My Blog

How Screw up your promotion

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:24:08 -0700

Many times businesses look as promotional items as “gvieaways” and not as a effective marketing tool. They often look just at price rather than what is going to truly help people and be of use as well as remember you and your business. How many of these mistakes have you made with your marketing?

1. Buying from Order Takers - The top mistake that most buyers make is
going with an inexperienced company or with a company that takes no i
interest in helping your campaign succeed. To elaborate further, many
promotional product distributors are interested only in the sale and not the
well-being of your marketing campaign success. These distributors will gladly
take your money but their customer service is lousy. Experienced distributors
know that any future repeat business from their clients hinges directly on the
successes of their campaigns, so any smart distributor is going to try to help
their clients in every way possible to offer any suggestions to better their
marketing efforts. Therefore, using a knowledgeable distributor will benefit
you greatly with any campaign. It doesn’t make any sense to go with a
company that is just simply offering a lower price on an item if they give no
service, especially if you’re just talking pennies per item.
1. Not Developing an Objective for Your Campaign - So what are you trying to achieve with your purchase of promotional items? Are you just going for brand awareness? Are you actually wanting to increase sales? Are you trying to get customer contact info for a mailing or telemarketer list? Are you using your giveaways as thank you gifts? Are you using the items are employee incentives? All of these are crucial questions that need answers because you must define the target audience and define what you action you desire. If you want to increase sales, you might want to use the item as a FREE gift with purchase. Or if you are wanting to thank your employees for a job well done, you will want to give them a premium item that they will keep and use often. If you are promoting brand awareness, you will want to get an item that is related to your product, brand, or service. A promotional products consultant can help you with creative ideas and it doesn’t cost you any extra for this service.
2. Buying Trash - You don’t go through your neighbor’s garbage can and offer to buy his garbage and then give it away to your customers, so why buy useless junk that will end up in the trash can that same day. Don’t buy a 20 cent pen and expect people to jump up and down in excitement. A cheap item like that is likely to skip when writing, smear, and possibly not even write at all. Then all you have done is wasted your money and given your customers and potential customers a bad taste about your company. They get a cheap feel about your business and associate your service and products as cheap and useless.
3. Being Stingy - I always love this one! I see people buying promotional products all the time, but they hoard the items in a closet and don’t give them away. They save them for “special people” or “special occasions” that never really come. The items stay boxed up in a closet and offer no marketing value. You’ve spent the money on the items, so now get some use out of them. An average promotional item is viewed by many more people than just the recipient. Therefore, one item has a lot of marketing power to affect multiple locations.
4. No Contact Info - Having just your logo printed on items without contact information such as your website, address, or phone number is not usually recommended unless you are simply promoting brand awareness. Even if you are just promoting brand awareness and not trying to get orders from this marketing item, you should still at least have your website printed on the items, unless you have National or Worldwide recognition such as Microsoft.
5. Wrong Item for Your Target Audience- So often I get calls from people wanting specific items, but when I question them about their intentions with the items, I find out the items are completely inappropriate for the recipients. You don’t want to have custom imprinted pocket knives and pass them out to kindergartners or give logo molded chocolate out at a diabetes seminar. Although, these examples are extreme, this drives the point home. Make sure you know who the recipients will be. If most will be elderly, give out something that age group can use. If they are a younger audience, make sure and give out something that will appeal to that generation. This simple concept is often overlooked and should be thought about carefully. In many instances, you may need to think about getting 2 or 3 types of items if you have a diverse crowd.
6. Too Much Information Printed - Printing too much information on a promotional item is a no no. Often people want to print their business name, logo, address, website, phone number, fax number, and a tag line on a pen with a 1/2 in.x 1 in. imprint area. This of course makes no sense because with most promotional items, the imprint area is limited and the more you print, the smaller the imprint will be. What good does the imprint do if you need a magnifying glass to see it. Think about the pertinent info you need. Your logo, business name, phone number, and website is usually sufficient. Do you really need a fax number on a promotional item? Simpler is often better. Information overload will cause people to not read the info.
7. No Tracking Method - Having a way to track the Return on Investment (ROI) is always a great idea with promotional products. You can use them like a coupon and include an exclusive discount or coupon code so that you will know exactly how many people placed an order or made a purchase that was directly related to this item. For example, bring this tote bag to the store to bag your items at checkout and receive a 5% discount. Or have a coupon code that says 10% off your purchase on our website by using promo code TAKE10. By doing this, you can measure results and know if this type of marketing is working for you. In order to be successful with your campaign, there is still a lot of other planning to do such as targeting the right audience with the right product.
8. Giving Away High Dollar Items in Bulk - I have seen several companies (the ones with plenty of money to spend) giving away premium items to anyone they see. While premium items are very effective to giveaway to your top customers, I never recommend giving them away to just anyone. That is the quickest way to break the bank. Bulk items should be the lower cost items under $3.00 each.
9. No Advance Planning - Make sure you order early enough in advance to avoid rush charges and expedited shipping charges. Most promotional products can take up to 2 weeks for production; however, you can get many products these days with free rush service, but you still may have to use 2-day or overnight shipping to get your items on time. This can be avoided with a little advance planning and ordering early enough. Why waste money on rush or expedited shipping fees?

