When it comes to marketing a business, there is no question that brand exposure and awareness are important. Nowadays, a company’s advertising options are vast – from TV, radio, billboard and press to digital, sponsorship and direct mail. The opportunities are endless!
One such advertising medium which is often overlooked however is promotional merchandise, also known as promotional gifts, branded products or corporate gifts. Promotional merchandise describes any product which has been branded with a company logo and such items can be used in many ways in order to promote a brand.
Typical uses will be at exhibitions, trade shows and conferences, for company giveaways and competitions, in meetings, as gifts for suppliers or customers as well as work wear for staff, especially within a retail environment.
What are the benefits of promotional merchandise?
Bulk Order & Save £££’s
Businesses can save money with bulk ordering of items. Due to the competitive online marketplace, businesses can often save even more pennies by shopping around for a good deal and looking out for a ‘price promise’.
Control The Consumption & Distribution Of Your Advertising
Promotional merchandise is an advertising method which doesn’t need to be used, or consumed, all at once – for example you can order 1,000 branded gifts and give them away over a period of days, weeks, months or even years. You are in control of the distribution. Promotional merchandise is a long-term advertising solution and as people use the gifts, they will be subtly reminded of your brand.
Perfect For Small & Medium Sized Businesses
Promotional merchandise is a cost effective solution for small to medium sized businesses which cannot usually afford the high costs of national advertising campaigns. As costs are generally quite low, the entry barriers to this advertising medium are comparatively easier to overcome.
Choose Products From The Ordinary To The Unusual
Promotional merchandise covers a wide choice of products – everything from pens, mouse mats, mugs and key rings to bags, umbrellas, USB flash drives and polo shirts. The product range is constantly expanding as companies seek out new and unique products to impress others, while promoting their brand effectively.
Build Trust & Form Customer Relationships
Promotional merchandise acts as a gift, whether it’s something small like a pen or key ring or something of higher value like an electronic gadget, promotional products have a perceived value. This makes them desirable to your customers and suppliers and the gesture helps them to feel valued by your organisation. In turn this builds trust and helps to strengthen the bond of your customer relationship, or helps you to form new ones.
Create New Revenue Streams
For particularly well established brands, promotional merchandise can become a revenue stream of its own. Well known examples of companies profiting in this manner include Jack Daniel’s, Coca Cola, Marmite, Ferrari and F1, who all sell promotional products to customers via their very own online stores.
Encourage Additional Brand Exposure
Depending upon the type of merchandise on offer, your organisation may benefit from additional brand exposure. For example, when someone uses a branded umbrella or wears a branded T-shirt or cap, those around them will become aware of the brand. Hence increased brand exposure to others, be it their colleagues, family or friends, or strangers in the street.
To conclude, it is clear that promotional merchandise is a flexible advertising solution, which provides cost savings and increased brand exposure for many businesses. Companies across the globe have been taking advantage of the benefits that promotional merchandise has to offer for years – why not try it for yourself?
This article has been brought to you by TC Advertising Gifts, UK suppliers of promotional merchandise.