.
While not often actually seen when worn by customer, underwear does pack a large promotional punch. But the category can be sensitive to many. Intimates are personal and have strong associations, positive and negative, for many people. It's important to remember that the mere mention of a thong or bikini can catch clients off guard when presented. Since underwear can seen risque to some clients, please feel your clients out to see what would be appropriate for them.
Some clients are perfect customers for intimate apparel, think of liquor distributors and bars not the ultra conservative financial institution. I don't think we will see Wells Fargo on a thong any time soon! A college campus giveaway or spring break promotion will be much happier with their name stretched across a boy short then a grocery store, so please think of your client first!
With the right client with a young and progressive brand intimates can communication their message effectively and reach their target audience.
While not often actually seen when worn by customer, underwear does pack a large promotional punch. But the category can be sensitive to many. Intimates are personal and have strong associations, positive and negative, for many people. It's important to remember that the mere mention of a thong or bikini can catch clients off guard when presented. Since underwear can seen risque to some clients, please feel your clients out to see what would be appropriate for them.
Some clients are perfect customers for intimate apparel, think of liquor distributors and bars not the ultra conservative financial institution. I don't think we will see Wells Fargo on a thong any time soon! A college campus giveaway or spring break promotion will be much happier with their name stretched across a boy short then a grocery store, so please think of your client first!
With the right client with a young and progressive brand intimates can communication their message effectively and reach their target audience.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Show of your business with a promotional folder!
Customized, printed products are a popular choice for business promotion, especially when they will be used to hold materials at a conference or trade show. Savvy organizations and businesses turn to promotional products, including folders, in their overall business management and marketing strategy. While attending a conference, seminar, trade show or exhibition, promotional folders are one of the first products that an attendee will receive upon arrival. These folders are typically embossed or printed with corporate logos or details. They are used to hold all of the relevant materials for the event, and are commonly updated throughout the conference by the recipient. A quality folder will be used regularly during the conference while increasing the perception and visibility of the promoted company or brand name in a professional yet stylish manner.
Folders are also a great trade show or promotional giveaway item, especially when they are packed with information about you and your company such as a diskette / CD, marketing materials, sales kits, or customized presentation information. A well-designed marketing folder can have a significant positive impact on your company’s visibility, image, and bottom line. These folders are perfect for times or situations when limited distribution is required, small meetings, or informational seminars.
There are numerous types and styles of folders on the market today, including popular options such as leather, PU, silver trim, or koskin. Environmentally-concerned clients are also well pleased with the latest recycled board folders featuring professional lines, business card slits, and Velcro closures. Many folders come with additional amenities such as added utility space, zipped outer pockets, calculators, writing pads, and ringbinders. The discerning business client will find a wide variety of promotional folders, from the low budget variety to the executive leather folder.
Folders are also a great trade show or promotional giveaway item, especially when they are packed with information about you and your company such as a diskette / CD, marketing materials, sales kits, or customized presentation information. A well-designed marketing folder can have a significant positive impact on your company’s visibility, image, and bottom line. These folders are perfect for times or situations when limited distribution is required, small meetings, or informational seminars.
There are numerous types and styles of folders on the market today, including popular options such as leather, PU, silver trim, or koskin. Environmentally-concerned clients are also well pleased with the latest recycled board folders featuring professional lines, business card slits, and Velcro closures. Many folders come with additional amenities such as added utility space, zipped outer pockets, calculators, writing pads, and ringbinders. The discerning business client will find a wide variety of promotional folders, from the low budget variety to the executive leather folder.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Think you know how to work a trade show?
This will be a several part series that goes over the do's and don't of trade shows. Trade shows are a key to your business success, both attending a show as a guest and being an exhibitor is a must. You need to find out what shows are best for you to show off your product with a booth and which shows are better for you just to attend, the only way to know this is to actually go to the show and check it out- it's a bit of trial and error, but either way your presence there is necessary for your business to succeed.
The most important element of a trade show is to remember to sell- do not leave your sales shoes at the door- and do not be lazy!
But somehow most people tend to get lazy when attending a show- they expect people to walk up introduce themselves and throw money at them. Let me give you a big tip- THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN- you need to work a trade show, just like any other client. Sales reps die at trade shows all day long, so do not make that mistake. Selling in a booth is totally different from selling in the field. Most shows are not for selling, but for visits existing clients and qualifying new ones. Actually its more about generating leads, then actually selling anything.
