Recognizing “Sweet” Clients and Volunteers with “Heart”

 

Heart-Shaped Jar Opener

For years, corporations and organizations have followed a tradition of sending holiday cards and gifts to their clients, vendors and volunteers. The end of the year is recognized as a good time to acknowledge relationships and relect on the past year. But because so many companies honor this practice, recipients are flooded with cards and the gesture loses some of its impact.

Consequently, in recent decades, companies started sending Thanksgiving cards and gifts in lieu of Christmas or New Year greetings.  After all, Thanksgiving is a holiday devoted to giving thanks for the good things in life, and that includes our clients, vendors and volunteers.  Furthermore, the Thanksgiving holiday is not associated with any specific religious faith.  As a result, Thanksgiving now brings a  lot of client appreciation “traffic”.

Heart-Shaped Magnetized Power Clip

 Have you ever considered sending Valentine’s Day gifts to your customers and volunteers?  If you want to stand out from your competition and be recognized and remembered by the people who make your business run, this is a great time to express your affection for them.   It’s also a creative way to remind your clients that you are here for them, and bump up your “middle-of-winter” sales.

It’s the thought that counts, so Valentine gifts and goodies for customers, vendors (and even employees) do not have to be costly to make an impact; tokens of appreciation will work just fine.  Cookies, brownies, chocolate and other sweets are a timeless representation of the holiday. You can buy them in the individual boxes, attaching your business card or a branded postcard with a ribbon.   Send a card in an envelope and you can even include an extra -a small flat promotional item like a magnet with your company logo.

Heart-Shaped Sponge

 If you don’t want to send boxed chocolates or sweets, coffee mugs are a great vehicle for candies, individual packets of coffee, or gift cards.  Here’s a great idea– include a printed “coupon” for coffee with you. This gives you an opportunitiy to follow up and set coffee dates, giving you some one-on-one time with your most valued customers.

And don’t forget things that are shaped like hearts!  Did you know that A Creative Touch has more than 4,800 heart-themed promotional products?  Here are just a few of the heart-themed products we offer:  aprons, auto accessories, baggage tags, blankets, books, calculators, cameras, clipboards, coasters, coin purses, compact discs, cookie jars, dishes, flashlights, picture frames, highliters, ice scrapers, jewelry boxes, key holders, key chains, magents, heart-shaped measuring spoons, mouse pads, notepads, playing cards, salt and pepper shakers, scarves, shopping bags, soaps, spa products, sponges, stress relievers, stuffed animals, tape measures, and tote bags!

But, if I had to choose my favorite heart-inspired gift, it would be a customized book such as the one I created for my customers.  It’s called:  The Heart of a Volunteer.  Click here to read more about it.

Promote Your Business with a Book!

If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison

It is has been said that we all have a book inside of us.  But how many of us actually have the ideas, the inspiration, the time, the knowledge, the courage, and whatever else it takes to sit down and write one?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if you could have a book for your business or organziation that was at once polished, well-constructed and meaningful?  Not only would it be “the ultimate business card”, it could also be used to position your company as an expert, reach a new audience, and leave a lasting impression everywhere you go!  Wouldn’t it be even better if this could happen without the blood, sweat and tears most authors shed when trying to create a masterpiece?  (As Gene Fowler once said:  “Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.”)

You’ve probably guessed by now that I’m writing this blog post to tell you that it is possible to create your own beautifully branded book!  Many of my clients work as Volunteer Specialists, coordinating volunteer programs for nationwide organizations that honor our country’s heroes.   That’s why I decided to create a book in their honor, entitled the heart of a volunteer.  The jacket of the book features my logo, my branding, my bio, and other custom features.

For example,  next to my photo on back of the inside jacket, there is a personal bio that reads:  “R. Renee Jones isn’t just a company CEO, she is an active volunteer for the Disabled American Veterans Association and other deserving groups. She strongly believes that “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

The inside of the book features carefully selected inspirational quotes related to volunteer service.  Looking for a different topic?  No problem.  You can choose from more than 3 million book titles!  There is a book for every audience that covers every theme and topic  from 365 Ways to Live Green to The Pocket Guide to Wine to motivational business books like Good to Great.  If you’re feeling overwhelmed by so many choices, I’ll be happy to assist with suggestions that would be a perfect fit for your business or organization.

