In the world of promotional merchandise, few items possess the universal appeal and versatility of the classic t-shirt. From corporate events to casual wear, custom t-shirts offer a canvas for creativity while effectively promoting your brand message. Let’s explore why custom t-shirts are a must-have in any marketing toolkit.
Imagine your brand logo and message showcased on the bustling streets, at the gym, or even at a local coffee shop. Custom t-shirts turn your customers and employees into walking billboards, effortlessly spreading awareness wherever they go. With eye-catching designs and quality printing, your brand can stand out in a sea of everyday apparel.
Custom t-shirts are more than just promotional tools; they’re a symbol of unity and belonging. Outfitting your team with branded apparel fosters a sense of camaraderie and pride, reinforcing your company culture. Whether it’s for team-building events, trade shows, or everyday office wear, custom t-shirts help create a cohesive identity that sets your team apart.
In a world inundated with promotional items, it’s crucial to offer something memorable and useful. Custom t-shirts fit the bill perfectly. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, launching a new product, or celebrating a milestone, giving away branded t-shirts leaves a lasting impression on attendees. It’s a tangible reminder of your brand that extends far beyond the event itself.
One of the greatest advantages of custom t-shirts is their versatility in design. From screen printing to embroidery, the possibilities are endless. Whether you prefer bold graphics, subtle branding, or intricate designs, custom t-shirts can be tailored to suit your unique vision. With a wide range of colors, styles, and materials available, you can create t-shirts that resonate with your target audience.
Despite their widespread appeal and versatility, custom t-shirts remain an affordable branding solution for businesses of all sizes. With bulk ordering options and competitive pricing, you can maximize your marketing budget without compromising on quality. Whether you’re a startup looking to build brand awareness or an established company seeking to refresh your promotional strategy, custom t-shirts offer a cost-effective way to make a statement.
In conclusion, custom t-shirts are more than just articles of clothing; they’re powerful marketing tools that can elevate your brand presence and foster a sense of community. Whether you’re aiming to increase brand visibility, unite your team, or leave a lasting impression on customers, custom t-shirts offer endless possibilities for creativity and impact. So why wait? It’s time to wear your brand proudly and let your message be heard, one custom t-shirt at a time.
By: Shelley Allen, Owner | March 25, 2021
Yesterday I got the most exciting email I have seen in a long time! It was an invitation to an in-person tradeshow! I could hardly believe it! As a matter of fact, I read through every word on the email to make sure I wasn’t reading it wrong. I’m so excited! It’s one I have always attended every year in Chicago, so being able to go back this year is very exciting!
It got my brain a-whirring. I wonder if there are any other tradeshows that are going to be held this year in the pre-COVID norm of face-to-face, in-person, real live people fashion. Google to the rescue!
Experts believe that we will start seeing more and more in-person events as the year progresses and as more people get vaccinated. This doesn’t mean that virtual events will be a thing of the past. Experts speculate that hybrid in person/virtual events will be a very common type of event so marketers can reach a broader audience.
It's the truth that virtual events will never fully go away. As an introvert, I can’t say I’m disappointed. I’ve attended 3 virtual events for the promo industry this year with each one being different. None were a real trade show as we know it, but there were positives to each one.
One of my favorite new options was a networking “room” where you would be randomly connected to someone else whether a vendor or another distributor. I really enjoyed that because it’s not something I normally do at in person events. I made a couple of pretty good connections that way.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but temps are on the rise and that means spring is around the corner! I’m pretty excited about warmer weather but I am a southern girl that gets cold easily. I am always on the lookout for warm. And whether you are thinking about spring or attending a trade show, you need to get ready.
With warm weather comes lots of sunshine and everyone loves a nice pair of sunglasses on a sunny day while you’re planting some flowers in your garden!
While I’m on the subject, don’t forget sunscreen! I don’t know about you, but this fair skinned girl burns super easy, especially in the early spring.
With all the things that you like to have in the springtime, don’t you think that others like those things as well? What better way to promote your business than with those things people are using now and are excited to be using?
Besides the virtual “networking room” for introverts, one of my favorite things to do is to brainstorm with my clients! You need to be ready for whatever form your industry trade show events take. Call me at 317-76-4309. Let’s set up a time to brainstorm.
Are you on Facebook? We are too. Let’s be friends!
By Shelley Allen, Owner, On Point Promotions & Embroidery | March 7, 2021
For the last year, the only thing that has been constant has been change. Even after a year of major shifts we can always count on something else changing … and often. Since things aren’t the way they used to be we can’t expect to continue running our businesses the same way we always have. They have to change, too. We are still needing to wear masks and use social distancing measures so we must adjust the way we work with our clients and sometimes employees, too. Some options that have existed but not used as a general rule like virtual meetings and group chats become more mainstream, including the idea of online stores.
The use of online meetings exploded in the last year. After countless hours on Zoom, I’ve become completely comfortable and use it often for meetings. I knew in the beginning that I needed to change more than just the way I met with clients but just didn’t know what direction to take. It took me a little time to figure it out, but I found something that could be useful to many of my customers, as well as other companies, while remaining in the same industry.
In that same vein of expanding opportunities, I want to share a new advantageous option for businesses that I am now offering. Online stores!
Are company online stores new?
Your business can have a store of your very own that is filled with products completely branded with your logo. I know online stores have been around awhile. I’ve looked into them for several years but never found a provider that I felt would truly meet my needs as well as my customers’ needs so.
Since I joined iPROMOTEu (the company I hired to take care of back-office work) in 2019, I have found that they have abundant resources available to me. One of them is company online stores. I’ve got the first one up and running right now for a local high school track team. So far, it’s been easier than I imagined for both my client and me. My hope is it will continue to operate without a hitch!
The benefits of company online stores
There are so many benefits for you with online stores. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about some of them:
· You have more control with brand consistency without all the work. You’ll enjoy a quicker approval process. Select your items once and approve the artwork for them once. Eliminate the need to repeat the process for every order.
· It’s easy for you to track budgets and control costs for departments and/or locations. A budget is set for each group that they can’t exceed.
· Save time with less man hours for large apparel orders. Each employee can see the options and order what they want. Just like departments and locations, you can set a budget for each employee. If they decide to exceed their budget, they can pay the remainder with a credit card. They get what they want, and you remain on budget.
· Invoices can be sent directly to the accounts payable department or another designated person(s).
· Shipments can be sent to one main location or other locations. You make the choice that is most convenient and expedient for you and your staff.
· Warehousing is an option, so some items are available quicker than they would be with standard production times.
· There is always the option of adding new items or removing old items. It is quick and easy with a few clicks on the keyboard.
· Online stores are easy and work well for special company events or teams.
Company online stores are customizable to meet the needs of each individual company. Plus, they can be ready to run in a matter of weeks, not months! If this sounds like something that would benefit your company, let’s chat!
By Shelley Allen, Owner, On Point Promotions & Embroidery | February 2, 2021
I don’t know about you, but this year has gotten off to a great start for me. It’s not due to anything external: huge sales, wonderful political climate, great weather, fun vacation, etc. It’s all been due to a mind shift in myself, I’m just super excited about my goals with On Point Promotions, or my meds are starting to work. Whatever is the cause, I’m excited and realistically optimistic about this year.
Last month I talked about staying on brand and brand consistency. What does this mean and how do you accomplish it through promos? In order to be able to do that you need know what your brand is and what message it should portray to the world for you. Let’s take On Point Promotions for example. Like I said last month, my internet presence wasn’t representing my brand well because it didn’t reflect the fun, not so serious side, that I bring to my brand. If I were to describe my brand, I would say I’m fun-loving, creative, yet serious and professional all at the same time. I just hope that all my fun doesn’t outshine my expertise in the industry. I truly have a passion for what I do and the people I serve!
Let’s get back to how do you show brand consistency through promos? Let’s use another example. I work with Reiling Teder & Schrier, an attorney’s office in Lafayette Indiana that specializes in business and real estate law. They work with many high profile clients so their brand needs to reflect one of quality and modern sophistication.
When I first started working with them, one of the first things we did was to find a pen that matched this image. We went with the Walton Select ballpoint pen because it speaks to the image they want to portray. This pen has become popular among their clients. They frequently hear that their clients don’t want to lose the pen because it is their favorite! This tells me that we found the perfect pen for them! I love helping my clients find the pen that perfectly represents their brand!
Another item we did for them that has the same modern sophisticated look was a selection of grill seasonings including Steak & Rib Rub, BBQ Seasoning, and Cajun Seasoning. These were done as a giveaway for a local business expo and as a general giveaway after the event. All were very well received by everyone. This item shows you that you can do something different and even fun and still have your brand represented perfectly.
How well do your promos represent your brand? Give me a call if you need help to make your promos better fit your brand. 317-762-4309
By Shelley Allen, Owner, On Point Promotions & Embroidery | January 4, 2021
Happy New Year Everyone! This year I wanted to try something new with my blog. Me actually doing the blog. You see for the last few years, I have been paying someone to write my blog for me. They do a great job but it’s very formal, and if you’ve met me, I’m not very formal. I love to laugh and have fun while at the same time do business and help my clients along the way.
There’s another reason I thought I should start writing my blog. I preach to my clients all the time about staying on brand and making sure that whatever promos we do fits their brand. I have been the face of my brand since, well, the beginning and really felt like it was time to put my brand and myself into my blog. I know, and say, that whatever you put out in the world for others to see should represent your brand accurately. That includes all forms of social media, blogs, promos, advertising, printed materials, and apparel/uniforms. I wasn’t following my own advice. I was doing this everywhere but online and knew I needed to make a change. In addition, I also enjoy stretching myself beyond my current comfort level. I see it as continually moving forward and becoming a better version of myself.
We all keep saying that 2020 was a hard year. On Point Promotions and I are no exception. As many of you know, On Point is a very event-centric business. When all the events were canceled or postponed and then canceled again, it was hard.
At first, I threw myself in to my networking group, BNI. I was the president of the chapter at the time and it was important that everything was going to continue on but in an online format. We pulled together and I spent my time making PowerPoint presentations for the meetings. I met with members via zoom. Since I am also a director over two other chapters, I was checking on them in addition to one other chapter to make sure they were setting themselves up for success as well.
Sales for me during this time were not even close to the level that I usually see during that time of year. The orders that I did get for several months were all due to the relationships that I built in BNI. All of this helped me to get through the roughest spots of the year.
Second, now that I made it through last year, I’m looking forward to improvements this year. Although maintaining a positive outlook, I’m not kidding myself about where the pandemic will take us this year. Changing the calendar doesn’t change the pandemic. I’ve decided that I’m going to work on setting myself up for success and doing the most with what I have around me. That includes moving forward and setting goals for 2021. We must all change and adapt and rise to the circumstances. What are you doing to change and adapt with your goals?
Speaking of change, it was interesting to watch what was affected and how my product mix changed in light of the pandemic. Last year, hand sanitizer and masks were words I used a lot. Stock levels for those items were ever changing for a long time. They have now stabilized and are readily available. I am even starting to see sales on the items. Currently, there are widespread issues with all vendors and manufacturers of t-shirts and sweatshirts. I am seeing stock issues with t-shirts and sweatshirts because resources are being redirected to making masks. It will turn around, but I don’t see things improving until about April or later when manufacturing can get caught up and get products shipped to the US.