It’s very important to work with a promotional marketing expert, then you know you are receiving quality products and knowledgeable advice. Who is a promotional expert? That would be me!

Call me (206 243 - 2015) or Email me and let’s begin the discussion.

How do you reward your staff?

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:07:40 -0700

Numerous studies and anecdotal evidence have shown that in many instances, awards and merchandise are more meaningful than cash for motivating employees. They make everyone involved feel great. It’s obviously fun to receive an award…but to be honest, I actually enjoy helping clients create an award and watching the response of the recipients even more! Recently I was asked to help with a new reward the client had just created. I sent some quotes and she was pleased, but not quite what she wanted. So in the next set I put one at the end that was titled the same as what they had decided. She loved it but it was a bit more than they planned. So I checked around and found one that was just what she had in mind. The supplier did a virtual sample and that was the icing on the cake for the client. I love it when my client says “It’s perfect!”. All this in less than a month. I was invited to the luncheon and was able to see the award presented and the surprise on the face of the recipient - then I was able to look at the award up close.

Any time is a good time to start new programs within your organization. How about an employee recognition plan? If you have star employees that you want to reward, but your company has frozen pay raises, an employee recognition award is a great way to demonstrate your appreciation. Many employers have been cutting back during these tough economic times. There is still a way (and it’s less expensive) for employers to let their employees know just how important they are. With recognition awards employers are able to send along thanks and praise to those employees.
Awards don’t always have to be a yearly or anniversary event, sometimes it is better to do things through out the year to let them know you notice when they perform well in every day situations. Think of it as “Catching them in the act of doing something right”. It can be a several tiered program with small acknowledgements up to more substantial rewards. I worked on one for a car dealership that had on the spot acknowledgement, weekly and monthly awards and so on up the tiers. Knowing employees and how they like to be recognized as well as what is important to them helps to design a custom program for your particular needs and circumstances.
People respond better when they are recognized and acknowledged for what they accomplish as well as playing to their strengths. Rather than have an evaluation where an employee is told only the things that need work, be sure to give them positive feedback on what they have done well. Depending on how well you know your employees, you can also put a bit of fun and whimsy into your awards:
Hot Air Award
For the Most Long-Winded
Remember that movie The Neverending Story? Does it remind you of anyone you know? There's always someone who can't seem to make a point quickly and concisely. Celebrate their gift for gab with this funny trophy. Suggested Uses: Most long winded, Most eloquent, or Best speeches.

Rear End Award
For Always Showing Your Backside
Some people can't seem to help but to act out. Their tireless antics display the spunk and unbreakable will of a young stallion - or just a horses' ass. Either way, celebrate this brave young worker with this this funny gag trophy, and enjoy their hilarious acceptance speech. Maybe, just maybe, they'll finally say something that will get them fired.

