Personalised Pens/other merchandise

[Polstar]

I have had a thought about personalised pens etc and was wondering if anyone had any insight into whether they are a good marketing idea or bad value for money?

[skeeter]

Yes.

They are great. Usually they are used at shows and trade stands to provoke conversation. "Would you like a pen?". Having read where you are up to I doubt this would be a good approach to market.

[Polstar]

Thanks Skeeter, i am struggling to find a way into peoples homes!

[skeeter]

We call this B2C (Business to Consumer). Very different than selling to businesses. There are routes to market, but naturally B2C is different to B2B.

You can't just ask a home-owner if they want to buy something...Double Glazed window people tried that and now there is Call Preference Service.

Where there is a demand there is a route to market. It is usually not where you think it might be.

[Polstar]

For a self employed working from home architectural technician/technologist, it seems pretty difficult to find that route to market! any tips at all would be gratefully received.

Eddy

[Arhiann]

When was the last time you used a pen as anything other than a pen?

You've probably just answered your own question.

[skeeter]

Sounds like the gloves are off. I'm off.

[Indizine]

Promotional merchandise is stuff you build your profile with by getting your material out and about and particularly to existing customers to remind them of you, such as pens, mugs and mouse mats - the every days things. They are not used to literally generate new business.

If you are looking to generate leads>business, get in touch with people who are in the same line of business, join council or steering groups for your industry, join the Chamber so you can attend things that bring you into contact with your target market or people who mingle with your target market. eg someone selling vertical blinds should be mingling with people who sell conservatories and carpet fitters. People who sell graphic design hook up with printers, and so on. Find other routes to market...but it's not via pens that's for sure.

[HeyHippo]

hi !

I own a promotional gifts company so feel qualified to answer this question.

Promo pens are a great way to advertise, we sell around 3 million plus every year to our clients, mainly they are a staple give away at events and conventions but they also work for the smaller business and gives your brand legs, I visited a client of ours last week and noticed he was using a pen we supplied to another company, brand recognition that is constantly used on a daily basis and in the hand of the user is advertising gold. IMHO!

[Lingua21]

Hi,

Although I agree with Indizine when she points out that branded promotional gifts are not the best route to generating new leads, I still think that they have their place provided that they are given to the right people within in the approprate organisations.

For an example, when I was an IT contractor working in some major blue-chip companies, my agency used to give away a fair amount of quality branded promotional material to IT staff in the form of pens, post-it notes, calandars, pads etc. which became scattered all over the offices and in my opinion increased brand awareness and loyalty. They were also viewed as give-away 'goodies' and because they were so well designed, people didn't mind putting them on show.

In our company, we have found that having a strong internet presence is the best route to market.

Cheers - Mike Dove