Yes, we live in a digital age.
As such, inbound marketing often seems to take precedence when it comes to implementing a marketing plan that works. Social media advertising has become a necessity, such that brands that don’t leverage it are deemed to “have lost track” in marketing.
But even as we hope into the digital marketing bus, let’s not forget the great words that were spoken by the famous Shafqat Islam.
In his quest to debunk the online marketing buzz, Shafqat pointed that, “Behind every tweet, share and purchase, there is a person. Care more about the person and less about the share.”
To care more about the person and less about the share, you may want to offer something that will make people appreciate you. In short, you may want to give promotional products to your customers.
And this brings us on to the topic of the day. Do promotional products still spark interest? Or is it just a waste of time and money?
It’s all in the numbers
A 2016 study by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), explains everything you need to know about the impact of promotional items on your business. According to the study, most consumers keep promotional items for an average of eight months.
The key takeaway here is that a corporate giveaway can promote your brand for a longer time than PPC and online ads combined.
Also, keep in mind that the actual time may vary, depending on the promotional product you choose, with umbrellas lasting a whopping 14 months, followed by promotional hats or caps lasting only seven. Yes, that classical, old-fashioned hat can be your best brand advocate.
Another study found that 76% of consumers remember a brand because of a promotional item they have received in the past year, while 53% will remember a brand because of print or TV ad, and only 27% will recall an online ad.
With staggering statistics like these ones, the real question shouldn’t be whether promotional products still spark interest, but which promotional items should you use to promote your brand!
What’s more interesting is that studies have proved that consumers need to see or hear a brand’s message at least 7 times to remember it. While a TV advert will last for 5-15 seconds and may not display more than twice in a day, promotional items, like pens will always stay in front of your customers—reminding them of you and your company every day.
Conversation starters
Impressions wise, promotional products take the lead.
According to a 2012 study conducted by the BPMA, 56% of consumers said their impressions of the company improved after receiving a branded promotional gift.
Once people are impressed with your company, they begin to talk. And when people begin to talk about your business, great things begin coming your way. Also wearing branded clothes sparks people to start conversations.
People will want to know more about the brand that gave you that T-shirt. If your clothes make a statement that others can relate to, you’ll attract a lot of like-minded people who are potential leads. And no other mode of advertising can generate such results.
So do promotional items still spark interest? Be the judge of that.
