“How much will it cost?” is always the buyer’s primary question. The financial impact bottom line.
However, the one word you do not want entering the conversation – in fact, a word that should be banned – is “cheap!”
Business consultants emphasize other terms to take the place instead: “economically friendly” or simply, “inexpensive.” As a reminder, the word “cheap” also defines characteristics of a product that is physically inferior in materials and design.
“Just because the item is budget-friendly doesn’t mean it’s cheap,” emphasizes Josette Bosse, Program Manager of Bay State Specialty Company/Americanna Company.
Numerous suppliers provide a cornucopia of items that can be a most suitable match for your client, its mission, and the particular campaign for which the item(s) is needed.
One notion that arises is how to be distinctive in a promotion that has a rather tight budget so that it works successfully for the client. Let’s take the month of November, for example. An obvious one is Thanksgiving. There may be too much noise here, though. Meaning, that any business engaging in a promotional campaign may be lost in the sea of others “giving thanks/showing gratitude.”
Here are some examples:
National Love Your Red Hair Day (November 5). Great for salons. Or, how about any business that has red as their prominent brand color? Redheads of all shades (real or not) can be given something cute and fun.
National Jersey Friday Day (1st Friday in November). Any consumer who goes into your client’s business who is wearing his/her favorite team player jersey can receive a keychain or other small usable item.
National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day (November 12): Any budget-conscious item that provides either comfort or a smile/laughter is considered “chicken soup for the soul.” This is a great day to tie in local businesses with local diners/restaurants that serve chicken soup. Of course, perhaps a mint or chocolate in a logoed wrapper would be sweet for your chicken soup-serving restaurant clients to give out.
World Kindness Day (November 13): Just giving a promotional product for that day is kindness. How about a jar opener with a smiley face and your client’s logo?
National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day (November 15): This one’s easy. Any client can supply bags expressly for the task, or sponges to scrub the shelves from foods that left their hallmark.
National Princess Day (November 18): A perfect tie-in for girls. Your client can ask every girl brought in by their parents who their favorite princess is and be given a logoed rubber bracelet. Parents and grandparents, of course, would be thrilled too.
National Jukebox Day (November 25): Everyone of all ages has his or her favorite type of music. Clients for which this day can resonate with a giveaway include diners (of course), music schools and musical instrument/supply stores.
Small Business Saturday (Saturday after Thanksgiving): This is, without a doubt, your sweet spot. Most if not all your small business clients will be relying on their communities to patronize them. And perhaps this is the best reason for your clientele to be thankful. Have them say “Thanks” with a budget-friendly promotion.
If you want to know more days throughout the year to create distinctive promotions, bookmark www.nationaldaycalendar.com. The beauty of this resource is that it gives you the history of the days and how they can be celebrated.
Product ideas that may be more universal include USB car charger/keychains, silicone wallets, retractable earbuds, finger grip cellphone stand, bandage dispenser, travel toothbrush, stress relievers, lip balms, Fidget spinners, letter openers, magnets, chip clips and so much more.
Bosse suggests Bay State’s K60 PB&J Spreader with slogans such as “Spread Kindness,” (perfect for November 13), “Spread Awareness,” “Spread the Word.”
This item also makes a perfect mailer, “as does jar openers,” she adds. “And, anything in the kitchen is hot… it always has been but even more so now!”
Budget-conscious promotional products can be a great way to open the doors for a new business relationship. Start small, grow from there.