How to Use Promotional Products Effectively

Your brand represents everything you stand for, so it’s important to show it off with pride. You just need the right strategy. But it’s not simply about setting up a display table of props at a trade show. Building brand awareness is a focused effort. To really grasp the attention of your target audience, you must be willing to go above and beyond.

At Marathon Sportswear, we help brands master the art of promotional marketing. Understanding what marketing items to give away is important, but knowing the proper technique for those giveaways really gives you a competitive edge.

You’ll learn about all that and more in this post.

A custom promotional item is a transformative solution for any company. It doesn’t matter if you run a small business or oversee a large corporation. With the right strategy, these low-cost marketing materials can help turn potential clients into loyal partners.

Here are the steps you need to take to get those results:

1. Update Your Existing Product Line

Before you start designing promo items, kick off your campaign by pushing what you already have. Encourage potential customers to take advantage of the products or services you currently offer. Just don’t be afraid to make improvements. Adding new features or providing more service offerings creates fresh marketing opportunities for your brand.

2. Shine a Spotlight on New Products and Services

Now’s the time to show off your new creation. Blow up your promotional efforts through every marketing platform you manage. Go to trade shows, ramp up your social media, send out emails, and talk up the new offers any time you get in front of a customer. The more information you pass on, the better. And be sure to capitalize on any opportunity to demonstrate a new product or feature in front of an audience. Finally, it’s a good idea to outline the new offer in a manual or white paper.

3. Create Business Cards

Business cards make great marketing assets. These tools help create a lasting impression on your customers. It’s always wise to hand out a business card any time you deliver a service. Even if you don’t make the initial sale, the business card can come in handy later. At this point, the customer has your contact information in case their interest changes. For best results, always have a stack of business cards with you wherever you go.

4. Hand Out Promotional Items

What’s more exciting than a business card? How about free stuff? There are two things that never fail to leave an impression—the quality of the service they receive and company giveaways. That’s what promotional products are used for. If you really want your company to stand out, it’s best to have a variety of custom-branded gear available for customers and partners. Whether it’s a shirt, pen, or phone case, people will be reminded of your business every time they use your products.

Here are some of the most practical options to consider:

• Corporate swag
• Water bottles
• Coffee mugs
• Tech gear
• Office supplies
• Personalized hand sanitizers
• Tote bags
• Koozies

5. Build a Network of Referrals

In business, networking is critical. Often the best form of marketing is word of mouth, and it can spread fast. So it’s vital to make a connection with as many people as possible. Each time you interact with a customer, make the most of your conversation. Building rapport with consumers sparks a chain reaction. If a customer trusts you, they feel more excited to send friends and family to your business. So don’t be afraid to ask for referrals.

Follow up on those leads with effective outreach. Prospects are more likely to respond to a postcard if they receive a promotional item with it.