At this year's Promotional Products Association tradeshow, more than 95 percent of business professionals surveyed reported using custom promotional products at their tradeshows and events. 72 percent of the people who responded called their items "extremely effective" or "effective" when used to complete their goals. There are many reasons to use imprinted merchandise and promotional product advertising, including: to increase name recognition, to increase booth traffic flow, to generate goodwill, to attract new customers and to generate interest in products.

The Incentive Performance Central finished a study in 2006 that found custom-made promotional goods could be employed as a stand-alone advertising means, placing 2nd in "information value" only to TV advertising. They continued by stating that imprinted merchandise was a very effective supplementary advertising device, to reinforce positive brand image, alongside tv and print mediums. The promo products helped to create at-home reminders, enhanced impressions of the brand/product and contributed to a consumer's intent to buy. According the results of the survey, television was the most appealing source of information with customized promos being the second. Businesses utilizing corporate gift programs were successfully contacted by customers twice as many times compared to those without a gift program according to Promotional Products Associaiton International. So, the real question is not whether you'll use promo products, but rather which promotional merchandise you'll choose!

The most successful promotional products are articles of clothing or other things potential customers can wear. (for example, a bookbag or a t-shirt). Next on the list is buying writing utensils. (ten percent), with imprinted pens being the most notorized. Could there ever be a gift better than one that will be put to use on the job every day? How often has somebody stopped at your desk and then walked away holding your pen? Promo pens are certainly the gift that keeps giving, when it comes to utility and sales. Other popular promotional marketing products include: calendars, key tags, stress relievers, branded water and promotional food.

Regardless of what your product of choice is, be it pencils, lipstick cases, or another odd item, you must still have the proper plan to implement. Look for brand emissaries that jive well with your company's image, train them well in marketing know-how, then send them out to where your wished-for market congregates. After all, they are the first impression your prospective clientele will be having with your company and your brand. Competition is fierce in the marketing field, so always be prepared to work at 120% of capacity and don't wait for a few cheap promotional gizmos to do your job for you! The more you give, the more you get, plain and simple.