The production process moves quickly.  I will help you customize the cover imprint, the promo page, the belly band wrap, and the entire jacket!  Books can be delivered as soon as 15-20 days after proof approval.  All orders are delivered and and completed on-time; they can be shipped to hotels, convention centers, conference centers or your office.

As the Queen of Promotional Products, I’ve “written the book” on the best promotional products ideas in the industry, and I assure you that this one is a home-run.  Contact me for help creating your own branded book.

Promotional Product Touchdowns!

Whether you’re a fan of football or not, you can’t help but feel the tension and the excitement that builds as the NFL playoffs lead up to the annual Super Bowl.  After all, Super Bowl Sunday is  practically a de facto American national holiday. 

Even if (like me) you don’t really understand the game, it’s a great reason to host a party.  In fact, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest day for U.S. food consumption after Thanksgiving Day.  And, when it comes to television ratings, the Super Bowl doesn’t play second fiddle to anybody.  Watched by more than 111 million viewers, it is not only the most watched American sporting event, but the most watched television program of the year.  Even those who aren’t interested in the game want to see the half-time show (complete with the promise of fireworks and wardrobe malfunctions) as well as the creative commercial spots that everyone will talk about ’round the water cooler on Monday morning. 

Many people say that football is like life, and if you’re a Vince Lombardi fan, you can’t help but agree.  The legendary football coach is famous for his quotes like: “The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work;”  ”If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm;” and “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” 

But, if I had to choose my favorite football quote, it would be this one:

 ”The reason women don’t play football is because eleven of them would never wear the same outfit in public.” ~Phyllis Diller.

 Ms. Diller, I hear you!  No self-respecting lady wants to be seen wearing an outfit that looks just like somebody else’s, and as the Queen of Promotional Products, I don’t want you to have run-of-the-mill football themed promotional products either.  That’s why A Creative Touch offers more than 4,200 football-themed products to help you celebrate Super Bowl Sunday (and every other football game that leads up to it from Pee Wee football to college football to NFL league games). 

Here are just a few of the unique, creative football themed promotional items we can customize for you:  a football-shaped USB (great for tracking the office betting pool or keeping Fantasy football spreadsheets in one place); car antenna and auto accessories;  noisemakers, pom poms and cheering accessories; tailgating accessories; backpacks; football schedule magnets;  mini footballs; collapsible water bottles; sweatshirts; rain ponchos; spirit gear; lapel pins;  bobble heads and so much more.

Creative Problem Solving with Promotional Products

One of the most important parts of my job as the Queen of Promotional Products is to find creative solutions to my clients’ challenges.  Here are a few examples of our approach to problem-solving at A Creative Touch:

Challenge:  A homecare company wanted to generate referral business via existing clients.

Solution:   Find a product that would have high visibility in the homes of existing clients.  This nightlight shaped like a CFL bulb provides safe nighttime light and a whimsical modern touch. With an energy saving sensor and a swivel plug, it is the perfect addition to a bathroom or kitchen. Just plug it in and it works. No need to turn it on or off; the sensor automatically turns the light on and off based on the light level in the room.

Result: Increased client referrals!

Challenge:  A city convention center was holding an all women’s conference.  The facility was undergoing a massive remodel and most of the walking paths were made of uneven gravel.  The convention center knew that this would be an inconvenience for women dressed in business attire and high heels.

Solution:  Flip flops in a variety of sizes were delivered to the convention center in time for the conference.  Each attendee selected at the conference was invited to select a pair of flip flops for easy walking around the convention center. 

Result:  The women in the group were thrilled–their ankles and shoes were spared and they re-booked the facility for future meetings.

Challenge:  An independent coffee shop and bakery wanted to drive traffic to their website to build brand loyalty.

