What is a promotional gift?

26 Aug.,2024

 

What is Promotional Gifting and Why Is It Important? 6 ...

Growing a business is not easy, you will need a great strategy from the beginning and continue to optimize it at different stages. Although there are many business strategies at your disposal, it can be overwhelming for you to make a choice on which one will be the best fit for your company.

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At Giftpack, a business with an AI corporate gifting solution, our product is specially designed to help companies with their corporate gifting strategies. Gifting is basically our wheelhouse. In this article, we will share about what promotional gifting is and how they can help your business grow.

Not only will you learn about what promotional gifting is and why it is important, but you will also learn the difference between corporate gifting and promotional gifting, as well as the 6 most important ingredients for a great promotional gifting strategy.

What Is Promotional Gifting and Why is it Important?

Before you start promotional gifting, you must first understand what it is and why it is important to growing your business. Understand the purpose of promotional gifting, then you will understand what strategy will be helpful and when you should execute the plan.

Promotional gifting, in short, is the gifting strategy of any item or product that you give to promote your business. Generally, the gifts given to your clients will carry a tagline, logo, name, number, and/or website address of your company. And promotional gifting can be used to promote anything about your company, such as the brand, a certain activity of the business, an event, a new product, a new service, a significant discount, etc. It all depends on the company's marketing strategy.

You can think of it as a marketing communication channel that aims to tell your clients something about your company. Back then, almost half of the promotional gifts sent by companies were accounted for by clothing goods, writing implements, and calendars in a variety of themes. Nowadays, we can see promotional gifts other than what are mentioned above. people are getting more creative. For example, some of the commonly seen promotional gifts are: mugs, stress toys, confectionery, silverware, crystal, glassware, leather items, mouse mats, umbrellas, badges, computer related products and more. You can say that the items you choose as promotional gifts are only limited by your imagination.

All kinds of companies, organizations, and foundations are using promotional gifts to advertise their services or products. One rule of thumb, promotional gifts should be something people find useful in their everyday lives because when they use it on a daily basis, they are being reminded of your existence.

What Are the Differences Between Corporate Gifting and Promotional Gifting?

Gifting has been known to be an excellent method to allow new and potential clients to view brands in a favorable way ever since the old days. Whether you are a business owner, marketer, relationship manager or business development professional, you should be thinking about gifting.

However, not all gifts are equal.

Both promotional and corporate gifts are proven to be very useful marketing tools, but they are not the same, and they are definitely not used interchangeably. Knowing the differences between corporate gifts and promotional gifts (and when to use either) can save you not only time, but also energy and money!

To determine whether you need a corporate gift or a promotional gift, you need to think about your goal, ask yourself this question:

&#;Are you trying to strengthen a relationship (corporate gift) or are you trying to get your brand into as many new clients as possible (promotional gifts)?&#;

Corporate Gifting

Corporate gifts are often used to show appreciation, enhance corporate image, and create goodwill among clients, customers, personnels, suppliers, and stakeholders.

Corporate gifts are usually of a higher value, purchased in smaller quantities to be given to recipients to acknowledge a specific event. For example, gift baskets to celebrate successful project delivery, a high-end gift hamper for the holidays, or a luxury gift for reaching a company milestone.

As corporate gifts are intended to show your recipient how much you value them, they require more thought and personalization. Be sure to follow business gift-giving etiquette to get the most of your corporate gifting efforts.

Promotional Gifting

The goal of a promotional gift, different from corporate gifting, is to build brand awareness. Promotional gifts are usually aimed at a much broader audience, meaning it will require less personalization. And one thing to remember is that with promotional gifting, there is no expected value attached.

You can think of promotional items as an ongoing advertisement for your brand. Every time someone uses a gift with your logo on it, your business will be reminded of on the top of their minds. Oftentimes, gifts that might be of frequent use tend to be chosen as promotional gifts:

  • Caps
  • Mugs/Water bottles
  • T-shirts/Sweaters
  • Stationary
  • Bags

Promotional gifts are less expensive and need to be practical as the intention is that a large audience will find these items handy on a daily basis.

With Giftpack&#;s AI gifting solution, we implemented our machine learning algorithm to make picking promotional gifts easier! You can book a demo to see how it works!

How will Promotional Gifting Help Your Business Grow?

Promotional gifts are sought to be the most effective way to promote a business. A study suggest that 94% of customers remember when they receive a promotional gift. And moreover, 85% of people who receive a promotional gift will later engage in business sooner or later. Simply put, everyone loves to receive promotional gifts and those gifts are easy to leave marks as time goes by. Let&#;s wrap up some of the impacts of promotional gifting:

  1. Brand Recognition

When a customer continuously sees the gift with your logo frequently, it will be engraved in their brains, which in marketing we call it brand recall. A promotional gift for customers that they keep in their homes and offices will create an imprint of your brand on their minds. If they get a branded promotional gift, then the impact would obviously be stronger.

  1. Effective Advertisement

We all know that an advertisement in any form such as TV commercials, newspaper , billboards, social media posts, or even search ads has a longevity of only a few seconds. It is hard to catch attention. On the other hand, a promotional gift is meant to become a part of a customer&#;s daily life where they see the name and logo of your brand every time they use the gift.

