Promotional products are useful tangible items imprinted with an advertiser’s name, logo or message designed to increase brand awareness among consumers. Promotional items are an incredibly powerful marketing tool since they allow a brand to connect with consumers by engaging their senses.
Some other terms for promotional products are branded merchandise and the informal term Swag. According to Wikipedia, the word Swag is actually an acronym for “Stuff We All Get”. It originated from the .com years where companies used these give-away items as promotional mechanisms.
Interestingly enough, the first known promotional products in the United States were commemorative buttons dating back to the election of George Washington in 1789. During the early 19th century, there were some advertising calendars, rulers, and wooden specialties.
Branded merchandise has and always will be an excellent awareness tactic that can be used to help improve conversions, if used as an incentive. Perhaps that’s why the first usage was in the political arena. Brand marketing isn’t going away. In the face of the coronavirus, more than 40% of brands say they plan to increase marketing to stay top-of-mind. (Influencer Marketing Hub)
Some of the world’s largest companies spend millions of dollars on promotional products. Four of the top ranking companies are Pfizer, General Motors, AT&T and PepsiCo, spending anywhere from $85.7 to $52.6 millions of dollars.
Customers want to be able to have a relationship with their brands of choice, one that goes beyond a simple transaction over a screen. More and more companies will be exploring different strategies and tactics to connect with their customers offline.
In a study conducted by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), the following facts were reported:
- 89% of consumers own a branded writing instrument
- 88% of consumers own branded drinkware
- 80% of consumers own a branded T-shirt
- 73% of consumers own a branded bag
- 69% of consumers own branded headwear
Promotional products have staying power. In this same survey ASI reported:
- Outerwear is kept for 16 months or more
- Umbrellas are kept for 14 months or more
- T-shirts are kept for 14 months or more
- USB drives are kept for 13 months or more
- Desk accessories are kept for 13 months or more
- Polo shirts are kept for 13 months or more
- Mobile Power Banks are kept for 12 months or more
- Drinkware is kept for 12 months or more
Promotional products are essential elements for fulfillment. Most companies that are experts at fulfillment incorporate the use of promotional items and apparel in their repertoire of branded custom kitting. Companies know that the quality of the promotional item equals the reputation of the company. PPAI research shows that eight out of ten consumers like receiving promotional products and nearly ten out of ten say they are willing to go out of their way to get a promotional product.
If you are still unsure of how often people use promotional items, take a look at the t-shirts and hats people wear on a daily basis to the grocery store, the gym or just out running errands. To help our clients find all of the promotional items they need, or to see what’s trending, Spectra offers a Logo Mall. Our Logo Mall allows you to search more than 350,000 promotional products 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We will personally shop for any item or idea that you are interested in. With over 800,000 items to choose from, we’re here to help you find everything to promote your corporate brand.
