You can probably find pens, mugs, and stress balls with branding on them at any convention. Corporate merchandise is everywhere—on desks, tucked in drawers, sometimes gathering dust at the back of the office kitchen. But don’t forget how long a basic tote bag or a funny magnet might last. These things connect your brand to people’s daily lives, even in a digital age.
Have you ever had a lanyard from a trade show that stayed around longer than the event itself? You’re not the only one. Some people accumulate things like keychains, water bottles, and even USB drives that they never use yet always seem to be there. Routine has a magical quality. Taking the same notebook with a recognized brand every morning slowly builds loyalty, sometimes without the person even realizing it.
It’s astonishing how much emotion has to do with this. That first sip of coffee from a branded mug on a dreary Monday? All of a sudden, your business is a part of someone’s routine. Smart messages, beautiful colors, or helpful tools? People get them on their desks and in their hands, which starts conversations. “Where did you get that cool phone holder?” might be the start of your brand recognition campaign, all because of one affordable item.
It’s not enough to just put a brand on something random. The main challenge is figuring out what the receivers will actually use. There is no science behind guessing what will be popular. People remember the weird things, like plant growing kits, little desk games, and “how is this a promotional product?” level things. It’s okay to take some risks and do things differently.
Let’s speak about numbers for a moment. A promotional umbrella could cost more at first, but it will last for months or even years. The more people use it, the more people see your brand, especially if it’s bright enough to convert a gloomy day into a moving billboard. Some people claim that bad weather doesn’t exist, simply bad brand planning.
Change things up. Don’t just do the fundamentals. It’s easy to stay with the classics, but occasionally luck favors the brave. You may try giving away branded puzzles or fidget spinners that people can use. Is summer coming? A branded beach towel is a million times better than another stack of sticky notes. Your brand jumps from beach to beach, and every time someone opens their towel in the sun, it makes news.
People still talk about things. People love to share stories and free stuff on social media. You’ve hit the jackpot if your product is good enough for Instagram. A smart hashtag hidden in your design can start a chain reaction online that is impossible to copy with regular adverts. That wave can rapidly grow into a loyal group of fans.
Finally, don’t think of this as a one-time thing. The best thing about promotional items is that they can help keep relationships strong over time. Sometimes, seeing the same thing over and over again builds trust faster than a clever sales speech. Put in a handwritten note, wrap it in an unusual way, or choose something that fits the season. Sometimes the slightest things may help your brand stand out and be remembered.
Jump in. The next time you see a box of stress balls, ask yourself, “Could this be the one thing that someone actually keeps?” You might be surprised at the right answer.