  1. Brand Loyalty Everyone, especially customers, enjoys being valued. Sending your customers branded luxury items as gifts is a great way to make them feel that way. And when you do that, they know you truly care. The next time they think about needing something similar to your services, you will be on top of their minds, despite of other competitions.

6 Essential components of A Great Promotional Gifting Strategy

You would think that this is a no brainer. But it is definitely something that not everyone does when they are sending their clients promotional gifts. It&#;s important to include your logo, it is the only way to keep reminding them that this gift is from you. So, whatever your gift may be, your logo must be on it.

2. Uniqueness Is Key

In order for your clients to remember a promotional gift, it has to be different from things that they might have already received before. When you think of a promotional gift, you should not be thinking of that cup, post-it pad, or a pen. These items are great and useful, but they are not unique enough for your clients to remember.

For more memorable corporate gifts you must think of more unique items. Take a mug for example, if you make it a personalized heat change mug with your logo emerging every time hot water is added into the mug. This would be much more unique than just gifting a normal mug with your logo on it. There are many more ideas, get creative!

3. Make It Interactive

If you give your client something that they can interact with, it will be easier for them to remember as well. You might have thought of a set of bookends as gifts for your clients, which are definitely great in the right situation. But this is just something that they use to hold their books.

If you give clients and prospects something interactive, such as a board game that they can use in a family and friends reunion, it may stick in their memory better.

4. Make It Relevant

Making your promotional gifts relevant to your business is going to leave an even stronger impression. The most memorable corporate gifts reinforce the business you are in. The item itself or something about it brings to mind your product or service or the benefits that you provide. That is what is called a great promotional gift!

Therefore, think about whether you can relate the promotional gifts to your business? Can you weave a story around the item that conveys some meaning about your business?

5. Make Sure Your Gift Can Last Long

Sure your clients will be happy getting flowers and tasty food from you. They are very common gifts. While a bouquet of flowers or a box of cookies can be very welcoming, they are not the best options for promotional gifting. The reason is because they don&#;t last, which makes them not as memorable. A promotional marketing gift that someone can keep nearby which also lasts for a long time is a successful gift.

6. Make It A Surprise

People get excited to open packages. When they see a package or box, anticipation builds. An element of surprise is built-in because they don&#;t know what to expect.

It&#;s much more exciting to receive a package than just a thank you letter. Of course there&#;s a place and time for a handwritten letter but it is not that great for promotion. Send your clients a box full of surprises, so they will remember the feeling when they open the present.

Choosing the Right Promotional Gift

Selecting the ideal promotional gift requires a comprehensive understanding of your target audience. Demographics, such as age, gender, occupation, location, and income level, provide a foundational understanding. However, delving deeper into psychographics offers richer insights. Lifestyle, interests, values, and attitudes vividly represent your audience's desires and preferences. Consider where your audience is in their customer journey; are they potential customers, existing clients, or loyal advocates? Tailoring the gift to their stage will maximize its impact.

Beyond demographics and psychographics, the utility and perceived value of the gift are paramount. Practical items with everyday use ensure consistent brand exposure.

Even if the gift is modest, it should feel valuable to the recipient. Durability is another crucial factor. A gift that endures serves as a long-lasting reminder of your brand.

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A promotional gift should seamlessly align with your brand identity. It should authentically reflect your company's core values and reinforce your brand image. Consistency is key; ensure the gift complements your overall branding efforts.

While budget constraints are a reality, focusing on ROI is essential. Prioritize gifts that deliver a strong return on investment in terms of brand awareness and lead generation.

Even with limited resources, you can create impactful gifts by emphasizing quality and relevance. Consider the cost per impression; how often will the recipient be exposed to your brand through the gift?

Sustainability is a growing concern in today's environmentally conscious world. Opt for eco-friendly gifts made from recycled materials or with minimal environmental impact. Demonstrating your commitment to ethical practices, including fair labor, resonates with socially responsible consumers. Additionally, consider gifts that support charitable causes or have a positive social impact.

Consider customization to enhance the impact of your promotional gifts. Adding personal touches like names, initials, or special messages creates a unique and memorable experience. Invest in distinctive branding to make your promotional items stand out. Interactive elements can also engage recipients and encourage social sharing.

By meticulously considering these factors, you can select promotional gifts that resonate with your target audience, strengthen brand loyalty, and generate a positive return on investment.

The difference in promotional gifting is that its main purpose is to raise your brand awareness, it serves its role at the top of the marketing funnel, building a stronger impression for your prospects. And it is definitely the first step to building a great relationship with your clients.

What Is The Definition Of Promotional Products?

When you&#;re considering the next big move in your promotional campaign, you need to have all the facts. That&#;s why, before you decide whether you&#;ll use promotional products or not, you need to learn more about them.

 

What Are Promotional Products?

Any item or product that you give to promote your business is a promotional product. Usually, these products carry the tagline, logo, name or number and website address of the company that gives them to their clients. They are usually used to promote a certain activity of the business that is giving them &#; an event, a new product, new service, a significant discount, etc.

