Women should do their best to monitor their health, but the medical community and local businesses, specifically gyms, can also play crucial parts by raising awareness for common medical issues like heart disease. Additionally, promotional items can motivate female consumers to take better care of themselves to diminish the risk of suffering from various conditions.

The heart aches
Heart disease is a very common ailment that afflicts millions of women. According to the Women's Heart Foundation, 8 million women in the United States have heart disease, approximately 35,000 of whom are younger than the age of 65. Female victims are more likely to die from heart attacks than their male counterparts – 42 percent of women who suffer heart attacks die within 12 months while only 24 percent of men pass away during the same time period. Finally, 267,000 women have fatal heart attacks every year, and another 31,837 die from congestive heart failure.

Unfortunately, identifying heart attacks isn't as simple as detecting other medical conditions because some warning signs don't seem like causes for concern. The WHF reports that 71 percent of victims claimed that they initially felt weak like they were suffering from the early stages of the flu. Many women also stated that they didn't have any chest pain, which is perhaps the most notable symptom of a heart attack.

Doctors must teach female patients how to identify heart disease and other cardiac events. The knowledge will help women monitor their health and reduce certain risks. During appointments, medical professionals should highlight how prevalent heart disease is and why women should be concerned.

Medical professionals should distribute promotional pens and notepads so female patients can take notes during their appointments. The sponsored gifts will allow women to write down what symptoms they should look for. Additionally, the pens and paper will help clients remember their doctors' advice so they can continue fighting heart disease. This will prevent female patients from forgetting what tips their cardiologists and primary-care physicians recommended for heart health.

Getting and staying active
In most cases, doctors will likely tell their clients to lead active lifestyles and lose excess weight. The Mayo Clinic suggests that a well-balanced diet and regular exercise are extremely beneficial for preventing heart disease and improving cardiac health. Women who work out and eat well are healthier than those who don't participate in either activity and are less likely to suffer from heart disease and related conditions.

Doctors should detail diets for their female patients. Telling clients what and how much they should eat will help fight heart disease. Alternatively, medical professionals can distribute promotional calendars with various dietary tips. On each page, physicians can include healthy dishes or food facts so patients know what they should or shouldn't be eating every day.

Additionally, local gym owners and trainers should get involved by distributing unique promotional products of their own during giveaways. Fitness centers can attract new clients by offering small gifts for signing up for trial memberships. For instance, branded water bottles can be great items that can bring consumers to a gym. Additionally, trainers should consider handing out sponsored pedometers so women know just how active they actually are throughout the day. Seeing how few steps they take in a day can motivate female clients to start exercising more frequently. 

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There are a finite number of travel options, especially for getting to the office each day. Some of the most popular choices are driving, taking public transportation and riding a bicycle. Small business owners can distribute unique promotional products that will help consumers and employees no matter which mode of transportation they use each day. 

By car
For some people, driving is the best way to get around. However, vehicles are prone to breakdowns and mechanical failures so consumers and employees are sometimes stranded while they wait for assistance. 

Small business owners can ensure that their customers and staff members are prepared for vehicular problems by distributing maintenance kits as promotional items. The helpful gifts include jumper cables, tire gauges and screwdrivers so car owners can perform necessary repairs without having to pay a mechanic. 

Additionally, Education World recommends that educators should teach children how to write directions during National Transportation Month. Small business owners can use this tactic by distributing promotional pens and notepads so recipients always have directions before hitting the road. 

Biking
Some workers and consumers are leaving their cars in their garages and riding their bicycles more often. Yale University even offers a bike-sharing program to its staff to encourage faculty members to use eco-friendly transportation. With the arrival of warm weather in the spring, small business owners should help cyclists stay cool by distributing branded water bottles as promotional marketing products. The functional gifts will help keep employees and consumers cool during their bike rides so they won't be too hot when they arrive at work. 

Public transportation
Finally, public transportation remains a popular choice for many members of the workforce in major metropolitan areas. In many cases, traffic is too congested to drive and the streets are too dangerous for bicycling, so people take trains, buses and ferries to get to work. However, some consumers may rush out the door without drinking their coffee because they don't want to miss their ride. Small business owners should distribute promotional travel mugs so customers can enjoy their java while commuting in the morning. 

