What’s the date today?

I have said this before and I will say it again promotional marketing works. A lot of people don’t give ‘swag’ enough credit and it has a bad rep, which is understandable because there is a lot of promotional tat out there that is the derivation of lack of understanding of how merchandise can be effective, laziness and lack of thought. Such as the Spiro paper hat, I am sure it has its place but REALLY! So here is a short blurb on why promotional merchandise is essential to add to your marketing mix. That’s were I come into play. Rather than just sending you a quote, firstly tell me more about what the merchandise is for and who would be using it. Just spit balling a few ideas within your budget can make a world of difference.

• Longevity – rather than a hamper or gift voucher which once used has no lasting impact, branded corporate gift with your logo on it makes an impression on the user throughout the long life time of the product.

• Value for money vs. advertising impact – corporate merchandise has more impressions per £/€ than another medium of marketing. A mug for example makes 5000 impressions on the recipient throughout its lifetime!


• Usefulness – the right choice of product for the desk or home will be used on a regular basis. The best gift is an item that is used on the desk, so that the recipient is reminded of your logo in the decision making time of the working day.

Now as we are leading to the towards the end of the year (where did the year go?) it is important to think about diaries and calendars, as although they are not the latest hot product, they are a key piece of merchandise that gets your brand noticed every single day of the year. I have a daily fact and quote rip off calendar that is from a supplier, which sits prominently on my desk in full view of myself and the rest of the team here. Everyday I look at and read the quote and fact. The impressions their logo makes is at least once a day. When I next need a calendar for a client I immediately think of them! This stuff works!

Calendars are calendars to most people, but there is a calendar we can provide that has the point of difference. It is the personalised calendar. Where an individual person or companies name is integrated within different images each month. Now nobody would throw out a calendar with their name on it! The impact that product has that you took the effort to create something unique and personal for them rather than giving them a bog standard calendar is invaluable? Why not use it as an alternative to a Xmas card this year? Or instead of a Xmas gift? There is still plenty of room to put your logo on the frame of the calendar.

So get personal and get your calendar’s before the year is out!