Are Businesses Turning To Low-Cost Promotional Items During The Recession?
Introduction
Not all businesses can maintain the costly sponsorship and promotional expectations associated with becoming associated with major sporting events including Formula One, the Open Golf and the Premier League. Across these high profile occasions, businesses will spend millions of dollars to have their brand affiliated with sporting events that will generate global media attention, through TV, radio, press and in the modern technological world, online media.
In today’s existing economic climate however, many businesses have had to think cautiously about their own promotional costs. While some high end manufacturers have continued to sustain high advertising spend levels, several have not been effective in keeping pace and have looked to transform their spending to low cost promotional products.
There is countless affordable promotional items provided by the leading manufacturers of promotional items. A number of these firms have witnessed a tremendous upturn in the supply of affordable promotional items as businesses strive to sustain or increase awareness of their services or products in a downturn.
When approaching the festive time of year and parties start being prepared to enjoy the holidays, the vast range of low cost promotional items on the market is worth a look. Even if you have a limited budget to utilize at the moment, there will almost definitely 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 industry improving awareness of the brand name through the use of marketing promotional products, was just as vital as it would be in any marketplace. Although not having the vast promotions finances of many organisations, during the last couple of years the company’s purchasing of promotional products altered significantly. The business had always been renowned for using promotional items to good effect and research proved that brand recognition had been enhanced because of the good quality of our promotional products. However, one promotional item that was very much wanted was the pocket diary. The distribution of the 15 month diary inserted inside a leather wallet and published each October, had become very popular with customers, employees and work associates. The diary also allowed the organization an opportunity to include a completely different promotional insert every year, with a marketing message to improve awareness of a product which the business wished to increase awareness of.
Inside the diary, a reply card was inserted that could be returned by the recipient to sign-up to receive the next years diary. After some time, the list had expanded and over 600 diaries were sent out in its last year. However, with the recent financial status came the requirement to review the expenditure of promotional marketing items and the diary was to be withdrawn from our promotional spend. In considering different diary options, it was thought that the quality and reputation of that product couldn’t be matched and any reduction in quality may have a damaging effect upon the recipients’ perception of the organization.
The organization did keep hold of a few low cost promotional items which included a range of pens, pencils, rulers which were to be utilized at exhibitions, as sales giveaways and to hand out to school children following schools visits. This is just one instance of how businesses have been affected by the economic climate and have really had to look at reducing expenditure levels across the business.
Companies need to weigh up the importance that promotional products bring to the bottom line and if it cannot be verified, then the chances are that in the present climate, the promotional items will probably be cut.
On the bride-to-be’s hen night, why don’t you all wear pink coloured custom sashes to let everybody know what you’re celebrating.
Generally at this time of the year, the big retail stores have already decorated their stores or in store sales areas with decorations. The holiday message appears to begin earlier every year. I was in London only last week and it is very apparent that many of the large retail stores have already started their festive promotions in earnest. However, walking home through my local town the same evening, the amount of decorations in shop front windows appeared much less high impact than in London. This got me wondering as to whether the major retailers have decided to spend more heavily on promoting the festive season in their major city stores, but less at local level? So to my mind stores appear to be spending less on holiday decorations and promotions this year. Even major retail brands purchase low cost promotional products.
Effective use of Low Cost Promotional Items
If you’re unfamiliar with the huge range of items made available from promotional marketing suppliers, I would certainly suggest that you take a few minutes to check out a provider out on line. I guarantee that you will be amazed at the unique selection of low cost promotional marketing products available for promotional use. Whatever your need 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 brand new store opened at the begining of November in the Town where I live. There had been a full page promotional article and advertisement in the local newspaper announcing its introduction and opening date. As I passed by the shop on its first day of opening, several employees were outside simply donning a bright red sash across their body with the name of the store 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 inexpensive 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 straightforward range of decorative suggestions 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 an enduring impression. My local football club last year hosted a party and decorated each and every table of ten in the club colours. It made for an striking 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 the internet.
Low Cost Promotional Products on the Political Stage
It was fascinating to see how the political parties geared up to promote their party and manifesto in the run up to last year’s General Election. Did 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 hanging from 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 were 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. It seemed as though President Obama’s face was on every poster, on every flag as well as every TV screen.
The political parties may need to purchase large quantities of promotional products 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 know 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 advertising his weekly constituency surgery donning 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 appeared to be meeting a large amount of folks allowing him to communicate his message and listen to people’s suggestions. I think that there will be a couple of more extravagant promotional items in use as we get nearer to the election period, but providers 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.
A large number of flags, several thousand pieces of bunting, thousands of balloons and badges to suggest a few, but I am certain that the list will end up much longer. Many of the flags offered by promotional product providers are now made out of eco-friendly materials therefore when thrown away cause no harm to the environment. Promotional balloons and flags are ideal for use by organisations for indoor and outdoor events, promotions and celebrations.
For vast amounts, search on the internet to locate wholesale and trade balloons suppliers who are able to suit your needs.
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 rules 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 product to suit any budget. The effective use of balloons, ribbons and bunting can create a dramatic 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 interest to all of your guests. Almost everyone is being mindful 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.