Promotional products are keepers

Last week a client brought back one of my promotional advertising products that had an offer on it. I told him if he will give it to me then I will give you the discount offered on it.

His answer, “No, I want to keep it.”

Now that was music to my ears, and it should be to yours. A promotional product with an offer that the client refuses to give up. Promoting my business this way pays off.

Pens, Coins, Toys or calendars….

How do you choose? There are 2 main ways to use promotional items.

1. Trade shows
2. Daily give aways

Let’s take a look…..

TRADE SHOWS

At trade shows your expected to give away stuff. Since everyone will be giving stuff away, your item should be unique and have some utility. You have the right item if folks take it home and then use it regularly. I also suggest that an offer be printed right on the item without an expiration date. This way they won’t want to lose it. People still like coupons and free offers, so give it to them.

Buy a bunch as cheap as you can.

DAILY GIVE AWAYS

This is totally different from Trade Shows. With this method you should think repetition. Frequent visits of different items to a referral source that needs to remember you so they can refer their clients to you.

I like note pads, pens, mouse pads and calendars. However, there are many many other promo items and ideas. This method keeps your name in front of your referral partner.

There are some other ideas that can get your name in front of your clients. Promotional items are like long lasting business cards.

Go sell something

the sign guy

The sign guy owns Signs by rsg and has worked in the promotional products business for over 10 years. Located in Ramsey, MN for 6 years.

Promotional products work.

How do you make promotional products work?

Many folks buy some pens or cups and hope that these corporate gifts give them an increase in sales. The idea is when you give a guy a gift with your name on it, he will keep it and then buy from you again. This does work, but is there a way to get more sales from new customers?

Yes! You can use promo products to gain new clients but, it requires you to think a bit differently about how to use them. Normally you will buy a large quantity of items like pens and cups to get a better per piece price. Then it takes you 2 years to get rid of them to your clients. Try it this way. Think of the people that are in a compatible business as your own and that come into contact with your client before you do. Then, own their desk with different useful items that you give to them throughout the year.

For example; auto glass companies will give insurance agents note pads, pens, mouse pads, cups and other items he can use on his desk. These items add up over time and when the insurance agent has a client that needs glass, then guess what? That auto glass guy gets referred. Bada bing, New business.

Just because a guy doesn’t work in an office doesn’t mean you can’t own his desk. You can find items for construction workers, car offices and many other “desks”.

now, go sell something

The sign guy is the owner of signs by rsg and is a 4th generation sign maker.

When I have more money

When your Minnesota business has more money…..

Then you’re going to buy a sign.

Am I the only one that sees trouble with this statement? If you are opening a business and are waiting to get more customers before you begin to advertise or market, then how do you expect to get more customers?

I have mentioned before and will say again. If you want to see an increase in traffic into your store, whether in Coon Rapids, Minneapolis or anywhere in the Twin cities or the world, the potential clients driving right past your door have to know you’re there. A wall sign or pylon sign is the single best and cost effective way to see an immediate return on your investment.

Entering business is a perilous event. Scary too. To limit how dangerous and to lower the fear, you need more customers. The main reason businesses fail is due to the fact that they don’t attract enough customers. This applies to the new business and the old one. As an older business, one way to see an increase in traffic is to upgrade or update your exterior signs. Perhaps add some neon to the windows. Maybe your can get a new logo and put up a new set of channel letters.

Think about this. If you have to spend thousands of dollars every month to reach your clients, try diverting that money into a unique sign package and start raking in the bucks!!

now get back to work

The sign guy is the owner of Signs by RSG located in Ramsey, Minnesota and is  a 2nd generation sign guy.