| Branding is one of the most visible concepts in | | | | promotional products as branding tools. In other |
| today's marketing world. Everything is about branding | | | | words, the design and style of the items that you |
| - literally. Your company's brand is more than its name | | | | choose will actually carry at least as much weight as |
| or its logo. It's an amalgam of everything that's visible | | | | what the item actually is. A staid High Street law firm |
| about your company. Your brand reputation used to | | | | and a trendy teen accessory shop can both give |
| be an organic thing, something that grew out of your | | | | away promotional pens, for instance, and have them |
| interactions with your customers and the public. | | | | well-received, but the style that works best for each |
| These days, brand image is far more likely to be | | | | of them will be far different. |
| manufactured than it is to grow naturally. | | | | The bank, wanting to project an image of tradition |
| There are two main aspects of branding that can be | | | | and solidity, might choose sleek ball pens imprinted |
| boosted by promotional gifts: brand image and brand | | | | with the bank logo and name. It suits their brand well, |
| recognition. A successful promotional product will | | | | and will further their image as a solid financial |
| serve both of those aspects equally well. When | | | | institution. In contrast, the teen shop wants to |
| you're choosing promotional gifts and products for | | | | promote its image as a quirky, fun place where you |
| any purpose | | | | can find the latest and hippest gear. Their choice of |
| - events, trade shows, marketing giveaways, thank | | | | promotional pens might be a twisty-bendy version in |
| you gifts and even employee incentives | | | | eye-popping colors for maximum visibility. |
| - it's important to consider both of those aspects. | | | | The same principle applies to many other promotional |
| When you choose marketing or trade show | | | | gift items that you could use for branding purposes. |
| promotional products that are in tune with your | | | | Among the most popular giveaway gifts that are |
| company's image, you are amplifying your sales | | | | easy to adapt for branding are: |
| potential. By contrast, a marketing giveaway that | | | | - Printed mugs that carry your logo available in a wide |
| doesn't fit the image that you want your company | | | | range of styles and colors |
| to project, you could damage your sales. | | | | - Promotional umbrellas that can be very proper or a |
| So how does one go about choosing the right | | | | barrel of fun depending on color and style. |
| promotional products, the ones that will serve as | | | | - Carrier bags, cases and folders that can run the |
| advertising, or entice the customers that you want | | | | gamut from ultra-sophisticated to kitschy and cute. |
| to buy your products? The single most important | | | | If you're having trouble deciding on appropriate |
| thing is to KNOW the image that you want your | | | | promotional products or gifts to suit your company's |
| company to present. Once you've decided who your | | | | image, you'll find help at one of the many suppliers of |
| company is, it's far easier to design your marketing | | | | promotional items online. Poke around online catalogs, |
| and promotion to fit your image. | | | | and take advantage of the consultants that are |
| A second thing to keep in mind is that style and | | | | available to help you choose and place your order. |
| quality are as important as items when you're using | | | | |