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This health risk is becoming increasingly common in the United States. According to the National Institutes of Health, one out of three Americans suffers from high blood pressure, putting them at risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions. 

Doctors should teach their patients how to combat high blood pressure during their giveaways on April 7. Physicians can distribute promotional pens and notepads so clients can write down tips for reducing their blood pressure. A nutritious diet is an important part of fighting this health issue, so medical professionals should carefully explain how to eat healthily while patients take notes. 

Small business owners can contribute to World Health Day's cause by distributing promotional wall calendars. Every page should include facts about blood pressure so consumers know what symptoms to look for and how they can improve their health. 

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Real estate agencies must be prepared to capitalize on renewed interest in home ownership. Licensed agents and brokers should create marketing strategies to find potential clients. Advertisements such as unique promotional products can help real estate firms reach out to consumers and increase brand awareness. 

Finding new clients 
Multi-channel marketing campaigns are more effective than efforts that only use one platform. Real estate agents can increase their market penetration by combining promotional items, direct mail and online content. 

Businesses can buy mailing lists based on demographic information to find potential leads. Brokers will want to target consumers who share traits with homeowners in the local area to increase the likelihood of finding new customers. 

Small gifts like promotional wall calendars can be sent instead of traditional mailers. The packages stand out from other pieces of mail, so they won’t be lost in the shuffle. Contact information for individual agents can be printed next to pictures of gorgeous homes on every page. 

Additionally, the functional gifts can be used to direct potential homebuyers to online real estate listings. Unique web addresses, hashtags, and Quick Response (QR) codes can be embossed on the calendars. The digital features will also direct consumers to an agency’s website. 

Remaining memorable after meetings
Homebuyers don’t commit to new properties after viewing online advertisements – people typically visit multiple residences so they can find their dream homes. Some consumers work with multiple real estate agents during their search, so salespeople must be sure that they leaving lasting impressions. 

Firms can distribute promotional tools to every client during house hunts. Items like promotional pens and note pads can be used to take notes of important amenities or the differences between two properties. Additionally, branded calculators are great gifts for homebuyers who have to find out if they can afford certain houses. 

The promotional gifts forge bonds between agents and their clients. Homebuying is daunting for consumers, and salespeople can demonstrate the value of their services by giving buyers functional presents that simplify the entire process. 

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Using targeted promotional products will be sure to lure in shoppers. Partnered with other great sales and back-to-school deals, these items will win over consumers and make great classroom additions.

Pens and notebooks

Students need these tools to begin with, no matter what grade they're going in to. These are also staples of the promotional giveaway past time, with pens being one of the most recognized of items consumers use. Notebooks also are sure to gain better visibility when a student carries it with him every day to class.

Marketing these tools to customers can bring in more foot traffic and hopefully more conversion to regular sales. The Chicago Sun-Times recommended to shoppers that they specifically look more toward stores willing to offer discounts and promotions for these items, as they're not only staples, they're also relatively easy to obtain. Nicole Duhoski of VineSprout told the source that consumers will be looking online more than ever to track down the best deals, so making sure you advertise these promotions on your website or get the news out through social media will ensure that customers see you're looking to help them out with back-to-school shopping lists.

Coffee mugs and cups

Early mornings and full course loads will weigh heavy on teachers and older students alike. For these people, having a reliable custom mug to keep on a desk, in a dorm room or a kitchen cabinet can give them a way to relax or re-energize, depending on their mood or the time of day. Sometimes a warm drink is a good way to get back into a solid mindset for studying, or a fresh cup of coffee can help power through even the longest class.

Giving away promotional mugs is therefore a great way to gain brand visibility and support educational endeavors for students and teachers alike. These items can be as decorative or plain as a company wants, carrying important business information like phone and website details, or it could just be printed with the logo for a company as well. Portable, functional and indispensible, consumers are likely to keep these for a long while, making them a staple of any kitchenette in dorm and home alike. The San Francisco Chronicle also pointed out that the Promotional Products Advertising Institute found more than 90 percent of people kept mugs and cups like these in their kitchens somewhere. The article went on to explain that most people spend an average of 3 to 5 hours a week in the kitchen, be it preparing meals, getting a snack or just hanging out.

