In a survey, Esure Home Insurance, a firm in the United Kingdom, found that 37 percent of respondents spend at least 15 minutes per day looking for misplaced things. The Daily Mail reports that the people usually waste 10 minutes searching for something. House keys and car keys ranked numbers two and three on Esure's list of most frequently misplaced items. 

"Homeowners should be extra cautious when it comes to looking after their house keys – as this could prove to be costly if they were to fall into the hands of opportunistic thieves," Nikki Sellers, head of home insurance at Esure, said in a statement. 

Small business owners can help customers keep track of their keys by distributing branded key rings during promotional giveaways. The functional items will make it easy for clients to keep all their keys together so none of them are misplaced. Additionally, entrepreneurs can use unique key rings so that the promotional gifts stand out. 

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Additionally, companies can share information about their products and services with key rings. These promotional products are worthwhile for big and small firms because the items deliver instant and long-lasting value to businesses. 

Promotional key rings are unique and can help your company differentiate itself from its rivals. If your business wants to be viewed as an industry leader, investing in first-rate promotional products like multi-function key rings can help it stand apart from the competition. 

In today's difficult economic climate, it is increasingly important for businesses to quickly provide details about their firms to clients. By relying on standard key rings, your company can offer customers valuable information that could lead to long-term partnerships with a wide range of patrons. 

Key rings are ideal for companies that want to optimize the value of their marketing initiatives. Customers will be able to use these products for years and will be frequently reminded of your firm's devotion to its clientele, which could help your business grow exponentially. 

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Practices must find fun items to distribute on Dentist Day. Unique promotional products that help patients take care of their teeth between appointments foster lasting relationships between dentists and their clients. Additionally, custom gifts can help doctors expand their customer bases and increase business. 

Attracting new patients on Dentist Day
Holding an event on Dentist Day is the perfect way for practitioners to celebrate. Dentists can treat the day as if it were a grand opening ceremony to attract new patients and increase business. A special celebration is an excellent tool for generating interest. 

Social media updates are beneficial for informing regular clients about the special event. Doctors should count down to March 6 by posting pictures of promotional items and decorations that will be displayed around their practices

For consumers, dentists should take the broad approach to marketing. Direct mail, print advertisements and cold calling are the best methods for reaching out to local leads. These resources can help doctors find potential clients who share demographic traits with their current patients. Highly targeted marketing prevents dental practices from wasting valuable resources on unlikely leads. 

Once new patients come in, Dentist Day should be dedicated to maintaining excellent oral hygiene. Doctors should teach their clients how to take care of their pearly whites between appointments to ensure that minor problems do not become long-term medical issues. Promotional pens and note pads should be given to every patient so they can take diligent notes while they learn the basics of dental health like how to properly brush their teeth and floss. Every time people refer to their notes, they'll be exposed to their dentists' logos and develop brand recognition. 

Generating leads with gifts
Marketing Zone writes that dentists should create referral programs to generate leads. Doctors should ask their loyal patients for recommendations because consumers trust the opinions of their friends and family members. Excellent service and good manners go a long way toward establishing a solid rapport and earning referrals, but personalized business gifts create additional motivation for people to recommend their dentists to loved ones. 

Practitioners can scale the incentives based on how many leads a patient generates. For instance, someone who only has the contact information for one potential client can be given a promotional key ring or another small item. People who regularly recommend their dentists to other consumers should be given personalized gifts as rewards. Custom pens, water bottles, coffee mugs and planners are excellent prizes for clients who consistently find leads who become regular patients. 

Dentists should advertise their incentive programs because patients are more likely to offer referrals if they know they can earn special prizes. Small presents keep clients motivated to participate in the program and earn larger gifts by offering more referrals. 

Doctors should market their practices as soon as they have the contact information for leads. One of the best strategies for advertising to prospective clients is combining direct mail and promotional items. Dentists can mail gifts like tooth-shaped promotional magnets and wall calendars so their advertisements stand out from bills and personal letters. Phone numbers should be emblazoned on the branded items so potential patients can quickly call to make their first appointments. 

