Promo Gone Awry

Promotional items are the marketing industry’s most solid way to get the word out there about your product or service. When companies brand themselves on various trinkets, toys and items, they give their clients the gift of utility and remembrance. Good promotional items are used over and over again, and even shared. Bad promotional items get shelved or just plain thrown out. When you’re going to order promotional items, you have to put yourself in the shoes of the recipient. Will they appreciate this? Will they use this constantly? Will they ask for more so they can share with their staff and other people too? If you can’t answer an emphatic “yes” to all of these, then go back to the drawing board. Just like any traditional gift giving scenario, you have some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind so that your promotional item, promotes effectively. Another thing you have to consider is the cost. How much are you willing to spend on these things? Will you spend more on executive clients and less on others? Are you just going to buy cheap items in bulk or are you going to carefully select groups of items to suit your customers individually? If done incorrectly, your promotional venture can go all wrong. Here are some of the most important don’ts that you should keep in mind:

1. If you’re going to give someone a promotional item, don’t skimp on the quality. If it breaks or becomes faulty, it will go directly in the trash along with your chances of marketing to them. If you’re going to give out promotional mugs, give the best promotional mugs that your budget can afford.
2. Make sure and proof any text that goes with your promotional campaign. Simple spelling errors can completely torpedo your efforts and make you and your company look very unprofessional. Make sure all spelling is correct and that the fonts used are dynamic and legible.
3. When a logo is involved, choose the size and placement of it, thoughtfully. Sometimes a logo that is too big just ends up looking garish and tacky. Some of the most impacting and effective logos are those that are small or medium-sized and placed discreetly on the promotional item.
4. Sizing is not something that should be whitewashed. If you’re giving a t-shirt as a promo item, the recipient must be able to wear it. You don’t want them to have to grease up to fit into it and conversely, you don’t want a t-shirt fitting someone like a dress. You know your customers, and your gifts should reflect this.

With just a little thought and consideration, your promo will go swimmingly. Your items must communicate an attention to detail and care that your clients will respect. These are just a few of the most common promo mistakes, but don’t be averse to looking for more so you don’t perpetrate them. If you’re not sure what else you shouldn’t do, a Google search will give you many more items of caution to choose from.