Deer in the Headlights Award
For the Most Confused
Let's face it: you wonder how some people you work with make it through the day. With their bumbling around the workplace, it's hard to believe they can get dressed on their own. Celebrate their innocence and wide-eyed cluelessness with this most prestigious trophy. Don't worry about hurting their feelings - they won't get what you're talking about.

Golden Turkey Award
For Worst Idea of the Year.
Some ideas are so bad that they deserved to be subjected to ridicule over and over again. Did someone lose a big sale? Pitch a ridiculous concept to a client? Envision a "productivity gain" that cost your company money? Don't let their incompetence go unnoticed. Show them that you reward all ideas - both good and bad - with this funny gag trophy.

Now is the time to think about who deserves recognition and how you can stay top of mind - are you ready for some fun? Let’s get started!

Call me (206 243 - 2015) or Email me and let’s begin the discussion.

What’s in your emergency kit

Tue, 25 May 2010 09:15:56 -0700

I talked to a client the other day, she was looking for a small pouch to imprint because she wants to put together her own emergency kit for her clients. She is a massage therapist as well as creating her own aromatherapy oils, she wants to add some different essential oil blends to her kit. That started me thinking about other emergency or survival kits for other clients. They can be very serious and straight forward, or maybe with some humor or whimsy. I know one supplier who has a hangover emergency kit as well as one for trade shows. Certainly auto emergency kits for problems on the go - a more straight forward one because being stuck on the edge of the freeway is no picnic.

One of the ones with a bit of whimsy is the survival kit for a tax accountant.
Abacus : for when your calculator wears out
Marbles : to replace the ones you will lose during tax season
Rope : in case you get to the end of yours
Penny: to give you extra cents (sense) to know which battles to fight, & which ones to ignore.
Magic Wand : for the magician people think you should be
Piece of string : to help you "tie-up" those loose ends.
A Lifesaver : to keep you from drowning in everyday problems.
A lemon drop : to remind you that "when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade."
A lollipop : to help you lick your problems.
A rubber band : to help you to remember to be "flexible" in all things.
A Snicker candy bar : to remind you that laughter IS the best medicine.
A paper clip : to help you "hold it all together."
A stick of gum : to give you that "stick-to-it" attitude.
A safety pin : to help you "pin-point" your problems, the better to solve them
Get out of Jail Free card : for that tax return you fudged on
A mint: so you will always have a fresh outlook .
Candle : for when you're burning the midnight oil
Battery : to help you keep going and going and going.
Candy kiss : to remind you that you are loved by me

For a travel agent client who does cruises, there is a cruise survival kit:

Items Needed: Smarties, Lifesavers, Gummy Worms, Goldfish Crackers, and a popsicle stick   You ask, "What is it?"   It's SEASICK PILLS for your tummy's ills.   And LIFE SAVERS to keep you a float in case you fall off the boat.   If you want to fish, please don't wait the GUMMY WORMS AND THE GOLDFISH are
your bait.   Last but not least, one thing more - a PADDLE, to help you row to shore.

Which clients can you think of who would enjoy some fun and help entertain their clients as well as give them useful information? Showing clients you care about them helps with the “know, like and trust” atmosphere for prospects and well established clients. And you will be remembered! 
Now is the time to think about summer promotions and how you can stay top of mind - are you ready for some fun? Let’s get started!

Call me (206 243 - 2015) or Email me and let’s start the discussion.

sidetracked by technology

Mon, 17 May 2010 09:34:39 -0700

This has been a frustrating 3 or 4 weeks, my Mobile Me wouldn’t allow me to publish anything and I had a hard time trying to figure out what to do. At last I have solved it, though not sure if it will work again the next time it happens. On the whole my Mac has been really great - most of it has been my learning curve hasn’t kept up with technology. I marvel at the things people can do on their computers, I haven’t a clue how it is done. When my computer doc works on our PC, I watch as he into the computer through Log Me In and he goes places I never knew existed. He is an amazing guy and when he explains things to me, he makes them understandable without using a lot of technicalese. He never makes me feel my questions are stupid, especially when they are very basic; plus he makes suggestions that are geared to how we use the computer. I also know that when I have a real interest in something, I have a bit easier time learning because it is in a context I know and enjoy. I’m still working on finding a context that makes math more understandable.

