Promotional products have been proven to be one of the most useful tools for earning brand recognition. As a small business owner looking to spread awareness for your company, there are plenty of options available in the market—but they aren’t all created equal. When you choose the right products for you, you want to make sure you’re getting a solid return on your investment.
When you decide what kinds of products to put your brand on, make sure they’ll actually be used and enjoyed—that’s how you can both remind customers that you exist and create a positive association in their minds.
Green Products
- Reusable Water Bottles & Coffee Mugs – Reusable water bottles and coffee mugs prevent people from going through single-use disposable plastic bottles and paper cups. They are also free of the chemical BPA, which disrupts hormone levels and affects aquatic organisms’ growth.
- Tote Bags – Plastic bags clog streams, choke animals, and take centuries to decompose fully. Tote bags are the new reusable shopping bags and are perfect for daily use. Try out custom tote bags with your logo since many people even collect tote bags with stylish designs.
- Reusable Straws (With a Branded Carrying Case) – Plastic straws are harmful to aquatic life, too, and reusable straws made of metal or bamboo are ideal for drinking. Your customers will also think of you every time they promote the fight against plastic waste.
Tech Accessories
- Phone Grips – Phone grips are an excellent, multi-functional promotional option. People can use them as a stand to watch movies, mount their phones for those Zoom video calls, and take selfies. They also make it easier to hold your phone for long periods, protect it from wet surfaces, and provide a tangle-free storage spot for earphones.
- Card Holders/Cell Phone Wallets – Another practical accessory is the combined cardholder and cell phone wallet. The next time you’re out, see how many of these you can spot—they are constantly growing in popularity. They are a perfect option if your customers tend to be high school/college age, as they will likely have a student ID they need to store easily.
- Laptop Stickers – Some people like the minimalist look of a bare laptop, but many people delight in covering the plain surfaces with colorful stickers that showcase style and personality. Laptop stickers are an excellent way to show off your art if you’re a design company. They also provide you with free advertising every time a customer uses their computer in a library or coffee shop.
Basic Essentials
- Lip Balm – Lip balms are an essential item, and many people can never get enough of the different flavors and colors, especially during the colder months. They’ll also keep your brand around for a while since lip balms take a while to finish.
- Hand Sanitizer – Hand sanitizer with a custom sticker or case has always been a popular promotional item, but it’s become an especially smart investment in the last year.
- Flashlights – Flashlights are another item that people are unlikely to ditch. Not only are they convenient, but they are essential items that people use power goes out or in cars for emergencies.
Fun Apparel
- Sunglasses – These products are relatively inexpensive to produce, as well as convenient and practical. Many people also collect them in different styles and colors.
- Sweatpants – Within the last year, sweatpants have gone from loungewear to a full-on fashion trend. More people are working from home, and students are attending classes from home, so if you can produce a comfortable pair with your brand on it, it will quickly become a staple.
- T-shirts – T-shirts are one of the old stand-bys of promotional product options, but there’s a reason they’re a classic—people love them! If your design is unique enough, you can even create a collector’s item.
Think Like a Customer
When creating promotional products, it is vital to think from the customer’s perspective. Consider the promotional products you’ve found most valuable when you’ve received them, and think of other items you’ve come across that are particularly trendy or ubiquitous at the moment. If you choose the right promotional product, you’ll be handing out something customers are actually grateful to receive, helping you build a positive relationship.
