Introduction
Only some organizations can maintain the expensive sponsorship and advertising expectations associated with becoming associated with major sports events including Formula One, the Open Golf and also the Premier League. Throughout these high profile events, companies will spend millions of pounds to have their company connected with sports events which could attract global media attention, through TV, radio, press and in today’s technical world, online media.
In our current economic climate however, numerous companies have had to think cautiously about their own advertising costs. Whilst some luxury manufacturers have continued to maintain high advertising spend levels, many haven’t been effective in keeping pace and have looked to adjust their spending to low cost advertising products.
You can find a huge selection of affordable promotional items made available from the best providers of promotional items. A number of these companies have experienced a massive upturn in the supply of affordable promotional items as organisations attempt to maintain or improve awareness of their products or services in a recession. To what extent are businesses and individuals turning to low-cost items during the recession?
When approaching the festive period and parties are being prepared to celebrate the holidays, the vast variety of affordable promotional items on the market is worth a look. Even if you have a very limited budget to utilize at the moment, there will almost undoubtedly be items to satisfy your desires.
Changing Times in The use of Promotional Marketing Products
As Marketing Manager for a leading manufacturer in the waste management sector improving awareness of the brand through the use of marketing promotional products, was just as important as it would be in any marketplace. Although not having the substantial promotions finances of some companies, during the last two years the company’s buying of promotional items changed significantly. The company had always been recognised for using promotional items to great effect and basic 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 inserted inside a leather wallet and released each October, had become extremely popular with clients, employees and work associates. The diary also allowed the organization a chance to include a different promotional insert each year, with a marketing message to improve awareness of a product which the organization wished to increase awareness of.
Contained in the diary, a reply card was placed which could be returned by the recipient to sign-up 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 requirement to review the expenditure of promotional marketing items and the diary was to be withdrawn from our promotional spend. In considering alternative diary options, it was felt that the good quality and reputation of that item couldn’t be matched and any decrease in quality might have a damaging effect upon the recipients’ perception of the business.
The manufacturer did keep hold of a few low cost promotional items which included an array of pens, pencils, rulers which were to be utilized at exhibitions, as sales giveaways and to give away to school children following schools visits. This is just 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 importance 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.
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Normally at this time of the year, the big retail brands have already decorated their shops or in store sales areas with Holiday decorations. The holiday message appears to start earlier every year. I was in London only last week and it is very apparent 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 unfamiliar with the huge range of items provided by promotional marketing providers, 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 unique choice of inexpensive 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 retail outlet opened in early November in the City where I live. There was a full page promotional article and advertisement in the local newspaper announcing its introduction and opening date. As I passed by the shop on its first day of opening, several employees 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.
Equally for personal use, for that special occasion birthday party, wedding or anniversary, an effective range of attractive suggestions can be supplied. Balloons, ribbons, confetti can all be colour coordinated to make a spectacular looking display as you enter the venue and leave a lasting 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 impressive 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.
Some of the best promotional products are great value for money because they will be used again and again, to display a message.
Low Cost Promotional Products on the Political Stage
It was interesting 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 hanging from 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 recognise 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 witnessed my local MP in town, canvassing support and promoting his weekly constituency surgery donning 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 seemed to be meeting a great number of folks permitting him to communicate his message and listen to people’s views. I think that there will be a couple of more extravagant 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, several thousand pieces of bunting, thousands of balloons and badges to suggest a few, but I am sure that the list will become considerably longer. Many of the flags offered by promotional product providers are now created from environmentally friendly materials therefore when disposed of cause no harm to the environment.
Organizations can order printed trade balloons to support their event, very cheaply.
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 manufactured 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 regulations 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 item 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.
