With budgets tight, expenses such as promotional items are bound to be reviewed. To some this would be a tough area to cut, as giving out promotional pens, hats, and water bottles is ingrained in the advertising psyche. Besides the ever handy supply of pens in your drawer or purse, which items have you received that you found yourself using repeatedly?
For me, I have to admit I use a discrete metal business card holder that I received from the telephone company years ago. I use it to keep my coffee punch cards and coupons readily handy, more so than business cards. Is it ok if you don’t necessarily use the promotional item for its intended purpose?
I think so. After all, I decided to keep it rather than chuck it. I also often wear t-shirts from events and conferences I attend. We recently teamed up with Woodstone Senior Living to play in the United Way of McLeod County Kickball Tournament, and had these great promotional team shirts made. Now that the event is over, I find myself wearing it, so that’s good.
Promotional items aren’t bad, but they should be worked into an overall marketing strategy and budgeted at the beginning of the year. If you want help with a marketing plan that can help you budget and contains measurable goals to move your business forward, give us a call! If you’re new to Vivid Image, a great place to start is by reading our new “5 Mistakes You’re Making with your Marketing”.
