Dental hygiene is imperative for overall health, but many people struggle to take care of their teeth. As of April 2012, 60 to 90 percent of children and approximately 100 percent of adults had at least one cavity, according to the World Health Organization. Additionally, 15 to 20 percent of people between the ages of 35 and 44 suffer from gum disease. 

The goal of National Smile Month is to decrease these figures by teaching patients how important oral health is. Dentists, hygienists, orthodontists and oral surgeons should participate in the awareness month to encourage patients to make appointments and start taking better care of their teeth. Ultimately, National Smile Month is a great opportunity for the medical community to come together and raise awareness for a troubling issue that affects millions of people around the world. Using marketing tools like direct mail and unique promotional products can help dental care professionals reach out to the public in May. 

Educating patients
A common problem is that patients don't understand how to take care of their teeth and why it's important to do so. Many consumers know that they're supposed to brush and floss every day, but few know how long they should spend on each activity. Dental health professionals should use National Smile Month as an opportunity to educate clients on how to properly care for their teeth and gums. 

Promotional calendars might be the best tools for that purpose. Dentists and other medical professionals can distribute the branded items to all of their clients. Dental care tips should be included on each page so that patients learn a new lesson every month. For instance, January can feature an explanation why people should brush their teeth for at least two minutes, and then February can focus on flossing. As the year progress, clients will learn more and more about how to take care of their teeth and gums. At the end, every patient will likely have pearly whites because they've been doing such a good job maintaining their hygiene. 

Sending newsletters
Promotional marketing products can also be combined with direct mail to reach out to patients during National Smile Month. The two advertising tools work well together because they can grab attention to generate awareness for oral health. Dental health professionals can send small gifts with every mailer to actively engage patients. Tooth-shaped promotional magnets are great options because they're small enough to fit inside standard envelopes and will be nice surprises for recipients. Consumers rarely receive trinkets in the mail so the branded items will help the postal advertisements stand out from other marketing materials. 

For the actual mailer, the Houston Chronicle recommends sending newsletters to patients. The advertisements can include important information on procedures and available services so recipients understand their healthcare options. Additionally, dental health professionals can announce celebrations and events for National Smile so that patients know about the awareness month. Newsletters allow medical professionals to connect with their clients and create active engagement. Unlike other mailers, these options are informative and go beyond the usual promotional aspects of direct mail. Presenting actionable information will help create awareness for dental health and prevent many common issues. 

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"St. Patrick's Day offers entrepreneurs a creative reason to reach out and communicate with your customers," Charles Gaudet, a marketing strategist, told The Globe and Mail. 

March 17 is rapidly approaching, so small businesses owners must start preparing for the holiday sooner rather than later. Procrastination can negate the luck of the Irish and leave entrepreneurs wishing they had been ready to capitalize on St. Patrick's Day. 

Don't rely on luck when it comes to promotional giveaways – follow these tips when planning an event on St. Patrick's Day. 

Holiday decorations and themes
As with all major holidays, St. Patrick's Day features a plethora of iconic imagery. Shamrocks, four-leaf clovers, leprechauns and pots of gold are all staples of March 17. Because most of these symbols are in the public domain, small business owners can include them in decorations, promotional marketing products and advertisements. 

For celebrations in an establishment, an owner should use as much green as possible. The color signifies that the business is celebrating the joyous occasion and will help attract like-minded consumers. Green balloons and signs should be hung on the exterior so passersby know that the company is holding a special event. Additionally, green streamers, banners and balloons can be used to decorate the interior to complete the holiday atmosphere. 

The imagery should also be used on all advertising for the special giveaways. Timely marketing messages are much more effective than their broad counterparts. Marketing Zone recently highlighted an email that didn't include any holiday themes and barely made any mention of St. Patrick's Day. Small business owners want their advertisements to have lasting appeal, but for a giveaway on St. Patrick's Day it is imperative to include at least one icon in every marketing message. 

The perfect presents
When consumers attend a giveaway, they expect to receive a few gifts. On March 17, local entrepreneurs can give all of their regular branded items an Irish spin to create truly unique promotional products that customers will love. 