I have lost my train of thought on food - I will definitely come back to it because it is a delicious subject. Since I have had technical problems lately, let’s look at things technical and electronic. Have you noticed almost everyone is is almost surgically attached to one or more devices? I was in Barnes & Noble yesterday for coffee and something with my husband and there were several people with laptops open; the same at Panera the morning before that. And everywhere I look, someone is talking, texting, emailing, etc on their iPhone or similar. What bugs me is when I am talking to someone and they are constantly checking the Blackberry - how rude is that! Would everything come crashing down if that person put it down and spent time concentrating on the person in front of them?

Now think about your clients - how connected are they and how can you benefit in promoting your business. Suppose you had a promotion that targeted this particular group - how many of your current clients would use something technical - as a thank you gift, an incentive or as a premium? How many of your prospects, ideal clients, would see you in a different light and want to know more about what you can do to help them? The old “What’s In It For Me?”. This is where you need to know what is important to your client or prospect, what do they value, what would be useful to them. Also, where do you want them to use it and keep it with them? If they are using your gift and someone else sees it and wants one, then your promotion is becoming effective.

You are wondering when I am going to get to specifics - how about screen cleaners of all kinds, computer feet, computer brushes, earphone holders, skins for all devices, things to protect, enhance, decorate and a few other ideas up my sleeve. What would enhance and help your image of a business who cares about clients and prospects, their security and solve problems that then increase the bottom line? My job is to create what will work for you that meets your objective, time frame and budget.

Call me (206 243 - 2015) or Email me and let’s start the discussion.

money talks but chocolate sings!

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 15:17:37 -0700

This is my favorite topic because I love chocolate. Think about all the people in your target market who would be surprised and delighted by chocolate - with you name and logo. They will have very sweet thought about you and will definitely remember you. I am now a big fan of dark chocolate, though not just because it is very good for you. I can also be happy with milk chocolate - it’s all chocolate. Now there is a supplier who has organic chocolate, so not only are you helping the environment with healthy chocolate, you can help take some of the guilt out of enjoying it. I just saw this quote:

"Chocolate is cheaper than therapy
and you don't need an appointment".

One business here always has chocolates at their front desk - it’s no longer just the hospitality industries who use chocolate. For different events like seminars, trade shows, road shows, conferences, exhibitions and many others, you can show gratitude with beautifully designed promotional chocolate bars. A client is putting together a promotion with small squares of chocolate that will go in a small folder to be given to gate keepers. It will have “How do you say Thank You” on the outside and give recognition to those who protect their bosses. Rather than “go around” the gate keeper, make him or her a friend. Being friendly and nice to anyone will make a big difference - that positive energy vibrating from you will make everyone feel better.

In cold weather using packets of logo hot chocolate in a mug, along with a cookie or two is very welcome to keep the cold out. Using chocolate bars imprinted with company name, message, website address and product name are considered the perfect advertising tools that can increase your company's popularity.

I read an article not too long ago that if you drop off a chocolate business card with your regular business card inside to an executive you want to contact, the likelihood of that executive calling you has increased dramatically. To be even more recognizable, suppose you used a shape that reflects your business. The shape possibilities are endless and your chocolate logo shape can be even more memorable. Think about using it with an emotional appeal that states that even in bad economy it is sometimes worth splurging on a quality product. Plus, as I wrote in earlier blog entries, there is more than just the taste - how it smells, feels in the mouth, possible crunch and of course how gorgeous it looks.

This is only a small part of the story, call or email me and let’s start exploring how you can use chocolate in your next marketing project. Remember, chocolate from me is freshly made just as you order it - it hasn’t been sitting in a warehouse for months waiting to be sold as it is from some well known companies. Plus, it has your name on it, not theirs - you get the credit for wowing your prospects and clients.