Speaking of products, are you wondering how you should pivot your promotional buying during a pandemic? I would concentrate on items that are helpful during this time and like masks, and hand sanitizer. Then consider items we seldom think about that could be useful and helpful such as travel mugs and reusable water bottles. There are other promotional products that could be appreciated during these times like mints. Anyone who has ever smelled their own onion or garlic breath in a mask, knows - yuck! Or how about custom chocolates or other edible prepackaged food gift. Because we all love snacks! I have also seen a huge uptick in antimicrobial items such as pens, badge reels, lanyards, and even cups. If you’re looking to really step out and think differently, how about some lotion for the dry, over-washed hands we all have, or lip balm because it’s still winter and lips are still drying out.
Without a doubt, it is still easy to find items to promote your business, are useful during this time, and helps keep you top of mind! Except lipstick, I don’t think anyone is wearing that right now! And if you’re wondering, yes, I can put your logo on lipstick too!
by On Point Promotions | December 8, 2020 When you’re running a marketing campaign, you want the world to see it. Take advantage of casual Friday to wear team t-shirts bearing your marketing logo and let coworkers and customers know you’re committed to your campaign.
On Point Promotions & Embroidery LLC can customize t-shirts so that you have your marketing team’s name and slogan on display for all to see.
Casual Friday t-shirts give you a way to show your unique branding. They add a creative flair, and people love wearing brands for teams they love. Why not make yours one of them?
T-shirts are a cost-effective conversation-starter that helps people remember your brand and campaign when they see it out in the world. It boosts curiosity when your campaign joins the flood of sports teams that take the office by storm on casual Friday. You can even come up with your own marketing team name, like the Marketing Masters or Sales Stunners, to really drive home your slogan.
Anvil Adult Tri-Blend ¾ Raglan Sleeve Tee
You can choose from several colors to suit your team and campaign. You can also put your marketing logo and name on the front and back for a classic, sporty look in the office or when you go out for a team lunch.
The Adult Seismic Shirt is versatile, making it presentable and neutral as a casual Friday t-shirt with a pop of color that centers your campaign. It also means you don’t need to relegate your campaign to pocket space—put the name and logo on the front and back so no one misses it.
Make a stylish statement with this shirt’s snowy heather fabric. Though you might mimic a sports team design, you don’t need to smell like one. This shirt’s odor-resistant fabric means you won’t turn anyone away.
by On Point Promotions | November 4, 2020 It’s no secret that promotional products are everywhere, after all we’ve all received freebies from one time to another. What you may not realize is that it is a multi-billion-dollar industry – for a good reason! Whether you have a couple free t-shirts in your closet or a hoard of pens you’ve gathered through the years, chances are you haven’t stopped to think about how effective these logoed items can be – but YOU SHOULD!
Consider these stats:
PROmotion Marketing LLC completed a survey and found
Those numbers show us that consumers enjoy promotional products, but more important to your company is that the research also found that 72% of consumers believe that the quality of the promotional items is directly related to the reputation of the company represented.
In addition, 89% of customers can recall the brand on a promotional item they received in the past 2 years and 80% can recall the actual messaging.
Promo products work hard for you. Taking recall to the next level, here’s the best news:
1. Wearables are the most popular product category. Brand recall is highest for apparel items with 85% of consumers remembering the company. 47% of consumers keep a promotional t-shirt for 2 years or more. 15% of people in the Midwest own an article of promotional outwear such as this Whistler Light Down Vest. 63% of consumers will keep a promotional hat because it is attractive.
2. On the heels of wearables are writing instruments. 20% of consumers own more than 10 promotional writing instruments like these fun Thumbs Up MopTopper Pens.
3. Then come bags and totes. Bags generate the most impressions of any other product with nearly 6,000 over the time the bag is used. This Happy De Stijl Polyester Tote Bag makes a statement!
4. No. 4 most effective giveaways are calendars. A promotional calendar will generate around 850 impressions over its lifetime. This weekly organizer clear view calendar will keep your clients on target and keep your company at the top of every week.
5. Rounding out the top five promotional products is drinkware. 91% of people have a promotional product in their kitchen and 90% report owning branded drinkware. 57% people were able to recall the company on a promotional mug over only 28% who were able to recall the advertiser on TV. Dual promotion with added MULTIfunction with something like this 16oz dul auto/USB heater mug.
The research shared that 60% of consumers keep a promotional product for two years. You want your company’s promotional items to be in the 60% that are kept! In 2017 Promotional Products Association International surveyed over 1,000 individuals and came out with the top 5 reasons consumers choose to keep a promotional item.
17% of people will keep an item that has meaning for them. If the item represents a cause that they align with.
22% of people keep a promotional item if it from a brand that they support. If consumers like a company’s products or services, or if they have had great experiences with the company, they like to talk about it and refer the company to others. If they have promotional items, this generates that many more of these positive conversations!
43% of people keep promotional items that fit their style or personality. Items must keep up with the times in color, texture, patterns, and construction. Promotional items that are stylish and trendy will attract more people to your brand.
Functionality is the #1 reason people will hang on to a promotional item. 85% of people own a promotional item because it is functional. People want to hang on to items that serve a purpose, or even better, multiple purposes. If the item meets a need that a consumer will use every day the consumer will want to keep it handy.
Your company can use these reasons to create promotional items that will make connections and resonate with your existing clients, with your employees, and with potential clients. Quality promotional products help your brand to stand out from the competition. These products carried around by those who already value your company, will draw the attention of those who don’t know your company yet, and will give your fans a way to pass on their appreciation of your company.
There you have it. A marketing strategy that works – with data to support the conclusion.
Let On Point Promotions & Embroidery help you find the promotional items that are best for your company! Call us today and we can supply your company with every possible promotional product from over 3000 suppliers and help you create long-lasting relationships with your clients through the power of promotional products.
by On Point Promotions | September 9, 2020
Totes and bags as promotional products achieve a huge advertising effect thanks to the broad audience they get. Promotional bags are used in a wide variety of places. Whether you're at work or playing sports, you're likely carrying a bag with you, just like the rest of the world.
Totes and bags printed with your logo benefit your business on a large scale. Plus, it's long-term advertising directly to the customer and everyone they encounter. That's why you should always use the highest quality totes and bags from On Point Promotions to elevate your brand.
Think about just a few of these high-quality options and consider how each bag or tote would really stand out with your company's logo.
by On Point Promotions | August 6, 2020
Most brands are now opting to offer products printed with their logo and the company colors for everyday use. These products are affordable, and the selection is nearly limitless, so you can truly imprint your business's spirit into a useful promotional item.
That's precisely why you need to choose the right promotional products for brand recall and recognition. Among the most popular promotional products, according to a consumer survey, are safety, health, technology, and writing goods. They're deemed the most useful, and therefore have the most significant staying power, also known as brand recall.
Do you remember the talking chihuahua from the Taco Bell commercials in the late 90s? That's brand recall. It's a memory that has endurance. It stands the test of time. Now you have the unique ability to create a tangible promotional product that's not only useful to a potential customer but also promotes brand recall.
Keeping current or potential clients aware of your brand isn't enough. There needs to be engagement. What better way to keep consumers engaged by giving them a useful gift?
Promotional products have been a part of successful marketing strategies dating all the way back to the very first trade show in 1941. However, the very first promotional product in U.S. history was created for George Washington all the way back in 1789. It was a commemorative button made especially for Washington's presidential run.
There are lots of reasons to go with this tried and true promotional product marketing model.
Because of the unlimited branding options, you can truly create unique gifts for your customers by using your logo and brand colors.
Throughout history, the most common, long-standing promotional campaigns offer:
Just as the buttons secured Washington's win, these personalized elements are useful in the daily lives of your customers. The gifts ensure that your company is always at the forefront of their minds. Taking advantage of this unique marketing strategy nearly guarantees new customers and higher sales numbers.
If you're ready to talk about your next marketing campaign, call us at 317-762-4309 to discuss our special offers.
We're in the midst of a global pandemic, but your company still needs ways to survive and thrive. Believe it or not, finding new customers during COVID-19 doesn't have to be challenging. If you weren't thinking outside of the box before, the time to get creative is now.
The best way to surprise potential customers in unique ways is by using our US Postal Service. That's right; using promotional products in direct mail campaigns is the most effective way to reach out to new clients in this time of hardship. Not only will you launch critical brand recognition, but you may find new, lifelong customers.
The easiest, most basic way to begin a direct mail campaign is by writing a sales letter introducing your company. Adding a free gift with your sales letter guarantees possible customers will open your envelope to see what's inside.
Finding new customers during COVID-19 can be as easy as sending envelope-ready promotional items. These are small, lightweight products that are inexpensive, but make a huge impact. Stickers, car and window decals, and small sticky notepads are affordable and handy for potential customers. Plus, anyone using stickers or decals with your logo on it is helping promote your brand for you.
A door drop campaign is a direct mail marketing tool in which advertising letters or items are sent to every resident in a specific building or city block. It's a way to reach many potential customers in a cost-effective way. Add a promotional product to each direct mailing, and again, you ensure your mailer won't be instantly relegated to the junk mail heap.
In a door drop campaign, you want to include promotional items that everyone finds useful, no matter their age or career. Some items to consider are:
A little thoughtfulness to your direct mail campaign marketing items, and you'll be surprised at how much attention your company receives. Add a promotional product to your campaign launch, and you're sure to make a lasting impression.
Are you ready to enhance your brand awareness with a direct mail campaign? Call the On Point Promotions team at 317-762-4309 for expert advice on your branded promo products. Are you on Facebook? We are too. Let’s be friends!
By On Point Promotions & Embroidery | May 25, 2020 Most burgeoning companies want to invest in marketing materials right away to get their business off the ground. Using promotional products in marketing your startup is the best way to invest your advertising budget.
Promotional products are a form of durable advertising that gives value to your customers. You may be surprised to know that marketing with promotional products is a far more cost-effective way to get your name out there to potential customers. Digital advertising is expensive, and it doesn't guarantee that your message will be seen by the right audience.
Because of the affordability of promotional products like car magnets and signs, marketing your startup has never been easier or more budget-friendly. Traditional print media remains an essential tool in successful marketing strategies, and it allows you to scale up your impact based on your budget. A beautiful design on a promotional product expresses your brand, attracts attention, and arouses interest in potential customers.
According to the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), a 2016 study proves that promotional products are still useful today. Despite the allure of digital marketing strategies, 85% of those who were surveyed remembered the name of a company that gave them a promotional item. Moreover, ASI found that consumers were two and half times more likely to have a positive impression of a brand or company that gave them a promotional product.
The appeal of digital marketing isn't going away, so use promotional products in marketing your startup to stand apart from everyone else. Would you rather receive a digital pop-up advertisement on your computer screen, or would you prefer to have something useful like an umbrella or tote bag? This is precisely how your customers feel, as well.
Call On Point Promotions at 317-762-4309 today to discuss your marketing needs. We've got everything from drinkware to apparel. Let us know how we can help promote your brand.
Promotional products are crucial for effective advertising, so it's important to choose the best products for exceptional results. You need to know and understand your audience and how to best integrate promotional marketing materials with your core values.
How can you make sure you're budgeting for the best promotional products? You want to make sure they're on-brand, and they make sense, or you're throwing money away. Here are the best ways to make sure you keep your promotional products on-brand for your business.
