Using Promotional Products and Branded Gear to Stay Top of Mind

Referrals often come down to timing. Someone needs a plumber, a cleaner or an insurance agent, and the first name that comes to mind gets the call. Staying top of mind between conversations is half the battle.

Promotional products and branded gear are one of the simplest ways to do that. A useful item with your name on it can sit on someone's desk, kitchen counter or truck dashboard for months. The trick is choosing items people actually keep.

Why promotional products work

A good promotional product does a few things at once:

• It keeps your name visible. Every time someone uses it, they see your brand.
• It feels like a gift. People appreciate something useful, and that goodwill rubs off on your business.
• It gets passed around. A pen or a koozie ends up in someone else's hands, and your name goes with it.
• It lasts. Unlike an ad, a quality item can stick around for a long time.

Choose items people will actually use

The biggest mistake is buying whatever is cheapest and easiest. If it ends up in a junk drawer or the trash, it did not do much for you.

Think about your customers and where they spend their time. Some ideas that tend to get used:

• Insulated tumblers and water bottles. In the West Valley, people carry water everywhere for most of the year.
• Quality pens. Cheap pens break. A good one gets kept.
• Magnets. Home service businesses often do well with a fridge magnet that has a phone number on it.
• Tote bags. Useful for groceries, the gym or the pool.
• Phone accessories. Chargers, stands or cable organizers get used every day.
• Hats and apparel. Branded shirts and caps turn your customers into walking billboards.

Match the item to your business when you can. A pool company handing out a floating keychain, or a roofer giving a sturdy tape measure, makes the connection to your service easy to remember.

Seasonal timing

Late September is a good time to plan ahead. The heat is finally starting to ease, and fall events are coming up. Many businesses also start thinking about year-end client gifts around now, and ordering early gives you more choice and less stress.

Some seasonal ideas:

• Light blankets or travel mugs for cooler mornings later in the fall
• Branded calendars to hand out before the new year
• Small gifts for clients and referral partners at the end of the year

Branded gear for your team

Promotional products are not only for giveaways. Branded gear for you and your team builds recognition too.

• Uniform shirts make your team look professional and easy to identify when they show up at a customer's home.
• Vehicle magnets or wraps turn every drive into a small ad.
• Name badges and lanyards help at networking events and trade shows.

Consistency matters here. Use the same logo, colors and contact information everywhere so people recognize you instantly.

Use them to say thank you

One of the best uses for promotional products is as a thank-you. When someone sends you a referral, a small branded gift with a handwritten note goes a long way. It shows appreciation and keeps your name in front of someone who is already willing to recommend you.

Keep it simple and professional

A few final tips:

• Make your contact information easy to read. A logo alone is not enough. Include your phone number or website.
• Do not overload the design. A clean, simple look is more likely to be kept and used.
• Buy quality over quantity. Fewer, better items often outperform a box of cheap ones.
• Work with a local promotional products pro. They can help you pick items that fit your budget and your audience.

Make it part of your plan

Promotional products work best as part of a bigger relationship strategy, not as a replacement for one. Pair them with good service, regular follow-up and a strong referral network, and they help keep your name front and center when the right opportunity comes up.

Want to put your name in front of local business owners every week? Visit BNI A1 Networkers any Thursday at 7:00 AM at Brothers Family Restaurant in Peoria. Plan your visit.