Next week let’s talk Snacks.

Giving food gifts

Thu, 8 Apr 2010 07:06:05 -0700

Everyone loves food and food gifts - think about doing it for your prospects and clients; vendors and suppliers; staff, volunteers; all those who help you keep your business running smoothly. Now I can see you are asking “Why should I do that?”. Why not? Food is a universal language.

Now you are wondering: When should I give food? That’s easy - all year round. Did someone give you a referral? Did you just land a big new account? Did you see one of your employees caught in the act of doing something right? Do you give holiday gifts? How about creating your own special holiday to celebrate something important in your business? A little extra Thank You unexpectedly enclosed in an order. Are you introducing a new product or service? Is it a regular holiday? I’ll bet you can think of a dozen different times when giving a food gift was just right.

Here are some great reasons to give food for your next Thank You”:

1. It’s Traditional.

2. It’s an easy “no brainer” gift.

3. Food gifts are FUN!

4. They are shareable

5. Liquor and wine are now considered inappropriate gifts.

6. Your name on it rather than some other company’s

Plus

• It’s convenient
• Branding
• High quality = more delicious
• Made fresh just before shipping
• Customization
• Individual shipment and card enclosed
• Create a cost-effective program
• Superior Packaging - gifts arrive in great condition
• Quality - 100% Satisfaction guaranteed
• Stress free buying

There are all kinds of reason to give food - How about for no particular reason except you feel like doing it. Now that’s an eye-opener for sure!

Next week let’s talk Food specifically.

Going Green - fair trade coffee & tea

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:30:15 -0700

What is fair trade and how does it work? In the case of coffee, Fair trade supports the shade coffee growing method. The benefits are better coffee beans, less de-forestation, better soil that can be used in future generations, environments for songbird communities and the communities of coffee farmers.

Fair Price for Quality
The idea of fair trade is to pay the farmer directly avoiding the middle man. Thus the coffee connoisseur would pay directly for quality instead of for transaction fees. Since many coffee companies get their coffee directly from the producer there is no negative effect on the consumer's wallet, but instead on that of the middle man. By buying fair trade coffee the consumer is helping the farmer sustain his way of life and that of the environment that allows for the better coffee production.
Shade grown and Bird Friendly
  Shade grown coffee is cultivated by allowing the presence of other beneficial plants and trees to remain, shading the coffee plants with a canopy of leaves and branches (some connoisseurs suggest that the longer maturation time for shade grown coffee brings out more flavor from the bean). Unlike this more traditional method, many larger coffee farms clear all vegetation except for the coffee plants, eliminating important habitats for animals, especially songbirds, and typically requiring more chemical inputs. Coffees that are organic and shade grown can also qualify for Bird Friendly Certification.

The local brew
 Seek out the coffee and tea that have traveled the least distance to reach you and also aim at supporting local, independent farms, cafés, and roasters.

Mug Shots
  Go ahead, find that perfect mug and make the investment. Not only is a reusable mug more pleasurable to sip out of than a paper cup, but it will replace an untold number of disposable cups, plastic sippy tops, “java jackets,” and other disposable paraphernalia. If you've got a thing for paper cups there are suppliers that can give you that paper cup look with the ceramic feel. Make a quick tally of how many disposable coffee or tea cups you use in a month…yeah, it’s probably a lot.

Home Brew
When you do it at home you know where the beans and leaves are coming from and also where they go when they’re spent. Plus, you can’t forget your mug, you can choose organic milk, and never toss out another paper sugar packet. Try a bit of quick math on the cost savings of making your morning cup-o-joe at home.

Loosen up Tea bags and coffee filters can be useful but are mostly unnecessary. Great coffee can be made at home with a reusable filter or a stovetop espresso maker. A quality tea infuser can last a lifetime and replace an untold number of (questionably compostable) tea bags. If you do use filters and bags, look for biodegradable and unbleached ones.