Promotional products must be useful for your audience. This helps narrow down your options into a few specific categories.
To further drill down this point, ask yourself what the targeted audience needs most. Did you know that more than 75% of consumers remember a brand that gave them a useful promotional product? Plus, a whopping 60% of consumers keep their useful promotional items for more than two years. If your choices are on-brand, the customer or potential client will always have your company's name in the back of their mind.
Offering useful items ensures that you are advertising to the consumer every day, and with every use of the product.
Now, to make the final decisions, how does this audience and their needs connect to your business's core values? It's essential to keep your promotional products on-brand and of the highest quality. Shoddy products get thrown into the trash quickly, and it reflects poorly on your company.
You also want to make sure that the chosen products make sense when tying into your business. Some items work for every kind of business, such as pens, shirts, and bags with your logo. Everyone uses those things. On the other hand, offering pointless products provide inadequate visibility when promoting your brand.
Are you on Facebook? We are, too. Let’s be friends!
By On Point Promotions & Embroidery |March 17, 2020 You’ve worked hard to build a brand. It’s not just about the products and services you’re selling. Your company image is also about the good people you’ve hired. In order to keep them on board and motivated over the years, it’s worth looking into some great promotional items!
Just as you want your customers to appreciate your company and have loyalty to your brand, you also want your team to be able to connect with your company mission on an emotional level. Your employee engagement process should start day one on the job. If everyone is committed to the team philosophy, you’ll be in a better position to have a strong workforce for years and years. The hiring process and onboarding can be expensive. When you know how to retain the right people, everyone benefits.
Treating your employees with respect and even indulging them once in a while with a thoughtful company gift can help you build long-lasting relationships. It’s not a stretch to say that companies should treat their employees as good as their own customers—if not better!
If you aren’t quite sure how to start rolling out an incentive program to build employee engagement, On Point Promotions & Embroidery is here to help you out! Clients come to us because we’re great at coming up with unique branding ideas. No two companies are quite the same. Finding the right promo products that embrace your company’s spirit and speak to your team members and clients is easy when you work with the experts.
To get started on your own promo product, just send us a message on our contact page. We’d be happy to work with you and develop a plan for a solid employee incentive program. The right motivation might be as simple as a fantastic promo item!
When you’re planning for your next trade show event, you don’t want to simply recycle the same old routine. Knowing how to mix up your trade show booth effectively can help you have a more memorable and profitable experience with your new connections. This advice is sure to get you standing out from the crowd.
Once your table is arranged the right way for your organization’s branding, it’s time to boost your impact with some thoughtful and desirable promotional items. You need to have a way to leave a lasting impression on the people who visit your trade show booth. Company giveaways and other branded products can give you the edge.
When you can get your items ordered early, the stress of a busy trade show becomes so much easier to manage. There are so many options to choose from for your best trade show booth ever. If you need help narrowing down your promo items, we can help.
Getting an outside perspective lets you take your brand to new heights. You want to think outside of the box for your next event, and On Point Promotions & Embroidery is here to make your trade show a total success. Send us a note on our contact page. We’d be happy to collaborate with you on your design.
Is your marketing strategy current? Are you keeping up with the revolving door of promotional marketing changes?
Options for promotional items and gifts have vastly increased in the last few decades, thanks to the internet and technological advances. New categories have cropped up like fitness equipment and smartwatches. We're far beyond the mugs and koozies now.
Here are some things to think about the next time you audit your promotional marketing plan.
The delivery of your promotional material is as important as the item itself. If you're going to a convention, for instance, keep the goodies in hand until you've had the opportunity to engage and interact with each potential customer that comes by your booth.
Taking a great giveaway item home along with the memory of meeting a new, friendly face will propel the customer's incentive to contact you afterward.
If your goal is to get 100 new customers, offer a unique gift that stands out from other businesses and that also ties directly into your marketing campaign. Do you want them to call you for a free quote? Offer customized cell phone accessories. Do you want them to think of you when it's raining? Provide umbrellas with your logo smashed across it.
There isn't much point in giving away cool gifts if they are going to end up in the bin before the potential customer walks away.
By providing useful promotional items and giveaways, you will ensure brand recognition by the user, and the more they use the item, like a USB drive, the more recognizable you become to them and their friends or co-workers.
When a potential customer gets something for free that isn't cheap and flimsy, they are more likely to buy extra products or services from that business. A high-quality promotional item creates a feeling of obligation within a potential customer without you having to give the hard sell to anyone.
Kindness is always appreciated and usually reciprocated. When your marketing strategy includes luxury promotional items, your business looks generous. Generosity will get lots of word-of-mouth marketing, turning one promotional item into a gift that keeps on giving like a stainless steel water bottle.
Once you can answer these questions without doubt, you've already got a solid game plan in mind. Congratulations!
If you want to talk more about what kind of promotional items we can make for you, call us today at317-762-4309. You can also check us out on our homepage here. We look forward to creating something special for you!
by On Point Promotions | November 11, 2019
Everyone appreciates a thoughtful gift. It shows that someone has taken the time to think about your wants and needs, and it’s even better when those little presents are unexpected! Who doesn’t like a surprise?
Using promo items to build your company’s reputation can help you connect with your customers on a more personal level. Whether you’re getting a trade show booth ready, or you just want to have some great company swag to use as a leave-behind after a sale, keeping these ideas in mind are sure to help you make a good impression with a promo product your best connections will love!
When in doubt, the best company swag should be practical. Follow this rule of thumb above anything else. What is something that your clients will actually use? You don’t want to share something that isn’t beneficial. What type of gift would you like to receive? How can you make that fit your company brand?
The first thing to consider when selecting your next promo product is to find items that align with your company’s purpose. Smart company swag reminds people of who you are whenever they see or use your gift. Of course, it needs to be unique. A little investment can make a big difference.
Good marketing requires careful thought. You can’t rely on just one tactic to build your brand and reach your ideal clients. But instead of trying to do everything at once, focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time. When you figure out the right strategies with your promo products, you’ll have a great complement to all of your other marketing efforts. These tips can help!
Technology advances by leaps and bounds every year, and our tech-savvy world relies on the grace of geeks. That's why a tech-themed promotional gift is perfect for your nerdy needs.
Traditional Isn't Trending
Traditional business gifts and souvenirs have taken the back seat in the rankings of products most valued by customers, employees, and suppliers. This has given rise to unique, innovative, and truly useful products provided as marketing material.
The Best Tech-Themed Promotional Gifts
Every year brings new lifestyle movements that become trends such as fitness, minimalism, and sustainability, among others. People care about keeping products that add some value to their daily routine. That's why it's so important that the tech-themed promotional gifts are useful, attractive, and high quality.
Custom USB
You might think that custom USB drives are already somewhat outdated, but nothing is further from the truth. You can have your logo engraved on a USB drive, making this multipurpose tool a great tech-themed promotional gift.
Accessories for Smartphones
It's rare to know someone who doesn't own a smartphone, so accessories for smartphones are a smart and safe promotional item to customize and share. For example, charging cable keychains, a cell phone cover, or a snap-up phone stand.
This is a tech-themed gift that truly feels personalized because we keep our smartphones with us everywhere we go. Plus, every time someone uses one of your business's customized accessory, they'll think of you.
iPad or Tablet Holder
This tech-themed promotional gift will simplify your client's day and protect their tablets. These customized products are the perfect gift because of the variety of material and colors available.
Putting your logo on an iPad or other tablet holder is basically a billboard advertisement that your customer carries around for you all day. Our iBank Leatherette Case is uniquely designed with the customer in mind. It has a camera-hole, a flip stand, and even speaker holes to listen to music or watch movies.
Headphones or Earbuds
There are so many employees who work from home these days, and the number of remote workers will only continue to grow. That's why headphones or earbuds are a great promotional item. Video calls or voice chats are the norm for today's nine to five geek. Customized Bluetooth headphones are high-quality and memorable, especially for someone who is in and out of meetings all day long.
Corporate gifts and souvenirs are used by large and small companies to build loyalty or generate ties between the company with its employees, customers, and suppliers, as well as to develop brand recall.
With the impact generated by tech-themed promotional gifts on customer satisfaction and loyalty, it is necessary that a competitive business follows these global trends.
At On Point Promotions and Embroidery, we know what's trending, and we are experts in marketing. Call us today at 317-762-4309 or visit our website to look over all the exciting and unique tech-themed promotional gifts we have available to make your organization stand out.
Investing in your team’s gear is a great way to make sure everyone looks smart and professional on the job. But how do you find pieces that will create the biggest impact? First, you have to carefully consider where and how your employees work on a day-to-day basis. When you understand what kind of pieces they need in their uniform, it’s a lot easier to make the right calls for your new embroidery.
Why Embroidery Helps Employees Connect
Building your team’s uniform isn’t just about looking presentable to your customers. It also helps them connect with one another. Just thinking about athletics. Sports teams take pride in wearing the same shirts. Your company’s branded apparel isn’t that much different.
Of course, you need to make sure you’re giving everyone high-quality materials at the start. Everyone feels better in a well-made jacket, and detailed embroidery will make it even better. Ordering specific sizing for men and women can make the end result really shine, like embroidery with this Gildan Hooded Sweatshirt. When you customize your pieces, you can help everyone feel better about being part of your team!
Great Ideas for Embroidered Company Apparel
You want your pieces to unify your employees and build their sense of identity together. But it’s also about having a unique item. You don’t have to stick with the standard embroidery for polo shirts. (Although those are great for skilled trades!) What if your employees are strictly holding office jobs? You can still invest in branded apparel!
Even an order of embroidered ball caps can help with your company’s sense of teamwork. Your employees can enjoy wearing the hats on their days off or on the weekend. Embroidery is a great way to spread your brand recognition in the community.
Establish Your Brand Culture with Embroidery!
Mixing up your company’s advertising efforts can help you reach more people in new ways. Giving great embroidered items to your team lets you not only boost company morale—it works as a way to spread the word about your company and brand.
With so many choices for jackets, shirts, and hats, it helps to have a promo products expert guide you through the different clothing brands and embroidery choices for your company brand. That’s where On Point Promotions and Embroidery can help. To get started on your new designs, send us a message on our contact page. We look forward to connecting with you!
When your business or organization wants to build brand recognition, you really can’t go wrong with some great promo products. Carefully selecting a few items that speak to your mission and your target market’s interests and needs will help you make a long-lasting impression.
4 Reasons to Use Promo Products
Your marketing strategy shouldn’t be reserved for just one avenue or direction. Building your brand happens in different steps. For budget both big and small, promo products can help get your sales numbers moving up and up. They are well worth the investment because they serve a handful of functions!
As long as you put a little thought into what your promo products should be, you can practically guarantee that people will appreciate them. Guests as tradeshows, loyal customers, or supporters of your local nonprofit are always interested in practical items that remind them of a good time or great relationship. Promo products act as souvenirs to those connections.
A smart choice for your promo product is something that will be used and “on display” for the rest of the world to see. If you want to make a statement, why not give your clients a branded umbrella? They’ll be happy to use it when the weather turns, and other people on the street will notice your company name in an unexpected place. We all like receiving thoughtful gifts!
