Ready set brand, but what........

I’ve hear it said that branding is a marathon not a sprint.

 

Selecting the right promotional piece is a critical step to sustained longevity. It’s not just any pen. Does that pen work in your target environment to tell your brand story? If you are in a medical field and distribute antimicrobial pens, it shows you understand your recipient’s environment. A promotional product starts a relationship as a “gift”, a gesture, from your company to advertise who and what if significant about your brand message. Over the life of your company promotional pieces form connections as gifts, recognition for employees, define the appearance of your physical facility as well as the appearance of your employees on site or traveling in the community. Branded pieces even take the form of an ambassador when you sponsor a local charity or team.

 

Promotional pieces are not about how many items one can pick up at a tradeshow to take home to the kids. Pieces selected are about creating an identity and making connections via the vehicle of a tangible piece. Recall and brand retention are stronger using promotional pieces than other forms of advertising because they are useful; generating interaction. At Promotional Partners we believe that collaboration with our partners yield strategic selections, incorporating each branded piece as part of a larger “story” about your brand.

 What do you want each recipient to think when they hold your branded piece?

 Yesterday we posted a video for a line of handmade leather products, tanned here in the USA-custom to order. Leather leaves a lasting impression of high perceived value; quality leather becomes softer over use and time; adding a rich patina to the appearance and the feel of each piece. Because products are custom to order, add personalization such as a name or logo water marks to pages. Tell your story with a product that will be kept and used over years not just months.

 

Enjoy this video link from our face book posting yesterday, showcasing products:

 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Promotional-Partners/111851192160823#!/photo.php?fbid=809292325750036&set=a.398564846822788.103053.111851192160823&type=1&theater

 

PS- Be like Oprah, the Pope, The White House, Robert Redford, Justin Timberlake, BonJovi- all consumers of this product line for branding.

 How important is collaboration in developing unique referral packages or event planning? Dialogue will define direction and focused planning will create positive results. Today’s anniversary testimonial is from one of our partners that creates fantastic events and referral reward packages for their practice via collaboration with their marketing team’s vision.

“Thank you Promotional Partners for always taking my concept and vision for a referral delivery to an amazing finished product. Any job small or large, I know I am in good hands with your choices”

“Promotional Partners helps me convey a truly unique experience along with branding our business.”

 

Lisa -

Marketing and Education Liaison, Nuimage

Quick Name 10 Promotional Products- Go!

Are you one of those people who if asked to name 10 promotional pieces would name:

 

Mug, pen, grocery tote, magnet, bumper sticker, tee shirt, cap, coozie, lanyard or a post-it note? You might not be alone.

 

One of the joys of our job is seeing all of the creative products and applications for those products. Yesterday we met with about 35 key industry suppliers to learn what’s new mid year. Product development is on going and supplier representatives provide us case studies for industry applications that will help our clients solve promotional objectives and goals. Among the items were several unique applications for repositionable vinyl pieces and some fun temporary tattoos for the face.

 

Branding can be fun, check out our face book link :

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Promotional-Partners/111851192160823

As we celebrate reaching 7 years completed in business; we will be sharing 7 testimonials over the next 7 days related to how our creativity, collaboration and certification help our clients achieve more.

 

Want great ideas? Want something fast? Want it done right? That’s Promotional  Partners! We use them for all of promotional events and client and station apparel. And while most of us are busy…leave it to Promotional Partners to keep on top of it and keep you informed. Never a worry! They can do it! 

KIM AND RHONDA– CW22/MYRDC

How Do You Define Genuine?

In the 6th grade I would only wear genuine Levi’s with the red tag; they were the “real deal” as “proved” by the tag. Currently my inbox frequently drops in messages that suggest that I’ve been bequeathed millions of dollars. Watch a television commercial or movie and you’ll now find disclaimers that despite what appears to be real– apparently it’s not. 

You’d think it would not be so hard to define what’s genuine and what’s just an illusion. Recently indulging my couch potato side, I stumbled upon an interesting definition for genuine. Country mega star Blake Shelton of The Voice, remarked in summary of a contestant’s country song performance that the contestant was “genuine”. Blake elaborated that for a country artist to connect with the audience the audience has to believe that the performer is committed to the words in that song. 