Milk and sugar Most people put one thing or another in their hot beverage of choice. Don’t foul up your organic, fair trade, bird friendly, solar roasted brew with chemical and hormone-laden milk and sugar from a little paper packet. If you don’t do the cow thing, look for organic rice, soy, or almond milk to yin up your yang. In the US, TransFair also certifies sugar, so even your sugar can be fair trade. (Maple syrup in coffee is another well-kept secret.) 
Compost the roast
Tea leaves and especially coffee grounds make outstanding compost. Coffee’s high nitrogen content has made it a fertilizer of choice since days of yore. Composting leaves and grounds helps keep organic waste out of landfills, makes great soil, and keeps waste baskets dry. If you don’t have a heap to toss it on, just spread coffee grounds on the top of your plants’ soil. 
Gift the good stuff
 Organic coffee and tea make superb gifts for friends and coworkers, as well as effective peace offerings for estranged family members and ex-lovers. It’s also a great way to get people appreciating the many benefits of a “greener” coffee or tea habit.

With this knowledge, think of ways you can show your clients and prospects that you are concerned with the environment and the people of the world in the ways you do business and create memorable moments for them.

Call (206 243 - 2015) or email me and let’s start the discussion about showing your green side.

Next week check in for Food gifts.

Going Green - sustainable

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:07:06 -0700

What defines a sustainable product? Well, the Internet and books are full of complicated definitions and big words, but the basics of the matter are that a sustainable product is one which protects the environment during its entire life. That is, from the moment the raw materials are extracted from the source to the time the final product is disposed of, there must be no permanent damage caused to the environment. The materials which we use to construct and manufacture products need to be fully replaceable by future growth, and the energy sources we use need to be changed over so that they can be maintained when the fossil fuel supply runs out.

Bamboo comes to mind first because it is easy to grow and can be used in all kinds of products - from apparel, furniture, flooring, home decor, etc. If you have ever grown bamboo in your garden, you know how quickly it grows and spreads, so it is important to confine it in a specific area or you will be surrounded by a bamboo forest before you know it. Reminds me of the kudzu in Atlanta, unfortunately they still haven’t found a market for that.

Sustainable products are becoming an ever more popular choice, especially when you consider that they often have a greater longevity than products which are created simply to sell for the cheapest possible price. In the end, the planet is home to all of us, and we owe it to ourselves to switch, as far as possible, to sustainable products. Those products and the attitude can set your business apart as not only showing quality and concern for the environment by using sustainable products, but also by walking the walk instead of just talking about it.
Story telling is often a great way to show what you do, how you do it and why you do it. With so many other companies doing what you do, how will you stand out? What do you want to stand for in the minds of your audience and how can you build a story around it that will resonate amidst all the other marketing messages clamoring for attention? Just saying you are “green” these days is more of a commodity, you need to “Show, don’t tell” how you are unique and why people are better off working with you. Sustainability marketing is beginning to be more and more important - do you and your employees wear organic bamboo apparel? Are your promotional pieces using sustainable products such corn, hemp, cotton, etc. Do they show your position, your promise and your personality?
I have been telling you about products and promotions - suppose you decided to use an actual bamboo plant in your next promotion? Think in terms of seeds, handmade paper with embedded seeds - using taglines like “Helping you grow your business” or “ Let’s grow together” or “Making Relationships Grow”. What better way to help your business sustain relationships with clients, prospects, vendor, staff, volunteers, supplier?

Next week check in for Fair Trade.

Going Green - Organic

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:47:07 -0700

How do you define organic. I found this definition at Organic.org - Simply stated, organic produce and other ingredients are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. What mouthful! A little scary to think those types of things are used with “regular” food. When a company says it is friendly to the environment, it is important to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.

Organic promotional gifts can be an unbelievably powerful marketing tool. Anything free and useful that has the room for your business name or logo on it has the ability to be a promotional item. This leaves opportunity wide open for organic promotional products.

