With the economy working its way through a major adjustment, business both large and small are finding ways to pull their proverbial belts a tad bit tighter. Unfortunately, some businesses cut back on their marketing, which sends the wrong message. By not keeping the name of the company on the minds of customers, both prospective and current, a business can fall to the way side. Promotional Products are the key to businesses because they allow current customers to know the company is still in business, wading through the storm, and moving forward.

The Client Loyalty Program offers one hundred dollars in “Clever Bucks” for every two thousand five hundred dollars spent, and they can use it on promotional products of their choice. Under the Referral Program, Clever Advantage will place one hundred Clever Bucks into the referrer’s account for every qualified referral. Each month Clever Advantage asks it clients to share promotional product success stories, and from those they will pick one to feature on their website along with the client’s company information. The reward is worth over two hundred and fifty dollars.

“Who doesn’t love free stuff?” says Casey Poldino, President of Clever Advantage. “We love our clients. They are dedicated with their business, give us great referrals, which goes both ways of course, and they share their success with us. It makes us feel like we are all part of the same community, and that’s why we offer our Clever Rewards Program.”

What I’ve found over time is the more I focus on big grandiose marketing tricks, the more they become just that, tricks. They are nothing concrete or reliable and that’s what I want. I want my brand image to be recognized, to stand out in the pack without being pretentious at the same time. Again, it’s pretty simple, I just forget sometimes. The best way to be subtle, remembered, and recognized is through promotional products.

Promotional products are able to bridge a gap between a business and its customers. They convey messages. Incorporating design, artwork, formats and fonts with your logo, company name, website URL, phone number, and maybe even some tag line or a slogan of some sort is an important part. Don’t rush this part of the process. If you have a really cool logo and tag line you could even have high quality polos, t-shirts, or tanks created, and give them out to your best customers. And who knows, you might even be able to turn them into merchandise for your business. That’s just an idea to make some extra cash-o-la in these times.

The most important thing here is to be sure to have promotional products as part of your overall marketing budget. Don’t break the bank or anything like that. You need to get your name out there to current customers so that they keep coming back to you, but you also need to pick up new customers as well.

Another great way to get your name out there is through trade shows. Promotional products can be freely distributed at these events. They are normally a high energy situation with people looking to find the right match for their business as well. My first word of advice on trade shows is to not print up promotional flyers. They end up in the trash bin.

Alright, I’ve got to run for now.

Next time, I’ll give you the in and out of some great promotional product ideas for trade shows.

                I’m sure you already know the level of the clients you have. There are varying levels of clients out there. The top group, what I like to call, the ‘A+’ Clients – are the ones who send referrals your way and enjoy doing so, and then there’s the rest. Most of them are important and probably don’t and shouldn’t garner the same financial attention the ‘A+’ Clients deserve. The ‘A+” Clients are the ones you want to impress with Clever Advantage’s Pop-By promotional products.

                For the others, well, with the help of a nice printer for a note to go with each, and an hour of your time, here are some great last minute tips that just might turn those ‘other’ rated clients into ‘A+’ Clients.

·         Small Puzzle Box – “Your referrals are a perfect fit for my business.”

·         Household Tape – “Thanks for sticking by me.”

·         Candy Mints – “Your referrals are like a breath of fresh air.”

·         Chocolate Gold Coins – “I treasure your referrals.”

·         A Christmas Light – “Your referrals brighten my life.”

·         Jelly Beans – “Your referrals are always sweeter!”

Don’t break the bank and think carefully about those on your ‘other’ list.

Customers truly enjoy the last minute part of this gesture. You’ve done something nice, you’ve thought about them, and there isn’t any time for them to feel obligated to get you something in return.

Remember a couple of things;

·         This is a ‘Pop-by’ – don’t stay!

·         Don’t talk business on Christmas Eve Day.

·         This season is about giving – Have Fun!

Well, I’m off to finish the rest of the day. Have a Happy Holiday! (see, I didn’t even ask for a referral!)

So, anyway, I was flipping through the pages of Clever Advantage’s Corporate Promotional Catalogue and boom there it was – a big box of candy, nuts and chocolate. It wasn’t like anything I’d seen elsewhere. What was different you ask? What makes this so darned special? Well, hold on, let me tell you. The center bar, or shall I call it a ‘chunk,’ of chocolate can be designed with a company logo on it. Okay, so that’s not the best part, but, there’s more. The surrounding candy can be shaped in the design of a company’s product. Items like hammers, handsaws, airplanes, trucks, or whatever.

I think this is a great gift to remind customers that you’re thinking about them, and maybe they’ll give you the pleasure of thinking about your company when they crunch down on some of these delicious candies.

This is one of my favorite times of year and not because of the gifts – it takes a very close second behind Thanksgiving. But, what I like most is how cheerful nearly everyone is during this holiday. Well, most people are anyway.

Anyhow, the phones are ringing, so I need to wrap it up here. Feel free to drop me a line with any great ideas, or even if you’ve had someone do something nice for you this season.

Caring stories rock!

Oh yes, and one last thing, remember, I never find myself too busy for any type of referral.