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The holidays are traditionally a busy season for nonprofit organizations. Consumers celebrate the spirit of giving by helping those in need and important causes. No one expects a charity to give back, but promotional items can help philanthropic groups turn seasonal donors into regular givers.

For volunteers
Some people donate their time during the holidays and help charities process and distribute gifts from others. Volunteers are the backbone of every nonprofit and are valuable team members, especially during busy periods like the holidays.

Your workers are taking time away from their families to support your cause, so you should thank them in some fashion. The Houston Chronicle writes that branded t-shirts are popular promotional giveaways because volunteers show off their contributions whenever they wear the new garments. Your workforce may appear more professional when wearing the same clothing as well.

Sending greeting cards can also be an effective method of showing appreciation. Volunteers want to know that their efforts were noticed, so handwritten messages around the holidays can be especially touching.

You don't have to limit yourself to giving small gifts as thanks, as you can also create an incentive program for volunteers. While people try their hardest, added motivation can cause workers to put forth extra effort to solicit donations. You can offer small items like promotional wall calendars for small goals and use more high-end giveaways like USB drives and travel mugs for larger totals.

For donors
Not every consumer can volunteer and some instead opt to donate gifts and money. Sometimes these charitable givings are more useful, as nonprofits seek out resources to distribute to the needy or funds to support medical research. As with volunteers, organizations should thank their donors for giving something back during the holiday season.

Personalized Christmas cards may be appreciated by more than just your workers. Benefactors want to know their donations have been received, so sending them custom letters along with seasonal greetings can be a great idea. Additionally, you can always change the volunteer incentive program for donors. Instead of offering prizes for soliciting contributions, send rewards to consumers who give larger gifts.

Some people can be motivated to donate more when they're told they'll receive presents in response. Charities should consider limiting the amount of lavish giveaways so they can afford to thank every donor.

Marketing a nonprofit
As with all companies, nonprofits should develop holiday marketing campaigns to capitalize on seasonal business. A charity that doesn't advertise may not earn as many donations as one that raised its visibility during the most wonderful time of the year.

In its survey, the American Red Cross found that 51 percent of respondents like to mail checks to nonprofits. This means that a direct mail marketing strategy may be a strong approach. Charities can include return envelopes with every advertisement so that recipients can immediately respond.

Awareness ribbons effectively raise the visibility of causes as well. For example, December is National HIV Awareness Month and charities can give away promotional key rings that resemble the campaign's red ribbon.

The holidays are the season of giving, so nonprofits should prepare themselves for significant donations. Promotional products can help organizations market their causes and thank contributors for their efforts.

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This can be a very important time because, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, a growing number of people are less concerned about contracting AIDS. Approximately 50,000 Americans contract HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, annually, and the CDC estimates that one in five carriers does not know they're infected.

Businesses can promote awareness and get involved with the cause by adapting their promotional marketing products. By participating in AIDS Awareness Month, owners may help their customers realize how important it is to have themselves tested and do their best to stay healthy by taking necessary precautions.

Red Ribbon Campaign
As with all causes, AIDS Awareness Month has a colored ribbon. Where breast cancer has a pink one and yellow denotes support for military personnel, AIDS has a red ribbon. The goal of the ribbon is to give people a small token to demonstrate their awareness of the disease.

If you want to participate in AIDS Awareness Month, you can distribute promotional items bearing the red symbol. Many popular giveaways have been redesigned to reflect December's important cause and help raise awareness for the disease that affects so many people.

There are promotional key rings and flash drives modeled after a red ribbon, so consumers can have one on their person all year. Ribbons can be embossed on pens and printed on the pages within wall calendars. Owners can find any gift and make it part of the cause so customers learn about AIDS and what they can do to prevent its spread.

Doctors can do their part
No industry can raise AIDS awareness quite as high as the medical field can. Doctors advocate good health all year, but December allows them to focus on a particular disease that may not concern many of their patients. It's imperative that physicians encourage their clients to seek testing, especially if they're at risk.

