Promo Principles

Change...the real constant!

2011-04-17T09:30:00.002-04:00

It is said that change is the only constant. In our business, truer words have never been spoken. Clients are changing their business models, their staff and their communication methods.In fact, I can honestly say, none do business the way they did two years ago. Change is good! We all provide a service. Ours is to understand our clients needs and deliver solutions which in turn deliver results! Recently I attended a talk given by one of my industry peers, Mark Graham. His talk was entitled "10 No-Nonsense Ways Social Media Can Be Applied To Your Promotional Products Business". Wow, I am a no nonsense type of guy so, yes, he had me a hello! During his talk, Mark used many case studies to demonstrate how through the use of various Social Media, one could do market research, solve problems etc. Basically, he raised the profile of his organization within his client base and our industry. The bigger message (read my big take away) was much more than being told to master "new" technologies. The message is the same one delivered in many a course given by many a sales guru. Know that your business is about your clients, NOT YOU! Know that if you are not listening to your clients and taking the action to provide the best products, solutions and service, then Bye Bye...See ya! It struck me funny that people who tossed questions during this talk were more worried about how much time was spent "playing on the Internet"! Hello...since when are we "playing" at our business? Listen, if my clients are interested in Polo, I have to learn about Polo. If they are into cake decorating, I had better know something about that. If my clients are using Social Media to enrich their businesses, then I need to be on that platform as well. Bottom line. Be where your clients are. Communicate with your clients in the manner they want to be communicated with. Help your clients find what they need. Even if you cannot provide the service yourself, find an associate who can. Your clients will change. You MUST be willing to change with them.

2011 Trending Now!

2011-02-11T06:56:00.003-05:00

Using promotional products to promote your business is a proven method to generate results. However, the promotional world is shifting. Gone are the days when just your logo on a pen will suffice. More and more company's are looking to differentiate themselves through the branding of their promotional items. Products that reflect your brand and are relevant to the recipient have become the most important criteria.

By following a few key consumer and market trends when choosing your items, can dramatically increase the return on your investment.

Use Technology - Technology, social media & mobile accessibity now permiate our daily lives. Using features such as QR codes & Facebook page addresses will help drive your client to recieve further information from your organization.

Hassle-Free Travel - Traveling should be a stress free experience. With the ever changing security regulations, one needs a week at the spa just to unwind from a simple flight. Security-friendly laptop bags, backpacks and netbook cases, allow you clients to simply unzip their bags and lay them flat for their trip through the inspection machines at security. A great way to thank your clients is to de-stress their work day.

Stay Green - The unbiquitous Polypropylene tote bag has become a trade show standard. Wherever possible, look for the "green" option. Everything from pens, drinkware, wearables and even USB flash drives are being made with Organic or recycled material. Tell your client you care and they will listen to you.

Increase the Cool Factor - Look to the street. What are the fashion magazines showing. Look for colour trends, finishes and most of all wearable enhancements. A simple shot of a bold colour on any product you are currently using may be all you need to make the product POP!

Staying in touch with current trends or putting your logo on a "non-traditional" item may be all you need to increase the chances of your promotional products being used over and over again and allow you to increase the exposure of your brand!

Books that are making a difference for me

2009-12-01T07:33:00.002-05:00

For me the end of any year usually is a time for reflecting on the successes of the past twelve months. This year is no different. Like all businesses, we have struggled with the economy and the challenges our client's have faced because of the changing business climate. Like all things in life, the events of the past year have precipitated the need to look inside ourselves to find the inner strength to move forward.

One of the ways I personally have found to help improve my outlook and more importantly my actions, was to revisit and recommit to my our personal development. To that end, I thought I would share a few of the titles which have become very useful to me over the past few months.

1 - Keith Ferrazi's - "Who's got your back"

It's a great read on how to find a tight group of people who have your best interest at heart and are not scared to hold you accountable for any action you take.

2 - Jack Canfield's - "The Success Principles - How to get from where you are to where you want to be"

This book is the gamplan to a more successful life. A step by step instruction manual on how to take control of all you do and want. It all starts with taking Responsibilty of ALL of your actions.

3 - Timothy Ferris' - "The 4 Hour Work Week"

Even if you only take (and impliment) one or two ideas from this book your life will be forever changed.

