Focused Promotions Work during Slowdown

The technique is being successfully used by brands all over the world to bring themselves recognition and loyalty. Many companies also routinely include these free gifts with a product sold to the customer and it helps build recall value and gets them free advertisements. The gifts are also very popular for distribution during a seminar or a press conference.

According to a fact-finding survey conducted in 2007 the response from corporate gifts was as high as 17%. That's higher than any other medium including print, television or the Internet. The secret to such high returns is development of a personal relationship. Even when the company give a small gift to their customer, they have firmed the relationship between themselves and him and whenever the customer needs to purchase a product that they have, he will remember them first.

The gift companies give to their customer doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. In fact the survey revealed that most corporate gifts are under $50. Most common corporate gifts include promotional pen, promotional USB memory stick, promotional clothing, or promotional key ring. These gifts are most appropriate for end-customers because they don't get them too often and will appreciate them. They are also great for seminars and meetings where companies deal with end-customers.

Now that we have a crunch in the cashflow, many companies have reduced their advertising budgets. Instead of running big budget advertising programs, many companies are seeking out ways to reach the customers direct. This is emerging a great way to do this.

Promotional pen or promotional USB memory stick is not a very good idea for press conferences because it's a gathering that already has a 100 promotional pens lying around in their bottom drawer. Instead come up with something more creative than a promotional keyring. Promotional clothing may still make the cut but it will be better off getting something offbeat like a promotional stress toy, nicely built folders, coffee mugs, or if the budget only allows for a promotional pen make it something offbeat that the person will want to use.

Sometimes even a gift as small as a refrigerator magnet or an attractive bottle opener is a great idea because if it finds a place in the customer's kitchen or desk, the company will be subliminally on their minds every time they use it.