Holiday imagery can be emblazoned on every trinket to create an association between a small business and St. Patrick's Day. For instance, leprechauns can be embossed on promotional magnets instead of the standard logos and decorations. As with the decorations, all branded gifts should be green to help customers celebrate. 

Additionally, there are some creative ideas that small business owners could try. The pot of gold is a common holiday motif that lends itself well to a giveaway. Owners can distribute chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil so patrons feel like they've found a leprechaun's treasure at the end of the rainbow. 

Let employees celebrate
St. Patrick's Day is supposed to be a joyous occasion for everyone, including employees. The Houston Chronicle writes that small business owners should let their dedicated contributors enjoy the festivities on March 17 to increase workplace satisfaction. 

The news source writes that the best way to allow employees to celebrate is provide entertainment for them. Short scenes of old Irish folktales while musicians play traditional songs are perfect for a March 17 celebration. The small performances are fun activities that make St. Patrick's Day fun even while staff members are working. 

Additionally, small business owners should distribute personalized business gifts to their most dedicated staffers. Functional presents like coffee mugs, custom pens, and USB drives show staff that their supervisors recognize a strong work ethic. All of the rewards should include a four-leaf to wish workers good luck on their next major projects. 

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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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Dentists and other medical professionals should participate in National Children’s Dental Health Month to ensure that children have excellent oral health. Doctors and oral surgeons should speak with families about the importance of regular dental check-ups and teach parents how they can help children. Promotional marketing products can be used to raise awareness for National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Spreading the word
Pediatric dentists should encourage patients to schedule appointments during February. Doctors can mail reminders, but standard postcards might not be the best materials to use. According to Deliver Magazine, flat mail earns fewer responses than small packages and oversized letters. Medical offices can capitalize on the news source’s findings by mailing promotional wall calendars to their regular clients. Medical professionals can print dental health tips on every page so that families know how to take care of their teeth. Alternatively, promotional magnets shaped like teeth can be used as small gifts for patients. The branded items can remind parents to schedule appointments for themselves and their children.

Longevity is primary advantage of using unique promotional products to raise awareness for National Children’s Dental Health Month. No other marketing materials can match the shelf life of branded gifts. The advertisements can increase the visibility of oral health for children for a much longer period of time than a commercial or email campaign could.

Acting as educators
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children see a dentist at least every 6 months. In some cases, the medical professionals may encourage more frequent appointments to prevent long-term issues like cavities. In between check-ups, parents are encouraged to help their sons and daughters practice excellent health habits. Dentists provide advice at every appointment, but kids might not listen, and parents can’t remember every tip.

Dentists should distribute promotional pens and notepads so mothers and fathers write down every helpful lesson. Parents can use their notes to ensure that their children have stellar hygiene.

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Fun promotions can make January a massive success and ensure that retailers are starting 2013 off on the right foot. Traditional marketing strategies like promotional products can boost sales. Additionally, owners can capitalize on popular trends to attract business and generate revenue.

Turn returns into a promotional giveaway
While the holiday spending-spree ends at Christmas, customers flock to stores in January to return and exchange gifts. In fact, the weeks following the holidays can be even more hectic than December. Stan Gammons, a store manager at Lowe’s, told ABC’s affiliate in South Carolina that he scheduled additional staff to handle the influx of returns.

“We’d already planned ahead just in case there were any mad rushes, we had extra folks staffed so we could get the customers in and out quickly if they did bring in their returns and making purchases also,” Gammons said.

A special event can help store owners turn returns into sales. Promotional giveaways can motivate consumers to visit establishments and shop rather than leaving after exchanging their holiday presents. Small items like pens and magnets are always appreciated by recipients. Alternatively, businesses could help customers combat the cold winter weather with branded coffee cups.

A giveaway can improve the customer experience while returning gifts. Time Magazine recently reported that a negative interaction with a customer service representative during a return or an exchange causes irrevocable damage to a store’s image. Functional rewards can ensure that shoppers are satisfied and smiling.

Sales and incentives
Discounts are a popular tool to attract budget-conscious consumers. Shoppers are focused on replenishing their personal accounts, so they hunt for the best deals on their favorite goods. The news source writes that discounts are often irresistible to customers because they don’t want to miss out on special prices and assume that they’re receiving a great value for their purchases.

