What is a promotional product?
A promotional product is a tangible product imprinted with a brand’s logo or message. The primary purpose of a promotional product is to increase brand awareness, loyalty and recognition among consumers.
Promotional products create memorable brand experiences by connecting a consumer with a brand on a physical level and engaging their senses (sight, taste, touch, hearing and smell).
Promotional products are often given away for free by brands at conferences, trade shows and lead-generating events. Other examples of promotional marketing you might have come across in everyday life include
- A branded shopping bag from a retailer
- A free hat from your local sports club, decorated with a sponsor/supporter’s logo
- Branded coasters and glassware at your local pub
- The branded uniforms worn by staff at fast food outlets
Some of the most popular categories of promotional products include:
Drinkware
Apparel
Headwear
Stationery
diaries
Bags
trade bags
Marketing with promotional products is one of the best, most cost-effective ways to imprint your brand into the memory of consumers.
Promotional products can help a company distinguish itself from its competitors by leaving a strong impression on customers and making it easier for them to identify the brand in a purchasing situation.
If you want consumers to remember your brand logo or slogan, printing it across an item they will use in everyday life is one of the most cost-effective and fail-safe methods to achieve brand recall.
Benefits of promotional products
Heightened brand awareness and recognition among consumers
Inexpensive cost-per-impression (CPI) (proven to be the cheapest of all advertising mediums)
Differentiation from your competitors- give yourself an edge with a cool branded gift.
Increased loyalty among existing customers.
Increased likeability- consumers will love you for receiving complimentary merchandise!
A study conducted by PPAI (Promotional Products Association International) in 2021 found that
Source: Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Consumer Study 2021
