Your Tool Belt

When a car breaks down, you rarely use only one tool to fix it. The same is also true when a business needs help — very rarely can only one tool get the job done.

However, many businesses fall into the trap of focusing on only one tool. It isn’t uncommon to see companies invest a lot of time and money ordering promotional items, while forgetting to think about how they can tie their promotional items into other marketing efforts. Promotional products can be powerful tools and when combined with other strategies they pack an even more powerful punch.

A great example of this is a PALS, ACLS, and CPR certification company centered out of Temecula, California. Because the certifications have to be frequently renewed, Dr. Rendon Revive Education wanted to make sure they were building a loyal clientele who would keep coming back year after year. When faced with the problem of how to encourage repeat business on a small budget they decided to combine promotional items with a strong call back campaign.

When clients complete a course, they are given a promotional item like a pen or CPR mask. Revive Education has found that it is a great way to help clients remember their company when it comes time to recertify. They are careful not to be stingy with their promotional items either. Most of their clientele works with other people who also need to be certified, so Revive Education gains a lot of additional exposure when their items are passed around at their clients' workplace.

However, they don’t rely on their promotional items to do all the work. They also collect their clients’ contact information and keep track of when their certification is due to expire. Close to the expiration date, they give their clients a personal call to ask how they can help them recertify.

The double approach has definitely produced results. Clients love getting free stuff and the personal phone call helps build the relationship even further. Now most of their clientele is either repeat business or referrals. And they have found that a pen and a phone call are much cheaper than what it costs them to generate clients through general advertising.


CPR Pocket Resuscitator
From $11.25
Bio-Degradable Folding Pen
From $0.48
This pen is perfect for those in the medical field. It's small and can be hung conveniently around your neck.

Nothing Beats the Button

The other day at the grocery store I couldn’t help smiling at the clerk’s uniform vest. It was absolutely covered in pins and buttons. In about 30 seconds I knew more about her than I did about my neighbor. Evidently she was a Christian who liked cats and needed her cup of coffee every morning. She had been employee of the month at least two times and the grocery store where she worked believed that “customers always come first.”

So take a tip from the grocery store clerk — if you are looking for a fast way for customers get to know you better, you can’t beat the button.

Promotional buttons and pins are incredibly versatile. You see them everywhere, including stores, athletic games, political rallies, and business conferences. And they can send a variety of messages. They can be funny, professional, political, persuasive, and sometimes even irreverent.

What I love about the button is that it not only sends a message to others, but it is a good reminder to the person wearing it. The store clerk who wears a button that says “customers always come first” not only lets customers know that they are important to the business, but every time the clerk puts the button on it reminds her that customers are important.

Buttons are also a good way to celebrate milestones and achievements. Want to let clients know that you have been around for a while? Then create a button celebrating your 10th anniversary. Buttons can also let people know about a recent award the company won or a humanitarian project you are involved in.

So don’t be afraid to let people know who you are and what you stand for. Go out and get yourself a button!

Round Magnetic Pin
From $1.93


Domed Magnetic Lapel Pin
From $2.47

The Most Motivating Promotional Products

Do some promotional products do a better job at motivating people than others? According to a recent study by PPAI Research the answer is yes.

As part of the study, a panel of 1,005 consumers were asked, “Which of the following promotional products when given to you, are most likely to motivate you to take a particular action or lead you to have a more favorable impression of the advertiser/company?”

Items that scored high were:

1. Food basket
2. MP3 player
3. Clock/watch
4. Digital picture frame
5. Luggage
6. Shirt
7. Wallet
8. Tote bag

The study also looked at which items would be kept the longest. Respondents said that they were most likely to keep the following products around for at least a year:

1. MP3 player
2. Luggage
3. Digital picture frame
4. Coffee mug
5. Calendar
6. Tote bag
7. Pen

As a business it can be challenge to reach your target audience when so many others are clamoring for their attention. While the above information can be helpful when deciding where to focus your marketing resources, it is important to get to know the preferences of your own clients. Don't be afraid to conduct your own informal survey with clients you are more comfortable with to find out what kind of promotional items would resonate with them.

Why Promotional Items Trump Coupons and Sales

I love kids’ meals! When I was a kid I would have done anything for a kids’ meal. For some reason the promise of that little toy was worth more than the food that it was sold with.

Now that I am older the promise of getting a little something extra still excites me. That could be why a study by Southern Methodist University found that customers who received promotional products reordered 18% sooner than customers who received coupons.

While sales and coupons can be effective, they are intangible. You’re just getting money off rather than getting something more for your money. At the end of the day, most people can’t tell you where the money they saved went. And if they are ordering for their company, they may never personally see the benefit of that coupon at all.

So instead of offering a coupon to promote sales, think about offering a promotional item. Very few people will remember which company had a coupon for office paper six months ago, but they will remember who was giving away paper shredders. Plus, the paper shredder will serve as a reminder that it might be a good idea to go check to see how much office paper is left.

Quick and Safe Electric Paper Shredder
From $27.46

The Perfect Way to Say Sorry

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I got food poisoning from a popular fast food restaurant. When I let the company know, I was expecting to hear nothing but denials. I was surprised to receive a string of sincerely apologetic emails from multiple people in the organization. They even sent me a gift certificate to make up for the experience.

