In fact, recent research shows that engaging people with "appealing" initiatives can positively influence behavior. Researchers from Disney Research, the University of California, San Diego and the University of California, Berkeley monitored hotel patrons who received pins for committing to eco-friendly practices, and the team concluded that the recipients were friendlier to the environment than others. The results show that people honor their commitments and are willing to help the environment if they're properly motivated. 

Small business owners can capitalize on these findings by asking customers to commit to going green before distributing eco-friendly promotional marketing products. Entrepreneurs can tell clients that the branded gifts are symbols of an ongoing commitment to protecting the environment. 

Many eco-friendly items are similar to their standard counterparts. For instance, a bag composed of recycled materials serves the same function as the regular version. Alternatively, small business owners can distribute reusable water bottles to combat the growing pollution problem. Ultimately, promotional products are effective marketing tools that can encourage consumers to go green. 

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Harbor Personalized Tote
Everyone has places to go and people to see, and they always need to have the essentials with them during these excursions. In May, one of the best gifts small business owners can distribute is the Harbor Personalized Tote so that recipients can easily carry all of their necessities. Unlike other bags, this tote is large enough to store every item needed for the day or a short business trip.

The canvas bag features an interior pocket and reinforced base. Additionally, custom imagery can be printed on one or both sides, so small business owners can emblazon their logos and recipients' names on every gift.

Budget Stylus Pen
Stylus pens have become increasingly useful over the last few years as the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets and other touchscreen devices has proliferated. Navigating such sensitive gadgets can be difficult without the right accessories, but stylus pens haven't always been the most budget-friendly items on the market.

Fortunately, the Budget Stylus Pen is an affordable model that small business owners can give to all of their employees, clients and other valued contributors. The stylus pen features all the functionality of more expensive versions without the hefty price tags. These models even double as traditional pens for recipients who still write on paper from time to time.

Inspirations Wall Calendar 2014
The year is almost half over, and 2014 is rapidly approaching. Starting the new year on the right foot is essential in every facet of the corporate world, and small business owners can ensure their employees and clients get off to a great start with the Inspiration Wall Calendar 2014.

The wall calendar is much more than a standard decoration. The calendar features breathtaking images on every page with inspirational quotes to keep recipients motivated to achieve their dreams. Workers and clients will cherish this gift every time they need some inspiration to make 2014 the best year yet.

12 oz. White Ceramic Travel Mug
Almost everyone starts their days with a beverage, whether it's a refreshing bottle of water, steaming cup of coffee or anything in between. Unfortunately, many people don't use reusable containers, which contributes to the growing pollution problem. Small business owners can help combat the environmental issue by distributing 12 oz. White Ceramic Travel Mugs as gifts.

These great presents are perfect for any beverage that employees or clients need to stay alert and active every day. The thick body will maintain the drink's temperature while ensuring that recipients don't freeze or burn their hands.

Camber Executive Desk Clock
In some cases, the best gifts are the ones that are both fashionable and functional. For clients and employees with their own offices, small business owners should distribute presents that are practical but also give workspaces some personality.

A Camber Executive Desk Clock is an ideal gift for someone who works in an office all day. The clock is composed of metal and glass to give it a unique design. Additionally, the exterior is adorned with circles so that it's not just a standard desk clock. 

The post Top 5 personalized business gifts for May appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Nancy Nguyen, owner of Sweet T, told the news source that consumers do not want to carry bulky items. The more cumbersome promotional products are, the less likely it is that customers will keep the gifts for extended periods of time. 

Small business owners should bolster the shelf lives of their promotional items by choosing conveniently sized options. Branded items like pens, flash drives and key rings fit in consumers' pockets, so they won't be disposed of immediately. 

Alternatively, entrepreneurs can distribute tote bags during promotional giveaways so customers can carry all of their gifts. This may be the most effective strategy, because consumers keep branded bags for a longer period of time than most items. According to the Advertising Special Institute, the average person keeps a tote bag for 6.3 months. Recipients can use the functional products to carry every item they receive during these events. 

The post Are small promotional items the best advertising tools? appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Promotional marketing products are a staple of most trade shows. Small gifts remind consumers about businesses that had a strong presence at the event. Additionally, branded items help small business owners open lines of communication with passersby who are visiting dozens of booths. 

