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. 

The post Help customers keep track of their keys appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

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. 

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The advertising strategy is simple – small business owners choose a cause and design a marketing campaign that simultaneously generates awareness for it and the brand. Traditional marketing tools like unique promotional products can be used to advertise a local enterprise and a charity. 

Follow these helpful hints when developing your next cause-marketing campaign. 

Choose a cause you believe in
Forbes writes that consumers can easily spot when companies are trying to exploit an important cause for marketing purposes. Entrepreneurs should not pick a issue because it is trendy or popular – that sort of cynical behavior will have a negative impact. 

The news source recommends that small business owners should pick causes that they personally believe in. An authentic campaign will help a local establishment endear itself to the community and support a worthwhile cause. Alternatively, Entrepreneur Magazine writes that the entire staff should have a say when it comes to choosing a charity or cause. The collaborative approach ensures that every employee is invested in the campaign. 

Show support
Promotional marketing products help companies show support for specific causes and engage consumers in the campaigns. Traditional branded items can be re​-purposed to create awareness for a charity or prevalent issue. For instance, a business could give out promotional key rings modeled after the red ribbon used for World AIDS Day. 

Yahoo Small Business Advisor points out that promotional gifts help campaigns garner larger followings. Small business owners have options when it comes to distributing their charitable gifts. Employees could give the promotional items to every customer at point of sale terminals or hand them out as thanks for donations.

Hold or sponsor an event
A special event can generate more awareness for a cause then other marketing tools. Entrepreneurs who want to attract donors to their establishments can hold promotional giveaways in conjunction with a charitable function like a food drive. Every contributor should be rewarded for their good deed with small prizes. 

Alternatively, local businesses can partner with each other and a charity for a community event. The unified approach usually generates much more interest for a cause and participating companies than individual efforts. 

Donate 
Cause-marketing shouldn't be entirely one-sided. A small business shouldn't generate profits from an awareness campaign without actually helping a charity. Companies have to give more than advertising space to a cause – they should should actively participate and donate. Even small contributions can effectively demonstrate to consumers that entrepreneurs are not simply capitalizing on a cause. 

Entrepreneur Magazine recommends taking the efforts a step further and donating time and effort, not just money. Employees should volunteer with a nonprofit organization multiple times per year. Owners should make volunteerism a requirement for all of their staff members to ensure participation. 

The benefits of cause-marketing
Small business owners can reap enormous benefits from a cause-marketing campaign. The Breast Cancer Charities of America writes that charitable advertisements help independent companies compete with large chains that possess vast marketing resources. Local establishments that raise awareness for a cause can boost their credibility among consumers and compete with corporations for market penetration.

The news source also points out that cause-marketing reduces employee turnover. Staffers enjoy working for a company that is socially responsible. Many workers choose to stay with their employers because not many businesses participate in charities and important causes.  

The post How to create a cause-marketing campaign appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

Entrepreneur Magazine reports that the frugal strategy isn’t entirely beneficial because it’s important to reach more consumers during tough economic times. Small business owners can find creative ways to spice up their traditional marketing tools to attract budget-conscious customers. 

Consider the following tips to boost your marketing efforts during tough financial times. 

Be charitable and support a cause
The news source states that charitable acts are cost-effective methods to increase market penetration. Joel Warady, a marketing consultant, said that supporting a cause forges a relationship between businesses and their customers. 

“Not only does cause-marketing allow you to connect with customers, but it also allows customers to get some insight into your company’s soul. Then, it becomes less about what you give than it does about why you give,” Warady said to Entrepreneur. 

Independent companies can raise awareness for important causes with unique promotional products. For instance, there are promotional key rings designed to resemble awareness ribbons for World AIDS Day. Small businesses can start their cause-marketing efforts in February with American Heart Month. 

Offer value
Consumers are worried about their finances and are trying to save money. Entrepreneurs can use special discounts and promotional giveaways to motivate their customers to start spending again. Patrons are more likely to buy merchandise when they’re offered a deal, even if it’s only a couple dollars less than the regular price. 

Promotional giveaways allow small business owners to add value to purchases without slashing their prices. Companies can create scales so that customers have to spend certain amounts of money to receive large gifts. 

Don’t fix what isn’t broken
The developmental stages of a marketing campaign are the most expensive. While businesses design new advertisements, they aren’t actively reaching out to consumers. The lost time results in diminished brand visibility and fewer customers. 

Independent companies should use their marketing materials as long as possible. If consumers are responding to advertisements, then there’s no reason to make any changes. The longer a small business uses one set of marketing messages, the less time and money it has to dedicate to developing new campaigns. 

The post 3 tips for marketing in a down economy appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.

