Promotional Gifts
Competition is the buzzword heard in any business meeting. Everyone, whether he/she is an individual or a corporate, is concerned of competition and always thinking of beating it. Product promotion is of paramount importance to thwart any kind of competition. But every one knows that. So, how to make promotions more effective? Add a gift with the promotion and it will surely attract people.
Small and not very expensive gifts, such as pens, holders, calendars or key chains with the company's name, website and/or phone number printed on it, are not very expensive to procure (especially if procured from China or India), but make great promotional material and gifts. Conveniently placed at highly visible locations such as ATMs or restaurants and to be sent to prospective, present and past clients, they provide a convenient excuse for keeping in touch with the customer. Those gifts, if chosen well, can also be enclosed while submitting proposals; small packages produce great results.
Promotional gifts as marketing tools
Promotional gifts are carefully thought out and planned marketing tools. They form an important part of the marketing strategy and help to sustain the unique image of the organization or the product and retain a loyal and committed customer base. If you are in the business of selling pens and other stationery items, and if you give a ball point pen as a promotional gift, customers are very likely to be interested in your other products. For more marketing strategies read this Marketing Secrets Guide of the Small Business Administration.
If you notice multinational companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi or leading technology firms like Microsoft, Intel or IBM, you will find that their success is not only because of the product, but more because of efficient and power packed marketing strategies. Hence we often see one bottle of soda free with another. Here, as mentioned earlier, promotional gifts play an important part.
For an academic point of view on promotional gifts, read the article “Free Gift with Purchase: Promoting or Discounting the Brand?” of the Journal of Consumer Psychology.
Promotional gifts as incentives
In a situation where mutual co-operation from customers is involved (like test marketing) as far as achieving marketing goals is concerned, promotional gifts play an important part not only in acknowledging this mutual co-operation, but also in appreciating the hard work and the contribution of the customer in helping the organization to achieve the final objective. Acknowledging this co-operation also helps in cementing the existing relationship and improving the performance of the organization in future. Promotional giftsalways have a positive impact on the organization and customer relationship.
Promotional gifts agencies
There are companies specialized in making, supplying and distributing promotional gifts. These agencies help in times when you or the organizer is at a loss of new ideas and need help and expertise in selecting the best and the latest gifts. They provide their expertise and help in making the right choice for the occasion.
Which gift for which occasion?
The promotional gifts sent during a festive occasion differ from the usual promotional gifts. The difference is in the content, occasion, the beneficiary and the quality and quantity of gifts. The low-value comes under the general receiver's category whereas the high-value comes under the special person's category. This is because the transactions and the expectations in case of both these categories are quite different. The former are usually prospective clients while the latter are the new or existing clients. The government too recognizes the importance of promotional gifts and uses this tool of promotion to popularize some of its ideas and schemes. Even the tax structure for such promotional gifts is different from that of other modes of promotion like press advertising, print, television, cable and online advertising. For more information about the taxability of gift bags and promotional items go to the Internal Revenue Service of the US Department of Treasury.
Promotional gifts make customers happy
A promotional gift is a very effective advertising and promotion tool. This is because it is used selectively and for maximum effect. The target is usually known and so is the benefit from that particular source. There are drawbacks and wastage but, if properly used, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.
The concept of promotional gifts is here to stay. It is not only an effective way of advertising but also a means of making people happy. The lure of a free or greatly discounted gift is a powerful tool that not only increases the sales of the product but also positions the brand in a more visible place. Accepting a promotional gift means saving money or spending nothing at all for getting it. And every one of us likes to save the hard earned money. Anybody disagree?