Promotional Gifts - Build Your Brand and Attract New Customers

Do you have a promotional merchandise plan in place for this Christmas? A recent study by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) offered a few reasons why you might want to if you do not.

The study suggested that 83% of the people asked liked receiving promotional gifts. From experience I think this figure could be higher. That said, there isn't anything wrong with putting a smile on the face of 83% of your customers is there!

The study also suggested that 58% of those questioned actually kept their gifts from one to five years. That is a lot of free advertising time for you and your brand.

Let's look at which gifts are proven brand builders. There are a lot of them and way too many to mention in one article but stick with me here. What is it that you use in your home or office every day?

Chances are you will have a good quality pen, a favourite mug, a clock or two and a few other popular desktop products. You have these products because they make your day to day life either easier or at least more enjoyable.

These are the types of promotional gifts you should be giving to your customers. Good quality pens, even plastic promotional pens can easily last for up to a year. Nice quality desk alarm clocks and sturdy earthenware mugs have much longer lifespans.

Low cost promotional gifts are perfect for promotions throughout the year. You can easily send promotional stress balls, rulers, notepads and printed plastic paperclips out with your direct mail shots and even invoices. These useful products keep you brand and contact details in front of your important customers at a fraction of the price of other marketing strategies.

Higher quality brand name metal gift pens, crystal desk clocks and crystal paperweights are extra special gifts that are usually given to customers in person to thank them for their custom. These gifts have a much longer shelf life and have the potential to promote your brand for many years.

Don't forget your top employees. Almost everyone enjoys receiving promotional items so they are ideal used as employee incentives and appreciation gifts.

Have you ever received a promotional gift from a supplier that you still have after many years? A gift like that is perhaps the perfect gift for your top clients. Would you care to share your ideas, favourite gifts or experiences by leaving a comment here?

For more information on promoting your business with promotional merchandise and other low cost marketing methods, please visit my daily promotional gifts blog.

Dan Toombs is Managing Director of CompuGift Limited, one of the UK's leading online suppliers of promotional gifts.