Are Businesses Turning To Low-Cost Promotional Items During The Recession?
Introduction
Only some businesses can maintain the costly sponsorship and advertising expectations of becoming associated with major sporting events such as Formula One, the Open Golf and the Premier League. Across these high profile events, businesses will spend millions of dollars to have their particular company associated with sporting events which could bring in international media interest, through TV, radio, press and in the modern technical world, online media.
In our existing financial state however, numerous companies have had to think carefully about their particular promotional expenditure. While some high end manufacturers have continued to sustain high advertising spend levels, several have not been able to keep pace and have looked to transform their spending to affordable promotional products.
There is countless affordable promotional items made available from the best providers of promotional items. A number of these firms have witnessed a huge upturn in the supply of affordable promotional items as organisations attempt to maintain or increase awareness of their services or products in a downturn.
As we approach the festive season and gatherings start being planned to enjoy the holidays, the vast range of low cost promotional items on the market may be worth a look. Although you may have a very limited budget to utilize at the moment, there will almost definitely be items to satisfy your desires.
Changing Times in The use of Promotional Marketing Products
As Marketing Manager for a top manufacturer in the waste management marketplace increasing awareness of the brand name through the use of marketing promotional products, was just as important as it would be in any industry. Although not having the substantial promotions budgets of many organisations, during the last couple of years the company’s buying of promotional items altered significantly. The business had always been renowned for using promotional items to great effect and research proved that brand awareness had been improved due to the good quality of our promotional products. However, one promotional item that was much wanted was the pocket diary. The distribution of the 15 month diary contained within a leather wallet and released every October, had become seriously popular with clients, employees and work associates. The diary also allowed the company an opportunity to add a completely different promotional insert each year, with a marketing message to improve awareness of a service which the organization wished to improve awareness of.
Within the diary, a reply card was placed that could be returned by the recipient to register to receive the next years diary. After some time, their email list had expanded and more than 600 diaries were sent out in its last year. However, with the present financial crisis came the need to review the expenditure of promotional marketing items and the diary was to be withdrawn from our promotional spend. In thinking about alternative diary options, it was felt that the good quality and reputation of that product could not be matched and any kind of decrease in quality might have a negative impact 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 affordable promotional items including a variety of pens, pencils, rulers which were to be used at exhibitions, as sales giveaways and to give away to school children following schools visits. This is just one instance of how businesses have been affected by the economic climate and have really had to look at reducing expenditure levels across the business.
Businesses need to weigh up the value that promotional products bring to the bottom line and if it can’t be proven, then the chances are that in the present climate, the promotional items will be cut.
Collecting for the Poppy Appeal, Royal British Legion associates wear official volunteer sashes while they gather funds for the Poppy Appeal.
Usually at this time of year, the major retail outlets have previously decorated their stores or in store sales areas with decorations. The holiday message seems to begin earlier each and every year. I was in London only a week ago 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 wondering 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 shops appear to be spending less on holiday decorations and promotions this year.
Effective use of Low Cost Promotional Items
If you are not familiar with the huge range of products made available from promotional marketing providers, I would certainly recommend that you take a few minutes to check out a supplier out on line. I guarantee that you will be amazed at the unique selection of low cost promotional marketing products available for promotional use. Whatever your need 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 new shop opened at the begining of November in the Town where I live. There was a full page promotional article and advertisement in the local newspaper announcing its arrival and opening date. As I passed by the shop on its very first day of opening, several employees were outside merely 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 shops name on it, to any child passing by or going into the store. What struck me was how simple and inexpensive that little piece of promotion would have cost. The child is likely to remember that they were given a balloon at that shop and will want to return to see if they would receive another one.
Equally for personal use, for that special occasion birthday party, wedding or anniversary, a simple selection of attractive suggestions can be supplied. Balloons, ribbons, confetti can all be colour coordinated to make a breathtaking looking display as you enter the venue 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 striking 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.
Organizations used to invest big money on promotional products but in a tough economy, numerous organizations have decreased their expenditure on these products.
Low Cost Promotional Products on the Political Stage
It was intriguing 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 decorating 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 buildings were decorated in the political colours of its local candidates. If you recall the US presidential election, every time you saw the candidates giving 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.
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 know your local MP if you passed him 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 seen my local Member of parliment in town, canvassing support and advertising his weekly constituency surgery donning a blue sash to recognize him. The sash was printed with the words ‘vote conservative’ printed in white. Putting on his blue sash, blue tie and name badge he seemed to be meeting a great number of folks enabling him to communicate his message and listen to people’s views. I suspect that there will be a couple of more luxurious promotional items in use as we get nearer to the election period, but suppliers 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.
Countless flags, thousands of pieces of bunting, thousands of balloons and badges to suggest a few, but I am certain that the list will become considerably longer. Lots of the flags offered by promotional product providers are now made from eco-friendly materials and therefore when disposed of cause no harm to the environment.
Find a professional provider of balloons on the web, to advise on your entire requirements.
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 produced 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 rules 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. Environmental promotional products are a great way to communicate your message.
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.
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