Introduction
Not all businesses can maintain the expensive sponsorship and promotional expectations of being involved in major sporting events such as Formula One, the Open Golf and the Premier League. Across these high profile events, businesses will spend millions of pounds to have their brand associated with sporting events which will attract worldwide media attention, through TV, radio, press and in today’s technological world, on line media.
In today’s current economic climate however, many businesses have had to think carefully about their promotional expenditure. Whilst some luxury brands have continued to maintain high promotional spend levels, many have not been able to keep pace and have looked to adjust their spending to low cost promotional items.
There is a huge selection of low cost promotional items available from the leading suppliers of promotional items. Many of these organisations have seen a huge upturn in the supply of low cost promotional items as businesses strive to maintain or increase awareness of their products or services in a downturn. To what extent are businesses and individuals turning to low-cost items during the recession?
As we approach the festive season and parties are being planned to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, the vast range of low cost promotional items available is worth a look. Even if you have a limited budget to work with this year, there will almost certainly be items to meet your requirements.
Changing Times in The use of Promotional Marketing Products
As Marketing Manager for a leading brand in the waste management sector increasing awareness of the brand through the use of marketing promotional products, was just as important as it would be in any industry. Although not having the vast promotions budgets of some organisations, over the last two years the company’s purchasing of promotional products changed dramatically. The company had always been known for using promotional items to good effect and research proved that brand recognition had been enhanced due to the quality of our promotional products. However, one promotional item which was much sought after was the pocket diary. The distribution of the 15 month diary contained within a leather wallet and issued each October, had become very popular with customers, employees and business associates. The diary also allowed the company an opportunity to include a different promotional insert each year, with a marketing message to increase awareness of a product which the company wished to increase awareness of.
Within the diary, a reply card was inserted which could be returned by the recipient to register to receive the next years diary. Over time, the list had grown and over 600 diaries were sent out in its last year. However, with the current economic situation came the need to review the expenditure of promotional marketing items and the diary was to be scrapped from our promotional spend. In considering alternative diary options, it was felt that the quality and reputation of that item could not be matched and any reduction in quality could have a damaging impact upon the recipients’ perception of the company. Used to good effect, low cost promotional products can maintain awareness of your business in the market place.
The company did retain some low cost promotional items which included a range of pens, pencils, rulers which were to be used at exhibitions, as sales giveaways and to hand out to school children following schools visits. This is just one example of how businesses have been affected by the economic climate and have really had to look at reducing expenditure levels across the business.
Businesses need to weigh up the value that promotional products bring to the bottom line and if it cannot be proven, then the chances are that in today’s climate, the promotional items will be cut.
On the bride-to-be’s hen night, why not all wear pink satin sashes to let everyone know what you’re celebrating.
Usually at this time of year, the major retail brands have already decorated their stores or in store sales areas with Christmas decorations. The Christmas message seems to start earlier each year. I was in London only last week and it is very clear to me that many of the big retail stores have already started their Christmas promotions in earnest. However, walking home through my local town the same evening, the amount of Christmas decorations in shop front windows appeared much less high impact than in London. This got me thinking as to whether the major retailers have decided to spend more heavily on promoting Christmas in their major city stores, but less at local level? So to my mind stores appear to be spending less on Christmas decorations and promotions this year. Even major retail brands purchase low cost promotional products.
Effective use of Low Cost Promotional Items
If you are not familiar with the huge range of items available from promotional marketing suppliers, I would certainly recommend that you take a few minutes to check out a supplier out on line. I guarantee that you will be surprised at the unique selection of low cost promotional marketing products available for promotional use. Whatever your requirement whether it be for a sales conference, a sales promotion campaign, an in-store promotion or point of sale advertising, or as a corporate give-away, there are promotional products to suit every budget.
A new store opened in early November in the Town where I live. There had been a full page promotional article and advert in the local paper announcing its arrival and opening date. As I passed by the shop on its first day of opening, several members of staff were outside simply wearing a bright red sash across their body with the name of the shop printed on it. They were handing out bright red balloons again with the stores name on it, to any child passing by or going into the store. What struck me was how simple and cheap that little piece of promotion would have cost. The child is likely to remember that they received a balloon at that shop and will want to return to see if they would receive another one. Balloons are a fantastic way to get your message across if you are opening a new store on the high street.
Equally for personal use, for that special occasion birthday party, wedding or anniversary, a simple range of decorative ideas can be supplied. Balloons, ribbons, confetti can all be colour coordinated to make a very impressive looking display as you enter the function room and leave a lasting impression. My local football club last year hosted a Christmas party and decorated each table of ten in the club colours. It made for an impressive entrance with paper table cloths in light blue, balloons in dark blue, with light blue ribbons attached. All of these decorations would not have been expensive to purchase.
