Promotional gifts are free items that companies give away to help people learn about their brand, products, or services. These gifts can be items like t-shirts, hats, pens, or keychains with the company’s name or logo on them. They are a low-cost technique to promote a brand and can help it stand out from the competition. Giving away promotional gifts can be beneficial in several ways. It can help to:
Strengthen customer relationships, increase sales, improve brand image, and enhance employee relations.
A study found that giving out promotional items can make people more likely to do business with the company that gave them the item. One-third of the people surveyed said they were more likely to do business with the company after receiving the item. Recipients not only recalled the sponsor’s name, but they also felt more positive about the advertiser. Read on to find out the 12 tips for selecting the most effective promotional items.
1) Highlight the goal of the promotional gifts
Your campaign should begin with your objectives. What do you hope to achieve with your branded promotional gifts? Do you want to enhance your brand’s visibility in a particular market? Do you want to boost customer loyalty? Or are you attempting to stir people’s interest in your new business?
A clear goal will help you figure out who you want to target, the sort of product to use, and the budget for your campaign. For example, if your goal is to increase your brand awareness. You can share many low-cost promotional gifts to reach a larger audience. But if your goal is to improve customer loyalty, you can give customized, high-end promotional items to a smaller group of clients.
2) Define your target audience
Before you start looking for promotional items, you need to know who you are trying to reach. Consider the age, hobbies, gender, and buying habits of your target audience. This will help you choose items that are important and appealing to them. For example, if your target audience is young adults who enjoy outdoor activities, you might consider t-shirts made from cotton. A polo shirt or button-down shirt will be a better fit if your target audience is professional and business-oriented individuals. Knowing who your target audience is and what they like can help you choose the perfect promotional gift. This, in turn, can give you the best return on your investment for your marketing campaign.
3) Create a plan
Time is one of the most ignored aspects of promotional product planning. While some orders can be delivered within a week, most orders take longer to complete. To ensure you and your supplier have enough time to create and deliver the item, it’s important to plan. Keep in mind that the manufacturing and shipping periods vary depending on the item. Always let your supplier know in advance to avoid issues as the deadline approaches.
4) Check the items’ materials and branding requirements
Printing and engraving are two common methods for branding items. The materials used to create different items determine the branding method used.
What effect does this have on you?
Certain branding techniques are more durable than others. Choose items made of high-quality materials that are sturdy and long-lasting. This ensures that your promotional items last long enough to leave a good brand impression over time.
5) Align with your brand’s value
Your promotional items should be in line with the values of your brand. Choose items that convey the personality and messaging of your business. This will help reinforce your brand in the minds of your customers. For example, a brand that cares about the environment might want to share promotional clothing items made from biodegradable fabrics. This way, they can show their commitment to sustainability. They could even put their logo and messages on the clothes to help spread the word about their cause.
6) Personalize your items
Adding a personal touch to promotional items can improve their relevance, brand recognition, and perceived value with your target audience. You may make a marketing plan that works better and sticks in people’s minds by including personalized messaging, unique names or monograms, bespoke graphics, or exclusive content. This promotes brand awareness and loyalty. For example, a sports brand personalizing their items with workout tips, and a coffee company with individual names or messages of appreciation. This helps to build brand awareness among your target audience.
7) Be Mindful of Your Budget
It’s important to pick a promotional gift that is within your budget. Keep in mind that the relevance and use of the gift to the recipient define its worth, not its cost. According to most business experts, marketing should account for 5% to 10% of total income. Promotional clothing can be a great option for marketing because it is less expensive than other methods, making it an attractive strategy that gets results without costing a fortune. It permits you to personalize your products and make them as relevant as possible for your team or customers. Promotional clothing can also be a great investment for your business because people tend to wear clothes often. This means that your brand will be seen more often, giving you long-lasting advertising value.
8) Choose a Reliable Supplier
When creating promotional gifts, you must choose a reliable supplier. It takes a lot to develop great promotional items, and if you don’t use a reliable supplier, you could end up with poor-quality products that don’t position your brand well.
9) Consider the season and location
While selecting promotional gifts, it is crucial to keep the season and location in mind because various seasons often trigger different emotions, demands, and behaviors in individuals. Clothing items are a popular option for promotional gifts throughout the holiday season since they are practical and functional. For example, thicker and warmer clothes, such as jackets, hoodies, scarves, and gloves, would be more suited as promotional gifts during the winter months. However, in the summer, lighter apparel such as t-shirts, tank tops, and shorts would be more suitable.
10) Ensure that your logo is consistent throughout
A basic rule of marketing is to keep your message consistent on all your promotional items. Hence, if you choose to add your company’s logo to the gifts, ensure the design is consistent throughout them. To do this, you should establish strict visual branding requirements for all graphic designers working across your organization. These rules should include authorized versions of your logo, as well as specific instructions on how and when these graphics can (and cannot) be used.
11) Get Feedback:
Asking your customers what they think of your promotional gift can help you see how well it worked and how you can improve it in the future. This can also help you learn more about the people you’re trying to reach. By considering feedback, you can improve the visibility and reputation of your business. You can do this by asking for feedback via an online survey or by following up with clients upon receiving their gift.
12) Consider the mode of distribution
While choosing a promotional gift, keep the distribution mode, cost, and time in mind. Distribution mode refers to how the gift will be delivered. This affects the type of gift that can be given, the cost of the gift, and the timing of delivery. For instance, if the item is to be shipped, it should be lightweight and durable. If the gift is to be given in person, it can be more substantial.
The price of the gift should also be taken into account as the mode of distribution could have an impact on it. The price may need to be changed if shipping or handling costs are involved. If the distribution mode is at an event, the cost may be less since shipping or handling expenses will not be involved.
Time is also important. If the present is to be given at an event, it should be prepared ahead of time to guarantee that adequate gifts are available for all guests. If the gift is to be delivered through the mail, it should be sent in time to arrive before the event or promptly to make an impact.
Final thought
In conclusion, choosing the right promotional gifts is essential for the success of your marketing campaigns. One of the most underrated yet powerful forms of promotional advertising is branded clothing. When combined with a high-quality shirt, jacket, or headwear, your company-branded gift may quickly become your customer’s favorite item.
At Wahyu Garment, we have an exciting range of promotional clothing items such as hoodies, polo shirts, jackets, round necks, and shirts. They can be branded with your designs and logos to ensure that its unique to your organization.
