The purpose of Promotional gifts is twofold. Firstly, they are used to show appreciation to existing valued clients. Promotional gifts tell your clients that you value their business and that you are interested in forming a long term relationship. Secondly and more importantly, promotional gifts are an excellent form of advertising for spreading the word about your company to potential new customers. Promotional items can be handed out at trade shows and other events related to your industry where one might find potential new clients that are interested in what you sell. Additionally when a potential new client visits your office, sending them away with a gift will make them feel great about your company and increase the chances of closing a deal. Promotional gifts and items can also be given out as a free gift when a person purchases another item. A great example of this is the free mp3 player given out by Tiger Wheel and Tire when a person purchased a set of four or more tires. Sure the gift was free, but it also was printed with the TWT logo. This is an excellent promotional gimmik. This is a great concept to ensure that the next time a person needs to replace their tires they will remember TWT and with fond memories. There are many factors that go into selecting the perfect corporate gift: 1. You want to select a gift that is both complimentary to your corporate image and instantly tells a person what your company is all about. A great example of this was the petrol can in the shape of a lighter that was given out by BP service stations a while back. Ironic, but effective. 2. You cannot go wrong with a gift that serves a purpose. There is no point in distributing promotional gifts that are of no use to the recipient and thus will be placed in a drawer and never used or seen; this would be a waste of advertising budget. Gifts such as pens and key-rings are not only less expensive and of great use, but also present a great surface for displaying your logo. If you have more money to spend, a great looking desktop clock or calculator will most always be visible with your large logo printed boldly on the front. 3. The point of promotional items is to advertise your business; thus make sure that the gift you select is made of a suitable material for printing and has a sufficient surface on the front where your logo/slogan can be printed and easily seen. 4. Keep in mind that people have different tastes. If your budget permits it, it is a great idea to purchase a gift for him and a gift for her. Men and women have different tastes and interests, thus giving a pocket knife to a women or a lipstick holder to a man is not only useless but may also offend some people. Conversely, if one decides to give one gift to everyone, then ensure that it is appropriate for both men and women. Unlike print media advertising, below the line advertising gifts are more targeted. You get to select exactly where and to whom you distribute your promotional items. This can keep costs down. Also whereas print media advertising is only viewed for a brief period, promotional items hang around for a while especially if they are used.
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