As the Holiday’s approach, your business needs a way to say thanks. Thank You to your employees, business partners, clients and more.  With the right gifts you can show your appreciation to those folks but also promote your brand and company in one single swoop. There are an overwhelming amount of gift ideas for business to choose from out there, so here are a few of our favorites:

1.  Food Related Items
   From divine chocolate boxes to theme-related baskets, these items will ensure that your gift never gets discarded. One of the most popular ways to enjoy life’s finer moments is usually centered around food. Most of these perishable gifts can be customized with your company’s brand, whether it’s the giant chocolate bar that is molded into your logo or the BBQ-themed sauce set with custom labeling. Your brand is now associated with delicious goodies that almost no one can resist.
2.  Technology Accessories
   Nowadays, we are seeing every generation with some sort of technology piece in their hands. Take advantage of this trend with technology accessories for your clients. Not only are you showing your customers your business is up to speed on the latest gadgets but your brand will travel and be located on prime real estate for months to come.
3.  Outdoor Apparel
   Set aside the traditional polo or baseball cap and present outdoor-wear as a thank you to your VIP partners and employees. Most of us have dozens of branded t-shirts that usually get piled into the charity box or trapped in the back of the drawer. Your recipients will be much more inclined to wear a branded trendy jacket or fleece out and about- exposing your company to the masses.
4.  Housewares
   Home is the center and heartbeat of any family. Present your customers with creative household gifts that will enhance that time spent with loved ones. Crafted cheese boards or Ice Cream stations are a great thank you item, showing creativity to clients and your appreciation of a hard day’s work to employees and business partners.
5.  Recreational Items
   Life outside the workplace is why we do the 8-5 dance each day. Your holiday gift can add to that experience with the right item while placing your brand front and center.  Outdoor grills, beach kits, portable captain’s chairs and more can be the perfect representation of respect and gratitude while still promoting a little fun. Even smaller items such as sunglasses or water bottles are another budget friendly option to show your thanks and still provide a way to boost your brand.

Many of us have been to tradeshows where we’ve been given bagfuls of promotional products by exhibitors that are designed to create goodwill and positive brand imaging which hopefully leads to a business relationship. Some of these giveaways capture our attention because of their uniqueness, quality and usefulness. Others are ‘circular filed’ before they leave the building. Therefore the challenge for those of you who exhibit at shows is; How do you choose a promotional product that has a long shelf-life, will be a lightning rod for attendees at the show and will simultaneously give your brand and marketing message maximum exposure?

The answer? Show that you C.A.R.E.

Category? Pens, caps, bags, office accessories and drinkware represent over 40% of the promotional products industry. People use these products. The trick is to find an item within one of these categories that meets your standards for quality, creativity, usefulness and end user appropriateness. Avoid anything that’s perceived as ‘seen that done that.’ Choose bright colors or unusual shapes and sizes to spark interest.  Remember the goal:  Select an item that your prospect will use and use often. Frequent use will lead to more impressions and greater brand awareness.

Appropriate? You also want to consider audience appropriateness when choosing a promotional item. You probably wouldn’t give a fridge magnet to a CEO, a mouse pad to fishermen or a $1 tape measure to a professional builder. Similarly you will help the prospect connect your brand with the service you provide when you tie the item to your industry. Financial services companies often give away calculators, pens, pads and clocks; technology companies mouse pads, usb’s, keyboard and monitor cleaners; travel companies luggage tags, bags and passport wallets.  If the item doesn’t have industry applications at least make sure it mirrors your image.  Are you promising above average service, value or quality? Choose an item that compliments and doesn’t detract from the image.

ROI? The key to developing an impactful marketing and advertising strategy is to utilize best practices that maximize return on investment (ROI). To that end be aware that the average cost per impression of an ad specialty item is $.004 versus $.019 for newspapers, $.033 for a national magazine and $.019 for primetime TV1. In addition, the recipient of a tradeshow give away has typically been prequalified by virtue of their show attendance making them a highly targeted prospect which will drive up the effectiveness of your campaign. If your giveaway accentuates your value proposition it will drive up your ROI further. If you claim to be a Mercedes or even a Toyota in your industry space don’t give out anything that reminds the recipient of a Pinto.

Entertainment? In order to increase brand awareness an effective tradeshow give away must be functional, attractive, have longevity and whenever possible contain a fun factor. The ultimate goal is to create buzz, visibility and for prospects to positively engage. It’s working if you see ‘em smile….and a smile is your best referral source. At the very least the item must be useful. Usefulness means your brand, contact information and marketing message are being seen over and over by your target audience which increases the likelihood of them calling you to place an order.

Show that you C.A.R.E. and you will reap a harvest of goodwill with prospects and clients and propel your brand to higher and higher levels.

Source: 4 Tips for Trade Show Giveaway Success

Thinking of the perfect gift? We now have a new new line of travel mugs available.