Promotional Gifts – How to Choose the Right One

[Cucumber Marketing]

Every marketer knows that promotional merchandise is one of the most cost-effective branding tools for your business. There are a wide variety of options when it comes to branded goods, from logo pens and mugs to promotional clothing and sportswear. How to decide which one is right for you?

1) Occasion

Fist of all think “when” you are going to use your promotional collateral. Is it for a tradeshow or for a charity fundraiser event, or maybe for a corporate party? If you are attending a tradeshow, you want to prepare something small and handy that anyone can stick in their goody bag and use on a daily basis. The all time favourites are branded pens, of course. Handy, but not very original, because 80% of other participating businesses will be giving away their branded pens too. You might want to look into stress relief balls or mouse pads or maybe business card holders (if it’s a B-2-B tradeshow or a conference).

2) Budget

This one probably should have been number one in this list, because at the end of the day, your budget will determine the scale of your branding campaign and how much money you can actually allocate for the branded merchandise. You don’t have to spend a lot of money if you stay creative enough and; a) pick an item that will serve the recipient long enough, before it wears off or breaks; b) choose an item that will be useful, so the recipient actually uses it and shows off your brand. Promotional travel bags and backpacks are a great example of a useful branded gift. People need a bag for travelling and travelling is an excellent way to reach out your brand to a lot of people in a short period of time.

3) Audience

This one is a self-evident, but is a shame how often it gets neglected. Knowing your audience is key for any marketer. Do your homework, research the latest trends within your target audience group and then make your decision. It is easier to determine the new and hot trend nowadays with the help of the social media networking sites. See what people are talking about on Twitter or Facebook. Use any opportunity to learn more about your target market.