Businesses and organizations of various types are always looking for ways to expand their reach. Rather than newspaper or other print advertising, many companies and other entities decide to distribute promotional gifts of various types. When gifts are selected, it always helps to make sure that the gifts are something which goes beyond cheap throw-away items. The gifts that are chosen should serve various purposes. Read on to learn more about promotional products of various types and how they improve the bottom line of the company.
Contents
Occasions Where Gifts Are Used Or Distributed
Promotional – Promotional efforts are, as the name indicates, intended to promote the organization, product, brand, service or individual. To promote, according to the dictionary, is to ‘further the progress of something, to actively encourage, or support something’. Similarly, to promote is to give publicity to a person, product, venture or organization. This action is usually intended to increase public awareness or sales. Promotional gifts might be provided at a business-sponsored event or show.
Corporate Gifts -Corporate gifts tend to have evolved over time. They also depend on the available budget which is being utilized. Corporate presents tend to be more costly, have higher quality, and are given for more important recognition. These types of promotional items could also be useful for calling attention to a business or organization. Recognizing achievements of employees, management, and even customers or clients are ways in which this type of item can be useful.
Business Gifts – Business products given as gifts can cover a wide variety of items. These might be given out to customers at a trade fair or a community event. Typically the items are personalized with the name, logo or motto of the business to serve as a reminder of the firm. For each type of gift of this category, it is important that the item be long-lasting enough and functional enough that it will occupy a place of importance for the recipient.
Special occasions or holidays -When the usual gift giving occasions are recognized, a somewhat different item may be chosen. The item may promote the business, or may be something aesthetically pleasing, functional or otherwise enjoyable to the recipient. Some occasions for gift-giving are tied to national or religious holidays, but there are other gift-worthy occasions as well. Special occasion gifts might be branded, or may be individualized, depending upon the occasion.
Educational Gifts – Some gifts are purely for educational purposes. These might be pamphlets, brochures or other items that have the purpose of educating or teaching. As with other items used to promote a business, individual or cause, personalizing or branding the items makes it even more effective.
Some Factors To Be Considered When Choosing Promotional Products
Functionality – Some items are intended to serve a useful purpose. If this is the type of item which is chosen, it is important to make use of it as intended. Even items as minor as a personalized coffee mug should be something that the recipient will be able to utilize. It should be designed in a way that it will last for the purpose it is intended. A coffee mug should be large enough to hold a standard coffee pour and the decorative elements should be durable enough to survive a trip through the dishwasher.
Aesthetics – Not all gift items are attractive in appearance, but they should be decorative if that is the purpose of the gift. Unless it is intended as a joke, the item should be attractive enough that it can be proudly displayed on a desk, wall or counter.
Recipients – No matter what type of item is being gifted, it should be selected with the recipient audience in mind. The characteristics which make a particular audience unlike another include age, interests, location, and sometimes other factors such as education and timing of the gift. For fully personalized gifts, it may be helpful to know the recipients beyond casual acquaintance, in order to provide an item which will be most appreciated.
Timing – The timing of the presentation will affect the appreciation level of the recipient. A Santa-themed presentation will be of little interest to the recipient who is handed the item as they are about to go on a summer vacation.
Location – This characteristic can be related to the part of the country, as well as the location of the person who receives the item. An office-related gift might be of little interest to a person who spends their days on the beach or hiking mountain trails.
Budget – As many companies are struggling with financial challenges, it can affect the type and number of gift items which are distributed. Yet, the firm that values its employees wants to find a way to reward them to encourage loyalty and on-the-job satisfaction. While the statement “it’s the thought that counts” may sound reasonable, putting the thought into choosing the best and most appropriate items for any group of recipients enhances the effectiveness of the item.
Where to Find Items to Present
Locally, most smaller towns may not have a great selection of promotional choices. Any items might be hard to source, particularly if there are large numbers which are needed. While supporting local merchants is important, there are questions of appropriateness, cost, volume and choice which affect where the gift items are acquired.
Online Shopping Outlets – In these times of social distancing and limited local shopping available, looking online is being the venue of choice for many individuals and companies choosing presentation or promotional items. Looking at online inventories shows that there is a much wider selection or any type of product. Often the prices are lower, since many online merchants do not have the overhead costs which affect bricks-and-mortar venues.
Logistics have been streamlined and improved, thanks to tracking technology, so there is less concern about delivery of the items to be presented. Supply chains can be affected by many different factors though, by everything from labor shortages to computer glitches, so consideration should be given to where and how an order is placed.