Saturday, 2 May 2009

How Promotional Products And Items Can Boost Your Bottom Line

If you are like most business owners you have probably been trying to come up with an effective and affordable way to promote your business and drive up sales. While different companies use different techniques to enhance their business, one technique is widely used and produces positive results among all kinds of business - the use of promotional products and gifts. What are the advantages to offering gifts to your customers or potential customers?




There are numerous benefits to the giving of promotional products and items and the results can be very impressive. One of the biggest reasons to use products and gifts to get your business noticed is that people appreciate gifts and items that make them feel valued and appreciated. Another big advantage to using promotional products and items is that it is a way to advertise your company without having to buy air time on the radio or take out expensive ads in publications. While you will still have some expenses with designing and having the products made, you will be giving something that can leave a long and positive impression on those who receive it.




The notion of handing out promotional products and items has been around for some time, and the way that your business goes about it depends a lot on what you are giving out, what you want to say with it and the impression that you want to leave on the people who receive the gifts. Most people will appreciate the smallest of gifts that shows you value them, but be careful not to create flimsy or useless objects simply because they are affordable or easy to make. You want to portray the image that your business is successful and professional - this means you want the promotional products and items that you distribute to represent those qualities.




You can choose to have a theme to the distribution of your gifts such as a loyalty event where you offer great deals to those who participate and give them a gift for attending, or you can strike up a mail campaign that generates sales by offering customers and potential customers discounts and bonuses to bring them to your business. If you have a business that is driven by a certain season or time of year, pick that time to focus on what would increase your sales and strengthen your reputation with customers.




Promotional products and items can be a very effective way of increasing your profits as long as you plan carefully and take the time to plan the best marketing strategy that will give you the best results. Different people respond differently to certain kinds of gifts and images so you want to make sure that the gifts you are giving out are tasteful and simple and send a consistent message about your business to reach the interest level of every customer. Consistency is a key factor in any marketing venture.


Jack Peters is the chairman of SOURCE-Promo.com, which gives you all the information on different offers involving promotional products, promotional items and promotional gifts. This website gives you a comprehensive statistical database on the topic.

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Internet Marketing - Its Global Impact

Internet marketing has dramatically changed the way both people and businesses promote goods and services. The internet has really only been part of the public's conscious awareness for a little over ten years. It is astonishing how much impact it has already had on the marketing strategies of both off and online businesses.




Even in the last couple years the advent of social marketing has revolutionize what was considered the norm for online marketing.




What new changes are in store for us next and where will it lead are questions yet to be answered. The only certainty is the changes are here to stay!




Let's have a look at 5 ways traditional marketing strategies have been changed by the ever evolving online world:




Business Expenses




Online marketing has dramatically reduced the costs affiliated with promoting anything to the general public. The ability to contact and send messages to literally anyone online free of charge has significantly decreased the cost of advertising for many businesses big or small.




Formerly attempts to direct promotional messages to the masses were conducted thru channels that cost money. Television, radio, billboard advertising, and even direct mail could quickly chew up even the hardiest advertising budgets. Now free access to the internet has significantly relieved the pressure on business expenses due to reductions in advertising costs.




Performance Metrics




With the added ability to track marketing results online through various software applications business expenses can be even more closely monitored.




To be able to quickly and efficiently determine the performance metrics of any given promotion is priceless to any business. Reaction time to necessary cost adjustments or decisions is greatly reduced. This time savings can lead to significant profit increases or cost savings.




Global Access




The internet no longer binds people by geographical boundaries. This unlimited access has opened opportunities for businesses both large and small that formerly were not available.


Additionally, due to differences in time zones, many firms can now conduct business 24/7 with the aid of computerization. Imagine the growth potential of any business now that both the market size and hours of operation have been expanded!




Reversal of Marketing Direction




Traditional marketing strategies typically used a more aggressive approach when pursuing customers. This type of advertising relied upon delivering the intended promotional message to the consumer. The desired effect was to CREATE a need or want within the consumer to attract them to the product or service being advertised.




The typical online shopper now makes their OWN decision based upon a search they conduct. This selection is made with little influence from the promoters themselves.




Online marketing promotional efforts now direct their efforts more towards positioning their product for selection as opposed to directly promoting to the consumer. As a result promotional tactics formerly used known as "push marketing" have now transitioned into more of an approach referred to as "pull marketing."




These types of marketing strategies requires the proper use of keyword research and utilization on the part of the seller. Also the correct usage of search engine optimization is needed to better position goods and services for higher search engine rankings.





Social Marketing




As the internet continues to evolve so do the preferences of the user and the way they interact online. Blogging as a result has seen a growth in popularity due to the interaction between users and site owners thru the ability to leave comments. Another leading factor in the growth of blogs is the frequency with which fresh content is posted.




Users want more involvement and stimulation from online sites and blogs answered this need. As of result social network sites started to dot the internet landscape and have now have fully blossomed to dominate the internet mainstream.




Marketers both big and small have recognized the potential of these sites for promotional purposes. Now social marketing is one of the most dynamic and effective means with which to promote just about anything online. From Wall Street to Main Street you can find just about any type product or service being offered on many of these hugely popular sites.




No doubt internet marketing has made an indelible impact on a global scale. From the change in promotional tactics to the geographical expanse it affordably offers, online marketing is here to stay. As it seems to continue to evolve merchants need to recognize and utilize the newly efficient ways in which goods and services will be brought to the consuming public.


TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina.
For additional Online Success Tips
and a free guide that demonstrates how to find both profitable markets and products visit:http://affiliatequickstart.com/

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