Most of us are in the habit of passing out business cards, but this isn’t always the best technique for staying top of mind. It’s easy to have your name and contact information get lost in a pile. That’s why a useful promo product, like a logoed travel mug, can help you stand out from the crowd. Your contacts can either keep in at their desk or take it with them when they’re on the go.
Perhaps the best reason to invest in promo products, though, is because it gives us a unique opportunity to engage with others. The physical, tangible nature of promotional items simply can’t be matched. Just think of a creative stress ball. It’s different than a phone call and it’s not as sales-oriented as a traditional ad.
Sorting through all your options for a smart, effective promo product can easily become overwhelming without someone on your side. Working with a marketing professional who specializes in partnering brands with their own items helps make the process go so much smoother. It also makes selecting your prom products more fun!
To start planning your next promo product design, send us a message on our contact page. We’ll work with you to develop just the right strategy for your brand, wherever it needs to go. Trade shows, company anniversaries, client appreciation and more can all benefit from a thoughtful promotional item.
Are you thinking about investing in some swag items for your next marketing convention?
Swag bag items will generate high visibility for your brand, so it's essential to choose the right promotional items. These gifts are low-cost advertisements that penetrate the lives of users and increase brand recognition. If you aren't sure how to go about selecting the best promotional items, we've got some tips for you on selecting the right swag (and staying away from the wrong swag!)
No Heavy Items
Make sure your selected swag items aren't heavy or unwieldy. No one wants to walk around a convention carrying weighty or awkwardly shaped items. Skip the paperweights and umbrellas. Typically, visitors will either take heavy things straight to their car or a hotel room, reducing the visibility of your promotional item. They may even try to skip your booth altogether to avoid the unnecessary hassle. Choose gifts that are easy to carry.
Shelf Life
Consider the shelf life of your swag items. Ensure that they are high quality, or they may end up directly in the bin which means losing a lot of money. The longer a promotional product is maintained, the more impressions your company has a chance to make. The swag items with most extended useful life will keep its users remembering the brand for years to come.
Think of durable products, that do not wear out or deteriorate easily, because you will get more visibility and thus increase sales. Gone are the days of promotional gifts that aren't useful. Bet on swag that can be used to meet specific needs.
Durability
Have you ever received a promotional gift that has been forgotten in your junk drawer and that you never even used? This is precisely what you want to avoid. Premium quality gifts will net your business better results. One of the main reasons consumers keep promotional gifts is because they find them useful.
Consequently, it would be best if you opted for a promotional item that will not sit in a junk drawer or risk being tossed in the trash. Think of daily use items like electronics, clothing, and premium pens. Other swag items to consider are practical ones such as keychains or canvas bags.
Shareability
The best swag gifts are ones you can share. There are many promotional objects designed for the user to share with others from office items, such as pens, or useful tools, such as flashlights. If the user shares the promotional gift with other people, it is expanding your advertising reach exponentially.
Including swag gifts for convention marketing campaigns is a benefit for your company. Useful, high-quality items will help your brand obtain greater visibility to gain customers or retain existing ones.
At On Point Promotions and Embroidery, we offer a multitude of products that your customers can take advantage of every day: calendars, wall clocks, travel bags, electronics and accessories, and more. Our wide variety of perfect swag bag items make advertising a breeze. Call us today at 317-762-4309, and we can discuss which solutions might work best for your advertising needs.
An embroidered garment increases the value of a brand or company since it conveys an elegant and customized corporate image. Moreover, it never goes out of style
Embroidery is a high-quality technique, being one of the most demanded business gifts and for customized work clothing. Embroiderers use precision machinery and are experts in things like scaling, proper placement, and fabric selection.
For those who aren't quite embroidery experts, they may be making some of these mistakes:
By choosing the right person or company to embroider your clothing, you can avoid all these mistakes and rest easy knowing that your garments are in the right hands.
The great advantage of embroidery is that it can be used in all types of fabrics. If you aren't sure what fabric is best for your design, let us help you make the right decision.
Reasons to Choose Embroidered Apparel
Embroidery is a versatile, elegant, and resistant printing technique. The custom embroidered garments add value to a brand, company or club.
Let our experts create embroidered clothing that you're proud to show off. Call us today at 317-762-4309 to see what we can create for you!
Planning for a corporate event, community get-together, or a non-profit fundraiser? There are so many reasons to think about event branding! We have some of the most fun with branded t-shirts. Everyone appreciates a good take-home item.
So, while you’re busy planning, don’t forget to look at your options for branded t-shirts. You might need to order more than you first realized!
We call them classics for a reason. A good cotton t-shirt is a must-have for any wardrobe. And they’re the perfect item to have in your collection for company branding. We like recommending branded t-shirts for all sorts of events.
Is your company starting an intramural sports team? Celebrate team spirit with some branded t-shirts for that baseball field, volleyball court—you name it. Or what about that upcoming fundraiser? If you have volunteers at an event, help them stand out with some branded t-shirts that say, “I can help!” That’s a great way to help everyone feel welcome.
When ordering your branded t-shirts, you can’t forget the smaller sizes. Youth t-shirts are just as important as the adult sizes. Are you coaching a kids’ soccer team? Consider getting shirts for both the adults and the kids to celebrate the season!
There are other reasons to stock up on youth t-shirts though. Non-profits and camps love spreading the love about their cause with t-shirts. It gets everyone rallied behind the same mission. And with so many color options, it’s easy to find a t-shirt that matches your logo and branding. Or you can go with something different to really stand out from the crowd.
Got a golf event coming up? Think outside the golf balls for your logo. Investing in some high-end athletic tech shirts can be a smart way to distinguish your company. You can save them for the tournament winners or give them to everyone in your office to build the excitement.
Having athletic shirts as a give-away item for various conventions can also be a fun treat for guests. Are you planning to be a sponsor at an upcoming community event? Maybe you can give away your branded t-shirts in exchange for a sit-down meeting. It’s a great way to spread the message of your brand all year long. T-shirts are great advertising opportunities for just about any company.
Visit our contact page for more information on how to start planning your branded t-shirts. We would be happy to work with you on a fantastic design and ordering options for your big event. Let us know how we can help!
Checking the mailbox just to see a stack of bills and marketing mailers tends to be the norm. But we all love that feeling of finding a special handwritten note in the mix! That’s why we should remember that our business mail doesn’t have to always be serious. Sometimes it’s nice to trade email for some personalized business note cards. They really pack an emotional – and marketing - punch!
When to Mail a Professional Card
There are plenty of reasons for sending a handwritten note. These occasions don’t have to be limited to the holidays. Everyone enjoys receiving a special note in the mail. Aside from the mail we send to let our colleagues, clients, and customers know about upcoming events or sales we might have going on, you can send business note cards “just because.” All of these interactions help to build relationships.
We write handwritten notes to create a more personal connection with our contacts. You might have read an article that reminded you of something a colleague said the other week. Instead of writing an email, why not share your thoughts in a handwritten note? You can also use your business stationary to thank a client or customer for their business if you’ve just completed a project or finished the details on a transaction.
Business Stationary for Handwritten Notes
When it comes to finding the right design for your professional stationary, the possibilities are endless. You might want to consider something that mirrors your official branding. Or you could think outside the box to express your personality or match the season. If you’re a nature lover, you might work landscapes or wildlife into your designs. Or if you clients know you’re a fan of automobiles, why not find some business note cards that speak to your interests?
As you plan your designs, you’ll also want to consider the size of your business stationary. Of course, you shouldn’t skimp on the paper quality. You can go with a standard full color folded card. But we’re also fans of more traditional letterhead when you have a longer message to share with a client or customer. This can be especially thoughtful when you have a long-term relationship with your clients.
Then again, you don’t always have to say much in your note. It can be okay to stay small. The gesture of a handwritten note will speak volumes on its own. There are plenty of custom eco-notecards if you want to stay “green” for your business.
Enhance Your Brand with On Point!
Your business note cards can be a real highlight of your branding efforts. That’s why at On Point Promotions and Embroidery we always do our best to bring your vision to life. We can help with just about any size, shape, and graphics you want on your card. And if you don’t’ know where to start, we can help you think through your options to find something that’s truly unique.
Going with quality is key when it comes to your print pieces. You don’t want bad ink and low-quality paper to misrepresent your brand. We can help you find the right items for your price point and preferences. To start planning your new stationary, send us a message on our contact page. We’d be happy to collaborate with you on your design.
There’s a lot of excitement surrounding any big corporate or industry event. Everyone wants to make sure their brand stands out from the crowd, and great promotional products can help. Understanding the basic principles surrounding good promo product choices can give your company the edge you are seeking.
1. Stick to the Event’s Theme
We know the benefits of sticking to a theme with our brand guidelines. It’s always good to follow similar color schemes and consistent logos across all of our marketing. The same rule applies to your swag bag event itself.
For example, if you’re attending an event that’s focused on problem solving, why not get a little creative with your offering. These building block stress relievers can be a good fit for all types of events, whether for an engineering conference or for your local school system. Most of us love to have items like stress relievers on our desk while we’re on a scheduled conference call. Some say that just fiddling with something allows us to concentrate better when talking or listening. Putting your brand on something this practical can be a smart way to stay top of mind.
2. Offer Something for Family Fun
Just because your event is focused on professionals doesn’t mean you have to stick to an office or business theme. There are plenty of reasons to think outside of the box and go with a promotional item that has a little more whimsy – or a lot more fun!
If you can find a promo product that has a wide appeal for everyone in the family, you’re working to increase your brand presence with more than one touch-point. Items that are fun for kids are a great reminder for parents, too. They’ll see your logo and think of you whenever their kids are being entertained. That’s why we like these light up brand ice cubes. They add a fun touch to any drink, and they come in lots of colors to complement your logo.
3. Use Products with a Purpose
The other thing to always keep in mind is to invest in products that serve multiple functions. We often see pens and notepads in swag bags because we use these items every day. But we are asked a lot of times how else a business can give attendees a piece that really stands out.
Companies that want to share something more than just a pamphlet with the event’s guests can often find solutions with a branded swivel USB flash drive. These products are fun because you can use them as a dual-promo. You can load a company presentation or details on your products and services on the flash drive before the event. Then your contacts can review the content on their own. Since this is a practical tool, you can bet they’ll keep it to use for their own files later on as well!
Need Swag? On Point Can Help!
Because every event and company is unique, it helps to have a marketing expert help with your promotional product selection. You want your investment to go far. That’s where our understanding of swag bags can help.
Here at On Point Promotions and Embroidery, we work with all types of clients across all sorts of industries as they select the perfect promo item for their upcoming swag bag event. When you’re getting overwhelmed by all of your options, let our creative eye guide the process. We can work together to find a great solution to fit your brand—and the event.
Visit our contact page to take the next step. We look forward to hearing from you!
Your life as a business owner or manager is F-U-L-L and everyone knows it. Your responsibilities reach out over many different areas and you feel the pressure to do a good job in each and every one of them. That is exactly why your employees matter so much for you. When you surround yourself with people who get along with others, are reliable, honest, and hardworking, nothing is more important.
That being said, did you know that the No. 1 reason, according to How Full is Your Bucket, that American workers leave their jobs is because they don’t feel appreciated? Yikes! It is probably easy to believe that that lack of appreciation from employers can often be attributed to not showing appreciation rather than not feeling appreciation.
