Strategic Print & Promotions 503 367 8454

Selecting the RIGHT imprinted promotional pen

Maribeth Niece — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:17:07 +0000

You might think a Pen is a Pen is a Pen. . . I beg to differ. When choosing an imprinted promotional pen, you should consider a couple of things:

1) Your company image

2) Who is your target?

Try selecting a pen that matches your company image. If you are a professional firm, you may want to go with a laser engraved pen, or a nice pen set. If you are a landscape company, a plastic well writing imprinted pen might be more appropriate. Also, forget gender; if your target market is more female, a thinner more feminine logo pen might be a good choice.

Don’t forget your branding message. Stay in the same color theme as your other marketing collateral and try to find a promotional pen that compliments your brand.

Your custom imprinted pen should be thought of as a transportable billboard that fits in your clients pocket, purse, or desk and will be kept and used often. A printed promotional pen conveys more than just your name & number, it represents your company image. You don’t have to spend a ton of money on your pens, however if you buy cheap pens that are low quality and skip on the page, you may experience the opposite effect you were looking for. You want to wear your colors proud.

How can you be sure you have chosen the right promotional pen:

Ask for samples. Your Promotional Products Distributor should not have a problem ordering or even having samples on hand for you to try. That way you are sure to know the quality you are purchasing.

Choose a pen manufacturer that is proven in the industry. There are a few manufacturers that make a great pen cartridge. What this means to you is: You can usually count on the pen writing smooth and having a finish you would be proud to distribute to your clients. A few pen manufacturers I like are:

Bic Pen Company

Goldstar Pens

Strategic Print & Promotions would love to offer you a FREE Sample. You should be able to try before you buy. Give us a call: 503 367 8454

Steps for a Successful Promotion

Maribeth Niece — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 04:04:17 +0000

What does it take to plan and execute a successful promotion?

1. Define a specific objective. The uses for promotional products are numerous. Whether you are going to a trade show or introducing a new service, the kind of product you buy is determined by what you want to accomplish with the promotion.

2. Determine a workable distribution plan. An executed distribution plan significantly increases the effectiveness of your promotion. Create a plan to ensure that the products reach the desired audience.

3. Create a theme and develop a message to support the theme. Supporting your brand with color choices, logo and message that complement each other. The logo should be simple, striking and recognizable. Also, choose a product that ties to your theme and the nature of your business to help solidify your message.

Strategic Print & Promotions has the experience and proven products to assist you with your next successful promotion. Contact us to start planning your promotion.

Ladies Logo Apparel

Maribeth Niece — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 20:11:24 +0000

Finding the right Ladies Logo Apparel can be a challenge. Just yesterday a client was ordering some t-shirts and polo shirts for an event he and his staff were participating in. In our conversation, we discussed that the ladies in his office may not want to wear a men’s t-shirt or a men’s polo shirt. I suggested that we look for a polo shirt that has a nice ladies companion shirt that has better lines for the ladies. Also when it comes to t-shirts, there are so many feminine options out there.

Ask the ladies in your office about this. . . Do they want a longer version of a t-shirt, a v-neck t-shirt, one made for a fuller figure or a more athletic ladies version of the normal old t-shirt. Remember, you want your staff to WANT to wear their shirts. When they are proud to wear the shirts, they will all be walking billboards for your organization.

In the long run, this client chose some black polo shirts for the men and a nice ladies v-neck t-shirt for the ladies.

Why do Promotional Products work?

Ed — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:03:16 +0000

Look at your desk or inside your desk drawers. Do you have a useful product with a logo imprinted on it? What about your pen, your mousepad, or the dispenser for your “sticky” notes? Logo products are everywhere and usually within easy reach. These imprinted promotional products are used to promote a product, service or company program.
Promotional products have reached a high level of popularity because they are flexible, tangible and brings your message “top of mind”. But how effective are these products when it comes to influencing or changing one’s perception or behavior towards an organization and its products or services?
To answer these questions, Promotional Products Association International conducted a 2004 research study and the results were quite surprising. In this study, over 800 business travelers were randomly surveyed at Dallas/Ft.Worth International Airport. Of those surveyed, at least 71 percent reported receiving a promotional product within the last 12 months. Of this group, over 33 percent actually had the promotional product on them or with them.
Effective Recall
Of those who responded to receiving a promotional product in the past 12 months, 76 percent of these participants could recall the name of the advertiser on the promotional product that they received. In comparison to traditional print advertising, only 53.5 percent of this same group could recall or name an advertiser they had seen in a magazine or newspaper in the previous week.
Lasting Impressions
In this same study, 52 percent of the participants conducted business with the advertiser after receiving the promotional product. Of those who had not done business with the advertiser that gave them the product, almost half stated that they were more likely to do business with the company that gave them the product, and 52 percent reported having a more favorable impression of the advertiser after receiving the item.
Repeated Exposure
One of the key advantages of using promotional products, as proven in this study, is the frequency of exposure. The more the item is used and the logo message is exposed to the user, the lower the cost per impression for the advertiser.