Handing out promotional giveaways at your display is a great way to make a positive impression. However, you simply can’t hand out any sort of trinket. You need to select a promotional item that your audience will find valuable and want to keep. According to a Promotional Products Association International study, using giveaways strongly correlates with customer acquisition and retention. Please note that this study found a correlation, not direct causation. The study found that companies that distributed effective promotional giveaways saw an 11% increase in new sales. Furthermore, repeat business rose from 55% to 85%!
Naturally, promotional products can get pricey if you plan to give them out to every prospect. Thankfully, there are a ton of promotional items that you can choose from that won’t break the bank. The key to earning the most visibility from your budget is to select promotional items that your prospects and customers will use on a regular basis around their homes and office.
Selecting an Effective Promotional Giveaway
When scrolling through the promotional giveaway website, you need to ask the following questions:
- Does the item align with your company and/or product?
- Do the items you want to purchase fit within your budget?
- Can you easily add your logo and/or contact info to the promotional product?
- Will the provider get the product to you in time for your event?
- Is your promotional product unique?
- Is the item something that YOU would want?
Effective Promotional Giveaways
Here are a few ideas for budget-conscious businesses that want to get the most bang for their buck with their giveaways.
General Promotional Giveaways
Industry or Category Themed Items
This should be a no-brainer, but you want to select high-value promotional items that are related to the business you represent. Here are a few examples:
- Letter openers for shipping companies
- Personalized paperclips or bookmarks for a publisher
- Passport holders for travel agencies
- Erasers for divorce attorneys
- Reusable food containers for a catering company
Multi-Colored Pens
Pens are a timeless giveaway for good reason. They’re useful, last a long time and people can share them. They’re also wicked easy for exhibitors to pack and ship for use at trade shows. You can take the pen idea to the next level and make your mark with multiple color options. Select a model that offers the standard black, blue, and red ink – or you can stray from the norm and use your brand colors. If your logo is green and purple, offer a multi-color pen with black, green, and purple.
Provide a Sample of Your Product
If you sell something that isn’t reusable, such as beverages or other edibles, let your prospects sample your product for themselves. Nicely packaged candies, coffee pods, or single-serve macaroons are great treats to give everyone who visits your booth a chance to experience your product. If you work this the right way, your prospects will love your product and order more via your website.
Portable Promotional Products
Pocket Flashlight
Aluminum flashlights that feature your company name and contact info are easy to carry in a pocket or glove box. Every time your prospects use them, they see your logo, which promotes awareness of your brand.
Portable Charger or Adapter
Today’s consumers crave portable chargers for phones and tablets. I mean, who doesn’t appreciate a reliable backup power source for your electronic devices when you’re on the go? While they’re more expensive than most promotional items, you can share them with select, high-opportunity prospects and loyal customers. Make sure your logo and contact info is printed or etched so it is clearly visible whenever your prospect or customer uses it.
Pocket First Aid Kit
Pocket first aid kits typically have a plastic or nylon casing where you can prominently display your logo and contact information. These on-the-go kits often include adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, first-aid tape, gauze, etc.
Practical Promotional Products
Magnifier Lens
If you cater to older prospects, a magnifier lens is the golden standard of promotional products. Your prospects and customers will always keep it with them in their wallets or purses. It’s important that you understand that this promotional product is only effective if your target audience has a use for it. You can include your logo, tagline, and contact information on the handle.
Screen Cleaner & Microfiber Cloth
Mobile phones, tablets, and laptop screens constantly need cleaning. Providing prospects with a quality microfiber cloth with your logo on it, along with a spray cleaner, provides an easy way for them to rid their devices of grime and finger smudges. The spray cleaner and microfiber cloth usually come together as a kit for promotional purposes. Your prospects and customers will likely use them on a regular basis and they’ll see your logo every time they clean their screens.
Pocket-Size Hand Sanitizer
A small bottle of hand sanitizer imprinted with your logo is a budget-friendly giveaway that everyone will hold onto and use. Furthermore, every time your prospects and customers sanitize their hands, your branding will be front and center.
Phone Wallet or Cardholder
Phone accessories are among the most sought-after promotional items. A phone wallet or cardholder with your logo that sticks to the back of mobile devices provides a constant reminder of your company name. Furthermore, your prospects and customers will see your branding whenever they reach for their phones.
Insulated Tumbler
Everybody needs a vessel to take their morning cup of coffee along with them. However, any random cup usually isn’t up to the task. You need something that will keep your coffee hot and not spill. Giving away attractive, insulated tumblers (with a lid) that feature your logo serves as a frequent reminder of your company and contact information.
Closing Thoughts
There are literally countless other effective promotional giveaway items that you can customize. The key is to take the time to study and truly understand your target audience and their needs. Consider what kind of stuff they carry with them on a regular basis. You also want your promotional product to be beneficial or amusing. Lastly, you need to evaluate what promotional products you’ve used in the past and how your prospects and customers responded.
