subject: Using Free Merchandise As Promotional Strategy Tools Is Cost Effective [print this page] Using Free Merchandise As Promotional Strategy Tools Is Cost Effective
Recent studies are proving that using freebie gifts in advertising campaigns is one of the most cost effective ways to advertise. It is important when planning an advertising campaign to ensure that the success rate of the campaign is going to be worth the investment. After all, that is the whole idea behind advertising in the first place. There are several compelling reasons why you should consider using free gifts to promote your company or gifts.
First of all, most people tend to remember the name of the brand they received the freebie merchandise from. In comparison, far fewer people remember advertisements they see on the television or glance at in a magazine. This is even more the situation when the product received is something that is useful and used regularly. Not only do they remember the business promoted on the item but they usually also think more favorably of them; after all, they provided something useful to the recipient.
An independent study of six hundred business people who received promotional products revealed that sixty two percent of the people on the receiving end of the free merchandise actually did business with the business they received the promotional item from. There are several reasons why this happens. First of all, they have already received a good impression of the organization. Providing the product was useful, they are also probably using it on a regular basis, thus the name of the brand is constantly being reinforced. Some free products also include some contact information, such as a telephone number or an email or web address; they are easy to contact.
Unlike a leaflet or flyer, a freebie item is unlikely to be thrown away particularly if it is a useful product. Examples of useful products to use include pens, hats, jackets, bags, mugs and flash drives. If you are planning on including promo merchandise as advertisement campaign tools be sure to use something that is useful. Remember too, what may be useful within one industry may not be as useful in another. Tailor your free merchandise accordingly.
Finally, remember that many people will see the freebie merchandise as it is used on a daily basis. Clothing items are worn, mugs sit on desks and bags are carried about. In other words the number of impressions received for any one promo product may be as high as several hundred per month; again relying on the product. In the above mentioned study, a freebie bag with a corporation logo on the side averaged slightly over one thousand impressions in one month. If one thousand of those bags were given out to customers, that would result in a total of over one million impressions per month.
If you are looking for cost effective promotional that offers a high return on investment with your advertising you would do well to consider including promo gifts in your promotional campaigns.
