Promo items have been used in the US since the issuance of commemorative buttons for the inauguration of George Washington in 1789. By the 1800s, newspapers used their imprinting technology during slow times for name recognition, designing promo items like horse blankets, bags, custom calendars, and aprons. Promotional products took off as the best way to get the word out about a company before the advent of television and the computer. Since then, companies like Coca-Cola have turned promo items into collector's items. By 1914, trade shows became a major part of the promotional products industry. By 2004, promotional products claimed up to $17 billion in generated revenue.
- Did you know that, according to a study by Baylor University, promotional products can increase response rates by up to 75% when coupled with direct mail solicitation? Direct mail is often overlooked unless there is something that grabs the recipient's attention right off the bat. A freebie is one of the best ways to show a sense of goodwill to your targeted customers.
- Schreiber and Associates of Peoria, Illinois conducted a survey that showed 39% of recipients of promo items could recall the company name for as long as six months after receipt. Not many forms of advertisement are able to make such a lasting impression.
- Southern Methodist University tested the effectiveness of promotional products over coupons and the absence of added value. People that received promotional items over coupons re-ordered product an average of 18% sooner. Promo items, versus advertisement that was not value driven, generated a 13% quicker response rate.
- Baylor University conducted a survey with Mary Kaye consultants. The consultants that provided a promo item were 14% more likely to generate a lead. Promotional items will develop a more favorable perception of your company.
- In a study by Georgia State University in 2004, 7 3% of people who found a promotional item useful will use it at least once a week. Over 45% used the item once a day. Fifty-five percent kept the product for more than a year. The amount of exposure this creates prevails over any other form of advertisement in terms of price and effectiveness.
- Recently, business travelers at DFW airport were randomly surveyed about promotional products. More than 71% could recall receiving a product in the past twelve months. Seventy-six percent of these people could recall the company name on the product, and 33% actually had the item in their possession at the time.
- In the DFW study, only 53% of business travelers could recall a recent magazine or newspaper advertisement they had seen in the past week.
In today's world, promo items do more than just work as a portable billboard. A good promotional product can increase sales performance and productivity, increase employee morale, and even work as a way to k eep your past customer base loyal. Promo items are functional and practical. This is probably why tried and true products like pens, calendars, tote bags, and mugs have been seen time and time again. Avoid items that may seem trendy, because when the trend ends, so do your advertising dollars. Simple and direct promo items will be more effective than elaborate and expensive advertisement.
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