4 - Alan Frew's - "The Action Sandwich"

Frew is the former lead singer of one of Canada's leading rock bands. His book gives you the kick in the pants to ensure you realize that the key to success is taking action!

So, what does it all mean? Ready Fire Aim. Do it Now. Just DO it. TAKE ACTION!

You'll never reach your dreams or aspirations sitting on youre butt!

As someone once said...

Successful people do the uncomfortable and face facts squarely. What can you do today that you have been avoiding!

5 Ways to Waste Your Money on Promotional Products

2009-03-20T08:56:00.003-04:00

Over the past 30 years, we have seen many clients come to us with promotional products which just don't work. Frankly, these client's have wasted their money! Promotional products are the most measurable form of advertising out there. So, if you are going to advertise, why not start with the result in mind?

Here is a list of things to avoid when considering the purchase of promotional products.

1 - The item does not have value. This is where the term "trinkets and trash" comes from. Purchasing cheap promotional items for the sake of just giving something away is a real waste of money. Ask yourself if the item will have a long term use.

2 - People not willing to hand out these business promotional products. These marketing business items do no good in a closet. They are advertising! Get the maximum exposure of your logo.

3 - Information overload on the item. If your goal is to get your name out there, than do that (always with some contact info like a phone number or web address) this overload of information makes the item less likely to be used and in many cases, becomes illegible.

4 - Don't clearly explain your message. Be consistent with your message through all your graphic communications. All your print, multi-media and promo items should be consistent with your brand.

5 - No Plan! If you do not have a goal in mind for the product how can you tell if it is working for you. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

In summation, look for items which professionally promote your brand and your corporate message. Plan for success by buying the correct item for your target audience. Most of all have a plan and measure the results.

A Basic Explanation of Ink on Paper (101)

2009-02-13T08:03:00.003-05:00

Mike Vitamvas of Wall Printing Company recently sent this great explaination of ink colours and how they reproduce onto paper. Hopefully you will find it useful information.

"I want to give you a brief education about ink and how paper effects it. I find I get a lot of questions about this subject so I decided to write this short piece explaining it.

There are two basic ways to make a colour. Most colour standards are set by using the Pantone Matching System (PMS). It covers spot colours as well as colours made by four colour process. If you've ever had the same job printed a couple of times, either at the same place or at two different printing facilities you probably experienced the challenges of the PMS system.

Offset ink is partially transparent, which means that the color you get is going to be partly determined by the color of stock you pick. The same job will look different if it is printed on a cast coated (high gloss coated stock) gloss stock or uncoated stock. That is because ink is absorbed by each of the stocks differently, which affects the colour. This is true if you are using spot or process colours. Pantone books use a standard coated and uncoated cover when they have the books printed. (If you put two pantone books down side by side you will probably get two different colours).

In theory you can make most spot colours out of process, although they will not look exactly the same. Process to spot colours will vary from one printing facility to another. The reason is that there are different technologies for making the dot pattern and different types of printing equipment. Generally the finer the line screen the closer process comes to matching a pantone colour. Another factor that affects the colour is whether the press is running a conventional or waterless system.

So with all the factors, how do you insure that your job looks the way you want it to? I want to tell you it is getting better. Ten years ago almost everyone was using film to make their plates and provide proofs. They were very consistent at least within each printing facility. Then direct to plate started to become popular. It gave advantages such as faster make ready and better plate consistency. However proofs when from anolog to digital and the consistency went down. Today digital proofs can be calibrated to match a particular press and many automatically recalibrate to make sure the colour stays consistent.

There are a number of challenges still to overcome. Toner based machines are getting better but getting them to match the color of offset continues to be a challenge. Also proofing on colours other than white stock is a issue that still needs to be addressed.I hope this information will help you in your understanding of how ink is put down on paper."

What we are seeing - the trends for 2009

2009-01-16T07:57:00.003-05:00

As the internet becomes the media of choice for most companies with any kind of ad budget at all, most of our clients ad dollars have been moving away from traditional media over the past few years as well.

Those same dollars are migrating to online media, promotional products and other non-traditional media. So far, companies have been able to gradually boost their spending online and on promotions without abandoning traditional media entirely, but we feel 2009 will be different.

With so many companies strapped for cash, budgets will be slashed and there will be some big losers, probably TV, radio and print, while more cost effective, flexible and targeted outlets, like search marketing and guerrilla marketing will receive a bigger share of the (smaller) pie than ever.