Saying thank you is fast, easy, and always appreciated. Acknowledge good work, on-going reliable efforts, as well as special efforts regularly. Getting mentioned in a gathering is one way that brightens someone’s day.
Make certain occasions a habit of appreciation. When routines get built into the work schedule, and are sincere, they become memorable moments for employees and employers as well. For instance:
Awards and recognition programs
Just like in baseball, when runs are scored, the crowd cheers. When employees reach or exceed goals, their work crowd should cheer for them. Likewise, when the team wins a game, and makes strides to reach a greater goal, something should happen that encourages them to push forward to win the next game or reach the next level.
Different companies have different cultures. For some, being the team to have possession of the Rubber Chicken Award on the last Friday of the month (for whatever achievement is set up) is a thrill. For others, it is something more personal and engraved that they can keep.
Employee recognition, motivation, and incentive programs work best when they are customized to the particular company. Here at On Point Promotions and Embroidery, we have extensive experience in developing programs that work, helping to keep employees happy and employers on budget.
When employee appreciation is thoughtfully considered and approached like other important elements of your business, you will reap the benefits of long-term employees who are dedicated to doing their best for you and your business. Give us a call at 317-762-4309 to talk about how we can help you make that happen.
Every company has its own distinctive personality that is illustrated by what it looks like and how it functions. The reputation the owner builds and the culture that grows are examples of that personality. Some entrepreneurs build it consciously, like Mark Benioff at Salesforce. For others, especially small business owners, it comes from the owner and the values on which business is done.
This “personality” is the basis for the branding. Beyond just how you want people to see and interact with your business, your branding also reaches into the products and services your business provides and what makes you special, different, better suited for your particular clients or customers.
What’s swag have to do with branding?
The core of branding is that EVERYTHING you do as a business reflects back on the business. Understand that it shows in:
And, when you are presenting your company in a booth at a conference or show, or when you are participating in a community event, your business – and it’s branding – are front and center in the form of giveaways, donations, or swag you offer.
Smart business owners are purposeful in their selection of swag. That’s right, there is much more to promotional products than browsing a catalog or website and selecting anything that just catches your eye. Smart business owners know that there are several elements to be considered when they are making swag choices, such as:
Here we are not talking about employee incentives or motivation programs, or even customer loyalty programs, but focusing mostly on the use of promotional products as marketing or new customer attraction strategies.
Choice of promotional products must meet not only the marketing goal in these situations, but must also reflect the branding and personality of your business. Even if some might think it humorous, it would be awkward for a law firm to give away glow-in-the-dark handcuffs. There would have to be a really creative marketing plan in place to make that do the work of attracting new customers.
Let’s look at an example of what might work better. Consider a business like Pinterest. When building brand consideration into swag for an event, they might select a pushpin with the Pinterest logo imprinted on it. How simple, and how significant! It works because Pinterest is a place to collect important information in one place. Isn’t that what a push pin does, too? An actual tangible pushpin not only serves its purpose on a bulletin board (another Pinterest reference), but is a constant marketing tool putting the Pinterest logo into the hands of users and in front of them all the time.
And, if you don’t think an actual push pin for a bulletin board is what you want, On Point Promotions has magnetic push pins, too.
Either way, the same idea applies if you are searching for employee rewards, VIP customer gifts, or even your employee apparel. Selections should be made mindfully with your purposes and marketing goals always in mind. Whether it be shirts, hats, socks, or gift-boxed logo cookies, make your next choice matter – in all the right ways!
How to make your promotional product marketing successful
Contrary to popular belief, it does not matter whether you are a large business or a small business. The mindful planning that should be part of your swag decisions is the same. And, contrary to popular belief, those making the purchases usually have lots of questions and need help in making the choices that work for them. Make your next choice matter – in all the right ways!
That’s where the pros at On Point Promotions & Embroidery come in. For many years we have been part of planning successful marketing programs and swag decisions for businesses of all sizes, with all purposes in mind. We have a vast catalog that will, without a doubt, make available whatever it is you need or have in mind. If you just browse through our website you will see that the selection and variety is immense. Let us help guide you through your next project. You will see how easy it can be when you call us at 317-762-4309. On Point Promotions is ready to work with you!
This is a great quote for every business to remember:
“Marketing is a creative endeavor … the brands who make headlines are those who think outside the box and truly make a statement.” – Rishon Roberts
Using swag as part of your marketing is a keen idea. But HOW you use it can multiply its impact on the outcomes.
Swag and the traditional route
It’s nothing new to go to a trade show or convention and see all sorts of cool swag offered in booth after booth. There could be raffles for some big-ticket items or practical and useful items such as pens, notepads, and thumb drives. Top quality drink cups or even a quick chocolate or nut snack are also viewed favorably.
Most of the swag plucked and dropped into totes (another branded item) are taken back and sorted by attendees just like Halloween candy after a night of trick-or-treating. The “good stuff” goes home and might be a nice reminder of who to call for this or that service. The rest of it gets left in a hotel room, rental car, or restaurant table.
So, in that regard, working with a professional promotional products representative can either make or break making the cut back home with the participant.
Swag plus social media is a partnership truly made in marketing heaven
There is nothing wrong with the traditional route of using swag at major events. It’s traditional because, in its best use, it works, right? Right.
Move your marketing with swag in a new direction … Remember, marketing is not limited to events. No, marketing is something that should be happening every day of every week of every month of every year for your business. So how do you make that happen?
Let’s use an example. Let’s consider something like a tech company that provides a service to other businesses. In order to grow their reach and exposure on line, they decide to undertake a digital-meets-physical world kind of approach.
As a metaphor, do you remember Flat Stanley from your school days? A child would be given a paper sporting an image of “Flat Stanley” and be asked to color it and cut it out. The child would then be instructed to take Flat Stanley on an adventure, take picture during the adventure, and then report that adventure back to the group. The marketing campaign is loosely based on this sort of concept.
Instead of being handed a piece of paper to color and cut out, digital visitors are asked to register or request a piece of branded swag, such as a mug, a banner ballpoint pen, bottle opener sunglasses, or even a pair of socks.
In the initial phase, the viewer likes or follows the social media page, which allows them to either register on line or submits a DM with their mailing address so the swag can be sent to them.
The next step is that upon receipt, the viewer receives a sticker that asks them to take a picture of themselves with the swag and share it back on the platform – Twitter or Facebook, for instance. When they do, the business is provided another avenue to interact with them.
This process builds the network of followers and brand supporters in the online universe. As you continue with your social media campaigns, you will be touching them on a regular basis to educate them on your products and services.
You are creating not just brand recognition but building a reputation that can extend out far beyond the life expectancy of trade show booth swag. The images shared, and comments made, as photos come back from viewers will continually work for you online. Your fans and followers become part of your brand’s story.
How do you decide on marketing swag?
There are so many choices, especially when you visit a site like On Point Promotions. I mean the options are endless. Then, oh, some people view marketing swag as difficult to choose as the perfect pair of underwear that don’t sag or ride up. But it doesn’t have to be as serious – in fact, it can be, wait, FUN. Show a sense of humor, create a buzz online with something that is “cool” and “fun.” It can be useful, too, which would be like hitting the trifecta, wouldn’t it?
In other words, stroll through the different products on our website, then contact us at 317-762-4309. We can help you get the details down perfectly as far as the actual branding, be it an imprint or an embroidery. We will make sure it looks great for you. We will also steer you away from or toward options that we know work well – or not. Use our experience and knowledge.
Is your viewpoint about promotional products and swag the same as The Office’s Michael Scott? He says, “Swag is ‘stuff we all get.’” If that’s what you think, then you have t-shirts, drink koozies, plastic beach balls, and pens in mind. While all those things are readily available from On Point Promotions and lots of other suppliers, you are limiting your marketing potential with that mindset.
There is something to say for some of those items, like customized embossed pens, they are still a great way to keep the name of your business in front of the eyeballs that matter. But for really good marketing effect, the mundane promo items that is just “stuff” doesn’t give you the bang you want, especially if you are a small business where every dollar has to pull its own weight. You want something that is not expected and offers surprise. Think of supply and demand. The more something is available (like common swag that every business gives away), the less demand or desire there is for it. It’s not exciting to get one more drink koozie.
Making the right choice in promotional products
Careless swag management begins with the wrong choices for products. When the market is not excited about your choice, it could even be a chore to give away your give aways. Then you know what happens, don’t you? The surplus sits in a box in the back of a closet or tucked under a desk. That box is a constant reminder of not just dollars not spent well, but marketing not working well either.
Be smart. Be creative. Be innovative and dynamic – just like your business. Let your marketing create a buzz and expand your business’s exposure in the marketplace.
Here at On Point Promotions & Embroidery we see what happens with marketing approaches and we get feedback on the public’s response to products used for marketing. That means we can provide you with on point guidance in selecting the products and developing the campaigns that will provide the biggest value instead of burning a hole in the company pocket.
How to approach swag selection
Everyone expects give-aways. But promotional products that are tied to a specific season, event, or campaign will often have a larger impact. Not only are you providing a branded item, you are creating a memorable experience along with it.
This is commonly done in connection with holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even St. Patrick’s Day.
Show gratitude and say thank you at Thanksgiving time with a metal keychain for your employees or best customers. Surprise even those who aren’t Irish with a chocolate treat on St. Patrick’s Day. Out of the blue – good will and good taste!
You could also combine a give-away with a marketing and sales campaign, offering a free item with each order. Customers receive their order with a surprise in the box – who doesn’t love that? This is a point when even that branded pen is fun to get … oh, look! I got something extra. Something extra always makes people feel extra special – just what you want your customers to feel, right?
The choice is always yours
Yours could be THE booth everyone wants to visit at the tradeshow. Those are great give-aways that expand your exposure and new customers.
But you want to take care of your current and loyal customers, too. Your customers could be the ones who always feel you are thinking about them – and their needs. Out of the blue special gifts not only work their magic because of what they are – a battery charger or other cell phone accessory, a notepad or desk caddy, or a stadium tote, or a branded umbrella – but because you took the time to think of them and made the effort to give something unique, fun, and maybe even a little personal.
First, connect the promotional product or item with the purpose and goal you have in mind.
If you want a “thinking of you, hope you think about us” kind of promotional item, consider something that will be needed or used when you want them to think about you – a sticky note dispenser for a desk if you are an office supplies company, or a pair of garden gloves if you are a landscaper.
If you want a “thank you for your loyal business” kind of promotional item, edible treats are great like cookies, nuts, and candy. Or, for individuals who always have you at the top of their list, a personalized portfolio maybe a desk caddy set they can carry with them.
Second, consider how the items might be used past the original purpose. Making a secondary plan means that if there are leftovers from the initial campaign, they won’t collect dust and be marketing dollars wasted.
Take your time, think and consult
Don’t rush promotional product selections. Think about the purpose for your purchase and talk to the pros at On Point Promotional Products & Embroidery. Not only do we want the recipients of your gifts to be happy, we want you to be happy with how you are spending your marketing dollars.
Your promotional swag should be an extension of your business’s message and values. Go the extra mile, stick out your neck – be memorable, fun, and different in your delivery. Give us a call at 317-762-4309 or spend some time on our website. You will soon see that the options are endless!