It’s easy to find low cost promotional products and promotional items by searching on line.
Low Cost Promotional Products on the Political Stage
It’ll be interesting to see how the political parties gear up to promote their party and manifesto in the run up to next year’s General Election. Will they recognise that the economy is not where it should be and therefore be mindful of the need to not be too extravagant with expenditure. There has been enough bad press about MPs expenses and other parliamentary goings-on, without attracting more unnecessary attention at a time when each political party should be focused on attracting the public’s vote through the communication of clear positive messages to gain enough support to be elected to govern the country.
In the past, I recall seeing thousands of flags, bunting and ribbons decorating local constituency offices and being used on the campaign trail. The UK election campaigns have in more recent times, taken on much more of the American style razzamatazz. Packed town halls and other local community establishments will I am sure be decorated in the political colours of its local candidates. If you recall the US presidential election, every time you saw the candidates giving speeches to packed houses, it appeared that almost every member of the audience waved a small candidates flag. The walls of the meeting place were decked with coloured bunting and more flags. The flags were printed to include a simple message about the candidates manifesto along with a picture of the candidate.
The political parties may need to purchase large quantities of promotional items to help communicate their messages, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. One of the most important points for any political party member out on the campaign trail is to be recognised. If you were honest, unless it was one of the more high profile members of parliament, would you recognise your local MP if you passed him in the street? A simple coloured sash across the MPs body in the colour of the political party represented would be perfect for instant identity.
I have seen my local MP in town, canvassing support and promoting his weekly constituency surgery wearing a blue sash to identify him. The sash was printed with the words ‘vote conservative’ printed in white. Wearing his blue sash, blue tie and name badge he seemed to be meeting a good number of people enabling him to communicate his message and listen to people’s views. I suspect that there will be one or two more extravagant promotional items in use as we get nearer to the election period, but suppliers of promotional marketing products would do well to be aiming to promote their products to the parties as early as possible as there will be some lucrative business on offer.
Thousands of flags, thousands of pieces of bunting, thousands of balloons and badges to suggest a few, but I am sure that the list will become much longer. Many of the flags available from promotional product suppliers are now made from environmentally friendly materials and therefore when thrown away cause no harm to the environment.
Companies can decorate their conference venue with large quantities of helium filled trade balloons with personalised promotional messages on them.
The Environmental Concerns of Promotional Products
One item of concern which is high on the agenda of any organisation or business is the environment. Whether you are a business, a charity or even a private organiser of an event, avoiding publicity likely to damage your reputation is an essential part of the organisation of your event.
Suppliers of promotional products, have taken environmental concerns very seriously and now have many products available produced from recycled or biodegradable material. In recent years, many school or charity events seem to involve the release of hundreds of balloons as part of the celebration or launch. A few years ago, these types of event were criticised because the balloons explode into tiny pieces once they reach a height of around five miles and new regulations were introduced to ensure that only environmentally friendly balloons were used at these events. The guidelines stipulate that latex balloons must be used for these types of event as they are completely biodegradable. Latex balloons contain a material which will allow it to be used to make compost. The regulations also state that the balloons must be tied and no plastic valve inserted and any messages must be added on recycled paper. A couple of years ago a school boy released a balloon at a school fete and the message containing his name and address was discovered in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The Queen took time out to write to the school boy and the event ended up on TV.
Recycled materials now play a huge part in the production of promotional items. Environmental flags and bunting are made from recycled paper, which is biodegradable and come with a child-safe stick. Various products such as coasters are made from recycled tyres and coasters, rulers, pens and pencils are available produced from recycled vending cups. Biodegradable carrier bags, cotton carrier bags and organic clothing extend the environmental range. Environmental promotional products are a great way to communicate your message.
Conclusion
Even when the country begins its recovery from recession, the market for low cost promotional products is likely to remain attractive to businesses and individuals alike. With such a vast range of low cost marketing products like sashes, balloons, flags, bunting, banners, pens, pencils, key rings, stickers, bugs and badges there is an item to suit any budget. The effective use of balloons, ribbons and bunting can create a memorable impression at any event. And, if you’re looking for your staff or a political party candidate to stand out from the crowd, colourful sashes are a simple accessory to wear across their body. Kids will enjoy wearing sashes too, in school groups or at parties. There is definitely a market for low cost promotional items. To leave your brand or to help promote your message in business a pen or pencil made from recycled material is a simple solution. At a wedding or party balloons, sashes, flags and bunting printed with a personalised message will be of great attraction to all of your guests. Almost everyone is being careful about what they currently spend. You don’t have to spend a fortune to decorate or promote your event, the use of low cost promotional items can offer a solution to create a lasting impression at any event.
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