Introduction
Only some organizations can maintain the costly sponsorship and promotional expectations of being associated with major sporting events including Formula One, the Open Golf and the Premier League. Across these high profile events, organizations will pay out millions of pounds to have their particular brand name associated with sporting events which will bring in global media attention, through TV, radio, press and in today’s technological world, on line media.
In today’s present financial state however, many businesses have had to think cautiously about their own advertising costs. Whilst some luxury manufacturers have continued to maintain high promotional spend levels, many haven’t been able to keep pace and have looked to adjust their spending to low cost promotional items.
There’s a huge selection of inexpensive promotional items available from the leading suppliers of promotional items. A number of these organisations have witnessed a tremendous upturn in the supply of affordable promotional items as businesses attempt to sustain or increase awareness of their services or products in a downturn. To what extent are businesses and individuals turning to low-cost items during the recession?
When approaching the festive period and gatherings start being planned to celebrate the holidays, the vast selection of affordable promotional items on the market may be worth a look. Although you may have a very limited spending budget to work with at the moment, there will almost undoubtedly be items to meet your requirements.
Changing Times in The use of Promotional Marketing Products
As Marketing Manager for a major manufacturer in the waste management industry improving awareness of the brand through the use of marketing promotional products, was just as vital as it will be in any marketplace. Although not having the huge promotions budgets of many companies, over the last couple of years the company’s purchasing of promotional products changed dramatically. The organization had always been renowned for using promotional items to great effect and research proved that brand recognition had been improved due to the good quality of our promotional products. However, one promotional item which was very much wanted was the pocket diary. The distribution of the 15 month diary contained inside a leather wallet and published every October, had become seriously popular with clients, employees and business associates. The diary also allowed the business an opportunity to add a different promotional insert every year, with a marketing message to increase awareness of a service which the business wanted to increase awareness of.
Contained in the diary, a reply card was placed which could be returned by the recipient to register to receive the following years diary. After some time, their email list had grown and more than 600 diaries were sent out in its last year. However, with the present financial status came the need to review the expenditure of promotional marketing items and the diary was to be scrapped from our promotional spend. In considering alternative diary options, it was thought that the good quality and reputation of that item could not be matched and any reduction in quality might have a damaging effect upon the recipients’ perception of the organization.Used to good effect, low cost promotional products can maintain awareness of your business in the market place.
The business did retain some low cost promotional items which included a variety of pens, pencils, rulers which were to be used at exhibitions, as sales giveaways and to give away to school kids following schools visits. This is only one instance of how companies have been affected by the economic climate and have really had to look at reducing expenditure levels across the business.
Companies need to weigh up the advantage that promotional products bring to the bottom line and if it can’t be verified, then the chances are that in today’s climate, the promotional items will be cut.
The usage of different colour promotional sashes is a low-cost idea to organise big groups into teams at a social gathering or company meeting.
Generally at this time of the year, the major retail stores have previously decorated their stores or in store sales areas with Holiday decorations. The holiday message seems to commence earlier each and every year. I was in London only a week ago and it is very apparent that many of the big 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’re not familiar with the huge range of products available from promotional marketing suppliers, I’d definitely suggest that you take a few minutes to check out a supplier out on line. I guarantee that you will be surprised at the distinctive choice of affordable promotional marketing products readily 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 had been a full page promotional article and advert in the local paper announcing its arrival and opening date. As I passed by the store on its first day of opening, several members of staff were outside simply wearing 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 cheap that little piece of promotion would have cost. The child is likely to remember that they received a balloon at that shop and will want to return to see if they would receive another one. Balloons are a fantastic way to get your message across if you are opening a new store on the high street.
Equally for personal use, for that special occasion birthday party, wedding or anniversary, an effective selection of decorative ideas can be supplied. Balloons, ribbons, confetti can all be colour coordinated to make a spectacular 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.
In a recession, organizations simply don’t possess the finances for advertising products on tv and will consequently choose to use alternative more affordable choices.
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 be 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 making 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. It seemed as though President Obama’s face was on every poster, on every flag as well as every TV screen.
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 recognise your local MP if you passed her 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 witnessed my local MP in town, canvassing support and promoting his weekly constituency surgery wearing a blue sash to identify him. The sash was printed with the words ‘vote conservative’ printed in white. Putting on his blue sash, blue tie and name badge he appeared to be meeting a good number of folks allowing him to communicate his message and listen to people’s opinions. I think that there will be one or two more high class promotional items in use as we get nearer to the election period, but providers 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.
Thousands of 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 available from promotional product companies are now made out of eco-friendly materials therefore when thrown away cause no harm to the environment.
Organizations can beautify their convention venue with large quantities of helium filled trade balloons with personalised promotional messages on them.
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 produced from recycled vending cups. Biodegradable carrier bags, cotton carrier bags and organic clothing extend the environmental range.
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 product to suit any budget. The effective use of balloons, ribbons and bunting can create a memorable 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 interest to all of your guests. Almost everyone is being careful about what they currently spend.