But anyway you look at it- trade shows are full of bad sales techniques- so I am going to take a few parts and explain them to you and how to not fall into that category of what not to do.
The first DO NOT at a trade show and this is a biggie!
DO NOT sit in the booth!
This is the biggest no no! Usually the sitters are the people who were forced into coming and they are not the sales staff- either way there is no excuse for sitting in the booth. You should not even use your chairs- and in no way should you have your butt on the seat. Push your table back and stand in front of it- and invite people into your space- that way you can have a more intimate conversation with them that is out of the way of the other guests. The easiest way to invite people into your space is with a promotional product, and even better- something that is sparkly and will catch their eye. Even something basic as a pen, calling people over to you and saying "here is a pen" or "have a notepad" gets people to come over to you- do not be the booth that has promotional products sitting on the table- hand them out people! Come on don't be lazy- you are working the room. If someone is not a qualified lead- the give them your product and them them on their way- don't waste your time or theirs. If they are a qualified lead then you have a minute to get their card and give them yours. It's a win win situation, and now they also have a product with your name on it, and remember- people who receive a promotional product will remember your business longer.
The most important element of a trade show is to remember to sell- do not leave your sales shoes at the door- and do not be lazy!
But somehow most people tend to get lazy when attending a show- they expect people to walk up introduce themselves and throw money at them. Let me give you a big tip- THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN- you need to work a trade show, just like any other client. Sales reps die at trade shows all day long, so do not make that mistake. Selling in a booth is totally different from selling in the field. Most shows are not for selling, but for visits existing clients and qualifying new ones. Actually its more about generating leads, then actually selling anything.
But anyway you look at it- trade shows are full of bad sales techniques- so I am going to take a few parts and explain them to you and how to not fall into that category of what not to do.
The first DO NOT at a trade show and this is a biggie!
DO NOT sit in the booth!
This is the biggest no no! Usually the sitters are the people who were forced into coming and they are not the sales staff- either way there is no excuse for sitting in the booth. You should not even use your chairs- and in no way should you have your butt on the seat. Push your table back and stand in front of it- and invite people into your space- that way you can have a more intimate conversation with them that is out of the way of the other guests. The easiest way to invite people into your space is with a promotional product, and even better- something that is sparkly and will catch their eye. Even something basic as a pen, calling people over to you and saying "here is a pen" or "have a notepad" gets people to come over to you- do not be the booth that has promotional products sitting on the table- hand them out people! Come on don't be lazy- you are working the room. If someone is not a qualified lead- the give them your product and them them on their way- don't waste your time or theirs. If they are a qualified lead then you have a minute to get their card and give them yours. It's a win win situation, and now they also have a product with your name on it, and remember- people who receive a promotional product will remember your business longer.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Promotional Products the nuts and bolts!
We all have promotional products in our homes, offices, desks, drawers, and even our purses, but what exactly is a promotional product?
A promotional product is defined as an item that is used to promote a product, service or company program including advertising specialities, premiums, business gifts, awards, prizes, or other imprinted or decorated items.
Promotional products are a big part of the advertising industry, actually its more than a 19.4 BILLION dollar industry, this is according to the 2007 PPAI estimate of promotional products consultants sales. This is an annual study that is conducted by researchers at Louisiana State University and Glenrich Business Studies.
The industry has grown at a tremendous rate over the past 15 years, in 1993 the promotional products industry was 6.2 billion dollars, now that is still a lot, however the industry has more then tripled in 15 years. Now that is telling you something. Companies are recognizing how important promotional products are to their business and they are realizing that they need to integrate them into their advertising and marketing campaigns.
So do not miss out, start out small hand pens out to your customers, just get your name on a promotional product and get it into the hands of a customer or potential customer. You will see the return, history is not wrong, promotional products work!
A promotional product is defined as an item that is used to promote a product, service or company program including advertising specialities, premiums, business gifts, awards, prizes, or other imprinted or decorated items.
Promotional products are a big part of the advertising industry, actually its more than a 19.4 BILLION dollar industry, this is according to the 2007 PPAI estimate of promotional products consultants sales. This is an annual study that is conducted by researchers at Louisiana State University and Glenrich Business Studies.
The industry has grown at a tremendous rate over the past 15 years, in 1993 the promotional products industry was 6.2 billion dollars, now that is still a lot, however the industry has more then tripled in 15 years. Now that is telling you something. Companies are recognizing how important promotional products are to their business and they are realizing that they need to integrate them into their advertising and marketing campaigns.
