Using Promotional Items to Gain More Leads at Trade Shows

Promotional items are a wonderful addition to your trade show exhibit.  They work best when they are combined with other marketing activities to reach your target audience. 
They work to hold your marketing message and keep it front and center in the minds of perspective buyers after the event ends.

Keep in mind that the best promotional items are ones that your prospects can use and see on a daily basis.  For example, items that sit on desks, hang on walls and stick to refrigerators and file cabinets work best.  Items that hold family photos like magnets, picture frames, and clips work well for this.  If you need ideas, we can help!

Trade shows will be in full swing during the spring and summer months. Use these tips to learn more about your customers, have fun and book more appointments.

1.Learn something about your potential customers. Ever had a burning question you always want to know about potential customers? Give away a promotional gift that is imprinted with your company brand in exchange for completing a survey. Make the survey available online for convenience and provide the ability to share the survey with colleagues. Give respondents an email confirmation when they complete the online survey. They can show you the email to receive the promotional gift when they visit your booth.

2. Keep it lighthearted. Make a promotional product part of a game or other fun activity that draws attention to your booth.  Nothing hard,complicated or unsafe, but make it fun and profitable at the same time. For example miniature golf, some form of bingo or trivia that ties into your product or industry.  

3. Make an Appointment. Give out promotional items to each person that schedules a free sales consultation.

4. Create a Sneak Peek. Offer a free sample to each visitor with a promotional item that has information on how to order the full sized product.

Utilizing the Family Refrigerator

Utilize the Family Refrigerator

Did you know that the typical American refrigerator acts as the family communications center?  And on average, people open the refrigerator 22 times per day? That’s a lot of exposure that is often overlooked.

Why not display your advertising message in this common but overlooked area?  Think about it, most households use attractive business card magnets to hold important papers, shopping lists, photos, and their children’s artwork.  Why not reinforce the great experience your customers had with your company, by making it convenient for them to keep your contact information?  If they like your company or their interested in what you’re providing, they will more than likely be happy to place your magnet on their refrigerator.  When used, business card magnets will keep your contact information in a convenient location until it’s needed with fewer competing advertisements.  They can also be used to spread the word about events, specials and more.

Stay ahead of the competition and take every opportunity to keep your brand in front of customers and prospects.  Your message needs  constant exposure, paired with stellar customer service and great products to stand out.  Keeping your company memorable and prominent is crucial in helping to navigate the unfriendly economic climate facing many companies today. Business card magnets might be the perfect solution to keep your name front and center.

Place your message here!

Look in your purse, desk or briefcase, and you are likely to find tossed-in business cards.  And you think with the best intentions,  “I will keep these cards in case I ever needed to call a real estate agent, a doctor, a lawyer, etc.”

However the average person is more likely to start from scratch when looking for a particular service.  Social media and technology hase made it really easy to find service providers.  And the biggest reason most people start from scratch is that when you need the typical business card, you probably won’t be able to find it.  You may have a fleeting memory of the information contained on the card, but not enough exposures to remember any of the information needed to make a repeat connection.

Beat the high cost of advertising your business, and simply swamp the field of potential customers with these magnets!  Hand them out everywhere, to anyone you know, or anyone you do business with.  You’ll be surprised to see how many people end up contacting you first for their business needs when they have your information in a convenient location!

Provide potential customers with your information, literally at their fingertips, when they need to contact you.  Simply use our images

and layouts and send us the wording you want on the magnet… it’s that easy.  You can also upload your own image and layout or use BIC’s free stock backgrounds.  The price includes a FREE4-color process imprint on a white magnet.

Convenience is the name of the game in today’s competitive market.  Customers and potential customers want convenience and nothing provides more convenience than business card magnets.  Hanging on refrigerators and filing cabinets, they tell customers who you are, what you do, and how to contact you.   Include your photo, a coupon, or announce a special event or activity. Send them out periodically so that when they get tired of one card they will have a replacement.  Keep your business card magnet holding up their favorite vacation photo, or their child’s artwork or report card on the refrigerator, so that they are far more likely to take notice and call you first when they need your product or service.

