Pinnacle Promotions Marketing Company Blog

Recently we’ve received quite a few pictures from our customers of promotional products that we’ve ordered for them in action Whether is was the promotional sound activated wristbands used by a dating app or the custom corn hole board used at a sales conference, we love seeing how a promotional product can go from an idea to it’s in-use execution, and, much like proud parents, we make sure to feature them on our social media sites. This has become one of the newest trends in promotional products, tying them to social media. So for today’s blog post I am breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of the tentative bond that promotional products and social media are forging.

The Good
Between Facebook now asking us what we’re reading/listening/feeling, Instagram’s ability to document each and every meal, and YouTube fostering a new generation of “haul” videos (videos where the host takes the viewer through what all they bought that day), people have never been more willing to talk and share about their favorite brands and items. Promotional products have never had a better stage to shine on.

Ask recipients to tweet you a picture of their promotional product in use, choose a witty hashtag, and you could be well on your way to Twitter fame. Think of Taco Bell’s #doritoslocostacos campaign, they had everything from pictures of the actual tacos to images of those waiting in line or taking their first bite (more of my odd love affair with Taco Bell’s revamped advertising here). Thank them for being part of your community and always make sure to feature content from your users because it’s a good way to let users know that it’s as much about them as it is you.

Which brings me to my next point: have a little fun showing off a little. Take, for example, the custom corn hole boards I mentioned above. Posted on a social media site, this image conveys the message that even when they are trying to sell you something, this vendor still wants you to enjoy yourself. If even General Electric managed to make themselves more than enjoyable on Pinterest, then we have no excuse!

The Bad
And now comes the fine print. Creating content, making connections, building loyalty – these things take work. Personally, I find the challenge a fun one but like the old mottos go, nothing worth having is ever easy. Luckily for you, our sales team can help you find the perfect promotional product, but you have to figure out the QR code or hashtag.

Sure, there will always be internet trolls and naysayers but you can curtail most of those by choosing a promotional product that lasts and quickly addressing any issues that come up via social media instead of deleting or ranting in response. And even if your online campaign gets sidetracked, hopefully it will be as hilarious as when the internet banded together to send popular rapper to a remote part of Alaska. This particular campaign was a winner on all counts: not only did Listerene Fresh Strips get tons of exposure, the rapper PitBull was able to show himself as a personable artist who is true to his word, and the town of Kodiak Alaska got to have a lot fun.

So, as long as you cover all your bases and prove yourself gracious in the face of the unexpected, the bad can end up being good.

The Ugly
Sometimes, things can go from bad to ugly. If customers are very unhappy with a product, they may take to social media to blast away, and if not handled delicately, the whole ordeal can turn into a social media scandal. To avoid reaching “the ugly” stage, make sure your product and campaign doesn’t cross the line of outrageously funny to outrageously offensive.

The Conclusion
While promotional products may be one of the older forms of advertising, social media is still considered the new contender. With a well planned campaign it can be easy to stand out among the crowd and shine with your chosen promotional product. Have you seen any promotional product/social media campaigns that you considered successful or have you seen ones that crashed and burned? Let us know in the comments. Have you considered showing off your promotional products on your social media sites or starting a campaign based on them?  Are you a fan of hashtag campaigns or QR codes?  I lean towards hashtags myself but have heard many a compelling argument fot the QR code.

As always, I love seeing promotional products in action so please send us some pictures or drop a link in the comments section!

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

 

I found an older article in the New York Times entitled “The Surprising Power of Promotional Products” in which the author found the promotional letter opener his grandfather had used at his medical practice for many, many years and then carefully stored among his possessions after retiring. The writer was stunned at how the letter opener had stayed with his grandfather for so many years and how it was still a perfectly functional product. There is one line in particular that struck me from the article, “Promotional products are, some say, the oldest form of advertising”.

Advertising is made up of trends and passing fads: billboard ads may be big one year or a flop the next, radio advertising is not lauded as it once was, and, eventually, we all throw away print magazine and papers no matter how artfully crafted the ads were. The right promotional product, given at the correct time, can be spared that fate. It can become the daily tool we go to without second thought, the one that stays snugly at the bottom of our trade show tote long after it’s brethren have been bartered or gifted away.

 

So what promotional products do you choose if you want your investment to have a long shelf life? Look for quality and step away from gimmicks. While there will always be a time for gimmicy promotions, it’s best to choose something that will outlast. Items like the Americana Leather Wrapped Journal possibly packaged with a promotional compu-tote like the Kenneth Cole Women’s Etched In Time Compu-Tote, are ones that will develop history with time. For either personal or business use, people tend to keep journal around for years whether to reflect on old times or see how business meeting went months ago. A name brand leather tote will be kept and proudly displayed for years, so while costly it is a worthy investment for years of brand exposure and loyalty.

 

Consider also items that will be useful in your recipients home. A simple, but fun, corkscrew like the Donkey Flower Corkscrew will stand out among other bar accessories and become a fast favorite. While it is an everyday item, its unique shape and sturdy build will make sure it survives many a wine tasting night.