Solution:  A resuable, double-sided coffee sleeve was the perfect solution!  One side featured the company logo; the other side encouraged customers to go to the website for a special offer.  On the website, customers learned that they would receive a great discount on pastries when presenting the reusable coffee sleeve.

Result:  Website traffic and pastry purchases both sky-rocketed!

5 Ways to Use Promotional Products in Your Social Media Marketing

Like it or not, social media is here to stay.  Corporations of all sizes now have Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts, YouTube videos and blogs in addition to their company website.  These social media forums have changed the way companies interact with consumers and the way they distribute promotional products to clients, prospects and fans.

If you’re a regular on social media websites, you know that creating a presence is not enough.  Successful social marketing happens when you drive people to your social pages to become “fans” or “friends”.  Here are some low-cost, yet effective ways to use promotional items to maximize your social media marketing:

1.  Include Your Social Media Info on Promotional Items

Promotional products, particularly ones designed for the office like mouse pads, sticky notes, pens, mugs, stress balls and calendars, should not only list your web address, but also direct people to your Facebook and Twitter pages.  This will increase the likelihood that recipients will visit your social pages and follow your business.  You can even offer an additional incentive (think 15% off their first order) if they become a “fan” or “follower”.

2.  Say “Thanks” with a Promotional Product

Social media ‘thank you’ prizes are another great way to utilize promotional products.  When someone becomes your fan, follower, or friend, send them a ‘thank you’ message with an offer to send a small token of your appreciation via snail mail.  This strategy helps to build a relationship with your new fan while building your mailing list too!  And remember, not all promotional products have to be physical items. You could send your new social media “fans” ringtones, mp3 downloads, screensavers, or electronic greeting cards via email.

The initial excitement surrounding “getting free stuff” will never go away, but that excitement can now be extended throughout social networks to generate even greater marketing impact.  Social media provides your clients, prospects and fans with a ready-made outlet to express their appreciation for the items you give them and rave about your company’s products and services.  Since they’re already on social media, they are more likely to use these forums to brag to all of their friends about the cool “free stuff” you gave them.  This means everybody wins–your new “fan” is delighted and (s)he is generating “free” publicity for you and your brand.

3.  Turn Your Promotional Product into a Contest

When distributing promotional products at trade shows, expos, conferences and events, take your give-away one step further by adding a social media incentive.  For example, let’s imagine that you are giving away beach towels at a trade show.  Wrap a paper band around the towel that says:  “Be one of the first 10 people to post a photo of this beach towel in action on Twitter or Facebook, and you’ll win a beach cooler stocked with cool prizes for more summer fun!”  Don’t forget to include your social media contact info or designated #hashtag.  A contest of this sort encourages creativity and interaction between your company and its followers.  It generates interest and traffic on your social media site and gives you an opportunity to double your exposure for your beach towel give-away with another great give-away for a select subgroup of fans.

4.  Use High-End Promotional Products for a Membership Campaign

When executed correctly, social media campaigns (or contests) can generate a significant return on investment.  You can use social media contest software create a contest on your social media page.  There are two ways to approach these contests:  a grand prize for one big winner or a modest prize for a number of winners.  Whether you choose: “Like us on Facebook, and you’ll be automatically entered to win a trip for 2 to Las Vegas and 2 travel suitcases (with your corporate logo, of course)!” or “Like of on Facebook, and you could be one of 25 people to win a Coffee Lover’s Gift Basket valued at $200!”, your contest operates the same way.  The media contest software walks you through setting the parameters of the contest (i.e., prize will be awarded when we reach 5,000 followers or December 31^st, whichever comes first); the software does the rest.  It captures fan information and even selects a winner at random.

Remember that the goal spreading the message virally.  Wherever you post contest details (webpage, blog, Facebook, etc.), visitors should have the ability to quickly and easily share with friends.  Provide them with toolbars, buttons, plug ins and other ways to spread the news at the click of button.  Then, imagine the powerful exposure for your brand as your current followers “share” and “retweet” a chance to win to all of their friends and followers.