Not all promotional items are created equal. Some tokens are best suited for attracting attention during the event, while others leave a lasting impression that help entrepreneurs capitalize on their trade show successes. Small business owners must evaluate their needs when choosing their promotional products.

Consider the following factors when deciding what branded items would work best for your company at a trade show. 

Fun or functional?
There are two primary types of promotional items – functional products and fun gifts. In most settings, the former is more effective for marketing than the latter. Consumers enjoy giveaways that fulfill a basic need. To capitalize on the popularity of functionality, small business owners can distribute unique promotional products that are useful during the trade shows or an everyday setting. 

For the events, branded water bottles and candy tins are some of the best possible gifts. Inc. Magazine notes that trade shows are usually hectic and that most attendees are thirsty and hungry. Businesses that hand out water bottles and small snacks will endear themselves to consumers who need nourishment. 

Other functional items can be geared more toward everyday life. For instance, promotional flash drives are great to have at work, so recipients would gladly hold on to the devices after an event. A small business owner can use items like pens, calendars and key chains to ensure that every attendee has a physical reminder of the establishment. 

Fun products help enterprises stand out from the competition. The gifts break up the sometimes monotonous nature of trade shows – consumers can grow weary after hearing dozens of sales pitches from representatives. 

Give away relevant items
Every trade show has a unifying message, and small business owners should tie their marketing strategies to these themes. Advertisements that are thematically relevant will be better received than their irrelevant counterparts. 

Promotional items can be used to help connect a company to a show's overall theme. For instance, reusable tote bags can be distributed at eco-friendly events. To develop a relevant marketing strategy, owners should research what other businesses have done in the past. Other entrepreneurs are valuable resources when it comes to learning how to succeed at a specific trade show. 

Alternatively, companies can distribute items that are relevant to their industries or services. The gifts act as small previews that help consumers understand what function an enterprise fulfills and why its products would be valuable assets. Employees can use the small presents to open their sales pitches, so attendees are willing to listen to the entire message. 

Include contact information
Consumers come from far and wide to attend trade shows, so businesses must emblazon their contact information on branded products. URLs for social networks, email addresses for employees and phone numbers should be printed on every promotional item. 

Contact information can also be used to generate interest during a trade show. Hashtags can be used to encourage attendees to tweet about a company. As more consumers notice the messages, they will be motivated to visit the business' booth to see what all the hype is about. 

The post How to pick the best promotional items for a trade show appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

The eco-friendly strategy isn’t limited to the East Coast either – officials in Sacramento are reportedly considering a ban. According to the Sacramento Bee, the city council is in the exploratory stages of banning the use of plastic bags in retail outlets. 

Small business owners can help their customers adapt to the change by distributing branded tote bags during their promotional giveaways. Consumers will appreciate establishments for distributing these reusable gifts. 

The unique promotional products can help small businesses increase their marketing presence. Customers will become walking advertisements by carrying their tote bags around town or using the containers in different stores. The branded gifts can help companies reach new clients without increasing their marketing efforts. 

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Valentine's Day is the perfect time to debut a new marketing campaign and reward loyal customers for their continued patronage. Entrepreneurs can distribute unique promotional products as small gifts and hold giveaways to attract holiday customers. Companies must actively advertise their events to reach the optimal number of consumers in February.

Small presents
Gift giving is Valentine's Day's most popular tradition, and candy is one of the most common presents. CreditLoans.com reported that 50 percent of consumers spend more than $20 on sweets for the holiday. Small business owners can participate by distributing small tins of their customers' favorite snacks.

Chocolate is one of the best confectionary delights, and companies can use different packages for their customers. For instance, every holiday shopper can be given small chocolate coins as tokens of appreciation. Alternatively, long-time customers should be given boxes of assorted candy as a way of saying thanks. However, some consumers may have chocolate or nut allergies, so owners should have other treats available for patrons who must adhere to special diets.

Promotional items can also be given as thank-you gifts. Customers always appreciate functional items like pens and tote bags, and some recipients even re-gift the items during present exchanges. CreditDonkey recently reported that 83 percent of consumers enjoy receiving regifted products during the holidays.

To celebrate Valentine's Day, companies should incorporate some of the day's imagery and themes. Instead of a standard corporate logo, hearts can be emblazoned on promotional pens while Cupid can be displayed on magnets.

