Why Promotional Merchandise Works

Promotional merchandise is a great, cost-effective way to win new business. It’ll work equally well for big global players as it will for SMEs and startups. In competitive times promotional products will keep the marketing budget manageable while giving businesses the opportunity to make a big splash.

Research undertaken in the US shows that 8 out of 10 consumers own up to 10 promotional products. Also that 6 out of 10 such consumers keep promotional products for up to two years. 

Make sure to offer recipients items that are perceived as useful – ones that can be used for many months, even years: pens, mousepads, umbrellas, reusable water bottles, power banks, earphones and other mobile accessories.

It’s important to offer products with good environmental credentials. Of course, eco merchandise will cost a little more but as recipients become increasingly environmentally conscious these items will be well received and treasured.

Why are promotional products are such a persuasive marketing tool?

Inexpensive. Even large setups are attracted by this low- cost alternative to traditional marketing. So it’s even more important for smaller businesses with tight margins. Research by the Advertising Speciality Institute came up with some persuasive findings based on thousands of personal and online consumer surveys.

Consider power banks. They’re currently a top trending item in the UK…

• 33% of consumers own one;
• they generate more than 900 impressions in their lifetime;
• 41% of consumers will use their power bank once a week or more;
• 40% of consumers will hang on to one for two years or longer.

Increased brand recognition. We can all spot big brands from just a suggestion of a logo. Or a certain colour will bring a brand powerfully to mind. Promotional merchandise means a brand surrounds people in their daily lives. And unlike a pop- up ad, they’re not intrusive. Indeed they are valued items and a powerful reminder of who gave them. Recent BPMA research discovered that 96% of recipients said merchandise they’d received increased their brand awareness. Also, 83% reckoned to remember the brand for 12 months or more.

Customer loyalty. Promotional products drive customer loyalty. An advertisement lasts only a few minutes but a gift can last for many years, taking pride of place in people’s homes or places of work. In addition, 85% of people were shown to do business with an advertiser after they’d received a promotional item.

Make Memorable Merchandise

Jason Markwick

Having worked in Promotional Merchandise for the last 25 years I have been exposed to all aspects of the industry. Starting out as an account manager working with some of the worlds leading brands, I have learnt to understand the needs of a client, manufacturing processes, and what it takes to deliver a successful promotional campaign that is on brand, on time and within a given budget.