Promotional marketing items are a solid way to promote your brand in conjunction to your other marketing, however don’t rely on good luck and hope for the best results. Avoid these common campaign errors;
1. The promotional product you want to give away does not match your image of the brand it represents. Perhaps the item is too cheap. You don’t want to promote a Mercedes with a plastic key chain!
2. The demographics of your market were not considered when choosing a promotional item. The most effective promotions take into account the needs and desires of the recipients. Example, while teens might welcome imprinted iPod skins, a senior audience would be more motivated by a product that fit their lifestyle such as golf accessories.
3. Simple proof-reading errors torpedo campaigns! Don’t let your next promotion embarrass you.
4. Proportion of the logo to the product really isn’t flattering. I know you’re proud of your logo however, as an example a big logo across the chest of a man’s t-shirt is fine but can overwhelm a woman’s t-shirt.
5. A logo can be too “in your face.” Sometimes promotional gifts benefit from discreetly placed logos rather than plastering it all across an item.
6. The advertiser under spends. Buyers who sacrifice quality or product appeal in the quest for low prices undermines their promotional results. Example, a brand-name product that costs extra might yield a higher number of impressions over time because the item is used with greater frequency and/or has a longer life.
7. The promotional gift chosen doesn’t offer enough “utility” value. The item’s usefulness is the primary reason to keep it and thus keep your name in front of your market. Calendars, pens, health/safety products, bags, and t-shirts are the most frequently kept imprinted items, because they are useful.
8. Your prospect was not properly targeted. Promotional products can be one of the most effective advertising mediums at motivating prospects. Target your top 20% to deliver a more valuable incentive that will motivate qualified buyers to respond.
9. Sizing is too generic. Unisex promotional apparel is no longer effective if the recipient doesn’t wear your message. Be sure you know the age and basic’s about your audience. Example if you are providing a giveaway at a women’s expo, don’t give men’s unisex shirts.
10. A joke gone wrong. Only use clean humor in a promotion when it is clearly targeted to the appropriate audience and you know others will not be offended.
Need help choosing the appropriate promotional marketing item? Give me a call, I’ll brainstorm with you to come up with an item that suits your market and your budget.
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Thanks for this JoAnne. My biggest takeaway was about targeting: it isn’t worth it to buy a promo product that no one in your target market will use…
-Nick
Nick,
thanks for your comment. You are correct, there is no value or ROI in giving something someone throws out. There are so many great giveaways that are memorable and affordable to share your branding message.