These three products are but a glance at what options you have for a promotional product that lasts. Consider investing in a beautiful executive pen or a set of carefully imprinted glassware. If you need more ideas check out our website or give us a call at 877.300.2007, our team can help you find the perfect promotional product. Also, let us know what promotional products have lasted for you. Have you found any promotional items or apparel at a grandparent or parent’s house?

 

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

I grew up in a town that, much to my young-cosmpolitan horror, proudly billed itself as the Chicken Capital of the World. There is, no lie, a statue that I have dubbed the Monument of the Forgotten Chicken. I can’t even start to make this stuff up. I quickly learned two things when I moved there: when exactly you needed to plug your nose in case you were driving by the chicken plants, and how to do a flawless chicken dance. So today is a day that I have long been prepped to face. It’s National Dance Like A Chicken Day!

We’ve all busted out an ill-advised chicken dance at a prom or wedding. The simple act of flapping your arms and forgoing all embarrassment unites us on a dance floor. Suddenly strangers are friends and you can’t help but laugh. It’s with these unique holidays that you can really plan for some fun promotional products.

I can’t help but smile every time I look at this Chicken Stress Reliever. Imagine breaking up a monotonous Tuesday by placing one of these on an employee’s desk and thanking them for a job well done. If you’d like to blare the chicken song through your company speakers, and start a chicken dance conga line, then I will request you send us the video! Aside from workplace fun, this holiday and it’s promotional products are great for the food industry! Give them away as the adult equivalent to a Happy Meal prize, and have a contest with some giveaways for whoever has the best judged chicken dance. Show your customers that your brand can be relaxed, your company can proudly sashay onto the metaphorical dance floor and really let loose with the rest of us.

Since National Dance Like a Chicken Day is already upon us, you’ll have to make plans to order your items early next year. But if you are still in the market for obscure celebrations, perhaps I could interest you in July’s International Joke Day, National Junk Food Day, or Book Lover’s Day in August? Truly the possibilites are endless.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

A new month means a whole new set of Monthly Specials here at Pinnacle Promotions. I know 2013 was the year I pledged to create a budget and be a little wiser with the things I decided to spend money on, so if you and your company are anything like me, this is a great category for you to check out. Today we even revealed our new Deal of the Month! So if you’ve been looking for a great spring/summer item to add to your promotional line up for the year, kick back and relax while I introduce you to the 24 oz. Gulp.

So why the Gulp? Well now that the warm weather is back, you’ll find that every weekend is filled with outdoor festivals, concerts, races, and sporting events. It will get hotter and hotter and people will start reaching for water bottles and tumblers. With this in mind, wouldn’t it be great to offer them a double wall tumbler with a sturdy lid and matching straw? Available in 9 different colors, the Gulp is sure to seamlessly fit with your logo or event. Perhaps you are a food truck vendor that wants to give away a earth-friendly alternative with each meal purchased, maybe you are an outdoor concert coordinator who wants to minimize the amount of waste and cleanup post-concert, maybe you’re a day camp promoting health and fitness: no matter what you have going on the Gulp can help promote your brand.

Best of all, the promotion won’t be a victim of Summer Lovin‘, that’s easily forgotten at the end of the season. Since it is a double wall tumbler and you can remove the straw and drink out of the lid, it can easily transition to all the pumpkin spice lattes and peppermint mochas enjoyed during the cooler part of the year. With it’s extra low price point, the Gulp is a great investment piece that will be enjoyed long past it’s Deal of the Moth status.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistnat

Can coolers and Koozie’s® are big in the promotional product world. They are colorful, can be collapsible, and tend to have huge imprint areas. And most importantly, they keep drinks cold. But if you ever happened to question if they really do keep your beverages frosty, Lifehacker recently featured an article about research done at the University of Washington that proves once what most all tailgaters know.

So now we can rejoice! Whether you are a fan of collapsible can coolers, zip up bottle ones, or ones shaped like jerseys, you’ll know you are giving something that actually works. In the end, like I’ve said many times before, the best promotional products are the ones that serve a purpose and get bonus points if they fulfill a need that may not have been glaringly obvious. We’ve all had a drink that goes warm in our hands, or an ice-cold brew that’s almost uncomfortable to hold. With a can cooler, you’ll always be front and center at any outdoor events. Think of all the picnic, tailgating, and outdoor adventures where tons of thirsty people will be holding onto a beverage that is cradled by your logo-ed can cooler.

With so many promotional products that can be loud and showy, the eye-catchers that will always mean a line at the latest tradeshow, simple items like can coolers can be overlooked or be considered expendable. But upon closer inspection, the pros will always outweigh the cons. After all, with a low price point, ability to be easily and lightly packed, and a myriad of creative imprint options, the can cooler is a great simple object that you can give your own unique spin to.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

I had to halt all my other blog post ideas as soon as I added this new product earlier today. Combining the best of kitsch and utility, I present to you: the Maritime Shot Glass.