Face it, many business owners and managers think they can handle just about anything. And, just for the record, we pretty much agree. That’s the reason they are successful business owners and managers. However, once they realize they have found a trustworthy, reliable professional, they understand that the biggest reason they continue that relationship is because of what that promotional products professional knows. That knowledge, they know, saves them a lot of time, money, and worry.
What is it that a promotional product professional knows? After years in the business, Shelley Allen of On Point Promotions & Embroidery can tell us.
They know vendors and products. A professional brings their clients lots and lots of variety and good choices at every price point. They know what looks good in person, not just on the website page. They know the companies who manufacture and distribute the products and which ones are reputable and meet their time-frames. They even know which apparel products will wash well or really be a hit with customers, like stand-out socks!
They know design. One of the most important elements of promotional products is branding it with your business name, your logo, and maybe some contact information. How do you get that branding on the product and have it look absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g? They also know what will look crisp and sharp and what will not.
They know results. Experience has taught a professional what works in what situations. They can align your goal with the products that will get you to the result you want. You get to live vicariously through all the campaigns, products, and experiences of their past customers. They have heard the feedback from vendors, customers, and the target market. They have been told it would have been better if … or next time, we want to … . They also know how what you choose as a product may be based on business values, such as sustaining the environment. Your message can be conveyed with products made from eco-friendly materials or to promote eco-friendly habits.
They know how business works. They understand that every business has a budget and other constraints that come into play in promotional product campaigns. They drill down to the outcome a customer is trying to achieve and know which products or types of products will do that in the best, most cost-effective manner. Is this purchase being made to motivate or reward employees? As a thank-you to loyal customers? For new-customer generation or as trade show swag? The purpose dictates the product and program.
They know there can be problems. If a promo product professional doesn’t meet you wearing a “stuff happens” t-shirt, it’s probably because it’s in the laundry basket. Stuff does happen – all the time, but they know how to deal with it and take care of it quickly and efficiently. Product availability can change, production lines slow, and there can be problems in the printing with color or fonts. Whatever it is, chances are that it has happened before, and the professional will have a resolution ready when you hear about the problem.
The perk, or big bonus, here is that working with a professional to guide you through the entire process costs you nothing more and saves you time, money, and lots and lots of worry. And, with a company like On Point Promotions & Embroidery, you get another big bonus – their creativity.
Marketing with promotional products is best achieved by being unique, standing out from all the rest of the field. It could be the product, how you are using it in the campaign, the statement you make, or simply the quality of the product. Whatever it is that makes your marketing stand out, a promotional products professional can help you find it and make it most effective. Getting the biggest bang for your buck is as important to them as it is to you. Don’t take the chance and “go it alone. Peruse the huge selection of products on our website, then contact On Point Promotions & Embroidery at 317-762-4309 or via our website when it is time to create your next marketing campaign and let us help you incorporate promotional products so you get the results you want.
According to Seth Godin, “Marketing that works is marketing that people choose to notice.”
Promotional products are a great way to “make people choose to notice.” At least they are when the product is something that stands out and isn’t just tossed in the back of a drawer or in the circular file.
The reason for the product is the primary consideration. And those reasons vary and could include:
To us here at On Point Promotions & Embroidery, we specialize in finding the promotional products that meet three criteria for our clients:
This is important because no matter what the goal of using promotional products. Let’s be honest, every business owner wants to make the greatest impact and get the biggest bang for their buck. To that end, let’s take a closer look into each of those three intentions.
Stand out from the crowd
From a “Hey, look at that!” to a simple “Wow!”, when your product or swag is unique it is surprising. Everyone loves surprises – and remembers them. Ask anyone who attends lots of conferences and trade shows what the most memorable promo item they ever got was and you might be surprised. Chances are it attracted their attention and surprised them.
Bear in mind that it might not be a piece of swag or something they picked up off a table. It might be a part of the booth display itself. How about a selfie frame where attendees can get everyone in the shot?
Provide a useful or practical application
Do you know why pens, calendars, and can cozies are still popular? People use them, that’s why. When a product is carried in their pocket or bag and is used often such as electronic devices or mobile accessories, not only does the product come out of the bag, so does your business name, logo, and contact information. Close at hand and always right there when needed.
Let’s go back to the popular calendar. There are so many varieties and types available and they are all working for you 365 days out of the year, 24 hours every day. What billboard or coupon in a flyer can do that for you?
These can also be items that meet an immediate need, like fleece blankets or stadium bags or seats for fall sporting events. These kinds of products also work great in theme-based baskets for raffles. Tickets to a sporting event with drinks, a blanket, snacks all stuffed in a clear tote bag makes a great auction donation for any business.
Remain consistent with your branding and business message
Perhaps you should consider a promotional item that go right along with your business and brand. A landscaper who gives away branded garden gloves or garden tools or even packets of seeds to “grow their business” will be remembered. Or how about a plumber who gives his customers a drain cleaner? It might not sound glamorous, but when your name is right there when it’s needed, there is a customer on the phone!
Consider being “that” business who gives away an auto safety emergency tool or an emergency tool set because you want to “keep our customers safe!” Or consider a screwdriver kit to “keep everything working right!” Be the company who is considered the one that always has their customer’s back in any situation.
You want your customers and potential customers to always choose to notice you. Great promotional products for a thanks, an incentive, or a helping hand work hard for you. Contact Shelley, your product marketing professional at On Point Promotions today at 317-762-4309. We can work up something special to keep you in front of the eyeballs you want to notice you.
Most of us understand that effective branding has to match our business. But how do you know what direction to take when thinking about your branding swag? Here at On Point Promotions & Embroidery, we tend to look at three different categories. Find the theme that’s right for your business—or try to utilize all of them at once! Either way, the end result is sure to make a great impression.
Create a Quality Experience—with Professionalism
Whether you’re planning an upcoming industry conference or just trying to raise the bar on your company’s neighborhood competition, a polished presentation is key. Employees and conference attendees alike can always benefit from a thoughtful and practical branding swag.
Want to enhance your customer’s shopping experience? Great name badges are a smart way to enhance the overall vibe at your storefront because (like embroidered uniforms) your long-term employees will use these items every single day. You can also include a durable and custom name badge for the guests at your industry’s upcoming conference. Attendees will be all for ditching the name-tag stickers for these sleek gold frame name badges!
Offer the Best Value—for the Whole Family
If your company is all about serving families and keeping costs low, then you’re probably interested in finding branding swag that’s budget-friendly, too. Fortunately, there are plenty of promotional products that look great without breaking the bank.
Companies that serve kids, families, and pet-owners love finding marketing items that are fun, affordable, and easy to brand. These 9-inch disc flyers are great for daycare centers, pet boarding companies, family doctor offices, and so much more! Since you can add just about any logo or business name to the front of these toy flyers, you can market your company any sunny day. Your customers will definitely enjoy the weather outside with your thoughtful promo gift.
Build Lasting Relationships—with Personality
Local brands love to showcase their personality in all of their marketing efforts. So, if you’re a small business looking to make a big impact, don’t be shy about choosing branding swag that’s got a lot of character. Any pieces that you love will probably speak to the hearts of your loyal customers, too!
Whether you’re a local lawn care company or the hot local coffee shop, you’ve still got to put some of your marketing dollars into great branding swag. Wouldn’t you love to grab a coffee cup stress reliever from your go-to venue? Having some of these cute (but practical!) items on your desk not only is a nice reminder to “keep calm” during a long day, but that you’ve always get a warm welcome at your favorite coffee spot. This is the kind of smart marketing that builds lasting relationships.
Get On Point with Your Branding Swag!
Consistently working with a professional in the promo products biz means that you’ll have a partner who knows how to immediately spot trends and items that would work great with your brand. In that sense, you can think of On Point as your own personal marketing shopper!
To get started on finding the right marketing theme and items for your own unique industry, just send us a message or call (317) 762-4309. We love brainstorming with our clients to find the perfect solution to your branding needs. Together, we’ll find the practical (yet fun) solutions to make your items memorable—and profitable—for your business.
Your company might have a great logo, but you’ve got to be careful about how you use it—especially with your promo items. Don’t let your marketing budget go to waste on a bad investment. Not all promotional products are created equal, but you can follow our list of Do’s and Don’ts. These practices will definitely help you make the most of your new promo swag!
It’s always a good idea to be thoughtful with your gifts. Just because you like a certain product doesn’t mean that your customers or clients will feel the same way. A pediatric dentist, for example, may want to use promotional items that are more kid-friendly. Giving away insulated mugs with your logo can be a great way to stay top-of-mind for young families that live close to your office. These items are nice because they have a smaller size that’s good for children.
Your customers may not be too keen on wearing your company’s logo. Instead, give your employees apparel that’s branded to your business. Having a formal uniform is great for service professionals making house calls. Of course, you can always use branded apparel for employee appreciation gifts, too. These company jackets come in lots of colors. Why not treat your team to a new fleece with an embroidered logo?
The best promo items for your business might change from season to season, so remember to plan accordingly. Passing out branded umbrellas can be great during the spring golf fundraiser, but you’ll want to have other items to pass out at the end of the year for winter. Make sure your budget can accommodate a variety of promotional products. Otherwise, all of your marketing dollars will be stuck in one basket!
Maintaining consistency is of the utmost importance when it comes to building your brand. Don’t let your logo or font get mismatched. The details on your promotional items should look the same as what you use for your website and other print pieces. Using different colors (or worse—blurry logo images) won’t show your company in its best light. Review all of your product closely to make sure they all look right.
You can make the most of trade show events by offering certain promotional products in exchange for something in return. Consider investing in a more “luxury” giveaway item to attract more attention. These eco-friendly flash drives are especially popular, and make for a great “reward” for people who sign up for your newsletter or follow your company on social media after visiting your trade show booth.
Whatever you do, don’t struggle with promotional items all on your own! We’ve been in the industry for years, so we have the experience to know what does (and doesn’t) work for different businesses and events. Work with On Point Promotions to get premium, quality products—as well as the insider knowledge on how to use them effectively! Together, we’ll customize the best items to promote your brand in an engaging way with good ROI.
Companies who want to stand out know that a basic pen or branded notepad are great for small occasions. But for the extra-special events, you need to get creative. Trade shows and other seasonal corporate events are the perfect time to update your promotional swag.
Think: Productivity for Business Events
If you have a booth at an event that’s focused on small business or business development, you want to cater to what busy business owners need. Getting your logo in their line of sight can be a huge win for your brand recognition. That’s why useful desk items can be great promotional swag at business events!
We like these colorful cube memo holders because they’re a great eye-catcher for tradeshow booths. Choose a hue that’s right for your logo, and then attach a business card on top. Your connections can then use it as a desk ornament for their own reminders or a cute family photo. Items that help tidy up workspaces are great for productivity. And that goes hand-in-hand with the audience at these types of events.
Think: Conservation for Community Events
Events in your local community will have a different focus. If you’re looking to connect with homeowners, you might do better thinking along a “green” theme that’s focused on eco-friendly conservation. Items that can get daily use for active families can be smart picks.
Think: Practicality for Golf Events
Fundraisers and other golf course events are always a hit for promotional products. Sometimes, sticking with the classics really is the best course of action. Practical promotional swag is sure to be kept and used. Plus, you know golf-theme items will be appropriate for the audience.
