But wait! Before you rush to build content across numerous social channels or invest thousands of dollars in display ads, there’s a strategy worth considering — using brand merchandise to drive your brand forward.

This isn’t new, promotional products have been a cornerstone of marketing for years. We’ve all come across pens with the name and number of a local veterinarian or calendars from our family physicians. However, by incorporating modern strategies, bridging the digital world with our reality, you can take brand awareness to a whole new level and experience a significant game-changer for your business.

Promotional Products: Why they work

It’s all about brand recall- like ad jingles that get stuck in a loop in our minds long after the commercial has ended, promotional products with branded logos have a remarkable impact on the human brain. A branded water bottle, for instance, begins as a nice novelty, but as it becomes an aspect of our daily lives, the brand begins to register and recognition forms. The psychological principle at play here is simple: when you provide your audience with something tangible and useful, you create a lasting connection that goes beyond fleeting digital impressions.

Consider these compelling statistics:

Unparalleled Visibility: Among various forms of advertising, promotional products command the room in terms of being seen and remembered.

Memorability: 76% of individuals can recall the brand name featured on a promotional item they’ve received.

Boosting Purchase Behavior: Adding free totes, water bottles, or t-shirts donning your company’s logo within purchase bundles or as free gifts can be more effective in driving sales than standalone discounts.

The Dollars Behind the Strategy

American businesses invest a staggering $20 billion in promotional products every year. But why are these tools worth such a significant allocation of resources?

Well, the answer lies in their proven effectiveness. Promotional products are not just random trinkets or giveaways; they are strategic tools that can build customer loyalty, amplify advertising messages, and achieve so much more.

Imagine receiving a promotional product from a company you admire. Whether it’s a branded t-shirt, a portable speaker, or a picnic blanket, it immediately creates a connection between you and that brand. It becomes a tangible representation of their values, their story, and their mission. And this connection is what drives customer loyalty.

Promotional products also have the incredible ability to amplify advertising messages. When consumers use or display these items in their everyday lives, they essentially become walking billboards for the brand. It’s a constant reminder of the company and its offerings, ensuring that the brand stays top-of-mind.

Unlocking the Potential: Some Eye-Opening Facts

Are you intrigued by the potential of promotional products? Here are some more compelling facts that highlight their importance:

89% of consumers have received a promotional product within the last six months.

85% of recipients do business with the company after receiving a promotional item.

Customized promotional products have a longer lifespan than most other forms of advertising, extending your brand’s reach over time.

Elevate Your Brand with Promotional Products

Branded merch has evolved from the pen at your local tax office or the free toothbrush from your dentist. Instead, corporations are seeking to build lasting relationships by fashioning a world of creative products featuring their custom logos and finding fun and engaging ways to share with their target audience.

As the world of marketing continues to evolve, companies will continue to marry the old with the new. Like creating branded merch with scannable codes leading to company landing pages, or opportunities to join in virtual reality to receive tangible goods in the real world. The creative opportunities are endless, yet the goal remains the same: to create a lasting impression.

Can you see yourself being a part of this impactful journey, where your role involves bringing these connections to life? Becoming a Kaeser and Blair dealer offers you the chance to be an essential link in the chain of successful marketing. By joining our network, you’ll not only gain access to a wide array of high-quality promotional products but also the opportunity to build your own business.

Become A Kaeser and Blair Dealer

As a Kaeser and Blair dealer, you’ll be equipped with the tools, resources, and expertise to thrive in the world of promotional products. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for a new venture or an existing business aiming to diversify your offerings, this is your chance to step into a new world of possibilities.

Ready to get started? Visit our website to learn more about how you can become a Kaeser and Blair dealer and set the wheels in motion for a rewarding venture in the world of promotional products. Your journey toward success starts now.

The post The Power of Branded Merchandise: Building Brand Awareness That Lasts appeared first on Kaeser & Blair.

Our mission is to support your growth and enhance the value you bring to your clients. Prospecting and expanding your customer base are crucial aspects of achieving this goal. By working proactively with your clients, you can make a significant impact on their promotional endeavors. As the expert in this field, your expertise adds immense value to your clients. Here are some essential tips to consider when assisting your customers in selecting their branded merchandise.

Identify the Audience

Understanding the target audience is crucial to recommending the most suitable products or programs for the event. By doing so, you can select branded merchandise that resonates with the end users and captures their interest.

Be the Expert, Stay Aware of the Budget, and Choose Best Quality Available for your Client’s Price Point

The impression customers have of the client is directly linked to the quality of the merchandise they offer. It is crucial for the client to be perceived positively in this aspect. Distributing items that are prone to breaking or being discarded lowers the overall cost-effectiveness of the promotional campaign.

