Monday, December 1, 2008

Tight Marekting Budget?

Just about everyone is feeling the pains of the current economic conditions. Many companies have had to cut marketing budgets in order to meet other overhead costs. GM announced last week they were ending their contract with Tiger Woods a year early in order to cut costs. How is a company to effectively market their product or services on a tight marketing budget?

Print, radio, and television ads are an expensive option. Many small businesses simply do not have the capital to run these types of ads. Another alternative is promotional products. Used correctly, and the return on investment can be measurable.

A recent survey conducted by Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) shows how to get more impressions for less cost. This survey shows the number of impressions and cost per impression on various items. The survey was conducted in July 2008. You can receive a copy of the full survey by e-mailing kim@promosmatter.com with SURVEY in the subject line.

According to the survey, Promotional products deliver significant impressions per month:

Bags 1038
Caps 476
Shirts 365
Writing Instruments 363
Desk Accessories 294
Glassware/Ceramics 251
Calendars 227
Recognition/Awards 221
Wearables 64

The cost per impression of Promotional Products is very low, at fractions of cents per impression:

Bags $.002
Caps $.002
Shirts $.005
Writing Instruments $.002
Desk Accessories $.007
Glassware/Ceramics $.004
Calendars $.003
Recognition/Awards $.021
Wearables $.016

· 84% of end-users can name the advertisers on the items they receive
• 62% have done business with the advertiser AFTER receiving the item
• End-users keep products for 7 months
• The average cost-per-impression of a promotional product = $0.004
• The CPI for advertising specialties beats all forms of media (except billboards)

PromosMatter will gladly assist you in marketing your products/services with the use of Promotional Products.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Small Businesses at Risk

10/30/2008

Almost 20 percent of small businesses are in jeopardy of closing due to the down economy, according to a new survey from American Express OPEN.

The company’s president, Susan Sobbott, says entrepreneurs are decreasing investments, limiting expansion plans, cutting expenses and focusing on adapting to customer demand, ASI central reports.

Amex attributes the threat on small businesses to a lack of available credit, and about 66 percent of small business owners say the credit crunch has affected their company, compared with only 50 percent who said so in August.

A few more telling facts:

  • More than one in 10 small businesses has had to lay off employees
  • Most survey respondents have had to use personal funds to pay off expenses
  • The vast majority are reporting decreased sales
  • One-third of small business owners are raising prices to make up for slower sales — down from 48 percent in August
  • 71 percent of respondents are feeling stress about the economy


Source:ASI Central: Survey: More Companies At Risk Of Going Out Of Business

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

FDA To Re-Think Decision On BPA Safety

In the back-and-forth ping pong match that is the battle over bisphenol A (BPA), the forces leery over the possibly dangerous chemical have just fired back. On Friday, a science advisory board to the Food and Drug Administration endorsed a subcommittee report that concluded the FDA’s August pronouncement of BPA’s safety was flawed. Reads the report: “[The information] provides a sufficient scientific basis to conclude that the Margins of Safety defined by FDA as ‘adequate’ are, in fact, inadequate.”

Through its decision, the science board (a group of outside experts), said that the FDA was wrong to base its decision solely on industry-funded studies – in the process ignoring other research with more damaging conclusions. The FDA declared three months ago that BPA (commonly found in reusable plastic water bottles, baby bottles and the linings of metal cans) was safe in trace amounts. But since then, BPA has come under repeated attacks. A September study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association linked it to heart disease and diabetes. Another study last month by the National Toxicology Program suggested that BPA exposure to expecting mothers may cause alterations in brain, prostate gland and behavioral development in fetuses and children.

The report, penned by a subcommittee on Wednesday before it was brought to light Friday, charges the FDA with using old data, employing studies that weren’t designed to study newborns and not taking into account the cumulative effect of BPA exposures from multiple sources. “It is the judgment of the Subcommittee,” pronounces the report on that last charge, “that lack of consideration of the totality of exposures from other sources severely limits the usefulness of the safety assessment.”

In a statement Wednesday, the FDA stood by its initial decision over the safety of BPA: “Current levels of exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an immediate health risk to the general population, including infants and babies.” However, FDA director Andrew von Eschenbach has stated the agency will revisit its decision in light of last week’s ruling.

Counselor PromoGram, http://www.asicentral.com/asp/open/news/promogram/vol564.asp, Volume 564, November 4, 2008.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Weekly Featured Product

Photobucket
Imprint Area, Standard : 3/4"w x 3/8"h. One-color imprint now available on all five ports at no additional charge Imprint Method, Standard : Pad Printed Packaging, Standard : Gift Box Size : 3-1/4" sq. x 1"t


Minimum quantity 50
Standard Production 8.98 ea
Rush 11.23

Standard production time 3-5 business days
Set up fee $50.00 per color per location

Friday, October 10, 2008

Featured Product of the Week


Relieve stress with this Turkey! Get your Today!

Polyurethan Stress Reliever
Product Size: 3-1.4" x 2-3/4" x 3-1.4"
Imprint Area:
Chest - 3/4" x 1.2"
Tail - 1-1.2" x 1"Product Color - White

Minumum Quantity - 150

Special Pricing through 12/30/08 $2.00 each includes 1 color 1 location imprint. Setup and frieght charges NOT included.

Why Invest in Promotional Products

Awareness

Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for many years, obtaining and maintaining awareness is essential for your business. You don't just want people to know that you exist; you want them to know that you stand for quality, stability and success. Custom imprinted promotional products can help leave a lasting impression.

Branding

All businesses know that branding your company image is vital to success. Making your name a bankable brand is achieved not only through reliable service, but also through promotional and advertising strategies. The most important element of branding in this marketing plan is the consistent use of your logo.

Caring

Show your customers, employees and community that you care about them is an investment that quickly pays for itself. Rewarding loyal customers with promotional products shows that you are taking the time to notice who has been consistently supporting your business. Recognition leads to increased business and brand loyalty. Hard working employees and associates also deserve the gift of a thoughtful promotional product, to show your appreciation.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Say Thanks with Holiday Gifts

The holidays are a great time to show your customers, supporters, employees, and clients that you appreciate them. Branding, keeping your name in the fore front, doesn't stop for the holiday season. But you also don't need a large budget.

Holiday cards are an expensive means to reach out. How about a Holiday card with matching CD?

Have a larger budget? Food items are the number one item that most companies use to say "Thanks" during the holidays.

Need help finding something? Have a lower budget this year? We can help. We have several suggestions available at www.promosmatter.com

Friday, September 26, 2008

Building Fan Base

Do you, your band, or your group have custom imprinted items that your fans can purchase? If not, expand the marketing by providing t-shirts, lighters, cups, etc., that your fans can purchase. Having these types of items keeps your name and/or newest release in front of people, and build your fan base.

Have you ever been to a concert where shirts and other items advertising the band and the concert was not available? Thats because the marketing people for these bands know that one of the best ways to grow a fan base and maintain a fan base is providing products with the bands name/concert tour imprinted.Every band should have product(s) available for purchase at every show.

Don't miss out on the marketing of your band, we can show you how to put and keep your name in front of the people who can make a difference.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Welcome

In this day and age it seems that having a blog has become a necessity. With that in mind, we have created PromoBlog. A place where we can introduce products and ideas for the use of promotional products.

Located in Bartlett, TN, PromosMatter offers well over 350,000 promotional products to fit just about every budget.

Promotional products are not just for businesses they can also be used for:

Churches
Weddings
Clubs
Events
Parties
Schools
Sports Teams
Tradeshows
And many more.

How have you used promotional products? Leave me a comment.