When people think of McKenzie SewOn, many times their minds jump right to tee-shirts. While quality apparel is a huge part of our business, there is another specialty avenue that can sometimes be overlooked: Promotional Products.
From new businesses looking to be seen and heard, to established companies looking to keep their customers coming back again and again, there are promotional products that can be tailored to fit their need. I chatted with our resident promotional products specialty coordinator, Terri Wolle, about the key to creating a lasting impression on your customers through the use of promo products.
Keep it Simple
If you are looking for a cost-effective option – go for a pen. It may sound simple, but it is a fail proof way of exposure. Terri had a customer from Vancouver, a handyman, who would buy 300 pens a quarter from her. One day at a grocery store, Terri went to write a check for her purchase and realized she had forgotten a pen. A woman behind her pulled out a pen and, well, you've probably guessed that this pen belonged to her handy client.
If you put a pen down somewhere, people will use it – and see your brand while they do!
Think About Trends
Terri said, “It’s not only about adjusting the product for the industry, but instead staying on top of promotional trends as a whole”. Last year, beer cozies were a huge hit! This year, they are out the door and tech products are in. Power banks, bluetooth speakers, and earbuds are all popular items.
But don't just follow the crowd. Not only do trends change each year, but it's important to know your customer and make sure the products align with your brand.
Make it Personal
Terri has seen huge success in quarterly gifts for customers. Keeping promotional budgets in mind, these gifts don’t have to be lavish – one of her best gifts was a custom candy machine that she would come in and refill each month for her customers. This face-to-face time each month put her in a position to chat about new orders and products for her customers. They looked forward to seeing her and getting a sweet treat each month in the process.
Have a Little Fun
Shot glasses in the shapes of butts. Yep, you heard that right, butt-shaped shot glasses for a tavern in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Terri had to go the extra mile to find a vendor who could make this happen, but I can bet you that anyone who used one of those shot glasses will never forget it. You can be creative with your ideas and craft experiences that your customers will always remember.
Fun = Memorable
Don't Lose Sight of Function
Terri thinks all of the products she sells are cool, but one particular item that stood out in her mind was a countdown timer for River Cruise. Each person that signed up for a cruise would receive an info packet, where they would find a countdown timer of when their cruise left! This kept the customer engaged and excited about their upcoming event, and provided them with a fun souvenir they can use over and over again.
As you can see, there are endless options you can offer your customer to enhance their business and help grow their relationships with their own customers. Promotional products are a great tool for businesses of all sizes, and something we are proud to offer our customers. With a pro like Terri on our team, we can find the right product for you, too!
-The SewOn Team
Want to learn moreabout custom products? Visit our products page or contact us!
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