If you work in a practice and are concerned about your patients and their potential exposure to HIV, you should encourage them to learn about the virus and the health risks associated with it. You can also explain the facts to them and give them reminders about staying healthy. You may want to consider distributing promotional wall calendars that recommend regular checkups throughout the year to ensure that patients are thinking about AIDS not only in December, but all year.

Unfortunately, doctors can't diagnose every client before they're infected with HIV. AIDS treatments require massive lifestyle changes, as patients must adhere to strict medicinal schedules and visit their doctors regularly. This can be jarring for victims, as they have to completely adjust their routines to include new tasks that they'd never previously considered. A physician can give a pocket calendar to a patient afflicted with HIV or AIDS, so he or she can see what the new schedule looks like on a daily basis.

Raising AIDS awareness in December can help save lives. While medical research inches closer toward developing a cure, it's important that people stay informed and take precautions so they avoid contracting or spreading the disease.

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"We've discovered that we see things that are emotionally arousing with greater clarity than those that are more mundane," Rebecca Todd, the study's lead researcher, told The Daily Telegraph. Small business owners can help their customers remember where their keys are by distributing unique promotional key rings.

It may be more difficult for someone to lose his or her keys if they're attached to branded flashlights or brightly colored chains. Because these rings are different from standard decorations, they're easier to remember and harder to lose.

These promotional items can be used multiple times per day, so businesses will be advertising regularly to customers. Every time clients reach for their keys they'll be holding logo-emblazoned gifts. There aren't many marketing materials that lead to a similar amount of brand exposure.

Businesses that give away key rings are creating lasting marketing campaigns. Consumers aren't likely to dispose of the promotional items because the gifts are functional.

The post Making it difficult to lose keys appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

A study printed by McHenry from Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) discovered that more than 70 percent of consumers have gotten a promo item in the last year, so making it memorable is essential to ensuring that a customer is going to keep your item instead of someone else's.

Promo pen push

Getting a push in the right direction is always a good idea in terms of increasing customer assurance in a promo product. A consumer may not have heard of your brand, but backing it with a known company can be helpful. A recent article discussed how offering BIC, Sharpie and other similar products with your logo can make them more likely to get picked up. You can offer them at trade shows, at your business or with other local retailers for distribution.

"Pens are absolutely effective," said promotional items expert Peter Psichopaidas in an interview with the Stamford Advocate. "The name gets passed around. Pens are universal."

Checking the calendar

There is a constant need in a person's life to stay organized, and one of the best ways to do that is keeping a calendar. Putting a promotional calendar in a prominent place not only keeps a consumer advised as to where they are in their schedule but reminds them and other viewers constantly of the company that provided it. According to the PPAI study, keeping that familiarity will enhance the likelihood of getting return shoppers and earning new ones. Over half of all those who saw a promotional item like that wound up patronizing the company who issued the item in the first place.

A story from Melodika said that "it's difficult to think of a product that's more visibile and useful" than a promotional calendar. The article points out that truly eye-catching calendars can become conversation pieces on top of just being functional. If a consumer really enjoys the images in the promo item, they're more willing to display it in a public place, and this will help bring more consumers to your business.

Having a repertoire of promotional items is one good strategy for getting your brand into the public eye, but earning a spotlight will take making a product that's desirable and useful. If it's truly different but not really useful, it won't do as well as a balanced product. The same thing goes for an item that's very practical but somewhat boring. It's less likely to be kept in exchange for an item that offers both a creative design and full usability. When these two aspects find a happy medium, a company can expect to experience a full return on investment for the products they deliver.

"In our business, if one thing is askew then the whole project is not correct," Psichopaidas told the Advocate. "You have to promote. As they say, 'Something terrible happens if you don't promote'."

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Doing new things

Not only are USB memory sticks a sign your company is aware of current trends for data storage, portability and sharing, they prove that you have a vested interest in giving your clients something they can use for more than just business reasons. The more uses a recipient can find for a promotional item, the more people will see the product and be likely to inquire about your business and services.