So do not miss out, start out small hand pens out to your customers, just get your name on a promotional product and get it into the hands of a customer or potential customer. You will see the return, history is not wrong, promotional products work!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Advertising To Get Noticed December 29, 2008
"What really decides consumers to buy or not to buy is the content of your advertising, not its form."- David Ogilvy
Friday, December 26, 2008
Advertising To Get Noticed December 26, 2008
"What really decides consumers to buy or not to buy is the content of your advertising, not its form."- David Ogilvy
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Advertising to get noticed December 25, 2008
"The death of advertising? I think that's in the book of Revelation. It's the day when people everywhere become satisfied with their weight, their hair, their skin, their wardrobe, and their aroma."- Jef I. Richards
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Advertising To Get Noticed December 24, 2008
"The business that considers itself immune to the necessity for advertising sooner or later finds itself immune to business."- Derby Brown
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Advertising To Get Noticed December 23, 2008
"Advertising is salesmanship mass produced. No one would bother to use advertising if he could talk to all his prospects face to face. But he can't."- Morris Hite
Monday, December 22, 2008
Advertising To Get Noticed December 22, 2008
"In our factory, we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope."- Peter Nivio Zarlenga
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Choosing Promotional Products that Fit Your Business
Thousands of promotional products exist, from the commonly known pens, mugs, calendars, t-shirts, and key chains, to ones you might not have even thought of, such as candy wrappers, tools, coasters, or sports equipment. Along with each selection of promotional products also exists choice of colors or design at various quantities and pricing. Using your marketing plan, you should be able to easily choose products that will fit your identified marketing opportunities whether it is a trade show or a special occasion as well as how many products you need and how much you can afford to spend per item.
It's important to know what your end goal is when ordering promotional products. If your goal is to get people back into your store, then you need to give them an item that will require them to come into the store, or maybe send a coupon that they redeem in the store for a promotional item. For example a car dealership could send out keys asking customers to come into the store to see if their key starts the engine to a brand new car. Or maybe a coupon is sent out and the first 1000 customers that come into the store get a free T shirt or some other product.
If the goal is just get your name out there then you want to give out something that people are going to use on a daily basis so they see your company name every day.
Choose products that are appropriate for your industry as well as something your audience would enjoy. A pizza place that is looking for something to hand out to customers would do best with handing out a magnet with their contact info on it, because those magnets will go on people's refrigerators, and when they get home and are hungry and don't feel like cooking they be looking at the refrigerator and call the first number they see. Its about thinking who your target audience is. Imprinting your selected promotional product with your message or logo will be a powerful marketing tool in the hands of your potential customers.
Be sure to work with a professional promotional products consultant, because they have the knowledge and the information to help you pick the best products for your business and your audience.
It's important to know what your end goal is when ordering promotional products. If your goal is to get people back into your store, then you need to give them an item that will require them to come into the store, or maybe send a coupon that they redeem in the store for a promotional item. For example a car dealership could send out keys asking customers to come into the store to see if their key starts the engine to a brand new car. Or maybe a coupon is sent out and the first 1000 customers that come into the store get a free T shirt or some other product.
If the goal is just get your name out there then you want to give out something that people are going to use on a daily basis so they see your company name every day.
Choose products that are appropriate for your industry as well as something your audience would enjoy. A pizza place that is looking for something to hand out to customers would do best with handing out a magnet with their contact info on it, because those magnets will go on people's refrigerators, and when they get home and are hungry and don't feel like cooking they be looking at the refrigerator and call the first number they see. Its about thinking who your target audience is. Imprinting your selected promotional product with your message or logo will be a powerful marketing tool in the hands of your potential customers.
Be sure to work with a professional promotional products consultant, because they have the knowledge and the information to help you pick the best products for your business and your audience.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Advertising to get noticed December 19, 2008
"Good advertising does not just circulate information. It penetrates the public mind with desires and beliefs."- Leo Burnett
Thursday, December 18, 2008
7 ways to keep your business moving forward!
Here are 7 tips on how to keep your business moving and shaking and most importantly growing with promotional products!
1. Make your business card work for you long after you leave, by putting your info on a pen. You company message will be used and seen for many each and every day. Pens are an inexpensive and effective way to get your name out there.
2. Be Generous! Remember to give two of everything, one for your customer and one for them to give to a friend. Magnets or calenders work great for this, because they are both useful and inexpensive.
3. Thank your customers. Give them a gift that they can use everyday that is nice. A keychain or nice ballpoint pen in a nice gift box works great for this. Its a great way to say Thank you for doing business with us and we cannot wait to work with you again!