As for what products will be in demand, we see a combination of two obvious trends. First, low cost promos will be popular as companies and organizations try to make the most with limited budgets. Second, eco-friendly promos are going to be desirable...if people can afford them.

Which brings us to our prediction: recycled products are going to do very well, particularly items like non-woven bags which are actually less expensive than nylon or cotton. Other winners will be recycled paper products and recycled plastic products, which are more eco-friendly than promos made from virgin materials, but can be priced competitively. Other eco-friendly options like organic cottons may be a tougher sell. However, if some of the recent demand for organic cotton dies down, that may also lower prices there a bit, too.

Golf Ball Hunting Yields Creative Insights

2009-01-07T09:15:00.006-05:00

Golf-Ball Hunting Yields Powerful Creative Insight

Whenever my friends go on vacation, they scope out the local golf courses to see how many golf balls they can find. It’s neat because at 10 and 12, their children can look beyond the green and quickly decide the likelihood that golf balls lie there. If it’s flat and relatively tree or bush free … no balls. However, if beyond the green lies a steep drop-off or thick underbrush with lots of prickers — golf ball gold mine.

Recently while on vacation, their son helped my friend discover a very powerful creative problem-solving insight. They were walking up a fairway about 3 feet into the wooded rough when they stopped to watch a golfer tee off. He gave it a good smack then drove down in his cart looking for his ball.

He drove around in circles for a couple of minutes with no luck. Finally, he dropped another ball, whacked it and took off, shooting my friend and his son a dirty look over his shoulder. My friend shrugged and said to his son, “He thinks we stole his ball.”

They did not. In fact, as they made their way back down the fairway they found the guy’s ball. It was less than 3 feet from the cart’s tire tracks.

“Dad,” my friend's son asked.“Yeah”, he replied.“How come we can find 50 golf balls without hardly trying and that guy couldn’t find one ball that he just hit?”

“Well”, my friend replied with a chuckle, “That guy is looking for A golf ball where he thinks it should be. We’re simply looking for golf balls … wherever they might be.”

And that’s when it hit: “If you limit your search for an idea or solution to where you think it should be, you narrow your entire spectrum of possibility .. and likely your success.”

In the case of golfers, their perception of exactly where the ball lies is often skewed by such things as alcohol, distance, pitch, terrain similarities or being blinded by the sun. In marketing and business, the perception of exactly where the idea or solution lies may be skewed by budget, time, misinformation, misunderstood information, alcohol or blind ambition.

Have a problem in shipping? Look for a solution from the people who work in shipping … not the managers who are probably so deep in paperwork they don’t have a clue about what’s really going on down there anyway.

Let’s pretend! Management of a zoo is all upset over the amount of trash generated each year by patrons throwing away the map of the zoo at day’s end.

The first solution would be to get all “tight-fisted” with the number of maps that are handed out by instituting a “one per family” policy and charging for additionals. No one wants to pay for a piece of paper.

However, if you expanded your idea search, you might find another answer such as, print the map on something people won’t throw away — like a bandanna. Give one to each group, charge for additionals. People will pay a buck for a souvenir bandana that tells them where the important stuff such as the restrooms are. If they turn it in at the end of the day they get their $1 back. The maps can be washed if need be, and reused. Or, underwrite the cost of the bandanna by selling space to a local restaurant or other area attraction that allows the bandanna to be used as a coupon at their establishment. This approach opens the creative door to development of cross-promotion of other owned properties or even reciprocal partnerships.

The point is, you’re looking for ideas outside of, “If we give out less maps … less maps will get thrown away.” Now you’re looking for golf balls … not A golf ball. When you look for “ideas” or “solutions” as opposed to “a specific idea” or “a specific solution”, you expand your horizons. And when you look for ideas and solutions outside of where you think the answer or solution lies, you expand your horizons even more.

The trick with golf ball hunting is to look where others don’t or won’t. The same is true for idea hunting. You must allow your mind to go where others fear to tread. How a golf ball ends up on the backside of a tree away from the direction the ball was shot is beyond me. It doesn’t make sense. But you know what? When you find what you’re looking for … where you find it doesn’t have to make sense.

Top 10 Best Promotional Products To Advertise Your Business

2008-12-31T07:03:00.006-05:00

Our company is constantly being asked to provide our clients with "The Most Effective Promotional Products to Advertise our Business". That question really should read, What product will bring me the best ROI?

