"Improving access to safe and convenient places where people can be physically active can help make the active choice the easy choice," Carmen D. Harris, an epidemiologist with the CDC, said in a statement. 

Small business owners can help by distributing branded water bottles during promotional giveaways. Customers will be motivated to get active by going for a light jog or doing some push-ups. Consumers will appreciate local companies that want to help people lead healthy lifestyles. 

Additionally, gyms should debut new marketing campaigns to find clients. Distributing promotional gifts is a great way to attract leads to a fitness center so they can learn about their exercise options. Trainers can distribute unique promotional items to prospects who sign up for new memberships. 

While many firms are investing in online marketing initiatives, few things can match the support patrons will enjoy with promotional items. Products such as key rings, totes and umbrellas make distinct impressions with consumers and help businesses form long-term partnerships with their target audiences. 

Meeting clients' requests is crucial, especially for smaller firms that lack the resources of major corporations. However, quality promotional items help reduce the gap between big and small companies, and business leaders can invest in excellent products to showcase their brands to customers. 

Maintaining a global presence requires extensive research and effort, but companies can begin developing their brands through their promotional giveaways. Offering consumers innovative products at promotional events allows companies to remind patrons about the benefits provided by their services and offerings. 

Additionally, companies can stay ahead of their rivals if they use promotional products effectively. These items can become crucial components for companies that want to distinguish themselves through top-notch marketing campaigns and support businesses around the globe.  

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the rate of breast cancer in young women is increasing. Research indicates that while the number of diagnoses among females aged 25 to 39 is climbing, the rate did not rise for women 40 and up. 

Small business owners need to shine a light on this terrible disease more often than just in October. Independent entrepreneurs can give away promotional marketing products modeled after the pink ribbon used to raise awareness for breast cancer. 

Traditional giveaways like key rings and USB drives use the ribbon to promote the important cause. Additionally, the symbols can be emblazoned on promotional pens and mugs. Small business owners can help ensure that women of all ages know that they should be tested for breast cancer. Increased awareness can help combat the disease and prevent it from affecting many people. 

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. 

Small business owners should capitalize on the popularity of NASCAR by holding promotional giveaways throughout the season. The races last until November, so there are plenty of opportunities for local entrepreneurs to hold special events. 

The most important part of planning the giveaways will be finding unique promotional products that are bound to excite racing fans. Automotive gifts are the best branded items for generating interest during NASCAR season. For example, functional presents like tire gauges or emergency tools would be appreciated by customers who love their cars. 

As with all sports-related marketing campaigns, small business owners must ensure that they are not running afoul of copyright laws. NASCAR owns the rights to all of its races and products, so local companies cannot use them for marketing purposes. Additionally, the league officials that supervise the sport go to great lengths to ensure that only official sponsors are using trademarked content in advertisements. Independent entrepreneurs can use generic imagery like cars and checkered flags to avoid any legal troubles. 

To attract more supporters, the Marlins plan on holding promotional giveaways throughout the season. The team will host 14 events this year along with weekly giveaways for children during Sunday games. Additionally, the team will participate in various causes like Autism Awareness Day on April 14. 

The Marlins have set a perfect example for small business owners. Giveaways can generate interest and attract customers who are not already loyal fans. Small gifts like promotional flash drives, wall calendars and water bottles help companies reach consumers who can become regular clients. 

Small businesses can improve upon the Marlins’ strategy by holding more frequent giveaways as rewards for continued patronage. Entrepreneurs can distribute new promotional items every few weeks to keep customers coming back. Alternatively, owners can hand out personalized business gifts to tenured clients. The custom presents motivate consumers to stay loyal to one establishment so they can earn their own prizes. 

Fortunately, small business owners have some unique advantages that can make their marketing campaigns more successful than those of their competitors. Unlike large corporations, local startups don’t have to deal with internal struggles during the developmental stages. Entrepreneurs simply have to make key decisions when it comes to their advertisements. 

