“The end goal is the starting line. First questions should always be what are you trying to achieve or communicate and who are you trying to effect.”
John Cheevers, Strategic Partnership Leader with Pinnacle Promotions
What should you consider when choosing your promotional partner? Are you price-conscious? Or do you need a partner with a finger on the trending swag pulse? No matter what, Pinnacle Promotions is here to help you make the best swag decision for your business and brand.
Finding the right business partner is difficult, no matter what area you are researching. It doesn’t matter if you are searching for new software to help your business become more efficient or looking to add an outside marketing agency, you’ll want to find a partner that will understand your business’s core values and help you meet important goals.
The same can be said for finding the right promotional partner to help ensure you have smart and effective planning to hit ROIs. Promoting your business effectively requires a combination of creativity, strategy and industry expertise. With so many promotional companies out there, how do you choose the right one?
In this blog, we’ll explore ten key factors to consider when selecting a promotional company to work with. Whether you’re launching a new product, planning an event, or looking to boost your brand’s visibility, these tips will help you make an informed decision and achieve your marketing goals.
Why choosing the right promo partner is so important
Great promo people are always thinking about and searching for new creative ways to use products to convey a client’s messages or perfectly highlight a client’s brand.
– John Cheevers, Strategic Partnership Leader with Pinnacle Promotions
No matter if you are just starting your business or if your company has been established for some time, branded swag and promotional giveaways are going to play a role in growing your brand. According to Promotional Products Association International’s latest research study, 85% of people given a promotional item will remember that brand. That’s a huge market of customers who will remember the gift and become repeat customers.
So what sets a great promotional company apart from the competition? John Cheevers, Strategic Partnership Leader with Pinnacle Promotions, weighed in on the topic, “Curiosity. Great promo people are always thinking about and searching for new creative ways to use products to convey a client’s messages or perfectly highlight a client’s brand.”
Let’s say, for example, your company is launching a brand new line of custom merchandise. This is a new market for your business, but since your organization is a well-established brand, leadership has no doubt this will be a fantastic opportunity to gain revenue and new customers.
The right promotional partner can help you develop a strategy for promoting your new merch, create engaging marketing materials and execute a successful launch event. Most importantly, your promotional partner can assist you with building and maintaining your online company store.
Your promotional partner becomes an extension of your marketing, operations, sales and human resource teams. John goes on to explain, “That constant curiosity about finding products, technologies, solutions, and services that can be deployed to generate connections and impact happening every minute of every day here at Pinnacle Promotions (and often off hours and on the weekends too). We are constantly looking for and generating new ideas.”
No matter the project or the department, your promo partner should be able to source the right products while understanding the nuances of your departmental needs.
In this way, promo partners become proactive collaborators, actively seeking opportunities to enhance your promotional efforts and tailor their services to suit your specific requirements.
Top 10 Things to Think About When Choosing a Promo Partner
Now that you know the “why” behind choosing the right promotional partner, let’s dive into the ten things to think about when you begin your research.
# 1 Reputation
Look for a promotional company with a solid reputation in the industry. It’s always a good idea to check reviews, ratings and testimonials from previous clients. Positive feedback and a strong reputation indicate that the promotional company has consistently delivered satisfactory results and will handle your promotional project with care.
#2 Experience
Choose a promotional company with a proven track record of success in your industry or niche. Research what brands the organization has previously worked with. While big-name brands are always a great way to see that the organization has the experience to handle your project, it’s important to ask for examples or case studies — especially relating to your specific industry.
For example, if you’re in the fashion industry, partnering with a promotional company with a deep understanding of the latest fashion trends and consumer preferences can help you create targeted and impactful promotional campaigns.
#3 Services offered
Your promotional partner should offer the services you need. Sourcing products is an obvious service, but does the company have specialized kitting? Drop-shipping? Can they help with branding, marketing, event planning, or product launches? Do they build online company stores or employee swag stores? These are just a few services your organization may need.
#4 Creativity
You want your promotional products to be creative, trendy and functional! You need a promotional company that is creative and innovative in its approach to marketing and promotion but also has a finger on the pulse of what is popular right now.
For example, Stanley tumblers are a big-ticket item, but stock is limited. You want an organization that can generate fresh ideas, think outside the box and research alternative drinkware that will still end up on social media feeds.
#5 Customer service
Who doesn’t love good customer service? Choosing the right promotional company means finding an organization that values its clients and provides excellent customer service. Make sure they are responsive to your needs and questions and are always ready to jump into whatever project you have on the horizon.
#6 Pricing
Look for a promotional company that offers fair and competitive pricing for its services. It’s important to strike a balance between affordability and quality. Be wary of companies that offer prices that seem too good to be true, as they may compromise on the quality of the products or include hidden costs that can arise later in the project.
Remember, selecting a promotional company based solely on the lowest price can often result in mediocre outcomes, whereas choosing a company with transparent and reasonable pricing ensures a valuable investment in your promotional efforts.
#7 Multichannel expertise
Your promotional partner should be able to solve more than just swag problems. It’s important that you consider a promotional company that excels in executing multichannel campaigns. This means they have the knowledge and capabilities to handle various channels, including digital platforms, social media, email marketing, and traditional print materials like brochures, flyers, or direct mail.
Their expertise in print materials allows them to design and produce visually appealing and effective promotional materials that align with your brand’s message and resonate with your target audience.
#8 Communication
Communication is key. John explains, “The end goal is the starting line. First questions should always be what are you trying to achieve or communicate and who are you trying to effect.”
You need a promotional company that communicates clearly and regularly with you throughout the project and ensures delivery of your products is on time, just the way you want them. Make sure they are accessible and responsive to your questions and concerns.
#9 Technology
Online company stores and employee swag store software are a great way to get your merch out into the world — especially in a digital world with remote workers. You’ll want to find a promo company that uses the latest technology and tools to streamline the promotion process and maximize results.
#10 Results
Finally (and most importantly!), choose a promotional company that can deliver measurable results. Choosing the right promotional partner can help you achieve a better return on investment (ROI) for your marketing efforts. A partner who understands your business and goals can help you create a more targeted and effective marketing strategy, resulting in higher conversions and revenue for your business.
Professionals Choose Pinnacle Promotions
In a nutshell, finding the perfect promotional partner is a game-changer for your marketing game plan. By taking into account factors like reputation, experience, offered services, and industry know-how, you can make a savvy choice that jives with your business goals.
A top-notch promotional company won’t just bring creative sparks and strategic genius to the table; they’ll also shower you with exceptional customer service and a results-driven mindset. Remember, picking the right partner isn’t just a walk in the park, but once you find them, it’s a match made in marketing heaven.
With the right promo partner, you’ll rock the brand promotion scene, outshine the competition, and hit those marketing targets like a boss. That’s why at Pinnacle Promotions, we understand what it takes to make promotional magic happen! From sourcing trending products to crafting captivating and engaging employee kits to building your custom online company store, Pinnacle is here to partner with you as your organization grows.