To ensure a lasting impact, it is essential to provide durable and valuable merchandise that recipients will use and appreciate. This approach guarantees continued brand promotion over time, creating a positive association between the brand and its high-quality offerings.

Always be Aware and Prepared to Present Items that are Considered Useful

While it’s important to be aware of market trends, the merchandise’s practicality should never be overlooked. Select items that recipients will use regularly, as this significantly lowers the cost per impression while increasing the value to the target audience. When the product becomes an integral part of their routine, it fosters a strong sense of goodwill and keeps your brand at the forefront of their minds.

Remember, as you embark on your project, you are the expert in branded merchandise, and your choices add significant value to your clients’ promotional efforts. By focusing on the audience, quality, and utility, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and impactful campaign.

At Kaeser & Blair, we offer the resources you need to set your clients (and your promotional products business) up for success. We’re here to help you every step of the way. To stay up-to-date with industry trends and expert advice, subscribe to our newsletter today!

– Liza

Liza Sachs is a 25+ year veteran of the promotional products industry and heads up our Sales and Supplier Relationships for the organization as Director of Sales. Liza has experience on both the distributor and supplier sides, which gives her the unique vision to assist our dealers to expand their sales.

The post Working Proactively with Clients on Projects appeared first on Kaeser & Blair.

This post is based on a topic covered in one of our Friday Flashback newsletters. Friday Flashback is a weekly newsletter from Kaeser & Blair Director of Sales Liza Sachs. Each edition contains valuable insights and updates for the promotional products industry.

This is a reminder that we all need to stay diligent and alert. Unfortunately, there is a severe uptick in scams targeting our industry. Posing as customers, these criminals are getting smarter and can be difficult to catch. Each month, our new accounts team catches quite a few and our finance team shared these four red flags you should look out for.

1. Unprofessional Email

Emails from these “customers” are usually very unprofessional and include poor grammar and the occasional misspelled words. These indicators should serve as immediate red flags for recipients. Legitimate promotional products distributors take pride in their professionalism and would not send out poorly crafted communications.

2. Inconsistent Order Information

Prepaid orders with credit cards will either have a different ship to address than the billing address, or the customer will request the change once the order is booked. Most often the shipping address is in a completely different state. These orders with stolen cards all tend to be in the $5,000–10,000 range.

3. High-priced Blank Goods

Products that scammers seem to focus on include all electronics, blank t-shirts, backpacks, tumblers, drives, and other high-priced items they can most likely resell. Blank goods from a customer you never worked with are a big warning sign.

4. Discrepancies in Credit Applications and Purchase Orders

If a customer provides a credit application or a purchase order, there are usually a few things to take note of. The fake phone numbers and emails provided will direct back to the scammer, so look closely at these.

Email: What would appear to be a valid corporate email, will have a slight variance in spelling (such as changing a single letter). For example, JoeCustomer@firstenergycorp.com is a legitimate email address. However, a scammer would set up JoeCustomer@firstenergycrop.com instead.

Phone numbers: When it comes to phone numbers, sometimes a closer look will also show the area codes are in a different state than the address.

Conduct Simple Research

Many times, a quick Google search for the customer or the shipping and billing addresses can confirm something is amiss.  If the search results raise doubts or present conflicting details, take heed. Taking the time to investigate further can save your business from potential financial losses and reputational damage.

Conclusion

If there is any doubt, follow up with credit or leadership and we can explore the situation further.  If a customer comes out from nowhere with a big opportunity—just watch that you have done your due diligence.

For more information on email scams targeting the promotional products industry, check out these articles from ASI:

https://www.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/september-2022/promo-distributor-that-got-scammed-shares-tips-on-how-not-to-get-conned/

https://www.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/september-2022/are-well-organized-racketeers-targeting-promo-yes-executives-say/

–Liza

Liza Sachs is a 25+ year veteran of the promotional products industry and heads up our Sales and Supplier Relationships for the organization as Director of Sales. Liza has experience on both the distributor and supplier sides, which gives her the unique vision to assist our dealers to expand their sales.

The post Promotional Products Industry Email Scams appeared first on Kaeser & Blair.

This post is based on a topic covered in one of our Friday Flashback newsletters. Friday Flashback is a weekly newsletter from Kaeser & Blair Director of Sales Liza Sachs. Each edition contains valuable insights and updates for the promotional products industry.

Can your clients make a difference and promote their brand at the same time? Absolutely! One strategy that’s gaining traction is leveraging monthly observances to connect with target audiences.

