Everyone at some point in their lives has come into contact with promotional products; whether it was while wearing a sponsored sports kit at school, at a job fair, or when attending a client meeting that may have life-changing implications. Almost all business owners and marketers today recognize the tremendous potential of bespoke promotional materials, but some still have questions about if they still matter. 

Promo products are not just an added bonus or token effort. They're powerful marketing materials and big ways to win in all your campaigns. 

If you're wondering if branded promotional products still matter in this day and age, this article is for you. It will help you see the benefits of these products and make an informed decision.

They help you form physical Connections with Customers

Customers are not able to physically interact with your digital ads or social media posts. This, coupled with the fact that digital ads are fleeting contributes to their being quickly forgotten. Having a tangible item makes the customer feel more connected to your brand, and etches your name to their memory.

Promotional products build a strong brand identity

Promotional products aren't just for customers or corporate partners. They can also be made for staff members in your own organization. For instance, wearing a custom t-shirt, especially if it’s quality, encourages your employees to identify with your brand, and carry a sense of pride in it. This strong brand identity is referred to as social brand identity and can inspire passion among employees, build a solid reputation for your company, and increase your reach– all, in turn, benefiting the company's bottom line. Promotional products can turn your employees into de facto public brand ambassadors. 

Continuous Advertisement

Unlike promotional products, the average attention span for a digital ad is only a few seconds, and the target audience can scroll past them just as they can scroll past anything.  Compared to other advertising types, promotional products are highly valued by those who receive them, and they have the power to grab the attention of their audience especially if they’re used as gifts. They can also for a long time and passed on as gifts.  

It's easy to delete an email before ever opening it. However, physical items, like desk calendars have a longer-lasting impact and can be used every day at work, unlike television commercials, online banner ads, and billboards, which are fleeting. 

People are considerably more likely to keep things like t-shirts, drinking glasses, and stationery. Your brand gets more exposure as more people see your pens and t-shirts being used in public. You only have to pay for it once, but it will keep promoting your business for weeks, months, or even years. This extends the item's exposure far beyond the typical time and improved the likelihood that the recipient will show off the item to friends, coworkers, and family, exposing your brand to even more potential customers.

It is a low-risk, long-term investment

Custom promotional products have an undeniable financial return for your company because they are a reliable investment.

To paraphrase the Advertising Specialties Institute "the cost for advertising specialties is not likely to increase considerably in the next few years," giving them a more stable, trustworthy, and innovative approach for advertisers to reach customers.

There are no annual rate increases, and there are no binding contracts to worry about, unlike with some other forms of advertising. You can buy promotional items with your own logo and hand them out whenever you like, and to whoever you like. 

It establishes a reputation for quality

Promotional products have the potential to elevate a company's reputation to the quality level of its products. Cheaply made products are risky and may be acceptable in some contexts, such as trade displays, but meaningful, high-quality products can create make people associate your brand with a luxurious feeling. Giving away high-quality promotional goods reflects well on the quality of your products and services and can demonstrate to customers that you take pride in what you sell.

It's better than a business card

While business cards have their place, promotional products go beyond that, they have the power to add a personal and creative touch to marketing efforts. There are numerous options for personalized items for your brand, and all of them can be customized to your precise target market, will be worn and displayed for many months to come, and will let your company's ingenuity truly shine. Talk about being more than a business card!

They let you stand out from the competition

Promotional products have a one-of-a-kind nature that can raise your brand awareness and make your clients recognize your brand immediately.  Customers will remember you each time they use the product if it serves a practical purpose in their lives. According to statistics,  85% of people who receive a promotional item end up buying from the advertiser, so not only will they raise your brand, they help you get new customers. 

They are an affordable marketing tool

When compared to other common types of advertising, especially in the media, promotional products are way more affordable for businesses that are working to grow their brands. Word-of-mouth is a common marketing strategy used by most recognizable brands to increase their cost per impression, and If you can get your promotional items into the hands of as many people as possible, you can greatly boost the number of times people will see and talk about your brand, organically increasing your potential for word-of-mouth marketing. 

They’re an effective way to generate leads and improve sales

Promotional items are not just a means to increase brand awareness, but they're also an effective way to attract new customers. These products have been shown to leave a lasting impression on buyers. In fact, reports say that 58% of consumers keep promotional items for 1-4 years! That means for 1-4 years, people can still see and wear your products, potentially making you the first company that comes to mind if they need your product or service. 

Conclusion

Promotional items are crucial business and marketing tools. They are a great way to introduce potential clients to your brand, and maybe most importantly, they help customers associate your brands with positivity and quality. And when clients have a positive impression of your business, they are more likely to make purchases from you. The best promotional items, in the long run, result in loyal, lifelong customers. This is why it is important to shop from a promo product company that infuses creativity into all their products and offers the best quality that can retain its quality for years. BrandIt is that company. For years, they have created high-quality promotional products and built a solid reputation for their expertise.