You see the colored ribbon decals on cars, the colored wristbands. For those people who have loved ones with certain diseases, sporting a ribbon or wristband is to generate awareness – all someone has to do is notice it and the message is sent.
According to Healthline.com, “One of the biggest tools we have to fight health conditions is the power of human connection. That’s why awareness months, weeks, and days are so important: They rally us together to spread awareness and show support. Educational and fundraising events are often held at these times to create a ripple effect of positivity and empowerment for not only those living with health conditions but their loved ones, too.”
There are so many – and not just months, but weeks and days, dedicated to specific health conditions and initiatives. For example, Give Kids a Smile Day, February 1. Imagine the fun promos for the former – anything from promotional oral care products to stuffed emojis or puzzles that make kids smile; customers here can be community banks, dentists/oral care practices and any business that partners with local pediatric dentists. Innovation Line’s “Smile File” (#5402) Rectangle Shaped Multi-Color Thick Foam Nail File Extra is a thick EVA foam nail file with a capacity for a full-color imprint on one side.
For the Brain Awareness Week, March 11 – 17, promotional puzzles and brain teasers or coloring books work, too. This would be great for elder care facilities, other medical practices, tutors.
Other resources that list health awareness months, weeks and days include www.healthfinder.gov and www.welcoa.org.
A bevy of creative and economically friendly ideas are found on the exhaustive calendar on Epromos. For example, February is also Burn Awareness Month. If a client wants to be a part of this, first-aid kits would be perfect. And May is Melanoma & Skin Cancer Prevention Month. Participating in this awareness month makes sense for dermatologists, spas, beach/swim clubs, and schools. Promotional products can include sunscreens, sunglasses, lip balm and shirts to block the sun.
Gwen Brey of Beacon Promotions notes that approximately 90% of customers buy from companies that support causes. “It creates an emotional connection and builds customer loyalty. Further, 83% of Americans say they want more of the retailers they use to support good causes. It shows that the advertiser is concerned for the safety and well-being of their customers.”
Carrie Lewis, marketing/communications manager, BIC Graphic agrees, explaining that when businesses (your customers) participate in any health awareness campaign, they will benefit from increased marketing, as well as by boosting employee morale and tax deductions, all while giving back to their communities. “Including promo items as part of awareness campaigns and event sponsorships is a great way for businesses to promote their brand while having a positive influence on others,” she says. “Showing support for a worthy cause is good for the community and good for business.”
The trend of the last decade of greater awareness for health and wellness shows no signs of slowing, which is both a positive thing for our society and an opportunity for advertisers, observes Paul Christensen of Natural Trends. “Whether it is an internal employee wellness campaign to increase productivity, or a similar externally focused promotion,” he emphasizes, “a message about improving health and well-being will always be positively received.”
If the product is a useful item, Brey asserts, it will be kept and provide a constant reminder that the advertiser cares about the recipient. For example: Beacon’s Frizzy Finger Duster (#BA66FD) with a slogan “Wipeout (diabetes, cancer or any other kind of disease).”
Lewis asserts that promotional distributors can identify all the awareness months and be ready with campaign ideas at these specific times. For example, a Heart-Shaped Badge Holder (#65066) for American Hearth Month in February or a camouflage KOOZIE® kooler (#45036C) for PTSD Awareness Month in June. She also suggests a stylish striped tote (#15842) or bright writing instrument (#55937) to grab attention for a cause at advocacy events, fundraisers, and public events (such as 5K runs) to help spread the message.
And there’s the traditional health-oriented promotional product. For example, Josette Bosse of Bay State Promotional Products notes the company provides a large collection of pill cases, which, says are more desirable than ever because more and more people are taking multiple dietary supplements daily. Pill cases are not just for older people, as fitness enthusiasts and younger people are taking many supplements each day to remain healthy.
Natural Trends reports its various sanitizer products, and especially its Sani-Pen Hand Sanitizer Spray, is chosen frequently for campaigns to fight the spread of hand-transmitted germs and sickness. And as more people become aware of how colds and flu are spread, and learning about the benefits of handwashing and sanitizing, a totable hand sanitizer will be appreciated and used.
Additionally, Americans are also much more aware of sun overexposure can damage their skin and increase risk of skin cancer, which makes a quality SPF Sun Screen a great choice for Melanoma & Skin Cancer Prevention Month (May) and for any type of outdoor event.
Christensen cautions that when selling health and wellness products with OTC (over the counter) drug products like sanitizer and SPF items, ensure that they are fully FDA compliant in their formulation and labeling for safety and efficacy. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen a lot of product in the industry that does not meet the requirements, but many distributors are simply unaware or too focused on the cheapest price, at the expense of safety and real value for the customer,” he comments.
Overall, points out Lewis, promotional products are an integral part of successful health awareness campaigns. Christensen adds that the industry is witnessing growing opportunities for distributors to focus on promoting quality products for use in health and wellness campaigns.
You can look up any chapters of national awareness associations and chat with their marketing and events coordinators. They will be happy to help you attract new clients in your community to take part in something that truly, selflessly helps others.
CASE STUDIES
Gwen Brey of Beacon Promotions: “A hospital holds a 5K/10K run every fall in the streets near its location. Early registrants to the run receive a bagful of goodies. One of the goodies inside the bag was the Slap Safety Band (#SB96). Many of the runners immediately pulled it out of the bag, slapped it on and wore it for the run. They loved how it lite up and provided additional awareness to the cars driving on the streets.”
Carrie Lewis, Marketing/Communications Manager, BIC Graphic: “A regional race supporting breast cancer research was adding an initiative promoting a program encouraging proactive actions to prevent and reduce breast cancer risk. This new initiative was scheduled to launch on race day to encourage the community to make a commitment to breast health for themselves and the women in their lives. The race organizers chose our sport bottle in pink to give away with race packets and imprinted each with the name of the new engagement program with an accompanying hashtag. An informational card with breast health facts and steps to take in becoming proactive about breast health were inserted in each item. Bottles were heavily photographed throughout the event, showing up in many of the official race day photos, and the organization saw hundreds of social media posts using the hashtag.”