Isn’t that statement true for business? After 7 years in the promotional industry offering products, aka selling advertising solutions; I still have folks who say, “Oh I could never sell anything”. “Selling” is not a dirty word, in fact it’s a necessary component of all business regardless of the industry. Selling does not have to be associated with THE plaid jacket, slick backed hair sales person offering to “put you into” that product before you leave their location. Selling is about generating a match– it requires listening, collaborating and suggesting solutions to address need; problem solving. The branding then reflects via products the genuine message of the advertiser; committing to a brand story. When the target market connects with the message the brand is genuine. 

In an electronic environment, promotional products are a key stroke away from consumers. Our company has worked diligently to highlight value in our design work, knowledge of product safety compliance, product educational pieces and creative approaches to common challenges. We’ve acquired certifications that provide benefits to our client base such as HUB status, PPAI Code of Conduct and CAS– certified advertising specialist. Additionally we’ve invested time to build an identity within our community. ( check links on our website to learn about any of those certifications) 

Promotional Partners has taken an active leadership role within the fabric of the triangle business community sponsoring numerous organizations with our commodities of time, expertise and resources. Each April we help promote awareness for the Apex Chamber of Commerce’s annual Book Bag Bonanza.  This program is important to the local community as local business’ band together to provide students lacking resources the  basic tools required for a successful start to their academic year.   

Visit the chamber site to learn more about how to assist with this program.

As a business owner, it’s inspiring how many local businesses take time to invest in our community, helping to make the triangle a great place to live– the triangle genuinely represents the best! As we celebrate the end of 7 years this month, we thank each of you for your support.

Olivia

What makes a pen "right"?

One thing I have learned in 7 years of promotional sales, folks have very defined ideas about their writing instruments. The color of the barrel, the style, how it writes, size of imprint area, color of ink, plastic/metal, contemporary, traditional, click, twist, cap- well you get the idea. The last Thoughtful Thursday I saved for writing instruments because year after year they top the list for the most kept and used products. Given current trends pens even incorporate stylus tips to keep the user easily moving between electronic devices and paper. We love to hear about your favorite! Pick up a free one tomorrow on our last Fantastic Friday. Enjoy this data and even a video today.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-PMPB4RnrA&feature=player_embedded

Ready to Make an Impact?

It's time to shed our long winter. Many businesses are looking forward to getting our to local expo's, recruiting fairs and street festivals to connect with new prospects. Every venue and every demographic has different types of products that generate attention. For example, hand fans, toys for kids and impulse purchases like caps and water bottles are effective in a street setting, while personal items for the desk or travel tech are popular with business expos.

What will make you stand out from the field?  Visual graphics are eye catching and allow one to tell their story with more than just text. This link to our face book page has some images of a popular display system -  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Promotional-Partners/111851192160823


As part of this week's Thoughtful Thursdays, we remind you to stop by the showroom  today for the Friday Freebie's- we will be taking the day off tomorrow. In the images attached here are some fun and useful facts to help guide you with choices from our industry studies, conducted by both ASI and PPAI. 

Learn how many items people own, where they receive products and what "impressions" are made to their brand for advertising.

 

What is the Recall and Influence of Promotional Branding?

What is the recall and influence of promotional branding on consumer behavior? Life Changing!

Okay maybe not in way that will raise one to a high level of "inter peace", but not doubt effecting consumer behavior. Promotional products have a positive correlation to retention and acquisition of new business relationships.

The recall of product based advertising out performs other advertising mediums, which in turn increases brand awareness and revenue for businesses using promotional branding.

Certified consultants work collaborative to establish the profile of target audiences so that the most useful promotional pieces will become part of the fabric of their day.

Four months into this year, what is the impact of your brand for reaching new business?

Take a look at these compelling facts gathered and provided by PPAI research studies.

 

Promotional Products WORK week is coming April 21-25. On "Thoughtful Thursdays" , during April, we will be posting useful information regarding consumer behavior as related to use and interaction of promotional products.

How often products are used?

Why they are kept?

Check out this data- let us know what you keep and use the most.