Qualitative Marketing

If there's one thing we all have in common, it's that we have to wear clothes every day! Logo apparel is a promotional product that uses this universal need to your advantage. People have to get dressed, so why not encourage them to sport your logo in the process?

When you think of logo apparel, the first thing that probably comes to mind is giving away free t-shirts at trade shows and marketing events. There's no doubt that this is a successful approach. But there are countless other ways to use logo apparel, some you may never have thought of.

Clothing comes in all shapes and sizes, so you're limited only by your imagination. Let's take a look at some unique ways to use logo apparel to promote your company.

Casual Friday

For several years now, "Casual Fridays" have been a popular morale-boosting technique in the workplace. Why not also use Casual Friday as an opportunity to reinforce teamwork and corporate identity with logo apparel? Casual Friday is an ideal time to ask employees to wear promotional logo apparel.

Pairing a logo shirt with a pair of jeans is a win-win situation. Your employees are comfortable and relaxed, and you're utilizing an opportunity to create a feeling of "togetherness" amongst your staff.

Vendors and distributors

When you're ordering and passing out logo apparel, don't forget about vendors and distributors. After all, they're part of the company team, too! The great thing about having vendors and distributors wear your logo is that they come in contact with a variety of companies every day. One of their customers is bound to ask about your company when they see the logo on a shirt or ball cap.

Outdoor events

For outdoor marketing events, promotional ball caps will be a real winner-especially on a hot day! They offer a bit of shade and protect the skin from getting a sunburn. Unlike many other types of promotional products, a ball cap is something the attendees can use that instant. Plus, they'll take them home and wear them again in the future.

The Price Buster 5 Panel Cap is a good choice because it's priced right for buying in bulk. In fact, it's a "buy one, get on free" bargain. It comes in seven colors, and your company logo is screened on the front.

Dressy occasions

As always, you want to have an upscale option for special occasions or particularly valued customers. T-shirts are fun, and polo-style shirts are stylish and right for that business casual look. For dressier occasions, however, a collared, button down shirt is in order.

A great option is the Cotton Twill Button-Down Shirt. It comes in both long and short-sleeve options, so you can select the style that's right for the season. You can even choose a color to appeal to the younger crowd, like khaki or orange.

Button-down shirts are promotional logo apparel that seems anything but promotional. That is, you still get your company name and logo seen, but your customers and employees will appreciate getting a shirt they can incorporate into their everyday wardrobe.

Another benefit to you as that shirt will be worn in professional settings. The upshot? Big-time clients will see you as company that knows how to get serious about business and always puts the best foot forward.

Trade shows represent an outlet to reach current and potential clients in a direct and active way. The targets come to the show with an active interest in finding both you and your competitors. They come to you to find the best quality products and services. But sometimes they just come to browse the stocks. In either case, history along with general studies have shown that including a promotional product at your trade show booth increases your overall success and ROI. Because, let's face it, when it come to brochures versus logoed goodies, the goodies win the praise and even better, the attention and retention of the target audience.

According to a 2003 Georgia Southern University survey, more than 70 percent of trade show attendees who received a promotional product remember the name of the company that gave them the product. And more than 76 percent of those participants showed a favorable attitude to the company branded to the promotional product. These findings prove that promotional products at trade shows results in greater awareness and a positive perception of the company as a whole. This can generate a more loyal and happy client base as well as new business potential.

Get ahead of your competition by starting your trade show branding with promotional products early. Georgia Southern University conducted another study in 2004 which observed the effects of promotional products as invites to a trade show. The study included all pre-registered trade show participants and gathered attitudes and behaviors. The attendees, divided into three different groups, all received separate invites to the upcoming show. A third of the participants received a post card from a company at the trade show. The second group received a postcard along with a branded magnet of the company. The last group received a postcard with a coupon to redeem a free T-shirt from the company if they visited its exhibit at the show. The study found that 78 percent more attendees responded to the T-shirt offer, while 57 percent more people responded to the magnet more than the postcard alone.

This study shows that getting a head start on trade show branding can ultimately increase traffic and participation at your exhibit, but even more so when you add a promotional product to the invite. This way the target has you in mind before they head to the show and, in turn, make your booth a priority.

Although promotional products generate such a high response and success rate, you need to take into consideration which product to use. Sometimes the typical key chains and pens have little to no effect on the target. Like any other part of a marketing campaign, the product must coincide with the wants and needs of the target audience at the trade show. It must be a product that stands out and makes the clients want to have it and keep it around. Because, in essence, by having and keeping your promotional product, the client chooses to keep you and have you around. For example, instead of using the company stress ball as a premium at a trade show, design a tumbler cup series customized to the specific trade show and your specific booth. This keeps the client excited about not only your premium but you as well. It's also a practical product that tends to get heavy use by more than just the intended target.

By adding a simple, branded gadget to the booth and trade show invite, people tend to return more frequently and also take the company home with them. This generates more word-of-mouth advertising and exposure. It also, as the studies show, creates an overall positive perception of the company and higher interest involvement. So the next time your company plans to attend a trade show, make sure promotional products not only complement your booth, but also appear in the hands of your target before the trade show even starts.