For a first time buyer, choosing promotional products to display your logo is not an easy task. There are more than a few options out there and Proforma Adam Promotions actually offers hundreds of thousands of imprintable items. In fact, going the custom route can ensure that almost anything can be turned into a promotional product. But what about the typical buyer with a modest budget? If you’ve got some (not a lot) of money and don’t know what to choose, this list is for you. Here are the top 10 most effective promotional products.

1. Promotional Apparel
Custom apparel and hats are by far the most popular form of promotional products. Custom wearables account for one-third of all promotional product sales, according to a 2007 study done by the Promotional Products Association International. Logo exposure is extremely high, as people tend to wear promotional t-shirts at the gym and on the weekends. The "greening" of the apparel market will really come into play in 2009 as more and more apparel becomes available in "Eco-Friendly" fabrics and materials.

2. Writing Instruments
At some point or another, people are going to need a pen, so why not give them one with your logo? Promotional writing instruments are well-liked because they’re functional items that recipients will actually use. Additionally, statistics show that during the lifespan of a promotional pen, it will have at least 8 owners, which equates a high logo exposure. Look for product which is possibly made from bio-degradble material for an ecologiaclly sound message for no additonal cost.

3. Bags
A study done by the Advertising Specialties Institute (ASI), the largest media and marketing organization serving the promotional products industry revealed that promotional bags deliver the most impressions per month (1,038 on average). Promotional bags are welcomed by recipients because they are useful products. The most popular types include promotional tote bags, promotional drawstring backpacks, and promotional computer bags. All of these styles are now being made from recycled fabrics. As more municipalities ban plastic shopping bags, there is a real opportunity for companies to exploit this as an advertising opportunity.

4. Drinkware
Promotional mugs, custom water bottles and promotional tumblers are always effective giveaways. A logo imprinted coffee mug will sit on an office desk. A promotional travel mug will keep beverages hot and will showcase your branding for the world to see. Custom reusable stainless steel sports bottles are being made more available at better costs, making them an extremely popular giveaway for customers with low budgets.

5. Desk Accessories
Desk accessories for the office are often purchased by companies to give to employees, but are also purchased for trade shows. Exhibitors know that promotional desk accessories, like paper clip dispensers, promotional desk sets and business card cases will be used by recipients and their logos will be seen by anyone who passes. One of the most popular forms of office accessories are promotional 3M Post-it Notes which now are available in recyled paper and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, any one of which will get your logo noticed. According to 3M, the average imprinted Post-it Note sheet is viewed by at least three people. This equates to an amazingly low cost per impression.

6. Calendars
Promotional calendars are among the most affordable promotional products available because of their extremely low cost per impression. A study done by PPAI indicated that 94% of business calendar recipients could recall the logo imprinted on their calendar and 85% of individuals who received calendars in their homes did business with the advertiser. Some companies build internal morale buliding contests by asking employees to submit drawings from their children. The winning entries become the pictures on next years calendar!

7. Magnets
Promotional magnets are often chosen because of their affordability and excellent logo exposure. Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes (the most popular being business card magnets), promotional magnets clearly display contact information and keep it readily accessible at all times. Magnets are now available in FSC certified materials.

8. Computer/Electronic Accessories
As technology advances further and becomes a bigger part of everyone’s lives, the need for computer related accessories increases. Promotional items such as custom USB flash drives, promotional MP3 players, and other promotional electronics are highly in demand as advertisers want to give promotional items that will be used and appreciated. Technology related items are the ultimate in eco-friendliness as USB flash drives can actually be pre-loaded with sales sheets or catalogues thus eliminating the cost of producing catalogues and the ulitmate need to dispose of those catlogues once they are outdated.

9. Sporting Goods
Sporting events, both professional and amateur, are an excellent place to advertise and it’s because of this well known fact that promotional sporting good are extremely effective giveaways. Promotional stadium cushions work for football, soccer and baseball games. Gyms can advertise new membership specials by offering promotional duffel bags as gifts with purchase. Promotional flyers, more commonly known as Frisbees are often chosen for company picnics. Again, as most items, all of the examples shown above are available using a recycled material.

