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In the age of Instagram and TikTok, it can be hard to make a lasting impression on consumers via ads or compelling posts. Many brands have taken their products or services on the road and can see the value in a face-to-face interaction, whether it be brand recognition or brand awareness, nothing beats a good personal experience with the buyer. In this article, we’ll go through what we think are the best and most eye-catching promotional items for large and small events as well as things to avoid.
Choosing the right promotional product for your brand can seem like a daunting task, especially once you realize how many products there are to offer to event-goers. We have found that the best way to relieve the stress of selecting the perfect promotional products for your business is to look at which products consumers keep and repeatedly use.
Learn about How to Choose Engaging Promotional Products for your Customers
THE DO’S AND DON’TS LIST
THE DO LIST
This is a list of what we have seen works at events, but keep in mind that these recommendations are broad and you should tailor them to your specific needs and budget.
DO STAND OUT
In a crowd of people and in the midst of a big festival with tons of other brands trying to catch the attention of the event-goers, the ideal scenario is for your tent or booth to stand out. In the planning stages, you should take into consideration the type of crowd that will be attending and the season. For example, if you’re attending a big conference, cellphone cases or cellphone chargers may be a good idea. A cellphone charger and a cellphone case are both things that will actually be used by the person, so, this is an excellent example of how you can keep your brand in that person’s mind. Another example is, for an outdoor events or big outdoor festivals, a branded reusable water bottle would be ideal for that setting.
Check out The Best Ways to Use Promotional Products to Market Your Business
DO BRAND YOUR SPACE
Use your logo, your brand colors and your brand taglines in your booth or tent. This further promotes brand recognition among a crowd. Strive to create a unique experience compared to others to help you stand out, think of ways to draw the attention of a crowd that will engage them in some sort of fun activity.
DO STAY ON BRAND
It’s important that you cater to the crowd while staying on brand. For example, if your brand makes environmentally friendly products, then we suggest going with an environmentally friendly promotional item such as a reusable tote bag and other eco-friendly products made out of recycled materials.
check out 10 Sustainable Promotional Products to Renew Your Marketing Strategy
DO MAKE IT FUN
A big part of making your brand memorable at an event is providing a full experience, not just free merch. Any custom or interactive feature can draw in more people and you have a higher chance of engaging and acquiring new customers. So, what do we mean by interactive? As a screen printing company, we offer custom DTG t-shirt prints at large events and we have seen this to be a popular feature and cost-effective for brands. Our custom DTG app allows event-goers to design their own shirts using pre-selected artwork that incorporates the brand logo or name. This is a great promotional item for any type of event.
Pro Tip: Remember that if you’re offering apparel, you should look at more inclusive sizing for people of all shapes.
Check out 5 Types of Must-Have Promotional Giveaways for Smart Marketers
THE DON’T LIST
Again, this is a broad idea of what we think does not work at events, but we know some brands are limited based on resources or budget. However, this list is important to avoid to the best of your abilities.
DON’T OFFER A TYPICAL PRODUCT
The obvious is not always the best option because you run the risk of having the same promotional item as the next guy. Some products are so basic and common that it loses its’ marketing impact. With that being said, if you think you need to use common items either due to cost or convenience, try to brand them in a way that sets you apart from the pack.
Read more about The Top 7 Mistakes When Using Promotional Products
DON’T FORGET TO ADD BRAND INFO
The worst mistake you can make is forgetting to include brand information with your promotional item. Without this, there’s no point in having prospects engage with you if there’s no way for them to follow up later. So, make sure your promo merch has contact information such as your website and/or your Instagram handle. Also, having a QR code is always a good idea as well and it can be incorporated with the artwork on the product or the logo of your business.
DON’T WING IT
Remember to prepare in advance, order enough items, and have a solid plan as to how you’ll display things. The worst thing that can happen is being caught off guard and showing up to an event with nothing for attendees. Your space won’t look exciting and patrons won’t have any real reason to engage with your brand.
