When planning a marketing strategy, many a corporate company would budget for advertising to promote their business or build their Brand. However, credible international surveys have shown that in many instances, a promotional item could be much more effective for marketing, than an advertisement.
Here are some interesting facts about Promotional items that every business or marketing manager should know:
Around 76, 1% of the thousands of people who formed part of the survey have been able to recollect the name or logo of companies that gave them free promotional items. This has even been imprinted in their minds for up to a year after they received the product or gift! But only 53% remembered a promo advertisement or the source of an advertisement that they saw in a newspaper or magazine;
Approximately 34% of the people still made use of the Promotion items they received on a frequent basis;
An incredible more than 50% of the people who received corporate promotional items from a company, supported that same company afterwards!
When looking at the above-mentioned statistics about Promotional items, it quickly becomes clear that very often, branded promotional items can drive a marketing message home much better than an advertisement. In addition, Promotional items can illustrate a quicker return on your marketing investment.
How to Select Promotional Items

The fact that Promotional items can be a great marketing tool, does not mean that all Promotion items* will necessarily be effective or suitable. Here are some valuable pointers for selecting Promotional items:
Promotional items should tie into a properly planned campaign. The first aspects that you should therefore take into consideration, are your strategic objectives. Ask yourself what you would like to achieve with your campaign and make sure that the Promotion items that you eventually buy, will support your strategic goals;
Promotional items should always create awareness and enhance your Brand. So your company name and logo should always be printed on every single promotional item;
Be careful of choosing the latest trends such as 2010 promotional items or computer gadgets. Fashion Promotion items should only be used, if it can complement your promotion or campaign;
If you want to create a lasting impression and differentiate yourself clearly from your competitors, do not rush to buy what most other companies would buy. You could have custom Promotional items made with a custom print especially designed for you;
When searching for promotional items suppliers, you could simply make use of an online directory. But always check that you are dealing with a well-known promotional group or a trusted manufacturer;
Even if you are using promotional items suppliers, you are still entitled to employ your own printers to take care of the printing for you;
Because you would normally buy a large quantity of Promotional items for your campaign, look out for promotional items wholesale. Ask the promotional items suppliers that you are dealing with for their best possible price and try to negotiate for a free print or multi-colour prints to be included in the offer.