Promotional events
A popular tactic for attracting holiday customers is holding promotional events and offering special deals. Business 2 Community suggests that businesses can attract customers by having unique giveaways from February 1 through 14. Entrepreneurs can provide different presents each day to encourage repeat business and generate brand awareness.

Promotional marketing products help businesses advertise well beyond Valentine's Day. The Advertising Speciality Institute (ASI) recently found that the average consumer keeps branded products for 5.8 months. No other marketing tools can offer comparable staying power.

Business 2 Community also recommends rewarding loyal customers on Valentine's Day by ramping up incentive programs. Businesses can increase rewards points and offer special coupons on holiday merchandise.

Holiday and event marketing
Companies should include Valentine's Day in their marketing campaigns to avoid stagnation. Consumers tend to ignore static content and enjoy when businesses make an effort to include holiday themes. Additionally, establishments can attract more customers to their promotional giveaways with timely advertisements instead of generic messages.

Greeting cards are popular in February, so entrepreneurs should turn to direct mail for some of their marketing needs. Companies can use holiday cards with personalized messages for recipients. Businesses can buy lead lists and send Valentine's cards to potential customers.

Direct mail is an analog channel in a digital world, however, so owners should be prepared to take their holiday advertising online. Social media is one of the best tools to use for Valentine's Day marketing, because companies can instantly update consumers on popular gifts and giveaways.

QR codes are another great digital marketing tool. Owners can emboss the digital watermarks on all of their promotional products and direct customers to special online offers or landing pages for holiday merchandise.

The post Fun activities and promotions for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Promotional advertising can help gyms capitalize on consumers' increased interest in fitness. Holding events and distributing unique promotional products can attract potential clients and turn them into regular customers.

What promotional items to use
Promotional giveaways can increase traffic to your gym, as consumers may be more likely to visit a fitness center if they receive small gifts. Branded products are most effective when they're related to your business, so consider distributing items that are useful during workouts like water bottles and pedometers.

You can also give away smaller items like promotional pens. Give pens to likely leads who fill out applications or add their information to your contact lists. Advertising on pens can be particularly effective because consumers will see your logo every time they write something down.

Additionally, pens can help you market to large groups of consumers. The American Marketing Association's Baltimore branch writes that people frequently share pens, so these promotional gifts can increase your gym's visibility.

Marketing a giveaway
Sending greeting cards is a popular holiday tradition, and gyms can participate by mailing promotional holiday cards to consumers. Fitness centers can buy mailing lists with the addresses of local residents and then send out advertisements for the events.

You can also encourage consumers to contact your business online. Add Quick Response (QR) codes to your postcards so that leads can navigate to your website from their smartphones. The digital watermarks can send consumers to any page you want, so you can choose to have leads easily view advertisements for your giveaway or holiday discounts.

Direct mail marketing can also help you improve client retention. Personalized Christmas cards show your patrons that you appreciate their business. Forging a bond with your customers can make your relationship last. Ask your trainers to write personal messages for their clients to make the mailers sentimental.

When to hold a promotional event
Wait until after the holidays to hold your giveaway. Before seasonal celebrations, consumers are often busy with obligations like shopping and party planning, so large groups might be unable to attend your event. Shoppers also spend hundreds of dollars on gifts, so buying gym memberships might not be financially feasible in December.

New Year's Day could be the best day to hold a giveaway. Consumers want to start the year off right and therefore join gyms quickly. Most businesses are closed on the holiday, so you can stand out by staying open.

Don't forget about your current clients
Customer retention is an important part of continued success, so you shouldn't forget about your current clients while marketing to consumers. You can give your loyal gym-goers personalized business gifts to thank them for their continued patronage.

Clients' names can be emblazoned on promotional water bottles. Additionally, personalized tote bags can help your customers carry their running shoes and workout clothes. Ensure that the presents can be used around your gym and reinforce your business relationship to avoid becoming overly familiar with your clients.

January can be a competitive month in the fitness industry, and gyms must start planning their 2013 marketing campaigns. The tips described above can help fitness centers start the new year right by finding new customers and retaining loyal clients. 

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"People like seeing their own name above all else," Linderman told The New York Times.

It's especially important to do something special for your clients around the holidays. Giving unique promotional products with personalized messages can help you endear yourself to your customers.

Writing everything down
MSN recently reported that fountain pens were more popular in 2012 than in previous years. The news source wrote that Amazon sold twice as many pens through May 2012 as it had during the same time period in 2011.