Instead of branded visors or ball markers, we often prefer utilizing the golf balls themselves for business promotions. These golf balls even come with their own box, which helps make each piece really feel like a gift. And if you have any leftovers from the event, they’ll be easy to store and use at next year’s golf outing. The best items never go out of style. With these types of company promos, you know you’ve got a hole in one.
Customize Your Products with On Point!
With limitless options for your promotional products, it can often be hard to know where to start. Fortunately, On Point Promotions and Embroidery is here to help! We love helping clients find the perfect promotional swag for their upcoming events.
You want your items to be memorable, but first you have to think about setting. What will make sense for the area, and what will be different from others in the room? Paying attention to the types of people who will be at your event is key. Let us help you think through all of your options—with less stress, and more fun.
At On Point, we know how to customize products to fit and elevate your brand. With our expertise, your company can make a great impact at any event. Please contact us today to get started on your promotional item design process. Together, we’ll help you get a great ROI with your new products, which can lead to some fantastic new clients and connections!
by On Point Promotions | March 6, 2018 | Blog
Selecting the perfect branded promo item can feel like an impossible task for any business owner or marketing manager. You want your next trade show event or other marketing initiative to be a hit, but how do you know if your premiums are right for your brand? Following these tips can help you make a sound, long-term investment.
1. Choose a Premium that is Thoughtful and Practical
As you shop around for the best promotional items, you must remember this rule: The products are not for you—they’re for your customers! While you’ll still want to make sure your final premium gets your “seal of approval,” choose something your audience would actually use.
This might vary depending on whether you’re getting in touch with a prospect or a current customer, too. If your company primarily serves homeowners, for example, you might do better giving something that relates to their family, instead of a practical office item. These branded promo beach towels are a great way to get people’s attention, and families will love using them as they head to the pool in the summer or take a fun trip to the lake or beach.
2. Select a Marketing Item that is Used Repeatedly
In addition to utility, you also want to give your clients marketing items that will be used regularly. Pens and notepads are great, but to really stand out from the crowd, consider following a tech-friendly theme.
Staying top-of-mind is easy when you put your brand in plain sight. The latest cell phone accessories are a smart balance for a thoughtful, high-use promotional item. There are a variety cell phone chargers and sleeves to choose from, but we especially like microfiber cloths. These handy items are sure to get repeated use! A solid color for your microfiber cloth helps keep costs down, giving you a great ROI for brand awareness.
3. Use a Branded Promo with Direct Marketing
Lastly, it helps if you can work your promos into a current (or upcoming) marketing campaign. You don’t have to wait for the next trade show to get in touch with new customers! Let your audience know you appreciate them by offering a choice item as part of your seasonal sales event, company rebrand, anniversary, or other marketing engagement.
Newsletters and other direct marketing campaigns get more exciting when you add in a special gift. You can even let your customers choose the item they want most. That way, you won’t be wasting money on promos. People will naturally pick what they’ll use, which makes your offer feel even more personalized.
Find a Good Vendor—that’s On Point!
It’s easier to sort through your branded promo options when you have an expert on your side. Think outside of the box by teaming up with a premiums pro. On Point Promotions and Embroidery can be your one-stop shop for great pieces to enhance your brand and customer base. Together, we’ll find the perfect items for your upcoming sales goals!
To get started, give On Point a call at 317-762-4309. We’d be more than happy to talk with you about your options. When it comes to promos, the possibilities are endless, but we’ll help you find the items that will really knock it out of the park.
Do you remember when computers were still considered “new” and email was just starting to go mainstream? Remember the thrill you felt, that little zing of electricity that ran through your body when you heard, “You’ve got mail!” through the computer speakers?
Yes, go ahead, admit it, you ran to the computer just to see who sent you a message. It WAS exciting this new way of communicating.
So fast forward to today.
Now you groan at that little number, often in the thousands, that sits above the email icon on your computer or phone. You know there are way more emails than you will ever open. A lot of them go the way of the old-time junk mail – discarded without ever being opened.
In addition, you still pluck the envelopes out of your old-fashioned mailbox and probably groan about the bills (if you still get paper bills) and junk mail. How often do you get an envelope or note from someone? And, if that day does arrive, how does it make you feel? Of course, if they are handwritten notes and addressed to you, you open it. Is it that electric zing you feel, or a warm feeling that someone took the time to send you a card or note?
What does that tell you?
Keep your correspondence positive and upbeat. Let the recipient know, with handwritten notes, that you were thinking specifically of them when you saw, heard, or read something and wanted to share it with them.
It doesn’t take long to create handwritten notes; three or four sentences and their mailing address is probably in your contacts list on your phone. Be productive and take advantage of some of these times when you could squeeze in a note or two:
There are always tiny snatches of time you can capture for note-writing and if you keep a stash of cards in your planner or notebook, you will have what you need right at hand.
Branded cards keep your business top of mind because not only is the message appreciated, so is the contact and other information you include on the card. At On Point Promotions & Embroidery we are always on top of great ways to efficiently and effectively help you operate and market your business. Branded greeting cards used with handwritten notes are one product that helps you do two things at once:
Branded greeting cards can be customized to suit your business, products, and services. And here at On Point Promotions, we can help you get exactly what you want and need. Call us today at 317-762-4309. Let’s get those lines of communication open and working for you!
Lots of people have some misconceptions and preconceived notions when it comes to T-shirts to be used as pieces of promotional and marketing apparel. There is a lot more you can do with tees than what might first come to mind. In fact, used creatively, T-shirts can be one of the biggest hits for your marketing and provide an ROI you never expected.
The common use for T-shirts
First thought for many who are thinking of ordering T-shirts is as giveaways with your logo emblazoned across the chest or over the heart. When you think about it, besides for lounging around, why would any of your customers or prospects be excited about wearing your marketing apparel? If you don’t mind your brand being associated with Saturday morning chores and yard work, then you are right on track. Go for it.
If that doesn’t make you want to shell out the cost of branded T-shirts, then let’s take a moment to rethink what you are doing and how to best get the marketing bang for your buck.
Turn T-shirts into marketing gold
Here at On Point Promotions & Embroidery, we know of several creative uses for tees. Here are five of the best ideas we have found that might make you tingle for tees.
Taglines, art, and mascots – Why do people wear tees? Most often it’s because of the message; something that makes others think, smile, or start a conversation. Remember these messages that were on T-shirts from big brands:
Think also about the bands and music groups with the fantastic artwork on albums that morphed into T-shirts.
Do you have a tagline, quirky logo, or mascot that would make someone stop and take a second look? Does your mascot have a comment or tagline always associated with it? Think Tony the Tiger and his, “Greeeaaat!” All of these things might be great fodder for give-away T-shirts.
If you don’t have a tagline, mascot, or art established, that doesn’t mean you are without other options.
Inspirational sayings and quotes – If you have any doubt how much people like inspirational sayings, just scroll through your Facebook feed or spend a little time on Pinterest. Inspirational sayings and quotes light up people’s eyes. The saying or quote could have a connection to your product or service, your customer service, or your company vision or mission.
Can’t you see people wearing a shirt with your company name on it if it said:
A T-shirt with “if you’re gonna do it, really do it” could be just the motivation someone would like to share and if your logo and name are included on the shirt … you are on your way to marketing sweetness.
Or, you could select a variety of sayings and create shirts that are consistent with your brand – in messaging and design. For instance, a flower shop or landscaper might have T-shirts with the following messages:
Humor and fun – Everyone can always enjoy a laugh and sometimes laughter is the best connections between people. Consider sharing your sense of humor with branded T-shirts. How about:
How about a little sarcasm? Yes, you will have to exercise some caution when it comes to sarcasm, because it can be polarizing and that’s the last thing you want to make your potential customers feel. But a sarcastic message can also bring a smile or smirk to a face.
Help your team stand out at events
Are T-shirts just for giveaways? The answer is a resounding no. In fact, some suggest that the best reason to have branded T-shirts is for your staff and employees. Instead of the branded golf or polo shirt at your next event, have those manning the booth all decked out in a customized line of branded T-shirts in bold colors. Remember, marketing and advertising is so that you and your business STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD, not blends into the masses. Choose a bright color, a bold statement, and, if it is remarkable, have some on hand to give away, too.
Other great marketing ideas …
A few companies will include a special T-shirt in with an order. Other companies have sent T-shirts as a thank-you for completing questionnaires, surveys, and signing up for trial runs of products and services. In fact, when the T-shirt reflects your brand, it could be the defining reason for the interaction. Some business owners have sent out a T-shirt with a personal note after meeting someone new. Of course, these aren’t T-shirts with the name of your business and logo on them, they are designed especially for the purpose – and stand out in a sea of run-of-the-mill T-shirts.
Pay attention to the message on your shirt, the color, the fonts, the look, and feel – make the T-shirt special, use it in a special way, and make the person receiving it feel special. Contact us at On Point Promotions and Embroidery to learn more about how T-shirts can work magic for your business.
The New Year always brings lots of new ideas and energy to small businesses. It’s a breath of fresh air and a great time to refresh your brand! A brand refresh is good for employee morale, existing customers, and may help attract new customers and clients, too.
A brand refresh doesn’t always have to be huge changes. But it could include varying degrees of modifications in all sorts of areas:
Be sure to include plans for uniform updates, too, especially if you are adding in or changing brand colors. Staying consistent with your brand throughout the company is always a basic foundation, so you will want your employees to reflect any changes.
Regularly refresh employee apparel – even if the brand is staying the same
That being said, even if you aren’t doing a brand refresh and changing styles and colors, you will want to take a look at the CONDITION of your employee’s work wear. Is it looking tired? If so, it’s probably time to place a new order and getting everyone’s appearance looking crisp, clean and tidy in the New Year.
As well as tying in with the New Year, employers should consider putting work wear review on the calendar every 6 months or quarter. Uniforms are worn by hard working people, so they take a beating. That being said, you want your employees to represent the business with a clean, neat and tidy appearance.
One of the ways that employers keep employee apparel looking good is providing shirts, pants, jackets and all in styles and fabrics that will be comfortable as the temperatures change with the seasons.
There is variety and quality available in branded apparel for employees
For summer wear, On Point offers casual wear in the form of t-shirts, golf shirts, and even shorts. Keeping employees comfortable in warm temperatures indoors and outdoors keeps them productive.
When it comes to fall and winter, we have flannel and fleece apparel that not only looks good, but keeps the chills away. Not just for employees, On Point Promotions and Embroidery can help you provide toasty warmth with hats, ear warmers, gloves, scarves, jackets, and coats all complete with your business branding embroidered to match your colors, design, and logo.
The best, and most welcome, part for employers is that the suppliers providing the apparel are vetted for quality and value by On Point. You will get the best product available for the budget you have. We make sure of it.
It’s important for business that you keep your brand fresh and up-to-date. It’s important for your employees that they have apparel that is fresh, comfortable and good-looking. Contact On Point Promotions for all the branded apparel needs for your business. It’s a great way for you and your employees to step into the New Year – crisp, colorful, and looking good!
When you’re looking for good, creative marketing solutions, it’s always nice to have products that serve a practical purpose. Staying top of mind for your customers is easy when you can share custom calendars with them!
Every month, they’ll be subtly reminded of your great service as they use your calendar. It’s a fantastic way to keep in front of your customers all year long. Plus, with so many customizable options, it’s easy to find the style that’s picture-perfect for your brand.
