If you can dream it, it can be printed, thanks to digital printing technology. Businesses, both online and brick-and-mortar, B2B and B2C, have found digital printing makes consistent marketing strategies a reality.

Artists and creators of goods also have used digital printing to increase their portfolios and reach a larger audience.

Want to know how you can take advantage of this powerful marketing tool? Learn how others have here.

The Power of Promotional Products

With digital printing technology, your logo, message or design can be put on various surfaces. And, unlike with a bulk supplier, you can order a small quantity instead of having to purchase hundreds or thousands like you would in the past.

Plus, you might be surprised at the effectiveness of promotional products. According to research from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), promotional products are the single most effective type of advertising for today’s consumers. Baby boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials all love promotional products, as data shows 80% of people who receive an item further engage with the company, and over 80% of those do business with them.

Why? Because promotional items, especially those with value, make a positive impression. Their lifespan is longer than other marketing methods and customers remember them, possibly because of their tangible nature that encourages use and engagement.

Best Promotional Products

Products that are fun, functional or trendy have the highest value and therefore tend to do the best. What this means to your specific audience will change however, so must be a factor in determining the best promotional products.

Fun.

Fun promotional items could be:

  • a toy, like a spinner
  • bright and colorful, like an artistic tote bag
  • a novelty flavor, like pickled jelly beans
  • Silly, like jokes printed on socks, hand towels, or signs

Functional.

Functional promotional product examples:

  • Kitchen gadgets, like a bottle opener, wooden spoon or cutting board
  • Office supplies, such as pens, highlighters, and notepads
  • Self care items, such as soaps, lip balm, or bandages
  • Car or pet care items
  • Organizational tools

Trendy.

Trendy giveaway products could be:

  • Environmentally friendly for nature focused clients.
  • “Hot for now” items like fidget spinners.
  • Cause specific items like political buttons or stickers for non-profits
  • Artistic trends on wearables or bags

Combo.

Any combination of the above is a bonus. Consider:

Fun and Trendy: Crossbody bag with bright colors and/or artistic designs

Fun and Functional: Wallets made out of duct tape

Functional and Trendy: Environmentally friendly kitchen gadgets like bamboo straws

Tips for Creating Great Promotional Items

Spend some time looking through a catalogue of promotional items to get inspired. Ask your clients what products they find valuable. Talk to a promotional products expert about your target audience and goals to brainstorm ideas to find your best options for giveaway items.

PPAI researchers found that bags of any kind are the favorite promotional product. They are functional, can be made fun and/or trendy. If they are good quality, they are used or re-gifted, making them have a very long shelf life.

QR codes, tracking URL’s or phone numbers will help to track engagement. Interesting design elements like embellishments, creative shapes and interactive elements will also increase the likelihood of your client using and interacting with your promotional products.

Remember to personalize your products for the user. Yes, they should include your branding in the design, but what you choose to gift should have your recipients in mind. Consider your demographics, more than your own preferences when choosing promotional products.

Unboxing as a Promotional Product Trend

While corporate gift giving has history, a new trend seen all over social media these days is “unboxing”. These are custom branded boxes, or specially packaged products purchased with so much anticipation, the recipient feels compelled to record the opening of the package for public consumption via social media.

With this trend increasing the likability of products, or totally destroying the image, it is important to consider how this trend may affect you, especially if you are an artist, or ship products to consumers.

A special occasion is just one reason someone may want to do an unboxing video. Another reason is as a thank you gift. In either case, you will want to let the recipient know to expect the box. This way, they can be building the anticipation and be camera ready for the unboxing.

If you own the brand and want to build your company’s value, a custom box featuring your corporate branding and logo may be the best way to approach this trend. The value to the customer can be immense, while the cost remains small.

Combining custom packaging and corporate gift giving impresses your clients and creates an unboxing worthy experience. Make it interactive, personal, and memorable, and you have a winning strategy.

Examples of “Unboxing” Strategies

Personalized packaging using pouches or boxes can be created with a wide variety of materials, finishes and looks. Tactile embellishments such as foil, offer 3D images and reflective surfaces while others can give unique textures and feel. These details reinforce your brand message and make the experience fun, which encourages retention, leading to future interactions with your company or brand.

Some examples of how unboxing has been used:

  • An auto repair shop thanked patrons with custom boxes of promotional items and coupons for tires, services, and car washes.
  • A nutraceutical company gifted beauty sample kits as free gifts with purchase inside their branded box.
  • A real estate agent gifting a keepsake box to new homeowners filled with samples from local businesses, shops and service-providers.
  • A business consultant offered desk organizers to those who referred him business as a thank you gift.
  • A convention sponsor delivered custom pouches to all the hotel rooms with convention guests filled with information about the company and a sample of chocolates.

Plumb Marketing offers a wide variety of materials to make environmentally friendly, eye-catching custom boxes and promotional items that deliver a punch. There is always an opportunity to thank your customers and promotional items, including gifting, are a great way to be remembered.

Call us today to begin planning for the best corporate gifting, custom packaging, and promotional product strategy to grow your business.

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