How to Use an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer has become a popular norm as we become more aware of germs and their harmful effects. We see it everywhere, at home and in the workplace.  But do you really know how to properly use it so that it’s most effective? We did a little digging and found the information below on the Mayo Clinic’s website that we thought would help our readers understand how to use this product that has become so common in our every day lives.

Contact us for a great deal on personal sized hand sanitizers for your next company, outdoor, sports or health related event. After reading this info, check this exclusive sale flyer for more information. This deal expires 8/15/10 which means your complete order must be received and artwork accepted by the factory by the deadline to obtain sale pricing. Mention promo code SD0710 on your order form to obtain this great special.

It’s also important to know how to wash hands with soap and water.  So read on for an insightful look into the when and why of washing hands, and how to do it the right way.

Why… Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn’t require water. Find out when and how to wash your hands properly.

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

When… Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food
• Eating
• Treating wounds or giving medicine
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

Spread the Word, Not the Disease with These Promo Magnets

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the toilet
• Changing a diaper
• Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

Of course, it’s also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.

How… It’s generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps:

• Wet your hands with running water.
• Apply liquid, bar or powder soap.
• Lather well.
• Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.
• If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

Keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product’s antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future.

How to Use Hand Sanitizers … Alcohol-based hand sanitizers — which don’t require water — are an excellent alternative to soap and water. If you choose to use a commercially prepared hand sanitizer, make sure the product contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Then follow these simple steps:

• Apply enough of the product to the palm of your hand to wet your hands completely.
• Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces, for up to 25 seconds or until they’re dry.

If your hands are visibly dirty, however, wash with soap and water. Antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are another option, although they’re not as effective as alcohol-based sanitizers.

Hand washing doesn’t take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health.  Visit us online for regular specials on items to improve your health related promotional campaigns and events.

Advertising with Bookmarks, What a Novel Idea!

Early Detection Bookmark

Selling, educating, informing and reminding with bookmarks? What a novel idea? Who would have thought it? The fact of the matter is a well-developed bookmark can have a substantial influence on marketing efforts.

They’re typically regarded as placeholders; however, for the avid reader they serve to repeat content over and over, expanding the reach of any organization.  They are an excellent way to place your message front-and-center each and every day.

The key to a successful bookmark marketing campaign is careful planning, so read on to learn bookmark marketing strategies that work.

Identify Your Goals

The first step in marketing and advertising with bookmarks  is to identify campaign goals.  You could print bookmarks as part of a marketing effort, or as part of a PR campaign or even as part of a direct-marketing campaign.  What industry are you working with?  Will they be handed out as part of an event? What do you want to accomplish?

Bookmarks fit any industry beyond the obvious like education and retail.  They are great additions to programs for health and wellness, non profits, financial institutions, and more.

There’s a different approach for a marketing versus a PR bookmark.  A public relations bookmark will typically include coverage for a charitable cause and how you’ve helped it.  They elicit feelings, emotions and thoughts.  Direct-marketing bookmarks have to do even more: They must motivate response.  Identify your goal, and move on.

Keep it Short

What message(s) will support your goal and who is your audience? Understand that people who use bookmarks are interested in reading the books in their laps, and not the bookmarks themselves.

Keep your message brief, clean and to the point.  A short headline and illustrations that convey your message will be noticed every time your audience opens a book and will work (through repetition) to have long-term impact.

Add Value

Adding value to your bookmarks can greatly increase your response. Coupons for products and services are great incentives to keep your bookmark around.

Upcoming event calendars, sports schedules and other information unique to the interests of your audience are all great additions to any bookmark.  For example, perhaps our cat lovers would like to know about cats in famous literary works!

If you can add value and make it interesting, your bookmark stands a much better chance of achieving marketing success.

