When you think of marketing, you probably think only of the efforts of online marketing. But offline marketing strategies are still as effective as the ones you do online. An example of this is promotional product marketing.
Promotional products are an easy way to brand your business, create a lasting impact on your customers, and help your customers feel rewarded.
You can easily give your promotional products away at events or give them to customers as a complimentary gift with their orders.
But how do they really benefit your company? Here’s why you should implement small business promotional items into your company’s marketing strategy.
They Promote Better Relationships With Customers
Your business would be nothing without the relationship you have with your customers. So why not do what you can to try and strengthen that relationship?
How many times did you order a product and the company included a freebie in your order? Every customer enjoys little extras — even if it’s just a pen or a water bottle.
Another way your free products can impact your customer relationship is by gaining back unhappy customers.
Let’s say a customer had to return a defective product. Send them a new product and a complimentary promotional gift. They’re not expecting the new, extra gift. They will feel flattered.
All of these benefits will make your brand more influential — and you may win some customers away from your competitors.
With this being said…
They Promote Customer Loyalty
Little gifts like these help build customer relationships, which in turn helps build customer loyalty.
If you know your products are awesome and you give great customer service, great. But so do many of your competitors.
Including small, meaningful gifts show your customers that you truly value them. These little acts of kindness will ensure your customers stay loyal to your brand.
They Can Build Leads
Giving promotional gifts to existing customers isn’t the only way to use promotional products. These are a great way to build leads.
A common example is attending an event, such as a convention. When a prospect enters your booth, immediately hand them a baggie filled with a myriad of promotional products.
Let’s say these prospects were reminded of your brand and your products. All they have to do is look at the promotional gift and search for your company.
Don’t only save your promotional products for events.
Cold-mailing locals in your area with promotional products is a great way to spread brand awareness. If you own a brick-and-mortar store, hand a promotional product to every customer that walks in.
You’ll be shocked how these small promotional items can attract new customers and improve your ROI.
Speaking of your ROI…
They’re Budget-Friendly
Did you know the average small business spends $400 a month on digital marketing? While we’re not saying that’s an unwise investment, wouldn’t it be better to only spend a fraction of that cost?
You can with promotional items. Promotional items are very affordable. You can get bulk products customized with your company branding. It’s only a one-time purchase and doesn’t require any ongoing or hidden expenses.
Depending on how many products you order and what you buy, you can have these products for months at a time.
They Increase Your Company’s Brand Visibility
Many promotional products have the flexibility for customization. This means you can include your company’s logo, artwork, slogan, and other branding features to just about any promotional product.
The best part? This is minimal effort on your part. All you have to do is order the product, specify the artwork, text and colors, and hand the products out to leads and customers.
Customers Find Use Out of Them
When it comes to promoting your brand with products, those products need to have a specific use.
Promotional products are trivial items such as business cards. They’re items your leads and customers actually use. Examples include stress balls, writing utensils, drinkware, sunglasses, hats, and stationary.
If you’re at an event, it’s a good idea to order custom tote bags so your leads and customers can carry around the other freebies they may get.
Your Employees Will Enjoy Them
Who said you should only give promotional products to your customers? Since these are useful products, your employees will enjoy these freebies.
While giving promotional products shouldn’t be the only way to reward your employees, it’s a nice token to pass out some of your latest promotional product inventory to the best staff you could ask for.
This is also a good idea to gain even more brand awareness. Your employees will likely use or wear the items.
Someone will ask about the items and your employee will gladly state this is their work and will describe your company to their friend.
Right there, you have a new lead.
It’s also a good idea to leave these products in your office. Promotional items such as pens can help you save on buying additional supplies. Keeping promotional sweaters or coats in the office will help those who get cold easily.
You can also host contests throughout the week. Whoever wins whatever contest you’re hosting gets one of the promotional products. This is a good way for your office to stay productive while having fun.
The contests don’t have to end with your customers…
You Can Give Them to Customers as Prizes
Everyone likes free products. But more than this fact, people like winning. This is why contests are still successful to this day. Your promotional products are a great and affordable gift to give to contest winners.
Just ensure these prizes are something useful and desired. While giving a branded pen may fit your company’s budget, it’s best to invest in something more useful such as a T-shirt or a refillable water bottle.
Use Small Business Promotional Items to Market Your Business
Now that you know the benefits of promotional product marketing, it’s time to start using those products toward your business.
Are you a Toronto-based business looking for a place to pass out your small business promotional items? The Growth Marketing Conference is coming to Toronto.