This itty-bitty shot glass has all the flair of a full-sized beer stein without requiring much counter space. Personally, it makes me want to find some Irish tunes or other folk music to play on repeat. This is a great item for a new bar/pub or oceanside restaurant; keep it in mind when springbreak rolls around and you want to give away fun keepsake. It’s unique spin will be sure to make this shot glass, and your logo, stand out.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

There are times when a simple 1 color imprint just won’t do. Sometimes you need to wow your recipients and make sure that your logo and message will be clear in their mind’s eye, and choosing just one color out of the ROY G. BIV spectrum simply isn’t enough. For those occasions, we have the 4-Color Process Theme.

So if you’re trying to breathe a little life into some office items, maybe trying to make a giveaway tote more worthy of being totted, adding a splash of color to a water bottle, or promoting health and wellness and just a little bit of travel and down time: you’ll find it all and more in this great category.

But what if, horror of all horros, what you’re looking for isn’t there? Have no fear! Our Sales Team would be more than happy to do the searching for you so you can kick back, relax, and starting searching for the colorful image that will grace your promotional product of choice.

Perhaps you are reading and wondering “why should I bother with a full color logo?”. While traditional 1-2 color logos will always be an industry standard, 4 Color Process makes you stand out in the crowd. Imagine the first time television went from black and white to color, it was a notion that may have never crossed a persons mind, but as soon as they saw it they probably realized black and white television would never be the same. If you need a more recent example: remember the first time you ever watched a movie or sports match in high definition, with 1080p providing you the most realistic and crisp image ever? It was hard to believe we all spent years watching traditional low grade signals. 4 Color Process gives you the same “wow” factor: we all have a reusable grocery tote lying around but it’s the ones with the extra punches of color that we faithfully go to, broadcasting our love for a very visible brand everywhere we go.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

It’s hard for me to make it through a work day without my trusty earbuds keeping me entertained with the newest episode of my favorite podcasts (This American Life and the Nerdist top the list by the way, if you were wondering), or jamming out to my many and diverse Pandora stations. Headphones and earbuds are a must for my everday. I used to have these big, amazing-but-clunky over the ear headphones that were gifted to me, but in the work atmosphere made me feel just a tad too college slacker. I then tried my hand at earbuds: the standard Apple ones that came with my iPhone died out after just a few months of use and I spent one frantic day asking if anyone had any sample ones I could borrow. My journey brought me to two contenders for the title of my favorite earbuds: the Deluxe Case with Ear Buds & Mic and the Flat Cord Ear Buds with Microfiber Pouch.

 

If you’re looking for ear buds that can do it all without breaking the bank, then the Deluxe Case with Ear Buds and Mic (Left) are your choice. The ear buds themselves are crisp white reminiscent of the ones that come standard with your i-device and the different color options for your case really make them pop. Best of all, instead of having a tangled mess every time you need to take a phone call, they come with a built in mic.

For the fashion savvy the Flat Cord Ear Buds with the Microfiber Pouch (Right) is a great way to go. Choose the one that matches a company logo and you’ll have a great tool for promoting brand recognition. Not only that, the microfiber pouch that comes along is great for keeping ear buds safe, lessening chances of ruining them in a purse or briefcase or losing them.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

One of my favorite categories on our website is the New & Unique for 2013 cateogry. If you’re looking for a promotional product to set you high above the rest, take a look here. New & Unique adds a twist on the everyday promo product, pens become scented pens,  your stylus becomes a trendy wearable bracelet, and your iPhone can double as your wallet. One of my personal fav’s from this category is the 23 oz. Smoky Vintage Soda Bottle.

These vintage-feel bottles would be a great health initiative giveaway or even a great way to serve old-fashioned drinks and cocktails at a company event. The smoky gray color of the bottle will lend itself to blending in with any decor colors while you can choose a lid color that mimics one within your logo color scheme.

So if you’re feeling cross-eyed from searching through a litany of basic pens, make sure you stop by the New & Unique category and step up your promotional product game with these one of kind items.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant

 

Earth Day is fast approaching (April 22nd to be exact!) and we’ve rolled out some great, earth friendly items to help jumpstart your company’s green initiatives. Have you check out our EarthSmart Items category? It’s a great spot to get a few ideas as to how you’ll be celebrating and helping save the earth in your own small ways.

Check back on Thursday when I’ll be posting a few of my EarthSmart picks and some creative ways to use them. Til then, read up on Earth Day’s history and purpose here. If you’re in the Atlanta area, you might want to take a look at what The Atlanta Botanical Garden has planned for the younger set here. Last but not least, if you want to get your celebration started early, consider participating in International Dark Sky week, more info here.

If you’ve tried any Earth Day initiatives, let me know the in the comments! I’d love to hear how it worked out for your company or organization. Personally, I’ll be trying to get my apartment lights under control for Dark Sky week and making sure all my reusable grocery totes are ready to go.

Sofia
Merchandising Assistant