If your company has been spending so much on print and television advertising and youre not getting the results you want, its time to find a tool that is more effective and doesnt cost as much: corporate gifts and giveaways.

Dont underestimate the power of promotional items. Independent surveys have discovered that giveaways are effective in building brand recall. Six months after, recipients can still remember the name of the company that gave them these corporate gifts. Giveaways also help in building a good reputation. People who get these gifts more often have a good impression of the company.

More than showing results, giveaways also cost only a fraction of a TV or a print ad. Imagine how a $5 item gives your logo so much mileage. Surveys have shown that promotional bags are among the frequently used giveaways because of their practical benefits. Proof of this is that months after a trade show or exhibit, you still see people walking around with these promotional bags.

One factor that adds to the power of promotional items is that they can be used in many different ways. Whether youre saying thank-you, wishing customers a happy holiday, celebrating your companys anniversary, rewarding a customer for his loyalty, or simply want to introduce your brand, giveaways can do all these and more.

Another factor that makes corporate gifts and giveaways more successful than ads is that they enable your company to get as close as possible to your target market. While television and print ads and billboards are for a wider audience, promotional items allow you to zero in on the people who really use your brand. These gifts help you strengthen your reputation among customers while enabling you to foster a good relationship with them.

Finally, one of the best things about sending out corporate giveaways and giveaways to clients and customers is that you see peoples immediate reaction. You see the smiles. You hear the thank-yous. You see the surprised reaction on their faces. The responses are not as immediate with print and television ads.

So if youre looking for a cost-effective alternative to ads that work double time, consider using promotional items. They give you more mileage for your money.