There are a few ways to give a new calendar with your customers. Sharing products in-person is usually best, but there are a variety of custom calendars that can easily be mailed to your top clients during for the New Year. And On Point Promotions can help you find the calendar style and type that fits you, and your clients, perfectly.
Attractive calendar cards can easily be tucked into a seasons’ greetings holiday card or a Happy New Year Card that you’re already sending to clients. These sleek z-fold calendars extend to a neat display to hand on your clients’ refrigerator or in the office. They even come with white envelopes for mailing! You can also slip a larger card into your client’s materials when they leave your office. These options are great for professional services of all kinds. Vet clinics, bankers, real estate agents—you name it!
For other professionals, a calendar that serves multiple purposes might be the way to go. These nifty Sticky Notes Deluxe pocket calendars come with a set of square notes, as well as colorful arrows that work great for industries with paperwork and signatures. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a law firm or a mortgage lender—your logo will look great with this gold-plate engraving. And your clients will surely appreciate the extra-effort.
A tent calendar is the perfect size for the front desk or just about any office space. Choose the image theme that best suits you and your clients—from puppies and kittens, to relaxing beach scenes. Your clients can easily flip through the calendar as they’re booking their next appointment. And if you keep a stack of your branded calendars at the front, they’ll probably be tempted to take one home.
Executive desk pads are also making a comeback. For notes of all sizes, these wide-spread calendars are a great solution for employees as well as clients. Having a clear visual for the important dates and assignments for the weeks and months ahead helps every office run smoothly. And since it lays flat on your desk, it becomes a lot easier to jot down notes that a hanging calendar that’s on the other side of the room.
Having branded company items around your office goes a long way for emphasizing company pride and a strong corporate culture. Why settle for a basic set or pens or paper when you can truly make it your own with custom printing? There a literally thousands of options to choose from. Let On Point Promotions help you find your perfect fit.
For orders both large and small, Shelley Allen at On Point is here to help. Together, we’ll create a great piece to help market your company every day in 2018. It’s never too early to start planning.
By finalizing your design details now, we’ll be sure to have plenty of time to get your custom calendars printed and delivered well before the New Year. Contact On Point today to get started. We look forward to hearing from you!
Golf outings are a popular time to get together as an organization. Whether you’re celebrating your company’s success or helping to support a local non-profit, you’ll want to find a great way for guests to remember the event.
Working with an advertising specialist can help you find the products you need to stand out. That’s where On Point Promotions & Embroidery comes in! With so many options for golf promotional items, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Check out a few of our favorites to get started:
It’s always a good idea to give your golfers a way to cool off, but water bottles and drink coolers are a little overused for golf promo products. Instead, consider giving your guests a personal handy fan. These little gadgets are perfect for sunny days on the golf course!
These items are smart for golf outings because your attendees can use them time and time again. You can bet they’ll take their fan out when teeing up later in the season – or when they feel the heat at work! And when they do—your logo will be there, reminding them of the fun round of golf they had with you a few weeks back and the way your business can help their business.
Choosing hats or visors for your guests can sometimes get expensive for giveaways. Most golfers will be coming to your event with their own gear, anyway. Everyone has their own fit and style, but hat clips give you a great opportunity to help them accessorize.
Ball markers are smart promo items for golf outings. And markers that double as attractive hat clips? That’s even better! We like these golf hat clips from Finish Line because they’re high quality and can be made with custom shapes.
Items that have a practical, long-term application are usually your best bet when it comes to promotional products. But it’s nice to have a little fun with your giveaways, too! These pencil tip golf tees offer the best of both worlds. They’re an easy piece to add to golf tournament gift bags, and they’re sure to put a smile on the faces of recipients.
You get lots of customizable options with these products. Choose from natural bamboo for the tee, or select the paint color that matches your organization. Detailed imprinting with your company name adds the finishing touch.
Nerves can run high in any sport. Even if you’re just playing for fun! Help your golfers de-stress and blow off steam with a quirky, squishy golf ball. These stress relievers are perfectly-suited to golf outings. And if your roster is full of avid golfers, they’ll be sure to keep this item around when they finish their game.
Standard printing on these golf ball stress relievers from Targetline comes with one color and one position. Want to make a bigger impact with your item? A slight cost increase lets you double-up on logos or colors.
The right sponsorships and promotional products will help your next golf outing be a grand success! If you need help creating a custom piece for your next tournament or event, call On Point Promotions & Embroidery. Send us a message to start the collaboration process. We’ll help you bring your marketing ideas to life!
Let’s go back to the original call from the beginnings of Earth Day – Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! As citizens, manufacturers, and businesses, we promote efforts to sustain and improve the environment, so let’s demonstrate our intentions with our marketing, too. On Point Promotions & Embroidery can help you with that.
Show your customers that you support the effort – in fact, make it so everyone knows! Give your customers grocery tote bags – with your name and logo emblazoned on the front, of course. The bags stay in their vehicles and enter their shopping venues and homes on a regular basis. The bags from one of our preferred vendors, Kool Pak, are the large sized ones that are sturdy and recyclable once worn out.
You can move a step up and provide your customers with insulated grocery totes from Kool Pak, too.
They have a front pocket, zipper closing, and best of all, have hard bottom inserts so they stand up nicely. Even they are recyclable and come in a wide variety of bright colors. This is a promotional item your client will keep and use. That means your business stays in front of them, too.
Saving the environment is not always about trash, or eliminating trash. Sometimes being environmentally-minded is about adding something to the environment that is not just useful, but beautiful. Preserving meadows, prairie lands, wetlands, and other geospheres keeps the earth’s living things in balance. Plants clean the air, bees who feast on the nectar from blossoms pollinate our food and yes, create that sweet honey.
So by adding something to our backyards, pots in front of our doors, and in garden beds, we contribute. That’s why the seed products from American Greenwood can speak volumes to your customers. Their products are made with paper embedded with wildflower seeds. So when the item has been used up, it can simply be planted. The material from which it is made is biodegradable and the seeds will settle into the soil and sprout up.
Products vary from bookmarks to coasters to business cards and wristbands! Of course, you can also get packages of seeds (including vegetables), greeting cards, and postcards, too.
Your logo and greeting is printed on the items along with a note explaining that the item can be "planted." While a portion of the card or bookmark may be buried, the resulting plants will be an ongoing reminder – and experience. And you and your business will be remembered for that experience.
One of the biggest environmental problems we face globally is the disposal of tires. They don’t break down in the landfills or giant piles around the world. They just create mounds of places for rodents and insects to live and proliferate. They produce a health hazard as well as a disposal predicament. But, you can show that you support the earth, as well as the solutions we all need by offering products made from discarded tires.
No, the products aren’t stinky or dirty. In fact, Americanna products turn the problem product upside down. They offer things like tire coasters that are an item that will remain on desktops, in cup holders in vehicles, and on top of conference room tables for ages! And, of course, your branding, your message, and your business will remain right there with the item, too.
The tire coasters can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. From geometric shapes to sports, animals or even a CFL bulb, you can find a shape fits into your industry. There’s even a splat to show you have a sense of humor!
Another product make from discarded products is the recycled tired key tags from Americanna. This company has the environment in mind with all its products. The key tag is sturdy, backed with recycled tire material and is perfect to keep your business brand in the hand, purse or pocket of your customers. You not only say the environment is important, you show your commitment through the promotional products you give.
Promotional products reflect who you are
While it's fun to go to the festivals and carnivals throughout the year, all the plastic toys and tchotchkes aren’t necessarily what you want on your desk or at home. The same goes for trade shows, business booths, and other events and giveaways. Promotional items are products you want to give your clients and prospects that reflect who you are. Sometimes that might be a fun, inexpensive item to make them smile. It might be a treat to get them through the drudgery of an afternoon. But every item you choose should have a purpose behind it – and you should know that it will reflect you and your business.
That’s why promotional items are not limited – by anything! You want the products you select to give the right impression. Environmentally focused products reflect your commitment not only to the environment, but to your customers – and their future, too.
Let On Point Promotions & Embroidery help you create a great impression that will serve you well for a long time. Contact us online today or by phone at 317-762-4309.
Be exceptional. Don’t go with the run-of-the-mill booth with a table full of brochures in the front and a few sample products at the back. Change up the layout so it invites prospects into the space. Set it up so that a walkway naturally draws in curious folk. Line the walkway with your products and samples so that it feels more like a shopping experience. Perhaps divide your product lines into sections by using panels.
Pull up vertical or horizontal banners and table coverings can be used to highlight your company name and LOGO. They are not only big and bold, but also reusable for show after show. Invest in good quality materials and they can last for years. On Point Promotions has many options choices. Colorful balloons, lights, or decorations draw the eye and show your personality. Everyone likes to work with fun people—let attendees know you ARE fun!
That’s right. Wearables sporting your name and LOGO should be must-have essentials. Crisp, fresh, in the right colors and looking professional for the venue – embroidered or printed shirts, jackets, and hats—provide just the right impression you want to give. On Point Promotions & Embroidery can help you put together the image you want to reflect your business. Looking sharp and having well-prepared staff that can explain your story is a great start. Then when you can explain specifically how to implement or use your products in a way that solves your visitor’s problems, you connect and transform a visitor into a prospect. Bingo! That’s what you want.
Hold a raffle for a special give-away or have a wheel to be spun for a variety of prizes. One client added one of a pair of socks to the SWAG bag given at the door with directions to their booth to get the mate. You can do the same with gloves or anything else that comes in pairs. Other ideas include drawings for gift certificates for discounts on products, free consultations, or estimates. Who wouldn’t register for a nice portfolio, laptop or other item that ties in with your specific industry? Of course, your name and logo would be on the prize, too.
How many pens, mugs, totes, and magnets are going to be collected at the event and then just thrown in a drawer? What about water bottles, flying discs, and yo-yo’s? You know where they end up, don’t you?
Don’t relegate your business to a dark, dusty drawer, or worse, the round file. No, you want space on a desk, in a purse or pocket. You want to offer that “thing” your prospects keep at hand. Consider items that are special and useful:
Consider some special prizes that will really impress like:
And the best part, your name, LOGO, and contact information are printed right on these items. On Point Promotions & Embroidery can work with you and your budget to find the promotional items to make your booth a real stand-out at the show and in the mind of attendees days after the show closes.
Yes, you want every visitor to learn about your products and services. But you and I both know they aren’t going to be able to absorb everything about your business and what you can do in the few minutes they visit your exhibit.
Have brochures and printed materials ready to send with them. As part of your incentive plan, offer potential new customers a small reward for connecting with you on your social media channels immediately at the show. If you have a creative idea, or want something that brings to mind your industry, On Point Promotions can help you make the reward real.
Display a QR code to be scanned by smart phones right there on the trade show floor. Have a computer available where they can subscribe to your information newsletter. Provide a signup sheet (or raffle entry) that requires their email and phone contact information. Capture the information so you can connect to follow-up later.
A trade show only lasts for a few exciting days and it is filled with lots of information, ideas, new people and products. Make it possible for visitors to remember you and your business with creative and effective ideas and promotional items. Our philosophy at On Point Promotions & Embroidery is to help you set yourself apart from the competition and keep your business top-of-mind.
Contact On Point Promotions & Embroidery as soon as you decide to be a part of your next trade show. Together we can make it memorable – and profitable!