No red tape
Corporations use the bureaucratic process to make decisions. Plans must be approved by multiple departments before being given the green light. The roundabout strategy prevents progress and quick decision-making. Inc. Magazine points out that small businesses don’t have the burden of lengthy approval processes. 

Independent owners enjoy the final say when it comes to their advertisements and don’t have to answer to anyone else. Once an owner feels comfortable with a new campaign, he or she can forge ahead. For instance, a local company can use promotional marketing products without having the plans approved or tested in focus groups. Fast decisions can eliminate many of the logistical hurdles associated with marketing. 

Closer to customers
As noted above, large corporations conduct thorough research to optimize their advertisements. Companies seek feedback and quantify the data to locate prevailing trends. Unfortunately, large client bases don’t lend themselves well to studies, because all of these customers won’t agree on certain discussion points. 

The Houston Chronicle reports that small businesses have close relationships with their customers. Entrepreneurs regularly speak with their clients and often get involved in the community. The bonds that owners share with their patrons can be valuable for marketing purposes. If a customer says he or she enjoys a certain gift like promotional flash drives, the establishment can use that information for future giveaways. 

Greater creativity
Franchises and large businesses have uniform marketing standards. Executives make all of the decisions and don’t leave any room for new, outside-the-box approaches. There are some benefits to universal advertising practices, but they can sometimes hamstring the creative process.

Consumers generally ignore generic and repetitive content. Small businesses, fortunately, have greater freedom to try new tactics to attract potential customers. Owners can distribute new prizes during promotional giveaways and change the format of their direct mail to draw attention. After all, variety is the spice of life and helps local establishments generate brand awareness. 

According to Business 2 Community, most trade shows are held during the spring, so small business owners have to start developing their marketing strategies now. An excellent sales team and unique promotional products are the best resources that independent companies can have in their booths. 

Highly-trained salespeople
An effective sales pitch can be the difference between finding a new customer and losing potential business. However, regular sales strategies might not work when it comes to promotional events. 

“I have no doubt companies’ sales staffs are terrific at doing what they do every day. But a well trained staff is the most important part of your trade show experience,” Malcom Gilvar, vice president of sales at a trade show firm, told Inc. Magazine. 

Entrepreneurs should hold training sessions in the weeks leading up to a trade show. The seminars should focus on specific goals to ensure that every representative will know what tactics to use. Additionally, owners should encourage their employees to work together when it comes to qualifying leads, to find consumers who are most likely to become customers. 

The right promotional items
Many companies distribute branded gifts at trade shows. Potential clients are bombarded with dozens of advertisements during the events, so it can be difficult for them to remember an individual enterprise. Small promotional marketing products provide consumers with physical reminders of businesses. Phil Cavanaugh, the vice president of events for Monster.com, told Inc. Magazine that his company prefers to distribute functional items instead of frivolous presents. 

“We still believe in giving people something tangible to walk away with, but you want something beyond the useless tchotchke,” Cavanaugh said. 

The best items depend on the nature of a trade show. For instance, attendees at a technological conference would enjoy small devices like promotional flash drives and calculators. The more relevant a gift is to a trade show, the more value it has as an advertisement. 

Alternatively, businesses can use functional items that are consistently popular. Consumers always appreciate promotional pens, water bottles and calendars. The branded gifts can be used at work or home, so companies are creating reliable advertisements that last longer than a trade show. No other marketing materials can match the longevity of the small items.

To write an effective marketing plan, small business owners must consider their desired results. Owners can start mapping the route to success after they’ve defined their destinations. Additionally, market research is an important step to take before drawing up plans. Independent establishments should consider the following five tips when writing their marketing strategies. 

The end is the beginning
Every marketing campaign is designed with one goal in mind – raising brand awareness. However, some entrepreneurs want to increase their profiles in different manners. For instance, a local start-up might want to attract more customers, while an established organization could seek to increase its web presence. 