The construction sector is one segment of the corporate world that may struggle to find its own promo items to tie into operations. Despite what some in the business might think, there are plenty of options for finding compelling giveaway products.

Utility in freebies
An obvious aspect of the construction industry is its dedication to providing building materials, tools and labor to make any project dream a reality. In that vein, offering promo items to consumers that help them get the job done will help these clients draw the connection between a handy device and the kind of quality service they can expect from the business that issued it.

Myron's offerings include several kinds of multi-tools that fold up and slip into a pocket or serve as a keychain. This will ensure that a person always has a bit of the company's message on him or her at all times, creating mobile advertising, and each time it is put to use that individual will draw a stronger connection between the company and positive results.

Pocket knives and magnifier keychains also help get specialized tasks done while holding keys or jotting down memos. Some include corkscrews and bottle openers, making them the perfect addition to a company event or personal party. All of these devices come in a variety of colors, and with plenty of space on the sides for brand logos and names, which makes these multi-tools and pocket knives great marketing implements for construction companies.

Tools of all sizes
On a larger scale, some firms know that the most logical conclusions are often the easiest to draw. Rather than simply relying on the name of a company to get the message across, these entities prefer to give away promotional products that express the kind of service the business wants to render. For those kinds of corporations, Mryon has a variety of full-sized, functional tools that can be stamped with a business moniker and offer a taste of the construction industry.

Tape measures and tool kits provide ample space to emblazon corporate advertising, and each time a consumer needs to fix a leak or measure a space, that person will reach for a promotional giveaway item with the firm's name on it. These tools range in size and capability from pens with interchangeable screw heads to full-scale kits with a variety of different wrenches, drivers and other implements. Some even include multi-faceted functions, like tape measures with a leveler built right into the face, so the user sees both if they are on the mark and the company that gave them the tool at the same time.

Finding items that complement the construction industry is made easier with Myron's lineup of corporate promo giveaways. For interested firms, it's only a matter of picking the color and level of function they want their potential customers to associate with their operations.

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A great way to increase brand awareness and promote products or services is by holding seasonal events and timely marketing campaigns. Small businesses that rely on promotional products for advertising purposes can flavor their giveaways with seasonal themes. Consider the following tools, many of which are perfect for taking advantage of the incoming temperature dip around the country.

Shopping totes
Traditionally, fall signals that the growing season is over. The harvest begins around this time of year, and despite the fact that most people aren't obligated to subsist on local produce, the feeling still remains. Consequently, many people enjoy going to harvest festivals and other agricultural events. Apple picking, hay rides, pumpkin fairs and farmers markets all rise in popularity just before winter strikes.

Purchasing produce and other fruits of the land requires the right tools to carry them. Give customers promotional shopping totes so that they can be environmentally friendly while they haul their delicious loot home.

Laptop bags
Fall also represents a return to education for most people. This can be a college freshman beginning her life as an undergraduate or a middle-aged professional resuming his education, but either way, the right tools are necessary to learn. Most curricula nowadays require digital tools to streamline the learning process, making portable computers essential. A laptop bag will help to facilitate success in the classroom and is a great promotional product to offer to loyal customers and repeat consumers.

Glasses and bar sets
People tend to drink more alcohol when the weather is cold. It may be because they end up going stir-crazy after being inside all day or it can simply be chalked up to the fact that they like a cocktail every now and again to stay warm. Either way, providing the right tools for making parties and dinners a bit classier will go a long way toward reminding customers and fans about a brand or organization. Promotional glasses or personalized bar sets make great giveaways as the temperature drops.

Planners
Beginning with Labor Day and continuing through Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, the holiday season is jam-packed with social obligations and important dates. It can be difficult to keep track of all of these celebrations, so a promotional planner is a great giveaway that can keep customers informed of all the events they need to attend and the people that they have to see before the year is over.

Luggage tags
Another great thing about the holiday season is that it presents multiple opportunities to travel. Days off from work are excellent times to visit different parts of the country, and many customers may have to do that as a matter of course given all of the feasts and gatherings that traditionally happen at the end of the year. Rushing through airports and onto planes is very stressful, making it necessary to keep track of one's luggage. A promotional luggage tag is an important tool that consumers will be grateful to have.

Flashlight keyrings
As the temperature drops, outdoor safety becomes even more important. Being locked out of the house or one's car has much graver repercussions in the winter, so resolving such a situation is crucial. A flashlight keyring can spell the difference between finding one's cell phone or hidden house key and being stuck in the freezing cold. Offer customers a promotional keyring to keep a company name in their minds.  

The post Seasonal changes bring with them opportunities to try new small business marketing techniques appeared first on Small Business Marketing Blog.