4. Remind customers to reorder. Place a calculator at near the bottom of their box of items so as they are running out, they will find a calculator with your contact info on it and they will remember to reorder, because they can use the calcultor to figure out how much stuff they need to reorder. Also keep track of how often they need new products. If you know a company goes through 500 pens in 3 months, then contact them after 2 months and start reminding them to reorder so they are never out of promotional products.
5. Prompt Action. Offer a coupon for a discount, and put an expiration date on it. People want to use coupons before they expire.
6. Create traffic. Offer a free gift with purchase. If you have a store, put a sign in the window.
7. Increase company awareness with wearable products. Hats, T shirts, and jackets are walking billboards. Wear your logo at the next lunch or networking event that you attend. Not only are you branding your self, but you are showing your customers what you do. You can make walking billboards for your customers as well. Also it shows loyalty in your company and product, you are proud of what you do.
1. Make your business card work for you long after you leave, by putting your info on a pen. You company message will be used and seen for many each and every day. Pens are an inexpensive and effective way to get your name out there.
2. Be Generous! Remember to give two of everything, one for your customer and one for them to give to a friend. Magnets or calenders work great for this, because they are both useful and inexpensive.
3. Thank your customers. Give them a gift that they can use everyday that is nice. A keychain or nice ballpoint pen in a nice gift box works great for this. Its a great way to say Thank you for doing business with us and we cannot wait to work with you again!
4. Remind customers to reorder. Place a calculator at near the bottom of their box of items so as they are running out, they will find a calculator with your contact info on it and they will remember to reorder, because they can use the calcultor to figure out how much stuff they need to reorder. Also keep track of how often they need new products. If you know a company goes through 500 pens in 3 months, then contact them after 2 months and start reminding them to reorder so they are never out of promotional products.
5. Prompt Action. Offer a coupon for a discount, and put an expiration date on it. People want to use coupons before they expire.
6. Create traffic. Offer a free gift with purchase. If you have a store, put a sign in the window.
7. Increase company awareness with wearable products. Hats, T shirts, and jackets are walking billboards. Wear your logo at the next lunch or networking event that you attend. Not only are you branding your self, but you are showing your customers what you do. You can make walking billboards for your customers as well. Also it shows loyalty in your company and product, you are proud of what you do.
Advertising to get noticed December 18, 2008
"Advertising: the science of arresting the human intelligence long enough to get money from it."- Stephen Leacock
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Advertising to Get Noticed December 17, 2008
"The most truthful part of a newspaper is the advertisements."- Thomas Jefferson
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Advertising to get Noticed December 16, 2008
"Advertising is the ability to sense, interpret...to put the very heart throbs of a business into type, paper and ink."- Leo Burnett
Monday, December 15, 2008
The top ten list- Professionally Personalized style
So we have learned that promotional products are all around us, and in these hard economic times most companies and business professionals immediately think the best way to save money is to cut down on their advertising. Unfortunately, the have it all wrong! Everyone spends money to advertise when they are busy and making lots of money, but no one keeps advertising through the rocky times to keep business coming in. The great thing about promotional products is that there are so many different items in so many different price ranges, that there is something for every one's budget.
People always ask me who my biggest clients are, and who I do the most business with, the answer to that is that everyone is a potential client, anyone who is looking to get their name out there can utilize promotional products.
But there is the top ten list of the industries who buy the most promotional products:
1. Education
2. Financial Services
3. Health Care
4. Non profit Organizations
5. Construction
6. Government
7. Trade/Professional Associations
8. Real Estate
9. Automotive
10. Professional Services (legal, accounting, etc.)
If you industry is not on this list that does not mean that you should not order promotional products- there is a place for promotional products in every business, so don't let your business be left out in the cold.
People always ask me who my biggest clients are, and who I do the most business with, the answer to that is that everyone is a potential client, anyone who is looking to get their name out there can utilize promotional products.
But there is the top ten list of the industries who buy the most promotional products:
1. Education
2. Financial Services
3. Health Care
4. Non profit Organizations
5. Construction
6. Government
7. Trade/Professional Associations
8. Real Estate
9. Automotive
10. Professional Services (legal, accounting, etc.)
If you industry is not on this list that does not mean that you should not order promotional products- there is a place for promotional products in every business, so don't let your business be left out in the cold.
Advertising to get noticed December 15, 2008
"Advertising is the principal reason why the business man has come to inherit the earth."- James Randolph Adams
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