We often hear about corporate or promotional gifts, we see them everywhere, at home, at work, on the streets, personalised items are well established in our daily lives. But do you know where they really come from, what they are used for and why they are so important for businesses?
If you want to get answers to these questions, we invite you to read this article.
What is a promotional gift?
A business or promotional gift is an item that is usually offered free of charge for marketing and advertising purposes. It is often a practical or useful item such as a T-shirt, pen, key ring, calendar or mug bearing the name or logo of the company or brand being promoted.
The main purpose of a corporate or promotional gift is to increase the visibility of the company, to attract the interest of potential customers and to retain existing customers. Promotional item can be very effective in creating brand awareness and corporate image as they provide long-term exposure at a relatively low cost.
However, its use must be well thought out and planned in order to effectively achieve marketing objectives.
Where do promotional products come from?
Promotional products have a long history dating back to ancient times when merchants used items such as clay tablets, wooden plaques or seals to advertise their brand, which was probably the first way of personalising an item using an image. However, modern advertising products as we know them today began to appear at the end of the 19th century with the rise of mass advertising.
The first modern promotional items were postcards, posters, calendars and enamelled plates.
At the beginning of the 20th century, tobacco and alcohol producers began to offer promotional gifts such as lighters and bottle openers bearing their logos. In the 1930s, pens and key rings became common promotional gifts.
Since then, promotional gifts have expanded to cover almost all areas of everyday life, such as clothing, stationery, electronic products, sporting goods, travel items, etc.
Companies use promotional or corporate gifts to strengthen their brand, build customer loyalty and promote their products and services.
Where to order promotional gifts?
Business or promotional gifts are usually ordered from various suppliers who specialise in the production and personalisation of items for advertising purposes. These suppliers may be companies specialising in the production of corporate gifts or manufacturers of various products who also offer personalisation services.
Corporate gifts can be produced both locally and abroad, depending on costs, availability of materials and production capacity.
Companies and organisations order these promotional items from suppliers, specifying their requirements in terms of quantity, type of item, design and personalisation. The suppliers then manufacture and deliver the items according to the required specifications.
It should be noted that the production and distribution of promotional material may vary from country to country, depending on advertising and marketing regulations.
Some examples of the most popular corporate gifts
There are many different promotional items that are commonly used to promote a brand or a company. Here are some of the most popular examples:
- Printed or engraved pens with your company logo and contact details are a very popular promotional product. They are often handed out at events, trade fairs, business premises and many other occasions.
- Personalised promotional clothing such as T-shirts, caps, polo shirts, jackets are often used to promote a company, brand, event or cause.
- Mugs, jugs and cups with logos or advertising messages are often offered as corporate gifts. They are popular in offices, kitchens and are a great way to remind people of a company or brand.
- USB sticks printed or engraved with a company logo are practical and useful promotional items. They are often handed out at conferences, trade fairs or as a medium for information.
- Calendars personalised with images, logos and company information are used as promotional items throughout the year. They can be hung on the wall or placed on a table to maintain brand awareness.
- Shopping bags are a very popular and useful promotional gift. They offer a large surface area for displaying a logo or promotional message, which makes them particularly attractive for advertising.
- Office accessories such as desk items, customised notepads, folders, rulers and paper clips are often used as promotional products in a professional environment.
- Electronic products, especially portable chargers, Bluetooth speakers or phone accessories, are popular corporate gifts, especially in the context of new technologies.
- Outdoor products such as umbrellas, water bottles, cooler bags or personalised caps and hats are often used to promote a company at sporting events, festivals or outdoor events.
These examples are intended to show you the breadth of the range of suitable items that can be used for promotional purposes. Of course, there are many other promotional gifts that can be used for different industries and advertising purposes.
What are the benefits of using promotional gifts?
Promotional gifts, also known as corporate gifts, are promotional items often given to customers, business partners or company employees. Here are some of the benefits of using corporate gifts:
- Increased brand awareness – corporate gifts usually carry a company logo or name, which helps to increase brand awareness.
- Increased customer loyalty – when a customer receives a quality promotional product, they often feel valued and respected. This can help to increase customer loyalty to the company from which they received the product.
- Promotion of new products – corporate gifts can also be used to promote new products or services. For example, a cosmetics company can offer customers free samples of its latest product when they purchase.
- Cost-effectiveness – promotional material is relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of advertising, but still has a significant positive impact on the visibility of a company or brand.
- Increased visibility – promotional products are widely used in everyday life and can therefore significantly increase a company’s visibility with the general public.
- Differentiation from the competition – corporate gifts can also help a company to differentiate itself from the competition. For example, if a company offers unique and high-quality promotional gifts, the public can positively differentiate them from other companies in their industry.
In general, the use of corporate gifts can be an effective and inexpensive way of advertising a company to create brand awareness, increase visibility and build customer loyalty.
Where to use corporate or promotional gifts?
Promotional material is usually distributed as part of marketing and advertising campaigns for a company, brand or event. They can be used in a variety of places and events, including:
- Trade fairs and promotional exchanges. Companies often distribute promotional products at trade fairs and promotional exchanges to attract the attention of visitors and promote their products or services.
- Sports and cultural events. Promotional material is often an integral part of sporting events, concerts, festivals and other cultural events. Sponsors and organisers may give or sell items to participants to commemorate the event. These items usually become collectors’ items over time.
- Shops and stores. Some retailers offer free promotional products with purchase or as a promotional gift. These can be samples of their products, or general promotional material.
- By post. Businesses sometimes send business or promotional gifts by post directly to consumers or business partners. This method of giving is very convenient for colleagues and business partners who work from home, but also in cases where personal contact is not possible.
- Restaurants and hotels. Some restaurants, cafés and hotels offer promotional items such as coasters, mugs, glasses or pens with their logo or branding as a memento of a visit to their restaurant.
- Charity events and fundraising. Promotional items are often used at charity and fundraising events as raffle prizes or to thank donors. These are usually promotional items of a lower value, as the primary aim is to help those in need.
- Website. Many companies offer free or discounted gifts on their websites or as part of online promotions. Customers can get them by signing up for newsletters, completing surveys or making certain purchases.
How to impress your business partners and customers?
In short, promotional gifts are an effective marketing tool for companies seeking brand awareness and loyalty among potential and existing customers. Gifting has always evoked positive feelings in people and companies that use this type of advertising usually make a strong, positive impression on their target audience.
It is important to choose a useful promotional product, which must be of good quality and labelled accordingly. The effectiveness of advertising with promotional gifts is a guarantee that the financial resources invested will pay off and be returned in the form of increased sales and visibility.