Inexpensive Ways to Promote Your Business
Using business promotion materials is a common way to promote a business. It’s been done for a long time because it actually works. In the trade they are called business premiums. Some of the materials you will use within your business, such as envelopes, stationary, jump drives, mugs and even staplers, but others you can give to clients to use so that they don’t forget about you.
* Branded Envelopes – Getting branded envelopes isn’t much more expensive than getting regular envelopes, but when you send out mail, it will make a difference when they see your branding on that envelope to whether they open the mail or not.
* T-Shirts or Clothing – While wearables can be risky business due to different styles and sizes, for some businesses this is a perfect way to promote their business. If you have a food-related business, or casual business, you may find hats, aprons, oven mitts or something like that useful as a marketing tool.
* Coffee Mugs – Even if people don’t drink coffee, a branded mug is something they generally appreciate because they can use it for a number of things – even as paperclip holder if they want to. A lot of people even collect mugs.
* Mouse Pads – Everyone uses mouse pads, so they make a great way to promote your brand. The people using it will see your logo on a daily basis and think of you. Having your business on the top of their mind, even if subconsciously, is a huge win.
* USB Sticks – If you have a tech business, give a branded USB stick with some marketing material or something interesting on it (which is erasable so they can still use the stick). It’s a great way to get something useful that’s also inexpensive.
* Sponsorships – This might not seem inexpensive, but you can find local charities to support that don’t cost much to sponsor but that will get your name out into the community – and perhaps even on a speaker’s list. Usually they’ll take your brochures, flyers and other premiums as well to give out to people.
* Freebies and Giveaways – Many clubs need freebies and giveaways as prizes for games. Why not donate some of your unused premiums to them for that. College clubs are great starts for this. Look at the club that most matches your business.
* Local Advertising – It may cost a lot less than you think to advertise locally. You can get a radio spot or a mention on your local PBS station with a relatively low sponsorship rate. To see if it works, have them go to a website to sign up to get a free premium of some kind.
You can make all kinds of promotional materials work for your business. It doesn’t matter if your business is online or offline today. Most consumers expect to get more for their money today than ever before. If you seek to over deliver, and surprise them with something no one else is doing, you’ll win their business.
The Benefits of Using Promotional Materials
Promotional materials, also called premiums, are products that have your business logo and/or tag line on them. People use them, wear them, and give them away, while spreading the word about your business. They can be used in numerous ways from sponsorships, to gifts, to surprise inclusions with a purchase.
* Expand Brand Recognition – Having people wear and use merchandise with your logo on it will increase the number of people who notice your brand. When a friend has on a hat with your logo on it, they may check out your business and even buy something.
* Relatively Low-Cost Advertising – TV advertising can be expensive, but promotional products aren’t that expensive when you consider the benefits. You can sponsor a sports team inexpensively and all the parents will see this logo every game and when doing their laundry. It will keep you at the top of their mind.
* Great Business Card Replacements – If you really want to stand out at your next event, instead of handing out business cards, hand out key chains, book marks, t-shirts, hats, balls, bumper stickers, or USB drives. People will remember you because you’ll likely be the only one doing it.
* People Like Touching Something – In today’s digital world, getting something that can be touched is a revelation. It feels good to touch something that’s real instead of only looking at digital things.
* Consumers Keep Promotional Materials – When you give usable and targeted items to your audience, they will keep them and use them. This means that they will see the products and logos maybe even daily, keeping you at the top of their mind.
* Consumers’ Idea of a Brand Improves – When you have merchandise with your logo on it to give away or even for purchase, consumers think more highly of your brand. Think of all the branded items that you buy yourself.
* Lots of Products to Choose From – Today, due to less expensive manufacturing practices, you can get almost any type of product with your logo on it. You can brand everything from clothing to electronics.
* Improves Sales When Combined – Encourage sales by adding a promotional item when a certain dollar amount has been reached on a particular purchase. You can use a point system or a dollar system.
* Increase Customer Loyalty – Premiums given as surprises or earned by making a certain amount of purchases can greatly increase consumer devotion. They feel special when you give them an extra gift.
The benefits of using promotional materials are almost unquantifiable. Small businesses usually cannot afford TV ads, and need to find other ways to get their message out. T-shirts, bumper stickers, window clings and more offers the business another way to accomplish brand recognition and increase sales.