Marketing / 18.06.2018

Two words. Just an "R" is the difference in spelling, however, that simple letter drastically changes the meaning. Over the course of doing business in the branding and marketing industry, I run across many businesses with an "interesting" outlook on business. Interesting isn't always good. There...

Funny, Marketing / 14.05.2018

Marketing your company effectively requires careful planning as well as a balance of several advertising mediums. If weakness occurs in one part of your marketing plan, it can negatively affect your overall success and ultimately your bottom line. These weaknesses in one area of your...

Marketing, Promotional Product Ideas / 09.04.2018

I recently visited one of my local clients to help plan their marketing strategy for the upcoming year. As I learned more about some of their current marketing tactics, I learned about some premium promotional products they bought a few years ago. Their storage closet was full of really nice wine gift sets they bought two years ago. I asked what their intentions were for those products and I was told those premium items are reserved for the top clients. As I dug deeper, I found out they had only given away about 10-15 of these items. They were saving these for their "best clients." Because this company had not defined who their "best clients" were, they were not utilizing these "thank you" gifts efficiently. Every company has top clients, even if the top clients don't spend as much as you would like them to spend. It is important to
Marketing / 19.03.2018

Recently, a news article aired with a ridiculous request from the Grand Junction Fire Department in Grand Junction, CO. The news clip stated they are requesting the public to not wear shirts, hats, or patches bearing the fire department logo. They claim it may put you in a dangerous situation. **Cough, Cough, bull*#%&**. I could see it being potentially dangerous for citizens to wear clothing bearing law enforcement logos, but not for fire or EMS. But what really struck me as ludicrous is their policy stating their personnel are not permitted to wear their hats or screen printed t-shirts when off-duty. Sure they mean well, but here's the problem as I see it, and it's a big one. Before I tell you why this is a ridiculous policy, it's important to understand some background information about the lives of firefighters (and other similar professions). 
Marketing, Promotional Product Ideas / 12.03.2018

Promotional products are the most powerful advertising medium because they both promote your business or event AND they are tangible, usable items that will continue to be used by the recipients. This means your advertising will live on for months or years if you choose the right promotional items. There are times when promotional products can actually damage your brand if you haphazardly buy items without planning effectively. However, it only takes a little thought to avoid these simple, yet all too common mistakes.

Promo Faux Pas Exposed

Marketing, Promotional Product Ideas / 05.03.2018

Promotional products can be incredibly engaging. In fact, they are the only advertising medium which can reach all 5 of the senses - sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste. They can be exciting. They can be nostalgic. They can bring joy. Promotional products can be awesome if you use a little common sense and spend some time thinking about who you want receiving them. They can help forge a bond between your brand and your customers. They will keep your company top of mind. They continue to advertise for your company long after they are purchased. Below are 5 labels often used for traditional advertising for which don't hold true for promotional products. If you disagree, it's highly likely you are doing it wrong.
Marketing, Promotional Product Ideas / 19.02.2018

Too often I receive calls from clients or new prospects needing promotional products in a rush for an upcoming trade show or event. Usually, that last minute call is because promotional products were never considered until the very end. While we do offer rush promotional items as quickly as same day production, these items often lose their effectiveness if they are treated as an afterthought with no plan. If you are buying promotional items only to randomly give them away at your next trade show, you're missing a huge opportunity to create a return on these investments. If simply handed out at random to every schmuck who passes your trade show booth, these items will likely not have the effect desired, which is to help those attendees remember your company.
Marketing, Promotional Product Ideas / 12.02.2018

When you buy promotional products, it's important those items be part of a bigger plan. Your promos should always help lead to meeting a specific goal. Shortcuts don't work when buying promotional products if you want the maximum return on your investment. A plan is critical. But before you can plan, you must have a goal. Gone are the days you can randomly hand out branded items and expect grand results. You now have to be more creative than your competitors to be memorable. You can bet your competition is trying to outsmart you to win more of the market share. While promotional products are great items to help promote customer loyalty, they are also excellent tools to use for acquiring new customers. Below are a few examples of goals aimed at new customer acquisition along with suggested promotional items that should do the trick.

Promotional Products Goals