10. Automotive Accessories
Promotional automotive accessories are chosen by more than just mechanics because everyone knows that they will be used. Promotional ice scrapers come in handy during the cold winter months, and everyone can appreciate receiving a promotional auto safety kit. Even promotional organizers will promote your logo, as users will value these practical items. Studys have shown that by just keeping your tire pressure up to the manufacturers standards will help increase your gas mileage regardless of what you drive. Imprinted promotional tire gauges will help you to promote savings form your clients and your business at the same time.

Top 5 Reasons Why Clients Create a Company Store

2008-12-16T09:22:00.000-05:00

Why do companies create a company store? Understanding the answer to this question will help you determine whether this type of program is right for your business.

The following are the top five reasons why companies create an online company store to help manage their promotional products and corporate apparel:

To control their branding: brand abuse is out of control, they have no system of protection for their brand
To simplify their corporate apparel program: apparel selection and ordering is messy and requires too much administration
To centralize their location: they have no organized system to easily see and purchase the branded products
To control their purchasing: product purchasing is fragmented, no purchasing leverage and little organizational control
To minimize administration: too much energy duplicated across multiple locations to create similar branded products and delivery channels

You can reduce this list down to three simple words: speed, power and control.

Speed is important in getting branded materials into the hands of the people that need them the most, quickly.

Power is critical because a large organization needs a scalable, robust eCommerce solution that can handle virtually any branded product.

Control is imperative. Maintaining brand consistency and providing easier ways to track departmental purchases are critical components to a healthy store.

The bottom line is, within most large organizations, the internal staff is spending too much time procuring and organizing material for their brand; the creative capital of these employees is best spent on mission-critical objectives, (i.e., selling, communications, market development, etc.). A company store provides the perfect vehicle to save time and simplify what is normally a complicated process.

Promotional Products That Really Work

2008-12-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

It’s practically impossible to think of a successful business that doesn’t have some sort of imprinted promotional product, be it nothing more than the standard branded pens.

Before you decide to make the leap into promo products, make sure that you have some idea of what “branding” means. Build your company image with a well-designed logo and standard slogan. Your company brand can be enhanced by promo products, but you must have a good logo to start with.

What are Promotional Products, and Do They Work?

In simplest terms, promotional products are useful or decorative items – merchandise – imprinted with a company’s name, logo, or slogan and used in marketing campaigns. The most common promo items are pens, mugs, and USB related items.

Baylor University conducted a study on promotional products, to survey how effective they actually are. In the study, 3,000 school administrators were divided into three groups and sent a specific type of mailing. The first group received a simple envelope with a sales letter and business reply card. The second group received an envelope with the same sales letter and reply card, but they also were given a promotional product. The last group received all of the contents that the second group did, but their mail was delivered in a box instead of an envelope. How did it turn out? Actually, the results were impressive: the administrators who received the box of goodies responded at a rate 75% higher than those who received only the sales letter, and 57% higher than those who received their goodies in an envelope.

Another study, conducted by Southern Methodist University, explored the role that promo items play in gaining repeat customers. After two separate studies, their results showed that customers who received promotional products returned sooner, more often, and spent more money than customers who received dollars-off coupons.

Enhance your next direct mail piece with the use of a targeted imprinted promotional product.

2008-11-22T08:41:00.001-05:00

ROI, Simply Measureable

2008-11-22T08:18:00.000-05:00

This my friends is the infamous Radio/Radio. It was the first product our company sold back in 1979. It was simply an AM/FM plastic molded radio. The beauty came in it's use.

Back in 1979, FM radio was just really starting to come into it's own as the preferred quality of sound in commercial radio listening across Canada. The Radio/Radio became the "must have" promotional vehicle for stations trying to promote themselves. By simply having the station's call letters imprinted on the radio, they had a timely and functional piece of promotional merchandise to distribute to their listeners.

Since commerce began, ROI has been the single driving force of all businesses. But, it is funny how many bits and "bytes" of traditional media cannot be measured. There is a famous quote which states..."half of the advertising dollars we spend are wasted, the trick is figuring out which half that is".

Imprinted promotional products have sustainablility. They are measureable and by pure definition, useful. Traditional media, radio, television even internet banner ads cannot truly be measured for ROI as they are all intangibles. Promotional products are tangible items which carry your brand message with them day in a day out. The key to their success is, creative design, integrity of the brand message and the proper distribution to the demographic your company is trying to reach.