Distribution Plan

It’s imperative to get your bookmarks in front of the right audience. For some organizations, this can be easy: A library might ask local elementary schools to hand out free bookmarks with a reading program schedule to students, or a minor league baseball team might hand out free bookmarks at a game.  Consider who your organization is targeting, and how to reach the masses.   A well-targeted sales letter package might be the answer.

As you can see, bookmark marketing is a creative way to consistently reach your target audience.  Though it’s often overlooked, bookmark marketing provides an excellent way to connect with your customers on an intimate level that your competitors are missing.  Contact us to create your next promotion from concept to final production.   We have lots of ideas to support your campaign goals!

Full Color Imprinting on T-Shirts, One Low Price

Now Available! Full Color Imprinting

Are you looking for t-shirts that offer full color digital imprinting for your next promotion?  Tired of paying a premium for multi-colored custom items?  If so, look no further.  We are now happy to provide this process on our Gildan Ultra Cotton 6.1 oz 100% Cotton shirt and the Hanes 100% Cotton Authentic Go Tagless t-shirt.  The Hanes tee is available in adult and youth sizes.

Full color digital imprinting allows you to you to have multiple colors printed on your shirts for one low price.  Small through extra large are included in the price.  There is an up charge for sizes 2XL and 3XL as well as imprinting on the back of the shirt.  There are no set up fees, plate fees or running charges. With all inclusive pricing you know how much everything will cost with no surprises.

These premium weight shirts are a great value for group activities like reunions, events and fundraising.  They are also great for general marketing and give aways for trade shows, festivals, and more.  More full color t-shirt styles are coming soon.  We have a large selection of other full color digital items for your next event!  Contact us for or visit us online more information.

Promotional Apparel and Gifts: Full Color Gildan and Hanes Cotton T-Shirts, Full Color Imprinting.

Promotional Planning: What are Your Needs?

Reach Your Audience with Custom Printed Items!

Thinking about using custom apparel and promotional items like t-shirts, hats, pens etc.  for marketing and special events this year?  If so, do you have a handle on how many promotional items you’ll need this quarter or for the first half of the year?  Take our Promotional Planning Survey to help you get control over planning for 2010.

Don’t let your time lines creep up on you this year… take control and plan ahead.  If you’ve ordered promo items before you know that artwork, regular production and standard delivery can take time.  If you’re new to ordering items, it’s important to know that last minute orders cost more for rush production and/or shipment and can result in much frustration and nail biting.   It’s possible to process the order at the last minute (for example, a week before your event) but the costs can really add up fast.

To plan ahead, take our Promotional Planning Survey to (1) determine and prioritize current needs, (2) plan for future needs (3) avoid the frustration and hassle of rush charges.

via Promotional Planning — Custom T-Shirt Makers

Idea of the Day: Hand Sanitizers for Flu Season

Hand Sanitizers... Will Be (Are) Very Popular This Year

Though it’s still warm in many parts of the country, with fall temperatures and cooler weather comes the threat of flu and colds.   And according to recent news, we may have a very active flu season this year to say the least, which means that keeping germ free will be more important than ever.  Thus the popularity of hand sanitizers for your customers.

With all the buzz about keeping flu free, don’t miss an opportunity to get your logo and the name of your organization on one of these items.  These items are available in sprays and gels, they’re convenient and come in a number of sizes to fit pockets, purses, backpacks and the like.

They come in neat pouches with clips for easy access, and they’re large enough to travel well giving your logo lots of great exposure. At the same time, they’re small enough to be convenient and easy to use when needed.

The best thing is that they are on special right now! So stock up and keep a few for your employees.  We all want a safe and germ free fall and winter.  Your customers will truly appreciate you for thinking of them.  These items are the “must haves”  for the fall and winter season.

To order, contact us or download a fax order form from our website and fax it using the instructions on the form.  To see pricing, click the link below from the Windjammer catalog.

KB Windjammer September 2009