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Thread: Should I give promotional items too ...

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    Default Should I give promotional items too ...

    I am thinking about investing in some promotional items (pens, ipad micro cloth cleaner, post-it notepads, etc) and was wondering about WHO to give them out too. Past clients for sure.

    My business is video production if that helps (general cost starts at about $1000 and is geared towards small to meduim businesses.)

    If I gave out stuff to basically everyone I meet would that be smart or a waste?

    I also have a facebook page and was thinking of offering a prize for people liking the page (1000th person gets a prize or something like that). I was thinking I could also get addresses and mail out magnet calendars to people with the new year coming up. Thoughts?

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    I would just give them out when you are making an in-person visit to the small and medium businesses that you are targeting. Otherwise, you will just be throwing money away.
    Steve B

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    Before spending the money, go ask your past clients what promotional item would help them remember you... or if that's even the right way to remember you at all.

    We've used these items at trade shows, but only to draw people into the booth. And they weren't heavily branded, just something flashing to attract their eyes, because you're competing with hundreds of other flashy companies, so you want to draw their eyes to your location as they walk past. Juggling the flashing objects works really well for that.

    But for having customers remember you... that's harder, because they have to use it, think about it when they want something like what you offer, etc. And maybe it's not needed at all, and maybe you'll find that your money is better spent advertising, so that you keep the sales pipeline full. And a FB Like is nice, but what you really want are qualified leads, not just random people liking a page so they can get a calendar. For example, a qualified lead would be someone who googles "video production california", right?

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    For repeat business and new customers, I would say that offering a coupon for a certain dollar amount off (an amount you feel would help them remember you) would help them remember you.

    For your repeat customers I would also say a referral program might work.
    http://www.pack-secure.com
    Packaging and Shipping Supply Specialists

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    Offer to give out a keychain USB pen. I keep all the ones I get, and often have them laying around in different places to use. Sometimes a client would ask if they can get a file from me on a usb drive.. (if I didn't have my own), I would give one that was given to me.. thus a brand traveling to someone elses hands.

    Give out what can represent you and actually be useful.

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    Thanks for the input guys!

    Do you think promotional items would be a good way to get NEW clients?! That's what I am really after. Suppose I walk into a business and give out a few promo items along with a brochure and business card. It would only be businesses I would want to work for. Also, on that note, I was thinking a metro newspaper ad might be good as well. My service is a little specialized so not everyone wants it, but maybe a newspaper would help, and then a free consultation with free usb flashdrive, brochure, and pens or something like that....just to keep my name in their hands for awhile. Thanks for your advice guys, this forum is great!
    Silas's Videography - Video Production for Businesses - http://www.silasbarker.com

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    I don't think it is a way to get new ones. To get new ones, they need an incentive, a coupon, promotion, free things if they do go with you etc.
    Trust me, people have noooooo problem taking free things, but won't give back by coming back to you for a service just because they got some pen.

    The services I most often use are printers, if they offer something the other guy doesn't then I will only go there. I will shop at a certain store, only because I can collect points, so I can later get free stuff. You need to get the customer work for it.. trick is to get them to want to work for it.

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    As I mentioned, Discounts, free shipping etc.
    http://www.pack-secure.com
    Packaging and Shipping Supply Specialists

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    Makes sense! Thanks for the input guys - I think I 'll give promo away with existing clients (with their finish product) and use a different stradegy for new customers.
    Thanks!
    Silas's Videography - Video Production for Businesses - http://www.silasbarker.com

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    i get stuff all the time...i throw 100% of it away

    i give my customer fridge magnets....it costs me almost nothing and about 1/4th of them i see on fridges when i do return visits...so it does get some use

    i have a electrician friend who gives out travel mugs...very nice ones!....he says all his customers keep theirs

    there's a story in one of my books on 'how to run a successful plumbing business' on a plumber who hands out teddy bears....if the house has 5 kids he gives them 5 bears....of course he adds $10 per hour to cover this, but according to the story it turned into a large service business.

    if you cant give a nice 'high end' gift i wouldnt bother...and by high end i mean $5-$10....giving a pen= nothing

    magnets works for me because im a plumber and everyone wants my number handy for emergencies...it probably wouldnt work for most businesses

    id only give the items out to existing customers on your way out the door

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