Welcome to the 8th Edition NewsAlert from Promotional Merchandise USA

Best Practices for a New Year

26 Ways to Establish Yourself as an Expert

No matter what kind of business you're in, you are an expert in something. One powerful way to grow your business is to become known for what you do best. Because experts are the go-to people for services and products, establishing yourself as an expert gives you an edge over the competition, generates interest from prospects and builds loyalty with clients.

Read on and follow these strategies in order to elevate your expert status!

A Gift of Good Business

The right present can be worth its weight in gold

Everyone’s been there: a birthday or a holiday sneaks up on you, and before you know it, it’s present time. There’s nothing like gift giving to test your familiarity and comfort level in a relationship. Even in long-running partnerships, choosing the perfect gift can be a trial. But during a new connection, being on the giving end can be an especially daunting task: Will they like it? Will it be personal enough? Does the gift make a statement?

Corporate giving is no exception. And trying to navigate your clients through the process is no walk in the park, either. Countless business deals are built and closed on the interpersonal relationships surrounding them. So when it comes time for your clients to make their employees or their biggest customers feel appreciated, there better be some serious consideration going on.

Being Choosy

Though gifting is supposed to be a selfless act, in the promotional products world, it should also serve a purpose. “Business gifts that obtain desk space, such as clocks, paperweights and business-card holders are great for thank-you gifts and remember-our-company gifts,” remarks Jill Albers, brand manager for Awardcraft and Visions Awards in Celina, Ohio. “These gifts that are displayed on the recipients’ desk hold a prime location for customers to see and remember you daily.” Don’t leave this fact out when touting the value of gifts to clients. “Sell the value in the relationship and recognition you can receive from a gift,” Albers adds.

Your clients will reap the most value when the chosen gift is something the end user is excited to receive. However, it's not necessarily as simple as it sounds to identify what that is when purchasing gifts for a large number of people. “The biggest challenge is knowing your end user. Take the time to find out about the company and the recipients. A client will not be impressed if your pitch seems generic,” reports Lindsay Hoylman, a marketing specialist for Leed’s in New Kensington, Pa. “The best strategy is to take into account both what a client is trying to say and the profile of the recipient.” She suggests using a survey to ask important questions about interests and goals. That way, when you suggest a product, it won’t seem off base.

Budgeting

Don’t let clients stress about low-budget options; price may not be as important as you think, contends Denise Morgan, marketing director for Aakron, N.Y.-based Aakron Rule Corp. “An inexpensive gift can have as much reward and meaning, so even small budgets can be effective,” she says. “The thoughtfulness you put into your gift will show more than the price.” When you’re faced with a client who doesn’t think his or her gift budget is sufficient, get creative. There are plenty of gifts for $10 or less, such as choosing a nice mug, filling it with candy and attaching a special note, Morgan says.

By Debrah Bonn

Hot Off the Press

ASI Survey on Promotional Products ROI Released

ASI has released a comprehensive survey that details the cost-effectiveness of promotional products. The findings were announced for the first time yesterday during a presentation at the ASI Power Summit in Palm Beach.

Based on survey data collected, the average cost-per-impression of a promotional product is now $0.004. By comparison, traditional forms of print and broadcast advertising are more expensive per impression.

The survey also showed that 84% of end-users remember the company logo on the advertising specialty items they receive. Of those who receive wearables (jackets, pants, scarves), a full 94% remember the advertising logo and company. Almost half of end-buyers have a more favorable impression of an advertiser after receiving an item.

According to the survey, nearly one-quarter of end-users would be more likely to do business with an advertiser on a promotional product they receive. Among those who receive recognition items like awards, 75% of end-users have done business with the advertiser.

Survey results found that bags, caps, T-shirts and pens deliver the most significant impressions per month. On average, bags achieve the best results, at more than 1,000 impressions per month. Pens remain the most-owned promotional product; among those surveyed, 20% use pens more than five times per day.

~Counselor

Counselor Magazine – 2008 Power 50 List… Top Industry Leaders

Who are they? Click here to see who made the list.

Niche Opportunities from Your Peers

A Distributor Ranked in the Top 5% Goes Green & Gains Market Share

Find out more!

Custom Product Market Promotions Quickly Becoming Armed Forces Promotional Tool for the Holidays

The Custom Product Market Company is now promoting holiday sales and support of the troops overseas through their high-end promotional products and vast array of holiday gifts ready to ship anywhere the shopper chooses. With numerous gifts and promotional tools it is easy to see why this company is quickly becoming the first choice for those who wish to provide a happy holiday for their loved one serving the US. The company's desire to provide superior promotional products for existing clients, at a reasonable cost and with superior customer service, all from the comfort of the World Wide Web is matched by the desire to have www.CustomProductMarket.com become the most widely used Armed Forces support channel for promotional and holiday shopping.

Make a Big Bang – and Big Bucks – Selling to Event Planners (Grand Plans)

Parties & Events Ripe with Promo Opportunities

Everyone loves a great party — but perhaps no one loves them more than an event planner. A $500 billion-a-year industry worldwide according to Entrepreneur magazine, event planning could be a promotional gold mine. From awards, sponsor gifts and goodie bags to table favors, invitations and banners, event planners love to brand their affairs. We spoke to five planners to get the scoop on what they buy for their clients and what it would take for you to win a piece of this business.

Click here to read more.

Beneficial Tips Every Distributor Should Know About Gift Giving

"Although there’s nothing like opening a gift — the excitement of seeing what’s inside the bright box, the crinkling paper and finally having the new toy in your hands — oftentimes we end up with something that we can’t use or that we don’t like — in short, something that was not picked out with us in mind. Distributors have a tough job in this industry because many recipient groups are very diverse. The thing to remember when giving gifts is the recipient — pick something that is useful to everyone who will receive it."
- Brian Padian, vice president of inside sales for Logomark Inc. in Tustin, Calif.

"Presentation matters. Gift boxes, wrapping or giving gifts inside of a tote will impress the recipient. Half of the fun of getting a gift is unwrapping it."
- Lindsay Hoylman, marketing specialist for Leed’s in New Kensington, Pa.

"A gift shows goodwill and strengthens your bond with your employees and customers. A corporate gift should be a good representation of your company. Thought should be given. Will your gift be practical and gender appropriate?"
- Denise Morgan, marketing director for AAkron Rule Corp. in Aakron, N.Y.

"Don’t wait until the last minute to decide on a gift or award. Let your customers know the cut-off point on specific awards and/or gifts. Order early to ensure that there is plenty of time to imprint your award and work with suppliers to be able to meet your ship dates."
- Dave Kogan, marketing assistant for R.S. Owens in Chicago

"Know your target. Make sure they’ll like it and know how to use it."
- Scott Meng, marketing coordinator for KTI Promo in Houston

"When it comes to business, give something they will remember you by. You are giving to form a relationship with someone: Make it work for you."
- Jill Albers, brand manager for Awardcraft and Visions Awards in Celina, Ohio

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