These designated periods allow businesses to align their promotional efforts with relevant causes and events, giving your clients a chance to build awareness and foster engagement. Let’s dive into why you staying aware of awareness months, weeks, and days is beneficial for your clients.

Understanding Monthly Observances

So, what are these awareness months, weeks, and days all about? They’re dedicated timeframes throughout the year that shine a spotlight on specific causes, events, or themes. The goal is to raise awareness, educate the public, and encourage action for various issues.

It’s an opportunity for your clients to tap into the collective enthusiasm and engagement generated by these events. With options like Bike Safety Month, Teacher Appreciation Week, and National Barbecue Day, there’s an awareness occasion that suits every brand and business!

Benefits of Participating in Awareness Periods

Why should your clients get involved in these observances? Let’s explore the benefits:

Relevance and Connection: By participating in these observances, businesses show their commitment to relevant causes and events. It’s a way to connect with their target audience on a deeper level, demonstrating shared values and interests.

Increased Visibility: Leveraging awareness periods helps businesses gain more visibility and reach a wider audience. People actively seek information and participate in activities related to these events, giving businesses a chance to showcase their products and services.

Brand Differentiation: Standing out from competitors is crucial, and participating in awareness occasions allows businesses to do just that. By aligning their marketing efforts with these events, they can create unique and memorable experiences for their clients, reinforcing their brand identity and positioning.

Community Engagement: Awareness months, weeks, and days often foster a sense of community and collective action. By participating in these events, businesses can engage with their target audience in meaningful ways, encouraging customer loyalty and advocacy.

Discovering Upcoming Awareness Periods

Now that we understand the benefits, how can you help your clients discover upcoming events? Here are a few reliable sources to keep you in the know:

Online Resources: There are plenty of websites that provide comprehensive lists of awareness months, weeks, and days. Websites like nationaldaycalendar.com, awarenessdays.com, and nationaltoday.com are fantastic sources to explore upcoming events.

Social Media: Follow relevant accounts and hashtags on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Many organizations and communities actively promote awareness periods through their social media channels, keeping you up-to-date with the latest events.

Trade Associations and Nonprofit Organizations: Industry-specific trade associations and nonprofit organizations often have dedicated resources and calendars for awareness periods. Check their websites or subscribe to their newsletters to receive regular updates. I also send out information about upcoming events in my Friday Flashback newsletters, so keep an eye out for those.

Leveraging Awareness Events

Get creative with promotional products

Encourage your clients to think creatively about how they can use promotional products to raise awareness about important social and environmental issues while promoting their brand. Can they distribute custom t-shirts with powerful messages for Mental Health Awareness Month? How about providing their customers with eco-friendly reusable water bottles during Plastic Free July? The possibilities are endless!

Partner with related nonprofit organizations

Furthermore, consider suggesting collaborative efforts with local organizations or charities. For example, your clients can partner with a local animal shelter during Adopt-a-Shelter-Pet Month and offer branded pet accessories to new pet owners. This not only raises awareness about animal welfare but also establishes a positive image for your client’s brand within the community.

Use stories

Incorporating storytelling into their marketing campaigns is another effective strategy. Encourage your clients to share stories of individuals or organizations impacted by the cause they’re supporting. Whether through social media posts, blog articles, or video testimonials, these narratives humanize the cause and create an emotional connection with the audience.

Get active on social media

Lastly, don’t forget the power of social media. Encourage your clients to create engaging and shareable content related to the awareness period they’re participating in. Contests, giveaways, and interactive campaigns can help spread the word and generate buzz around their brand.

Conclusion

By encouraging your clients to align their marketing efforts with awareness months, weeks, and days, you can help them maximize their impact, foster customer engagement, and build brand loyalty. It’s important to consider the relevance of each event to their target audience and brand values when recommending which awareness periods to participate in.

Remember, successful marketing isn’t just about promoting products—it’s about connecting with people, addressing their needs, and making a positive impact. Monthly observances offer a fantastic platform to accomplish these goals by aligning brands with causes and events that resonate with their audience.

So, let’s embrace the power of awareness periods and infuse your promotional product recommendations with purpose and relevance. By staying aware of upcoming events and understanding the benefits of participation, you can help position your clients’ businesses as socially conscious, engaged, and memorable in the minds of their customers.

–Liza

Liza Sachs is a 25+ year veteran of the promotional products industry and heads up our Sales and Supplier Relationships for the organization as Director of Sales. Liza has experience on both the distributor and supplier sides, which gives her the unique vision to assist our dealers to expand their sales.

The post Unleashing the Marketing Power of Monthly Observances appeared first on Kaeser & Blair.