Not only will organic promotional products ease the conscience of eco-minded business owners, but they represent the ethics and principals under which you operate your business. Organic promotional items will also stand out in the minds of potential customers, thus setting your business apart from others. Use organic promotional products information to:

1. Introduce your business to a new target market, who may be attracted to
your business simply for the environmentally-friendly attitude.

1. Usher your business into the twenty-first century with forward-thinking
organic promotional products.

1. Stand out in the minds of potential customers through unique promotional
products.

Use organic clothing as organic promotional products
Organic clothing is fairly easy to come by these days. Clothing may not be very cheap, but turning the wearers into walking advertisements is a tried and true marketing method, and in the long run is cheaper than many other forms of advertising.

Hand out organic bags as organic promotional products
Print your business name and logo on tote-style organic shopping bags that have become very popular as a replacement for disposable plastic and paper shopping bags. There are other styles to choose from an organic promotional products provider too, such as drawstring backpacks.

Offer pens as organic promotional products
Pens are one of the most inexpensive promotional items there are. Spend as little as a few cents a piece and find stylish and attractive organic pens to splash your business name on.

Get organic lanyards to use as organic promotional products
Lanyards are an increasingly popular way to keep track of keys, security badges, zip drives and other essential items. Purchase organic lanyards and always have your business name within reach of potential customers.

To make the most of your marketing using organic products, Keep these guidelines in mind:

• Plan out your distribution channels to make sure these organic
promotional products are getting to those who will take notice.

• Think about the organic promotional products you are choosing and whether
they are ones that would be attractive to the target market that cares about
the environment.

• Make sure your business name and logo are visible, but at the same time
tasteful and not detracting from the message organic promotional products
send.

Showing your concern for the environment through your business activities, practices and marketing give you more credibility than just shouting you are using organic.

Next week check in for Sustainable.

Going Green - RECYCLED

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:38:36 -0800

These products were once something else and remade into its present form. It is a great way to show you are conscious of the environment and how to lessen your “carbon footprint” as well as save on raw materials. It is quite amazing to see the range of products that began in one form and became another form. I was at a Showcase this week and one supplier has an exclusive on Elephant Poo notebooks. At first it sounded really weird and a bit off putting because the first picture in my mind was steaming pile of poo. The supplier explained that elephants eat several hundred pounds of greenery a day, but only actually use about 20% of it. The rest comes out the opposite end, the manufacturer collects it, washes, sterilizes it and is left with pulp that is then made into paper. Who’s athunk it?
Can you visualize a pile of old tires sitting in a junk yard - sorry, salvage yard. If you are in any business related to transportation, think of the possibilities to have products that relate and reflect your business. Recently suppliers have come out with small car coasters to fit in the bottom of cup holders. Suppose you placed one in a client’s car as an extra, unexpected bonus - a tire store selling a new tire or set of tires; a collision repair business finishing the repair on a client’s car, an insurance agent who insured that car, the detail guy who did a great job making the car look almost new. Other products range from mouse pad, floor mats, drain pipe, mulch, office supplies, and surfacing.
Think of the mountain of paper that is used and then tossed or sent into recycling. Pens, pads, pencils, notebooks, boxes, stationery - that list is endless. When there is a meeting or seminar, providing pads and notebooks made of recycled paper to each participant not only saves trees but also saves time. Too often people arrive with no paper or pen, there’s a mad scramble to find some and the people who came prepared are upset because it wastes their time.
All those plastic bottles that have been thrown into the landfill or on the side of the road - the shopping bags, clothing, picnic tables, furniture, mailboxes, benches, lumber, etc. Plus they don’t rot, get eaten by bugs, permanently colored and don’t require sealant.
When you advertise your business as eco friendly and good for the environment, it is smart to think in terms of recycled products that image and that you truly do what you say your business is all about. You can also do your own recycling, invite your clients and prospects to have their paper shredded by a reliable company. Send out postcards as an invitation and directions for where to go and when. Are there others ways you can “show, don’t tell” that you care about the planet while giving an unexpected gift to your clients.?

Next week check in for organic.