Although I had not been a huge fan of the chain before, I was more than a little impressed with how they handled things. It may take awhile before their food sounds good to me again, but I definitely gained a new respect for their organization.

While hopefully your business isn’t making people sick, you have probably made your own share of mistakes. When you do mess up, it is good to remember that a heartfelt apology can do a lot to save a business relationship.

A study by Professor Roy Lewicki from Ohio State University found that people who were wronged in a business transaction were more likely to reconcile with the business if they received a sincere apology that accepted blame for the mistake.

The key is to not make excuses and to take ownership for the problem. If possible, explain any changes you have made to make sure it doesn’t happen again. If appropriate, using a little bit of humor can help.

But the icing on the cake is a follow-up gift. Gifts can do wonders at saving a business relationship because they show that you really are interested in making things right. In fact, I know of companies that keep a few apology gifts in stock so that they are ready for when they need them.

Need some good ideas for your next apology?

Send somebody a “heartfelt” apology with this heart-shaped key ring (from $1.01).


Feel like using a little humor? Let your client know that you hope your relationship isn’t “toast” with this cute little timer (from $2.27)



Or use this meat thermometer (from $6.26) to say you are sorry that your last job wasn’t “well done” and that you promise that mistakes like this will be “rare” in the future.


But sometimes big mistakes with big clients take big apologies. If the client is important, don’t be afraid to pull out all the stops. Items like mp3 players and digital photo frames are a great way to show clients how important they are to you.

Ultra Thin Multifunction Mp3, Mp4, Mp5 Player
From $49.95

7" Digital Photo Frame and MP3 Music Player
From $41.95

Have something unique in mind? 365 Promos also offers custom promotional product development. Just contact us by phone or email, and we will make your creative vision a reality.

It’s all in the Wrapping

With Father’s Day coming up it’s time to start shopping for the man who has everything. So what are people most likely to buy for their dads this year? Studies have shown that gift cards are proving to be a top gift choice for a whole range of holidays and occasions. A study by Deloitte says that 85 percent of people bought a gift card because they wanted to give the recipient a choice. And 57 percent of people bought one because they didn’t have any idea of what else to buy.

With gift cards being such a hot gift choice, the question is how to make your gift cards stand out. Evidently it is all in the wrapping.

The same survey showed that 50 percent of purchasers were more likely to buy a gift card that comes in attractive wrapping. Another study by Chase Paymentech showed that 61 percent of purchasers were strongly motivated by free, specialized gift packaging.

Target has been able to leverage their gift card wrapping brilliantly. Some of my favorites are the gift card that is also a nightlight and a gift card that lets you record, mix, and play back your own tune.
But customizing your gift cards isn’t something that only the big boys can afford to do. With promotional products it is easy to give your gift cards a little extra zing. And it is no wonder people like the personalized packaging. When buyers are giving money as a gift, they want it to look like they at least put some thought into it.

Here are some great ways to spice up your gift cards. The key is to find something that matches your business.

For stores that specialize in tools and other hardware, including a branded tool is a great way to attract attention.
Redskap Tape Measure and LED Light Kit
From $0.98


Gamit Mini Screwdriver Kit
From $1.01


A wine store or restaurant could give away this Two-Bottle Wine Carrier (from $3.46)


A sports store or any sports-based business could include this Digital Pedometer (from $1.64)



General retail? Try a shopping tote (from $0.98) that they can use to shop with when they visit your store to redeem the gift card.

Solving Tardiness With Incentive Programs

Sick of seeing your employees show up late to work? Sometimes a little tardiness is harmless, but often it can have a direct impact on a company’s bottom line. A person not showing up on time might result in unanswered calls or late deliveries. A whole assembly line might not be able to operate if an employee is late.

Late employees cost U.S. businesses more than $3 billion a year. An employee who is ten minutes late each day will have taken the equivalent of a week’s vacation over a year. Employees who arrive late to meetings cost a company even more money because other’s time is impacted.

Tardiness definitely affects fellow employees. Many times a chronically late employee can make other employees feel resentful. Often other employees may have to pick up the slack. For example, a late waiter or salesclerk can make it so others have to stay past their shift. If they have already worked eight hours, this can mean that you’re also paying for overtime.

So what is a company to do? The best approach is a combination of coaching, penalties, and rewards. First, make sure your company has a culture that encourages punctuality and that your employees are clear about expectations. Then set up some predefined penalties for lateness (make sure they comply with your state’s labor laws). Things like warnings, suspension, and docking pay work well.

But don’t forget that sometimes a carrot works better than a stick. Many companies have found
that an incentive program can work wonders. Here are some great promotional products for your building your own incentive program:

Clocks can be a clever way to thank employees for being on time.

Executive Folding Alarm Clock with Photo Frame in Cherry Hardwood and Brushed Metal
From $15.36

Weather Station Wall Clock
From $5.56

Branded premiums can be a great way to show how important being on time is to your company.

Apple iPod Shuffle 2 GB
From $45.00

Flip MinoHD Video Camera, 60 Minute Capacity
From $127


5.0 Megapixel Digital Sleek Cam
From $32.95