Post-holiday sales are a great opportunity for stores to move seasonal merchandise and clear space for spring stock. By cutting prices, store owners can avoid losses on goods that didn’t sell particularly well during the holidays.

Stores can offer unique promotional products as part of their sales to create interest in the events. A special gift can serve as an incentive for shoppers to make purchases and adds value to the discounts.

Maintaining brand awareness
The Houston Chronicle points out that sales can substantially increase brand awareness. The source reports that these promotional events can motivate shoppers and help stores attract new business. Discounts should be marketed heavily to find the maximum number of customers.

Stores can ensure that heightened levels of brand awareness are maintained after the sales end by distributing promotional marketing products. Customers usually keep promotional gifts or extended periods of time. Owners should choose items that have the longest shelf lives to optimize their brand exposure.

For instance, mugs and travel thermoses are some of the best gifts for consumers. The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) recently reported that recipients keep promotional mugs for 7.1 months. Wall calendars are kept for almost as long at 7 months.

No other forms of advertisements offer comparable longevity, and store owners can benefit in the long run. If customers hold onto the gifts for more than half of the year, they’ll be motivated to shop at the stores that distributed the functional items well into 2013.

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Small business owners can use promotional marketing products to capitalize on hockey’s popularity. For instance, pens and magnets can be decorated with team colors instead of standard corporate imagery. Additionally, branded water bottles can be given to amateur players who dream of playing in the NHL one day.

Promotional calendars are the best gifts for tying a business to a sport. A team’s schedule can be used to fill out every page, so consumers will develop brand recognition whenever they look up the next game.

Entrepreneurs must be careful to avoid copyright infringement if they aren’t official sponsors of an NHL franchise. Color schemes and city names are usable because they aren’t trademarked content, but team names and imagery are protected. Generic identifiers and symbols like hockey sticks and pucks can create a strong association between a business and the sport without causing any legal ramifications.

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Spa and salon owners should show appreciation for their customers to retain business. Personalized business gifts and letters can help establishments thank clients for their continued patronage and reinforce their relationships. Smaller presents and unique promotional products could be the best tools for finding new business and expanding into new markets.

Do it yourself
Branded beauty kits can be excellent surprises for your customers around the holidays. Between family celebrations and work parties, clients must look their best this season. Consider distributing manicure and personal care sets to your loyal patrons so that they can look their best during every holiday outing.

After an appointment, show your clients how to use your promotional manicure kits to take care of their nails. Alternatively, you could give away packages with brushes so your customers can keep their hair as beautiful as it is when they leave your salon. Branded vanity mirrors might be the perfect promotional item because they can be conveniently carried anywhere.

You should also send greeting cards to each of your customers. You can include messages of gratitude with seasonal greetings so that recipients know you appreciate their business.

Mail personalized Christmas cards instead of postcards with generic messages and labels. If your clients usually work with the same employees, ask your staffers to fill out the cards. A small personal touch can go a long way toward establishing a solid relationship and improving customer retention.

Finding new clients
It can be difficult to expand a salon or spa, especially if your establishment primarily serves local clients. Mailing lists can be particularly valuable resources for finding potential clients and opening direct lines of communication. You can find addresses for leads who share similar traits to your current customers and send them advertisements.

Instead of traditional flyers, you can send promotional holiday cards to consumers during December. Recipients may be more likely to read your letter if it is printed on a card with seasonal imagery.

Gifts and special promotions can boost increase the effectiveness of your mailers. For instance, you can include a promotional magnet in the envelopes. Additionally, you can print QR codes on every card and offer discounts to new clients. Consumers may be hesitant to try a new salon or spa, but offering low prices for first appointments may entice your mailing list leads to visit your establishment.

When new customers come in, you can give away traditional promotional products to encourage repeat business. Develop unique strategies to encourage regular patronage. For instance, include coupons for different services on every page of your promotional wall calendars.

Smaller gifts like promotional pens can help you grow your marketing presence and find more leads. The Baltimore branch of the American Marketing Association (AMA) writes that items like pens are frequently shared, so giving the branded gifts to your new salon clients can lead to even more business down the road.

The beauty industry can be competitive, and implementing new marketing tactics can help establishment owners gain a marketing edge. Promotional gifts and postal advertisements can help raise the visibility of a salon or spa and motivate consumers to try a new business. 