Establish your specific goals so you can implement the best tools for your plans. A clear objective helps you avoid wasting resources. If your goal is to drive more traffic through your doors, hold special events like promotional giveaways. Alternatively, you can print Quick Response (QR) codes and hashtags to strive for digital success. 

Research internally 
Once you have a goal in mind, research your industry to determine how far off you are from your goals. Entrepreneur Magazine recommends writing a list of your business’ characteristics to determine its current strengths and weaknesses. 

The news source also urges owners to ask their employees for feedback. Workers can provide clarity on certain issues and help entrepreneurs focus on problem areas in their marketing efforts. Input should be valued and rewarded, especially when it proves effective. Personalized business gifts should be given to associates who offer the most help while creating an advertising campaign. 

Consider the customers
An advantage small businesses have over large chains is forming relationships with customers. A local company can ask its loyal patrons what types of marketing campaigns pique their interests. Owners can use their clients’ suggestions to demonstrate their forward-facing nature. 

Additionally, small business owners can capitalize on market research performed by other organizations. For example, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) recently conducted a study that found that 83 percent of consumers wish companies would give away more unique promotional products than usual. Entrepreneurs can use the PPAI’s findings by distributing branded items with greater frequency. 

Create metrics for success
Keep clear measures for your goals to ensure that your advertisements have the intended effect. Develop metrics so you can see how well your advertisements are performing and determine if there are some areas that require improvement. 

Unfortunately, some goals don’t lend themselves well to statistics, so you’ll have to find alternative means to measure your success. Ask your customers if they’ve changed their buying habits or are more interested in your business as a result of your marketing campaign. Offer incentives like promotional pens so your clients are motivated to participate in your survey. 

Know when to change
Some business owners worry that consumers are bored with advertisements. While it’s important to avoid stagnant content, businesses shouldn’t develop new strategies just for the sake of change. Companies should stick with their marketing plans as long as they are successful. 

Additionally, entrepreneurs can reduce overhead expenses by recycling ideas that were effective in the past. Traditional tactics like giving away promotional marketing products and sending out direct mail advertisements earn steady response rates. Owners should supplement new strategies with old plans to ensure that every advertising campaign has a positive outcome. 

Microsoft Business Hub states that you should dedicate as much of your marketing budget as possible to creating awareness for your event. Alternatively, you can use cost-effective platforms to generate interest without using all of your advertising funds. Social media and direct mail can be used to advertise your event without hurting your long-term finances.

Social media
Business 2 Community notes that social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest are some of the most budget-friendly channels available. Small business owners can create their own profiles and interact with loyal customers through updates. The news source notes that entrepreneurs don't have to pay for advertisements on the websites, which means that companies can frequently write posts about their giveaways.

The sooner you start promoting your event, the better. Don't advertise too frequently, as your customers might ignore your updates if they feel badgered or overwhelmed. Maintain a regular schedule and gradually ramp up as the event's date nears.

Consider posting pictures of the unique promotional products you'll be distributing at your giveaway. Images of popular gifts like pens, tote bags and calendars can motivate clients to participate in your event.

Direct mail and email
Physical and web-based direct mail are extremely effective and budget-friendly marketing platforms. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA) reported in 2012 that postal advertisements receive the more responses than digital messages, but email advertisements earn the highest returns on investment out of all direct marketing channels.

Owners can ask customers for their contact information to create highly targeted advertisements and avoid wasting resources on unlikely leads. Tom Foti, manager of Direct Mail and Periodicals at the United States Postal Service, recently said in a statement that mail creates personal connections between businesses and customers.

"Direct mail creates a one-on-one connection that’s hard for other media channels to match," Foti said.

Offer your customers a preview of your giveaway by including small gifts like promotional magnets in your mailers. You can't include promotional items in your emails, but advertising your giveaway to regular customers may be enough to create interest. Business 2 Community reports that loyal patrons are more likely to respond to advertisements with exclusive offerings instead of generic content.