subject: Implementing marketing merchandise to grow a business base [print this page] Implementing marketing merchandise to grow a business base
The U.S. economy is slowly attempting to make its recovery from the depths of recession, and entity owners are, as always, looking at ways to draw customers to their businesses. Word of mouth has always been a good tool, but is unreliable. Marketing works, but with rates for newspapers, radio and the Internet climbing regularly, traditional uses of getting the name of a entity out there are becoming unattainable for many.
While there are many tactics available to help company owners expand their customer bases, there is one that has been proven successful time and time again: using freebie merchandise. Promotional materials are things such as pens, pencils, key rings, note pads, mugs, tote bags, candy or larger gifts imprinted with your company logo. These items are given as a free gift to people for making a purchase, visiting a booth at a trade show or even for just stopping in a store to take a look around.
Some of the most popular advertising merchandise are pens and pencils, post-it notes, sports bags and aluminum sports bottles. These and other items can be bought online for very low rates and passed on to people for returns that have the potential to expand far beyond a store's front doors. To make this work, a company owner should brainstorm ideas and products his or her customers would appreciate. An office supply store, for example, might do well offering its client's pens, pencils or note pads imprinted with the brand name. A children's apparel store could have a day where every consumer receives a tote bag printed with the corporation name. The project will cost money, but the corporation should reap the reward of a larger customer base for its troubles.
But how does a simple tote bag or pen bring a larger consumer base? An imprinted pen is a mighty advertising tool. The consumer who visits a store and receives a free pen with the brand name printed on it will likely hold onto that pen. He or she will use that pen when out and about, and others will see the name of the company on the pen. Some will ask where the pen came from, or what the name of the company on the pen does.
In short, advertising products will get the name of a corporation out into the world, far beyond its own doors. Getting the name of a organization into the mind of new people is a sure way to help expand client base.