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Doctors and small business owners can participate by motivating consumers to make donations in January. Promotional giveaways can target would-be benefactors who need extra incentives and raise awareness for blood drives during the rest of the year.

Blood donations have been down throughout 2012, so National Blood Donor Month is needed to replenish supplies in 2013. ABC News reported that in June 2012, 50,000 fewer contributions were made than had been previously estimated. Additionally, Hurricane Sandy cancelled blood drives all along the East Coast.

Raising awareness for drives
Doctors who are holding blood drives in January should start advertising soon. Patients can't make donations if they aren't aware of local events. Medical professionals can distribute unique promotional products to patients who want to contribute.

Consider giving branded pens to your clients after their appointments. You can have the date of your blood drive emblazoned on the sides so the information is consistently seen by recipients. The American Marketing Association's (AMA) Baltimore branch writes that small giveaways are frequently shared, so advertising on pens can help you market your event to large groups of potential donors.

You can also mail reminders to your patients. Recipients may ignore flyers, so implement strategies to make your advertisements difficult to ignore. For instance, including small giveaways can increase the likelihood that your letters are read. Branded gifts like magnets are small enough that they won't increase your shipping costs.

Doctors can also work with local businesses to raise awareness for blood drives. Stores and restaurants can sponsor the event and advertise it to their customers. Involving the community instead of small groups of patients can lead to more donations.

Giving gifts to donors
Donors usually don't expect gifts for their charitable givings, but little presents are always appreciated. Doctors can give each benefactor unique tokens to say thanks for a contribution.

As Livestrong points out, it's important for blood donors to stay hydrated after their procedures, so consider distributing promotional mugs and water bottles. You can fill each giveaway with water or orange juice and tell benefactors to keep their containers. Consumers will hold onto your mugs and bottles and may be reminded to donate next year as a result.

If you plan on holding drives throughout the year, consider giving away branded calendars with dates marked for the events. People are always looking for calendars to start the new year, and you can capitalize on this search by advertising your drives with promotional items. For regular donors who give every year, consider distributing personalized calendars to thank them.

Finding new donors
Drives that distribute giveaways can gain reputations for reciprocating their donors' kindness. Some consumers may be motivated to contribute their own blood if they know they'll be given something as well.

Advertise your gifts so that potential benefactors are more likely to come to your event. Small presents can make the difference between a successful blood drive and one that didn't reach its full potential. Emblazon your giveaways with your event dates as well. Your donors can act as advertisements each time they use your promotional items and raise your blood drive's visibility.

National Blood Donor Month is meant to increase donations throughout the year. Using giveaways can help you get off to a great start in January.

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Dentists can capitalize on the amount of sugar eaten around the holidays with their promotional giveaways. Patients may not realize the oral damage they're doing during their seasonal celebrations, but medical professionals can inform consumers of the dangers while encouraging new appointments.

Doctors can touch base with their clients by sending personalized Christmas cards with holiday health tips and reminders to schedule checkups. Patients may be surprised to learn about the amount of harm they're doing to their teeth, but letters can make sure that information is readily available. Dentists can also include tooth-shaped promotional magnets with their phone numbers so clients can make appointments as soon as their festivities are complete.

No one wants to hide their teeth while they smile during the holidays and dentists can help ensure that all of their patients have pearly whites by reminding consumers to come in for cleanings

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Because refrigerators are generally plain, many consumers use magnets to spice them up. Usually these items aren't large, but they're noticeable and can draw a significant amount of attention if they're colorful.

Business owners who want to increase their brand recognition can give away promotional magnets. These small decorations can generate a great deal of exposure for establishments that don't have the budgets to produce multiple marketing campaigns.

Magnets are cost-effective advertisements that any business can distribute to their patrons or even mail to leads. Because the promotional marketing products are more budget-friendly than other marketing tools, owners can produce more of the items and hand out them to a greater number of consumers.

Creating a marketing presence in your customers' homes can help your brand find recognition. You can choose from different magnets as well so they can be more stylish or functional. Magnets shaped like everyday items like houses and teeth can stand out from other fridge decorations. Other magnets have clips so consumers can hold invitations and pictures.

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