Doctors and other medical professionals should participate in American Heart Month to ensure that their patients are healthy, as they play a vital role in keeping consumers informed about potential health risks. Additionally, gyms should develop rewards strategies like distributing unique promotional products to prevent clients from giving up on their fitness goals.

Keeping patients informed
When patients come in for February appointments, doctors should spend extra time focusing on cardiovascular health. An open discussion on eating and exercise habits can give medical professionals a clear understanding of how likely their clients are to develop heart diseases, and practitioners can subsequently recommend healthy lifestyle changes.

Promotional pens and notepads should be given to every patient. It’s difficult to follow a doctor’s orders from memory, but the branded gifts can be used to take notes. Clients can refer back to their discussion points to ensure that they’re leading healthier lives and reducing their risks for heart disease. Alternatively, medical practices can print promotional calendars and include different health tips on every page. Doctors can even mail the free gifts with appointment reminders for patients who aren’t coming in during February.

Staying fit
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is exercising and getting in shape. As a result, 12 percent of new gym memberships are sold in January, according to Men’s Health. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to keep these promises for more than a few days. The Daily Mail conducted a survey in 2012 and found that 75 percent of adults give up on their resolutions by January 10. Gyms can do their part in raising awareness for American Hearth Month by retaining their customers and ensuring that they are working toward their fitness goals.

Trainers can give all of their clients promotional items like water bottles to use during their workouts. Hydration is an important factor in heart health. John Baston, a physician, told the American Heart Association (AHA) that proper hydration reduces cardiovascular strain.

“If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” Baston said.

Ultimately, promotional water bottles can make exercising even more effective in helping clients combat potential risks. Water can keep the heart working healthily while muscles recover after particularly grueling workouts.

Additionally, branded pedometers keep gym members honest about their activity levels. It’s easy for some clients to justify skipping a couple of sessions, but the devices show users just how active they have been throughout the day.

Raising awareness beyond February
American Heart Month can go a long way toward combating heart diseases, but the health issues can’t be eradicated in 28 days. Medical practices and fitness centers can use their promotional gifts to raise awareness for cardiovascular conditions for the entire year. Clients usually keep branded items for months, so they’ll be exposed to educational content after February ends. According the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), the average consumer holds onto promotional items for 5.8 months.

The ASI notes that other marketing platforms don’t last as long as branded products. Such gifts can ensure that people are aware of their heart health and are making strides toward preventing possible diseases.

The post February is American Heart Month appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Global annihilation is on many consumers' minds. The National Geographic Channel even produces a reality TV series titled "Doomsday Preppers," in which it documents how people prepare for the end of times. Small business owners can capitalize on the trend by distributing unique promotional products to help their customers gear up for the end of the world.

Water, water everywhere
Disposable water bottles will be a thing of the past once the apocalypse arrives. Survivors will be left searching for wells and will require containers. Distribute branded water bottles to ensure that your clients can stay hydrated and healthy. Water is a necessity, so reusable bottles may be the best promotional items to give away.

The night is dark
If NBC's hit series "Revolution" is to be believed, a global power outage will plunge the world into chaos. Promotional key rings with small flashlights can help your customers keep the darkness at bay. Additionally, the branded items can be used while hunting for food and searching for water, so the gifts could lead to continued survival.

Tending to the wounded
Health services may be scarce in the post-apocalyptic world. Your customers must learn to tend to their own wounds, and promotional first aid kits can help. While the supplies won't last long, your clients will appreciate having bandages and antibacterial wipes available.

A history
One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of the world's end is holding onto the past. Cultural artifacts will be eradicated during the apocalypse and humanity will have to rebuild and recreate the entire world. Promotional pens and notepads can be used to rewrite history books and record current events.

Building a legacy
There's one lesson to take away from all of the incorrect predictions about the end of the world – you can't schedule doomsday. Until the end times come, your clients can use your promotional gifts around their homes and offices. If the apocalypse ever arrives, your patrons will remember that your business helped them prepare for the worst. 

The post It’s (not) the end of the world as we know it appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Basic items like flashlights and can openers can go a long way during recovery. FEMA says that a basic kit can be built with water, food, flashlights and radios. Companies can help people prepare for disaster by giving away smaller items that can be used in an emergency.

A small flashlight or pocket knife would be a good addition to anyone's disaster kit. People may not need these tools right now but will be grateful for them if anything were to happen.

A business can show how much it cares about the community and its clients by helping with emergency preparations. Consumers will appreciate a company that gives away such necessary promotional products. A small logo printed on the items would serve as a reminder that the firm is helping its customers plan ahead. 

The post Give promo items for National Preparedness Month appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Personalized Calendars with your business's name on them will allow your client to mark days of the week that are specifically reserved for working out. To encourage them to try new activities, have different ideas printed on them for different days. For example, May 20th could be yoga and the 30th could be aerobics or a spinning class. These will at least get them thinking outside the box and the more fun they have getting fit, the more often they will engage in these activities.

Many of your customers might already belong to a gym or a health center, so promo items that are conducive to their workout experience are always a good idea. A BPA-free 25 oz. aluminum sports bottle will prove to be useful. Your client will not have to buy a bottle of water every time they go to the gym, and if they run out, they can just refill it and get back to the weights or the treadmill.

A portable mini fan is also an ideal gift for your client. If they play in a recreational soccer or softball league, they will be able to work up a sweat on the field or on the mound and then come back to the sidelines and cool off with comfort. You can even remind them of what month it is by having something like, "Physical Fitness and Sports Month 2012" emblazoned on below your logo. This will associate the great feeling they get from shedding those pounds and engaging a healthier lifestyle with your company name.

To further inspire your customers to lead more active lives, give out corporate gifts that can be used for play. A collapsible promotional flyer will have them running around in the backyard with their friends or their kids, playing a game of ultimate frisbee. Accompany this with an evolve squeeze water bottle with your logo on it, so they can stay hydrated and stay outside in the fresh air for as long as they want.

The post Encourage your clients to get fit with corporate gifts appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Creative promotional items are more likely to be used everyday. A good idea is to include recipes or serving suggestions on gifts that can actually be used to contain food or beverages. For example, a custom coffee mug normally holds a hot, caffeinated liquid like coffee or tea. In the interest of nutrition, they can have information on new ways to sweeten beverages without unhealthy cream and sugar. Promotional wall calendars featuring healthy recipes are also a great way to get people into the right mindset.

Though the World Health Organization estimates that obesity affects more than one billion adults today, controversial subjects related to weight gain should generally be avoided. Instead, stick to gentle suggestions on healthy living without negative remarks.

Potential clients can be very appreciative of a company that keeps personal health in mind, and there is no better month to implement nutrition-based promotional products in than March.

The post March is National Nutrition Month appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.