Consider capitalizing on this popularity during the holidays by giving your loyal clients custom pens. The gifts are professional in nature, so you won't run the risk of alienating customers by being overly familiar. You could also bundle the pens with personalized notepads. Recipients are likely to appreciate two presents that can be used together around the office or at home.

Carrying the load
In 2011, The New York Times reported, tote bags became popular because they were more functional than purses and did not sacrifice fashion. Consumers like the bags because items can be quickly found and have large storage capacities, making them more convenient than handbags.

Personalized tote bags could be great presents during the holidays. Customers will love having bags that bear their names. The custom gifts would also help your patrons stand out when they use their bags in public, as no two recipients will have the exact same item.

Helping through the cold weather
Winter weather and the holidays usually arrive together, and you can help your customers deal with chilly temperatures by giving gifts that can keep them warm. Custom coffee mugs and thermoses can keep your clients' cocoa and coffee hot to combat the frigid temperatures.

Alternatively, you could give winter gear like scarves and gloves as presents. Loyal clients will appreciate that you addressed their cold weather needs. The holidays are a joyful time, and you can make sure that the winter winds don't bother your customers while they're trying to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. 

The post Giving personal gifts appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Agencies must raise their brand awareness and ensure that vacationers hire their services. Making a strong first impression is important in a business relationship, so employees have to put their best feet forward to find new clients. Giving promotional items to likely travelers can help companies turn consumers into regular customers.

Travelers want to work with agencies that send them to their dream destinations. Some families want to visit their roots in foreign countries, while others want to tour the United States. Unfortunately, many trips are expensive and their costs can prevent consumers from going on their journeys. While branded calculators are promotional giveaways commonly used by accountants and financial services, travel agents can distribute them as well so clients can budget for their vacations.

Some of your clients may not have a destination in mind and need some inspiration. You can give these would-be globetrotters promotional wall calendars with some of the world's most beautiful locations on each page. Every month, your customers will see a new scene and may decide they want to stand in that very spot.

Making travel easy
While vacations are meant to be relaxing, that's not often the case. Traveling is stressful, especially for consumers who are flying and face lengthy security checks before takeoff. Agencies can help ease some of these vacation stressors with their giveaways.

All of your vacationing clients can use branded tote bags, as suitcase space is limited and packing can be difficult. Travelers can even hold onto the bags to carry home souvenirs from their trips.

If you have customers who frequently go abroad, you can give away passport holders. Everyone needs to keep their identification safe, especially when they visit another country. It's incredibly difficult to go through customs without a passport, so your clients may appreciate your gift.

Travel agencies can use their promotional gifts to raise their visibility and help customers on their vacations. Consumers appreciate functional giveaways, so the marketing items may help them turn one-time vacationers into regular customers who are ready to see the world.

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Reusable gifts
People use dozens of disposable products every day and throw those items away once they have served their purposes. Few consumers think twice about putting plastic bags in the trash, for instance. Businesses can reduce unnecessary waste by distributing reusable gifts.

It's estimated that American consumers throw away 60 million plastic bottles every day, but you can help reduce that number by handing out logo-emblazoned water bottles. Your customers won't contribute to the growing amount of plastic pollution because they can refill your gift every day. Whenever consumers are thirsty, they'll be exposed to your advertising materials as well.

Some cities and states recently introduced laws prohibiting the use of plastic and paper bags in retail stores. The goal of these regulations is to encourage citizens to think green while shopping. This has led some shoppers to carry their purchases, which can be difficult if those customers bought many items.

If you want to help customers, you can distribute tote bags. Whenever your patrons come in, they'll use the same bag so they aren't wasting any paper or plastic. If they use the promotional marketing products in another establishment, they'll be exposing other consumers to your brand as well.

Recycling
Some people don't remember to recycle paper goods. They waste the material which can be processed and reused multiple times. Businesses that give away items such as promotional wall calendars and notepads should encourage customers to recycle the gifts.

Owners can include the recycling symbol next to their logos so consumers are reminded not to throw the gifts in the garbage. Local businesses can mark the days when recycling is collected so residents know when they should separate their trash.

There are many ways for businesses to encourage customers to go green. Eco-friendly gifts only play a small part in reducing the environmental impact people have, but they can be good starts that promote long-term change. 

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