When you’re tasked with making lasting brand impressions, adding the right promotional products to your marketing mix is a must. Trending promotional products and apparel pack major branding punch. 90% of people who receive a promotional product say they remember the branding when encountering it again (PPAI). And when you consider the shelf life of many promotional products—from t-shirts, to pens, to drinkware—the cost per impression is incredibly low, making them a smart choice for maximizing your marketing spend.
But which promotional items are best for promoting your brand? What’s hot now?
The industry’s biggest promotional products expos recently wrapped up, and I came away with some new product ideas that are worth sharing.
Sustainable/Eco-friendly
Being eco-conscious is no longer a trend: It’s a movement that has changed our everyday habits; so it’s no surprise that the demand for eco-friendly products has skyrocketed. Some of the most popular sustainable items are those that substitute single-use plastics. Think insulated water bottles and reusable straws—made from bamboo, stainless steel or recycled materials—with convenient carrying cases.
Millennials now make up half of the American workforce. And they want to work for companies that share their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. We work with a host of promotional product companies that not only offer sustainable products, but also programs that amplify the benefit of your ec
o-friendly purchases:
One of Shamrock’s supplier partners, PCNA, has an EcoSmart line with 90+ products that are good for your brand and better for the planet. Through a partnership with 1% For The Planet, one percent of EcoSmart sales are donated to environmental nonprofits.
In addition to supplier initiatives, through our Shamrock Cares program, we partner with the nonprofit One Tree Planted, donating funds to plant 55 trees for every order placed from our expansive sustainable product line—from athleisure swag to drinkware. Again, it’s an easy way to double up on your eco-impact.
2020 Top-sellers
Drink ware continues to lead the industry due to its functionality, affordable price point and exceptional ROI: For drinkware that costs $7 a unit, you get a cost per impression of ½ cent. And when you consider that studies show 50% of consumers are more likely to do a business with a company that gave them the giveaway, the investment is a no-brainer.
Also sharing the top spot: Reusable tote bags. Seventy-three percent of consumers say they own a promotional bag, which they keep for about a year. In that time, these bags generate 3,300 impressions—on a $5 bag, that’s a cost per impression of less than $0.005.
Wireless Technology
It’s estimated there will be more than 1 billion wireless charging devices by the end of this year (Digital Trends). We’re seeing more demand for all things wireless, including earbuds (with charging cases), Bluetooth speakers, charging docks and pads, and other digital accessories.
Which promotional or apparel item do you use most often? Join the conversation on our Facebook page. And if you’re interested in brainstorming about using promotional products to promote your brand, connect with me at tberry@shamrockcompanies.net.