All this time in one room with a promotional product means visibility for businesses, a chance no organization could miss out on as the economy continues to struggle for recovery. This season is expected to be stronger than previous ones for sales, according to the Consumer Reports Index, but companies must still do their best to win the biggest portion of that revenue. The CRI showed that previous months weren't so kind to retailers, so this could be the last chance to recover before Christmas season.

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What's more, the use of a regular health-related item will show other casual viewers that a company has an interest in the care of its customers. This consideration can boost visibility even more when a customer brings a promotional water bottle to work or the gym, where people are likely to see the item and gain interest in the company. The more these items are used, the better a recipient will feel, and the more free advertising a company gets.

There are more items than just bottles and sports-themed giveaways for companies to consider, too. Knowing which will work for you and your customers is crucial to making these initiatives work.

Healthy notes for success

Keeping track of personal records is important for tracking progress, noting problems and improving on past performance. These notes need to be kept in a central place and be easily accessible and quickly updated for personal improvement. Some clinicians use online resources for this purpose, but there are those who prefer to have a physical record that they can look at continually to come up with plans and monitor progress.

That's a great reason to give away promotional planners or notepads, which offer a brand message as well as plenty of space for notes and other records in a timed format. Offering a giveaway that keeps track of dates, helps monitor progress and carries a corporate theme will tie together the need for personal fitness with the interests of an organization. This will also continually remind customers, as well as casual viewers, that the business that handed out the item has an interest in the well-being of its customers. Connecting on such a personal level will ensure that the company becomes part of the family, a valued member of the community and a regular staple of the neighborhood.

A glass of success a day

Keeping promotional items in the kitchen usually means that businesses are looking for cooking utensils that will make an impact in a consumer's drawer. Making regular trips to the dishwasher should mean more than just facilitating a trip from here to there. The experience should continue beyond a momentary preparation step. That's why promotional cups are such a staple of many businesses.

These items are also popular for health reasons, as drinking enough water and getting plenty of water-soluble vitamins like Vitamins C and D and potassium are crucial to personal well-being. When consumers drink protein shakes or other nutritional beverages, they will be reminded of the corporation that supplied the item, according to the San Francisco Chronicle pointed out. That helps reinforce the impact of the organization on the person's perception of health.

It's also beneficial when it comes to viewers outside the home, those who may not be intimately aware of the company whose logo is printed on the side of a promotional mug. Sparking interest and boosting visibility will spread the message that the company is concerned about consumers' health and wellness, as well as a business that values its customers enough to give them tokens of appreciation.

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With that in mind, it is also important for small businesses to consider the time of year. School has recently begun anew, and college students are an excellent demographic to zero in on for a number of companies. Consider using the following items as branding tools this fall.

USB logo drives
Gone are the days of keeping physical notes and visiting libraries – today's students are much more likely to need to share software and files than they are to pass papers amongst themselves. A USB logo drive that is sponsored by a university or company will naturally be popular and useful on campus. Their low cost, in comparison with the high level of functionality they provide, should be enticement enough for any company to make an investment.

Personalized notebooks
Despite the prevalence of technology in modern educational methods, there will always be a use for at least some pen and paper products. However, because fewer pages are necessary, those notebooks and other clerical tools that college students use need to be even more specialized in order to appeal to them. That's why a personalized notebook (emblazoned with a school logo or company image, of course) is more valuable as a marketing tool than ever before.

Promotional duffel bags
Few groups are on the go as frequently as college students are, traveling from city to city and state to state to visit family and travel with friends. Their belongings need to come with them, so tools that help them to do so are invaluable. A promotional duffel bag is a cost-effective piece of luggage for cash-strapped kids who will be grateful for the useful tool and pleased to have one less hassle on the train or in the airport.

Highlighters
Though offices and their staff members may be runners up, the prize for champion highlighter users may have to go to students. Pupils have the most to gain by emphasizing certain passages or lines and are certain to be grateful for these tools. Promotional highlighters are, in addition to personalized pens, easily passed around and can be shared by many students who will see their messages and remember the organizations that branded them.  

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