5.  Get Your Fans, Followers and Friends Involved

Social networks are perfect for engaging your prospects and customers.  Use these forums to solicit their feedback and input.  Ask them questions:  “What’s the best promotional product you’ve ever received?”; “What is the must-have item this holiday season?”;  “If we send you a calendar, would you use it?”; “Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?”; “Would you rather give up coffee or chocolate?”.  Then, use that feedback to order your next promotional item or create a grand prize for your next social media contest.

Looking for more creative ways to pair promotional products with your social media communication?  Then give me a call!  Promotional items continue to have a lower cost per impression and a higher return on investment than other forms of marketing.  And, because they are tangible and longer-lasting, promotional items are a perfect complement to the fast-paced, virtual world of social media.

Back to School with ACT

It’s that time of year again.  Summer is over and kids are headed back to school while parents are breathing a sigh of relief.

Although I’m no longer a student and I don’t have any children, I still think there is something exciting about the stacks of clean notebooks and sharpened crayons lining the store aisles.  Have you noticed that many large, big box retailers are offering printed Back to School Shopping Lists for customers inside the entrance of their stores?  I couldn’t resist picking up one of those lists and checking it out.  I immediately noticed that if you did your shopping with A Creative Touch, you could get customized, personalized versions of every essential back to school item!

We offer pens, pencils, calculators, markers, highlighters, erasers, rulers, lunch bags, binders, folders, pencil boxes, water bottles, tape dispensers, duffel bags, backpacks, totes, rulers, USB flash drives, lanyards, computer accessories, laptop cases, cell phone holders, sweatshirts, t-shirts,  laundry bags, footballs, basketballs, cheering accessories, calendars, and so much more!

Best of all, at  A Creative Touch, we promise we’ll never call from school to tell you your child is misbehaving.  If you’re a parent, and that happens to you, you can always take a cue from Little Johnny’s mother:

Summer vacation was over and Little Johnny returned back to school.  Only two days later his teacher phoned his mother to tell her that he was misbehaving.  “Wait a minute,” replied his mom. “I had Johnny with me for three months and I never called you once when he misbehaved!”

What Exactly is SWAG?

As a promotional products expert, I’ve been familiar with swag (or SWAG) for a long time.  In fact, you could say that I’m in the business of SWAG.  But if you’re like most people, you might be wondering, “What exactly is swag?”  In my world, swag is:

Any corporate or branded merchandise given away for free in order to promote the company or brand….Etymology of this term most likely stems from the middle-English use of the word ’swag’  in pirate circles or other criminal circles as a euphamism for loot or plunder.

Some people view SWAG as an acronym (thus all capital letters), but there is debate  as to what SWAG actually stands for.  Here are some of my favorite interpretations:

SWAG=Souvenirs, Wearables And Gifts
SWAG=Stuff We All Get
SWAG=Sealed with A Gift
SWAG=Stuff We Acquired Gratis

How do you use SWAG in a sentence?  Here’s an example:  “I went to the trade show and scored a ton of great SWAG.  Check out these t-shirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, and stress balls!”

I think it’s interesting to note that there is another definition of “swag”, which is short for “swagger”:

The way in which you carry yourself. Swag is made up of your overall confidence, style, and demeanor. Swag can also be expanded to refer to the one’s overall reputation. You gain swag, or “swag up”, by performing swag-worthy actions that improve this perception.

So, tell me….how’s your corporate swag?  Need some help “swagging up” at your next trade show, expo or conference?  Then, give me a call!  I’d be happy to help with some creative ideas to give you the kind of SWAG people rave about.

Top 5 Most Creative Promotional Products

We aren’t called A Creative Touch for nothing!  Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to work on many interesting promotional product orders.  Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Custom Bobble Heads

What’s cooler than having your own custom bobble head?  You don’t have to be a famous politician or a Hollywood celebrity to commission a bobble head; A Creative Touch can design one for you!

2. Pet Bandanas

Promotional items aren’t just for people; they’re for pets too!  A hospital rewarded its volunteers with promotional products, including pet bandanas as a gift for pets who also “volunteer” at the hospital.

