Did you know there’s a science behind promotional products? If you don’t believe us, look around your home or office. You’re likely drinking your morning coffee or shake from a local bank’s company-branded tumbler, and then there are the dozen or so pens you got for free from the new dentist’s office down the street. Even your kids are playing with those squeezable soccer ball stress relievers you got at a community event last month. They’re great products, and suddenly you realize, “Oh, wow. I’m doing business with all these companies.”
Promotional products are a top advertising technique employed by companies and organizations across the globe. Why? Beyond spreading goodwill, they are an affordable and highly effective way to build your brand. They can be given away to market to prospects, clients, and event attendees, and they are items that will be used often and for a long time—thus increasing brand recognition, trust, and the chance for new client opportunities.
Clearly, there’s a reason why American businesses alone spend $20 billion each year on promotional products.
Common Promotional Products With a Long Shelf Life
- Writing instruments
- Drinkware
- Desk accessories
- Shirts and outwear
- Calendars
- Power banks
- Headwear (hats)
- USBs
- Bags
- Water bottles
- Notepads
- Umbrellas
Promotional Products: The Principle of Reciprocity
According to the American Marketing Association, the Principle of Reciprocity states that when a customer or potential customer receives a promotional product, they will likely do one of two things: They might purchase a product or service from your company, or they’ll tell their friends and family about the product and your business.
Promotional products come in all forms and peak clients’ interests for a litany of reasons. That said, we are big on items that sit on a client’s desk rather than items that can be put in a drawer and never seen again. To accomplish this and elicit the reciprocity response from a consumer, the AMA says the promotional products you ultimately choose must be useful, attractive, enjoyable, and relevant.
Furthermore, they provide any of the following:
1. Create a sense of accomplishment
Consumers love winning or receiving free stuff. It makes them feel special, almost like a VIP with access to something special. They also feel like they’ve accomplished something.
2. A sudden or improved sense of loyalty
This is important for potential consumers, existing consumers, and even employees. Promotional products do wonders for fostering loyalty and creating feel-good memories.
3. Appeal to the senses
Promotional products that are memorable are those that appeal to sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound. This can include everything from coffee mugs to pens, desk accessories, and t-shirts. Utilizing these often in your marketing efforts ensures they’ll stick with the consumer longer. They’ll become attached.
4. More impressions
Impressions are calculated by multiplying the length of time owned, by how many other people they come in contact with while using said product, by how often the product is used. The more a promotional product is used in public, the higher the number of impressions. For example, roughly 51% of consumers are more likely to do business with a company that gives a promotional writing instrument. Click here to read about more impressions statistics like these.
5. Worth the investment for the company
As previously stated, an organization like yours knows it has great promotional products when there is an uptick in brand recognition, exposure, and word-of-mouth marketing. In many ways, they far outdo the benefits of a traditional business card.
Brumley Printing Knows Promotional Products in Fort Worth!
Is your business ready to choose a commercial printing company who also provides the top promotional products? Brumley Printing has been helping Fort Worth businesses with their printing and marketing needs for over 30 years. We provide quality services at competitive prices. Plus, we offer unprecedented service and guidance to every client. To get started, give us a call at (817) 336-5551 or visit our promotional online catalog.