According to the dictionary definition; &#;Promotional products, promotional items, promotional merchandise, promotional gifts, or advertising gifts such as a pen, mug, bag, t-shirt, coaster, calendar, cap, clock, diary, etc., given away to current or prospective customer. These items usually carry the organisation logo, name and address of the company, as well as information on the products and services, and serve as reminders. Also called advertising novelty or advertising specialty.

All kinds of companies, organisations and foundations use promotional products to advertise their services or products. Most of the time, those are products that people can find a use for in their everyday lives &#; products that have a company&#;s branding and website address or number.

The promotional products industry is worth over $20 billion, and it will only grow. But, what are the real basics of this multi-faceted industry?

 

Where did it all begin?

First of all &#; our generation isn&#;t the one that came up with the idea of using promotional items for marketing and branding purposes. In fact, not even the modern age can take the credit for promotional products marketing.

The very first promotional products probably appeared during the dawn of humankind, just as the first men started trading. A typical seller who would want to have the upper hand over his competition would give a test sample of his merchandise, a piece of the very best fruit he had or a bite of prime meat. As our civilisation developed, strategies started evolving.

The turning point in that evolution was . That&#;s when commemorative buttons were given to George Washington&#;s supporters before the elections. After that, the popularity of promotional gift items only kept growing. During the 19th century, there were printed rulers, wooden objects, as well as calendars, printed tote bags, notebooks, water bottles, card cases, aprons, and branded hats.

 

But, why use promotional products?

They&#;re important because they provide benefits that no other marketing strategy can achieve in such a short timeframe and with such a low budget.

* In-house benefits

Yes, you can use promotional gift items in-house as well. And, not just that &#; they can show some magnificent results, boost your sales, as well as employee satisfaction.

When it comes to sales, it&#;s simple &#; give your sales teams useful promotional items. They can then give the products to their clients upon signing a contract or build a rapport with potential ones by sending promotional gift bags before the big meeting. That is how you show your clients you appreciate the fact that they chose you, and how you make the jobs of the people in your sales team easier.

On the other hand, there&#;s another in-house benefit. You can give good promotional items to your employees. Some examples of promotional products are branded coffee mugs, T-shirts and promotional pens. These useful promotional items should be everywhere, while your high-quality promotional products should be given as gifts to the employee of the month, or for special occasions. That&#;s how your employees will become brand advocates &#; even in their free time.

* Customer-related benefits

Promotional products are crucial in this area. With business corporate gifts, you get effective, low-cost promotional products advertising that&#;s a lot cheaper than any other method per impression. If you choose good promotional items that will frequently be used, you get cheap exposure on a daily basis. People who get a promo item from you will remember your brand for almost two years, so there are branding benefits as well. And, last but not least, you get customer loyalty.

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How Do Promotional Products Help Business?

How do promotional products differ from advertising?

Promotional products and advertisements are definitely not the same. Why? Well, firstly, advertising is a lot more expensive than a promotion, and you use it when you want to achieve long-term product/service awareness. Advertising includes ads in newspapers, magazines, mail, and on social media. In contrast, promotional products usually serve to prompt a fast response.

However, we have to say, usually is the key word in the previous sentence. Why? Because good promotional items, given within a well done campaign, can have a long-term effect.

 

What are some promotional products examples?

Every little thing that you believe people will use on a regular basis. No, we&#;re not joking, and we&#;re not oversimplifying. According to research, over 750.000 different products are in use as promotional merchandise. You can use pens with your company&#;s logo, number, website address, and tagline. You can use drinkware, conference folders, all sorts of bags, paper products and desk accessories, keyrings, novelties, technology, sweets, clothing, as well as lifestyle and outdoor items as marketing items to give away.

Each of these promotional gift items has its own benefits. For instance, if you decide to use drinkware, your mug or bottle will be before your potential customer&#;s eyes every day. They will read and re-read your message over and over. As a result, when they need a brand of services or products from your niche, they will go to you. That will happen both because they feel like you offer additional value and because they will feel like they &#;know&#; your brand.

Promotional cotton shopping bags and conference folders with good branding and an interesting design can be magnificent for your company. They will turn recipients into your own little walking billboards.

Technology promotional products, on the other hand, such as branded power banks show your potential clients or partners that you are in touch with the very latest modern times. You are not lagging behind, you know what people like and need, and you take all the right steps to give it to them.

 

Things you should consider before you start using promotional products

  • The audience you are aiming to reach &#; determine who exactly you want to wow with your promotional products before you order.
  • Your goals &#; make sure to know exactly what you want these products to achieve. Then choose the type of product accordingly and get advice where necessary.
  • Your budget &#; never go overboard. It&#;s better to take smaller items, but choose high-quality ones, than take big ones that are poorly made. After all, you are looking to win people over.

Whatever your audience will be interested in is a good choice for a promo item. And, if you play your cards right, whatever you choose will bring a return on your investment.

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Why Promotional Products Work?

If you have any more questions about promotional items for marketing, you can contact GoPromotional. You may call us at 970 or simply  us today. We have been in the business for years and know the ins and outs of the industry better than anyone. Give us a call, and let&#;s talk about all things promotion!

 

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