Blog Post | Mar 26, 2024
Elevate Your Promotional Product Strategy
As brands look for new ways to engage with customers—or for ways to enhance existing outreach methods—a tried-and-true method stands out: the use of promotional products. But rather than continuing to hand out the same types of items they always have, today’s marketers can elevate their promotional product strategy with the tactics detailed below: align products with your brand identity, embrace sustainability, integrate technology, and personalize the experience.
In today’s marketing landscape, brands must continually look for ways to engage audiences and create lasting impressions. Promotional products, when strategically used, continue to be an effective outreach tool. They’ve been around for a long time, but don’t write them off just yet.
Why Promotional Products Work
We are so accustomed to a digital-first world that it can be easy to overlook the power of physical branding. Promotional items invite interaction, provide long-term brand exposure and generate brand recall. If included in a multichannel marketing campaign, they can be used to complement online campaigns, tradeshow booths, direct mail or other outreach methods.
By strategically modifying your approach to these products (also known as swag, merch, branded promos, etc.), you can transform them from simple giveaways to essential tools capable of generating tangible results.
Alignment with Brand Identity
By selecting promotional items that align with your brand across all touchpoints, you can create a cohesive identity that reflects your brand (colors, logo, etc.) and sticks in customers’ minds. Promotional products can also convey your brand’s core values. For instance, if your brand is known for sustainability, your promotional items could be made from recycled materials or otherwise aid the environmentally conscious (reusable tote bags or water bottles made of recycled stainless steel).
Whatever items you select, they should be carefully chosen and relevant to your brand. Your recipients will appreciate the care that went into the selection and use it regularly, making them a walking advertisement for your brand.
Embracing Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a choice but a movement. Eco-friendly promotional products send a strong message about your brand’s commitment to the future, by connecting to a wider audience and enriching your brand.
Incorporating green products into your marketing mix appeals to eco-conscious customers committed to the use of recycled and organic materials. Even for those who are not strict adherents to eco-consciousness, their use enhances your brand image by painting a positive picture of your brand as responsible and forward-thinking, encouraging loyalty from your customers. Sustainable products also generate positive attention for your organization from other companies and media, boosting your brand reputation.
Incorporating Innovative & Interactive Technologies
Tech-powered promotional items offer interactive experiences for your audience, boosting engagement and creating a lasting experience. Items like these serve practical purposes but can also increase your brand’s visibility if thoughtfully selected. Everyone wants to share the exciting new technology gift they received on their social media channels.
However, you could go a step further and offer promotional items with integrated chips for collecting usage data. For example, a water bottle that tracks the recipient’s water intake for them or a smart device that integrates with an app to record user preferences. Interactive components can be used to gamify your brand through rewards or exclusive content.
Personalization
We have covered the increasing interest in and value of personalization in several recent posts. Tailoring promotional products to the target audience (as you would do with direct mail or digital outreach methods), creates more meaningful connections. Promotional items that have been uniquely personalized to your consumers demonstrates that you care about them and encourage a stronger relationship. Consider adding names, initials or custom messages for your customers.
Personalized items are also more likely to be remembered and used regularly. The extra effort you put into selecting and personalizing these promo pieces will not go unnoticed. Customers will appreciate the thoughtfulness and engage more favorably with your brand.
Promotional products remain a powerful tool for building connections with your customers. By strategically selecting products that meet the criteria outlined above, you can transform them from mere giveaway items to valuable brand extensions. By implementing these strategies, you can elevate your promotional product strategy and achieve solid results.
Contact us for more information on the promotional products available.
Why Promotional Products Work
We are so accustomed to a digital-first world that it can be easy to overlook the power of physical branding. Promotional items invite interaction, provide long-term brand exposure and generate brand recall. If included in a multichannel marketing campaign, they can be used to complement online campaigns, tradeshow booths, direct mail or other outreach methods.
By strategically modifying your approach to these products (also known as swag, merch, branded promos, etc.), you can transform them from simple giveaways to essential tools capable of generating tangible results.
Alignment with Brand Identity
By selecting promotional items that align with your brand across all touchpoints, you can create a cohesive identity that reflects your brand (colors, logo, etc.) and sticks in customers’ minds. Promotional products can also convey your brand’s core values. For instance, if your brand is known for sustainability, your promotional items could be made from recycled materials or otherwise aid the environmentally conscious (reusable tote bags or water bottles made of recycled stainless steel).
Whatever items you select, they should be carefully chosen and relevant to your brand. Your recipients will appreciate the care that went into the selection and use it regularly, making them a walking advertisement for your brand.
Embracing Sustainability
Sustainability is no longer a choice but a movement. Eco-friendly promotional products send a strong message about your brand’s commitment to the future, by connecting to a wider audience and enriching your brand.
Incorporating green products into your marketing mix appeals to eco-conscious customers committed to the use of recycled and organic materials. Even for those who are not strict adherents to eco-consciousness, their use enhances your brand image by painting a positive picture of your brand as responsible and forward-thinking, encouraging loyalty from your customers. Sustainable products also generate positive attention for your organization from other companies and media, boosting your brand reputation.
Incorporating Innovative & Interactive Technologies
Tech-powered promotional items offer interactive experiences for your audience, boosting engagement and creating a lasting experience. Items like these serve practical purposes but can also increase your brand’s visibility if thoughtfully selected. Everyone wants to share the exciting new technology gift they received on their social media channels.
However, you could go a step further and offer promotional items with integrated chips for collecting usage data. For example, a water bottle that tracks the recipient’s water intake for them or a smart device that integrates with an app to record user preferences. Interactive components can be used to gamify your brand through rewards or exclusive content.
Personalization
We have covered the increasing interest in and value of personalization in several recent posts. Tailoring promotional products to the target audience (as you would do with direct mail or digital outreach methods), creates more meaningful connections. Promotional items that have been uniquely personalized to your consumers demonstrates that you care about them and encourage a stronger relationship. Consider adding names, initials or custom messages for your customers.
Personalized items are also more likely to be remembered and used regularly. The extra effort you put into selecting and personalizing these promo pieces will not go unnoticed. Customers will appreciate the thoughtfulness and engage more favorably with your brand.
Promotional products remain a powerful tool for building connections with your customers. By strategically selecting products that meet the criteria outlined above, you can transform them from mere giveaway items to valuable brand extensions. By implementing these strategies, you can elevate your promotional product strategy and achieve solid results.
Contact us for more information on the promotional products available.