Making Use Of Low-Cost Promotional Items In A Recession

Introduction

Only some organizations can maintain the expensive sponsorship and promotional expectations of becoming associated with big sports events including Formula One, the Open Golf and the Premier League. Across these large profile events, organizations will pay out millions of pounds to have their brand name associated with sporting events that will generate international media attention, through TV, radio, press and in today’s technological world, on line media.

In today’s current financial state however, numerous companies have had to think very carefully about their own advertising expenditure. While some luxury companies have continued to maintain high advertising spend levels, several have not been effective in keeping pace and now have looked to adjust their spending to low cost promotional items.

There’s a huge selection of low cost promotional items provided by the best manufacturers of promotional items. Many of these companies have experienced a massive upturn in the supply of low cost promotional items as organisations strive to sustain or improve awareness of their products or services during a recession.

When approaching the festive period and get-togethers start being planned to celebrate the holidays, the vast selection of low cost promotional items on the market 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 major brand in the waste management industry improving awareness of the brand name through the use of marketing promotional products, was just as important as it would be in any marketplace. Although not having the substantial promotions budgets of many companies, over the last two years the company’s buying of promotional products changed significantly. The business had always been renowned for using promotional items to great effect and basic research proved that brand awareness had been enhanced due to the quality of our promotional products. However, one promotional item which was much wanted was the pocket diary. The distribution of the 15 month diary contained inside a leather wallet and issued every October, had become seriously popular with buyers, employees and business associates. The diary also allowed the company a chance to include a completely different promotional insert every year, with a marketing message to improve awareness of a product which the business wanted to increase awareness of.

Within the diary, a reply card was placed that could be returned by the recipient to register to receive the following years diary. After some time, the list had grown and over 600 diaries were sent out in its last year. However, with the recent financial crisis came the need to review the expenditure of promotional marketing items and the diary was to be scrapped from our promotional spend. In contemplating alternate diary options, it was felt that the quality and reputation of that product could not be matched and any decrease in quality could have a damaging effect upon the recipients’ perception of the business.Used to good effect, low cost promotional products can maintain awareness of your business in the market place.

The business did keep a few cheap promotional items which included a variety of pens, pencils, rulers which were to be utilized at exhibitions, as sales giveaways and to hand out to school kids following schools visits. This is only one example of how companies 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 can’t be verified, then the chances are that in the present climate, the promotional items will be cut.

Many big retail shops ask the shop assistants within their cosmetics department to put on promotional sashes with a promotional message printed on it.

Generally at this time of year, the major retail outlets have already decorated their shops or in store sales areas with Holiday decorations. The holiday message appears to commence earlier each and every year. I was in London only last week and it is veryclear to me 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 thinking 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 are unfamiliar with the huge range of products provided by promotional marketing providers, I would certainly recommend that you take a few minutes to check out a provider out on line. I guarantee that you will be amazed at the unique choice of low cost promotional marketing products readily 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 brand new shop 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 store on its first day of opening, several employees were outside just 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 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 private use, for that special occasion birthday party, wedding or anniversary, a simple selection of decorative suggestions can be supplied. Balloons, ribbons, confetti can all be colour coordinated to make a spectacular 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 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.

A great way to promote your products or services is by using tailored promotional products to advertise your information to your target audience.

Low Cost Promotional Products on the Political Stage

It was interesting 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 remain 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 making 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 recognise your local MP if you passed her 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 witnessed 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. Putting on his blue sash, blue tie and name badge he appeared to be meeting a large amount of people allowing 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 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.

Thousands of flags, several thousand pieces of bunting, thousands of balloons and badges to suggest a few, but I am sure that the list will become much longer. Most of the flags made available from promotional product suppliers are now made from eco-friendly materials and therefore when disposed of cause no harm to the environment. Promotional balloons and flags are ideal for use by organisations for indoor and outdoor events, promotions and celebrations.

Companies can spruce up their meeting location with large quantities of helium filled trade balloons with customised marketing 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 manufactured 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 made from recycled vending cups. Biodegradable carrier bags, cotton carrier bags and organic clothing extend the environmental range.

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 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 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.