by Seven out of ten people threw away the last cheap pen they saw at a meeting. Now, think about the gifts logo reusable shopping bags you’ll brand. Do you remember them, or do they get lost in the sea of free stuff you don’t remember? The fight for recognition is really confusing. Some brands play it safe by giving out boring, standard gifts. Some people just put their brand on anything and hope it works out. Let’s just say that doesn’t work.
The first truth is that getting to know someone makes you like them more. When we see a brand over and over again, our brains light up with recognition. Put your name on a water bottle, a stress ball in the shape of a taco, or a book to make it your own. You’re no longer just another face in the crowd when it’s time to make a choice. People remember your face. “Oh, that’s the group with the avocado USB drives.” That little, strange, easy-to-remember thing works like a neon sign in a busy market.
Another wise word: people like getting free stuff as long as it’s useful or cool. Take the mid-winter hats with logos that kept 100 people warm at an outdoor event. You wore those every day and talked about your business in line at the coffee shop. Or maybe grandma’s new favorite mug for the road? She talks and walks like a sign. People will remember your word longer if you give them something useful.
Let’s change the subject for a moment. A story: At a foodie show, I gave out weird, branded chopsticks one time. They were not only eaten with, but also Instagrammed. We didn’t pay extra for the buzz that came up all of a sudden. When you multiply that by hundreds, leads start coming in while you sleep.
Putting that brand on high-function giveaways makes people feel something. People will think of your brand every time they reach for your item. It’s not magic. That’s the plan. Remember that number that was going around: 83% of people who get a promotional gift are more likely to buy from you again. That is a big number. Sure, you could keep rolling the dice without these. They might ask, “Hey, where did you get that?” when you give them brand-name screen cleaners.
It’s not about making a show. Being visible, useful, and memorable are those things that matter. Want to stand out from the crowd of names that people forget? Don’t just think about pens and plain t-shirts anymore. Bring some charm to the table, and your sales will thank you.