3. Boxer Shorts

T-shirts and sweatshirts and jackets are tried and true promotional products, but why not put your branding on boxers?  A racing company that targets a large male audience did just that when it gave away boxers at a new product launch.

4. Pillowcases

When an assisted living facility opened a new location, we helped them design promotional product pillowcases, a useful product for everyone, including new residents!

5. Chip & Dip Bowls Shaped Like Race Car Helmets

For a large banquet with a racing theme, we suggested chip & dip bowls shaped like race car helmets. The helmets served double duty as a centerpieces at each table.  Famous NASCAR® drivers autographed the helmets.  The drivers’ car numbers served as table numbers.  At the end of the banquet, one person at each table was selected to receive these creative centerpieces.  What a great conversation piece for their next at-home party!

With more than 850, 000 promotional products to choose from, we’re ready to add a creative touch to your next product launch, store opening, banquet, volunteer appreciation event, or trade show.  Give us a call!

Flag Day T-Shirt

 Happy Flag Day!  June 14th commemorates the day in 1777 when the Second Constitutional Congress adopted the thirteen-stripes-and-thirteen-stars American flag.

As the legend goes, it was George Washington and two other members of the Continental Congress who asked Betsy Ross to sew the first American flag sometime in the late spring of 1776.  The young widow was only in her early 20’s when she completed the first flag with thirteen stars arranged in a circle.  A year later, the Continental Congress officially adopted the design for the national flag, and our beloved Stars and Stripes became the most recognized symbol of the United States around the world.

In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 “Flag Day.”  Thirty-five years later (in1949), Congress passed legislation asking the president to issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of the holiday.

This week, millions of Americans will observe Flag Day by waving Old Glory outside their homes and businesses. Veteran’s groups and certain communities also arrange events and special ceremonies in honor of Flag Day.  But, there is another way to show your patriotism–promotional products.

My favorite patriotic promotional products is this tie-dyed American flag T-shirt.  For me, it’s an item that puts a fresh, modern twist on the traditional Old Glory.  Available in sizes S to XL, the shirt includes your own 1-color imprint (front or back).  A client recently ordered this T-shirt with a custom imprint, and the results were fantastic!

Whether you enjoy a traditional approach to Flag Day or a modern spin on celebrating the Stars and Strips, you’re sure to enjoy these fun facts about our flag:

Who cut the American flag into pieces and was honored for doing it?

Robert Peary, who left pieces of the flag scattered at the North Pole

Is it ever appropriate to fly the flag upside down?

Yes, but only in an emergency. It means “Help Me! It’s an emergency! Call the police! I am in dire trouble and need immediate help!”

What is done with worn or outdated flags?

Flags are used until they are worn out and then they are destroyed, preferably by burning.

The American flag first flew over a foreign fort in what country?

Libya - over Fort Derne, on the shores of Tripoli.

A vexillologist is an expert in what?

The history of flags.

Promotional Products & The Royal Wedding

On the eve of the royal wedding, I couldn’t help but share the role promotional products have played in the festivities.  From beer to pizzas to underwear to tea, the royal nuptials have shown us that there is no limit to the creativity of promotional products.  The Telegraph newspaper reports the sale of royal wedding merchandise could top $42.5 million.  Now, there’s something to celebrate!

The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) said that manufacturers are churning out mugs, plates, commemorative pens, compacts, ashtrays, shot glasses, book marks, reusable bags and car flags–all with a Will & Kate Royal Wedding theme.  Irreverent promotional products such as branded paper crowns and a commemorative plate reading “Thanks for the free day off” are also in high demand. 

Why are people buying promotional products?  Mostly to incorporate into personal and corporate events being hosted as a part of the celebration.  In fact, promotional products companies in the United Kingdom say that Will and Kate’s Royal Wedding has been the biggest occasion for promotional product consumer sales since the New Year’s Eve millennium in 2000.

Here are a few of the unique royal wedding promotional products that tickled my fancy:

 

And for those of you who are just plain sick and tired of hearing about this wedding: