Imagine this: it’s the second day of your brand-new job. Your boss comes over and tells you to order some marketing materials and promotional items for the trade show coming up next month. You might not know where to start – and that’s where we come in to help!
It may seem overwhelming to order promotional products for the first time. Not only do you have to find a good product and make sure you order enough to hand out as giveaways, but you also have to make sure your logo matches your corporate colors, you stay within your budget, and everything will arrive in time for your event.
Other Lessons In This Course
Check…Check…Check!
Our website features a multitude of free resources guaranteed to make the ordering process easy and enjoyable. From social media sizing cheat sheets, exclusive deals, shop by price feature on our catalog, and even informational videos on top new products. And these are only a few of the services we offer at no additional cost!
This may seem like a lot to remember and keep organized so we’ve put our heads together to come up with all of the questions you need to ask yourself when ordering promotional items! We even made a handy list that you can download and print.
Click Here to Download the Printable PDF!
What is the goal for my giveaway?
Before you start browsing for items, you need to ask yourself what you want to accomplish with this giveaway. Do you want to grab 20 new leads? Network with potential business partners? Increase visibility?
Having a set goal with numbers (if appropriate) will help you pick the right items.
Who is the target audience?
Who are your ideal customers? Who are the people most likely to buy your product or service? Make an effort to choose products your target audience would find useful or interesting.
For example, if you work in the publishing industry, then your target audience is most likely composed of readers and authors. Readers and authors may find writing utensils or bookmarks of more value than, say, a stress ball.
What message do I want to send to my target audience?
The type of giveaway you choose can say a lot about your company! Are you a quirky brand that likes to have fun? Then express your business personality with a brightly colored pen or unique stress ball! If you would rather show how serious you are about your services, you can stick to traditional (but still excellent) giveaways like notepads and flash drives.
How many people will be at my event?
Have I considered the setting of my event? (e.g. convention center, picnic, etc.)
Weather and location can be big factors in the success of your giveaway. For example, you may not want to hand out food or perishable items if you’re going to be outdoors. But if you are outdoors, items like imprinted Frisbees can be used right away. The weather is also an important factor. For instance, if your event is taking place outside during the winter, you shouldn’t pass out samples of sunscreen.
Does this product make sense with my business or event?
Is my total delivered price in my budget?
The last thing you want to do is get your heart set on an item just to find out your budget won’t cover the order! Have a range (or concrete number) in mind before you start browsing.
Does the delivery date work for me?
Have I considered what logo, text, information, and/or branding I would like on my products?
Go back and think about your goals for this giveaway. With those in mind, what information do you want to make sure is displayed on your products? A phone number? A website? Your Twitter handle?
Products come in different sizes and so does the size for your imprint. You don’t want your item to be illegible or crowded with text and images. In general, the more you want to say, the bigger your item should be.
Have I had my company logo vectored?
Do my items need to be safe for children and/or animals?
Have I ordered a sample?
While ordering a sample isn’t necessary for placing an order, we strongly recommend it if you have time before your event. Ordering a physical sample gives you the opportunity to make sure the item is the exact size, color, or quality that you want!
Did I get a detailed quote for my order?
Did I approve my digital proof?
Within one business day of receiving your order information, we’ll send you an art proof. This document needs to be approved before we can process your order. Once we have your approval, we’re almost ready to send your order to production!
Did I submit payment?
Now Go Wow the Crowd!
Our helpful checklist makes ordering your next promotional giveaway as easy as pie. While pie may be slightly more delicious, our handy guide helps you keep track of all the little details for ordering your branded products. And with the right giveaway for your business, you’re guaranteed to make a memorable impression at your next trade show!
Don’t forget to download your FREE Promotional Product Checklist!
As always, make sure that you ask your customer service representative any questions or concerns you have about placing an order. While this checklist should help you get started, we’re here to make sure you feel 100% comfortable with your order.
1 Comment
-
Great checklist, I will be sure to use it for my small business. Picking a target audience is definitely one of the most important key points here.