Promotional Products Association International conducted a survey to determine how effective giveaways are when it comes to reminding consumers of the company that provided it. The study found nearly 70 percent would only be interested in a product if they could think of common uses for it and weren't willing to bring home an item that didn't seem to have a purpose. Only 5 percent would be interested in taking a promotional product simply because it looked interesting, and barely 1 percent were intrigued by collectibility.

Making promos work

In some ways the shifting of industry is like the seasons – if you don't adapt, you might die. As technology moves toward smaller sizes and enhanced compatibility, it's important for companies to pursue that trend and make promotional items follow suit.

Offering logo tote bags epitomizes the modern consumer's desire for portability. It also will be something worn and used frequently, meaning visibility will be considerably more enhanced by this practical item as compared to a customized rubber stamp or something of that nature which while directly related to the company and does serve as a marketing tool doesn't encourage practical use.

In an interview with the Northwest Herald, small business owner Pat Gibbs explained that following the market and adapting to change can mean the difference between successful advertising strategies pulling in more business, and failed promotional giveaways costing the company money and failing to assist it in any measurable way.

"I think you always have to march forward with technology," Gibbs told the Herald.

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Giving gifts

It may seem strange to give promotional mugs or other items to staff for doing a good job, but these represent a token of the business itself, and while many recipients may want to leave it in the company kitchen, employees should be encouraged to bring home these items as proof of hard work and success on the job.

That's because your workers are also your best salespeople according to B2B Marketing. When someone asks about the promotional keychain they're carrying or the mug they're drinking out of, an employee can better answer questions about products and services right there for the interested party, rather than relying on the person to remember until they get access to search tools like the internet.

Giving promotional items to employees not only shows them that you value their efforts but helps you recruit outside ambassadors with in-depth, expert knowledge of the business.

Practical over unique

Some promotional items may sound like more fun or seem more interesting to clients, but it's important to figure cost as well as effectiveness into the equation, pointed out an article in MediaPost. Flashlight pens are portable and useful, but what do they have to do with your business? USB flash drives are more expensive compared to business pens, but if your company offers a product or service that's based on computer or data use, these might be a sensible giveaway that directly leads to more sales because industry folks will be more likely to inqurie about your products.

That doesn't mean necessarily that you should give away boring promotional items, just make sure the ones you invest in actually have ties to your company to see the maximum return on investment. If the Hamilton study is correct and such a large chunk of your annual costs are going to these investments, chances are you'll want to see an equitable boost in revenue compared to your overhead.

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Fun and functional

Practical gifts ranked highest in a survey of intended Father's Day gifts conducted by PriceGrabber, meaning most shoppers want Dad to have something he can use on a regular basis that will remind him of how important he is to family and friends. In addition, almost one-fourth said they would be buying a hobby-related present, increasing the likelihood that Dad would find regular value in the present.

Dads are hard-working and need the best tools to get the job done. A hardware, utility or motor vehicle supply store might want to consider giving away flashlight pens that can easily be clipped to a shirt or pants pocket for use in tight places like under the sink or under the hood where a traditional light would be too bulky. A personalized pocket knife can also be handy when he needs to cut wires, open packaging or accomplish other small jobs and doesn't have scissors handy or a bigger sharp edge would be inconvenient.

A business mindset

When he's not working around the house, though, Dad has a lot of work to get done at the office. A promotional wall calendar can help him keep track of appointments, while a personalized notepad will remind him of a special message even when he's got other important things to take down and remember. Promotional pens will encourage future business with a supplying company while still providing a sleek and stylish writing implement that would go handsomely with pen boxes.

A carry-over gift

The PriceGrabber survey found that roughly 20 percent wanted something for Dad to wear and be seen with. For those shoppers, a logo tote bag might be an appealing option as a promotional item as well as a practical gift that would be fun and functional. Seeing as the study found most consumers like a freebie added to a deal to make them more likely to buy, what better gift inclusion than a decorative personalized tote bag to go along with an item. Not only will Dad see the business name and associate it with the thoughtful purchase, but others will see and inquire about the brand too.

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