Let your brand be seen with the use of promo products. Learn about how your company can use promotional products to increase brand awareness which can lead to more sales for your business.

Brand awareness is a marketing term that is used to describe how familiar consumers are with your products or services. In other words, how recognizable your brand is to people. This is an important part of any marketing strategy because if your target audience doesn’t know about your brand, then it’ll be difficult for your business to see success.

Brand awareness is important because it creates trust between the consumer and the brand. Once you establish that recognition and trust, consumers are more likely to return and purchase again. This also helps create brand loyalty. No matter the industry you are in, you want consumers to think of your company as a solution to their problem. If they need a lawyer, an oil change, or a new appliance, your brand should be the first to come to their mind. 

They may not be your customers yet, but if they know who you are beforehand, that’s a good step in acquiring a new lead or sale. Think of your favorite clothing brand or beverage company. You probably thought about a specific company fairly quickly. Similarly, your target audience should think of you like that. 

Promotional products are a great tool for advertising your brand and can be very effective at increasing awareness. They are more than just picking a random product to give away at an event or for your clients. Here are five tips on how to use promotional products effectively. 

1. Make them part of your marketing strategy. A promotional product should have a similar purpose to other marketing strategies. Since these custom promo products are branded with your logo and will reach the hands of hundreds of people, it’s a form of advertising. Most people see them as a free gift but don’t understand the potential of having people constantly seeing your logo.
2. Know your objective for using these items. Identify whether you want to use them to increase your awareness and recognition or to increase clientele or colleagues' satisfaction. 
3. Know your target audience. It’s important to get to know your clients or the people you want to attract to your business and understand their behavioral and psychographic characteristics. By knowing the preferences of your audience, you can choose the best products that they will use and appreciate the most.

Promo items are great tools to increase your brand's visibility. Whether it’s a branded bag, hat, or drinkware, having people constantly walking around with your logo is the closest thing you will get to free advertising. People who proudly represent your brand are also likely to recommend it through word of mouth. 

Imagine 500 people taking those products around wherever they go. This works way better than other traditional marketing methods like magazines or a billboard. Magazines usually end up in the trash, while branded products have an average longevity of one to two years. According to ASI’s study, consumers in every region of the U.S. prefer this form of advertising.

Promotional products also help build connections with potential clients while retaining current ones. This means more people are likely to remember your company, while current clients will keep you at the top of their minds. They are also more likely to talk to others about your company and hold on to those promo products.

• One of the biggest uses for promotional items involves distributing them at trade shows and similar industry gatherings. By doing some giveaways to those who visit your booth, you can connect with potential clients and create brand loyalty. They will then carry your product, promoting it anywhere they may go. This is a great way to increase your brand awareness and leave a positive perception on people. You create brand loyalty while receiving impressions of your brand.
• Other strategies you can use these products with are for social media giveaways. Promotional items serve a purpose beyond in-person events. If you want to expand your social media presence, a giveaway or contest is a great strategy to use. You can incentivize people to share or engage in the posts by running giveaway campaigns. Alternatively, if email aligns better with your company's communication style and you aim to get more subscribers to your newsletter, you could incentivize sign-ups for the giveaway. In both scenarios, you'll grow your followers or subscribers, which increases your brand’s awareness and leaves a winning customer happy. 
• Other than brand awareness, branded products are an excellent way to lift company morale. Show your colleagues some appreciation by gifting them items that they can use. If your brand promotes activity and health, a tumbler would be a great addition for people since they are most likely active themselves. If colleagues feel appreciated they will show that back by using these items wherever they go. This promotes a positive work environment while continuing the goal of increasing awareness.

To summarize, understand your objective and strategize how you can implement promotional products into it. Identify your target audience to optimize the use of these products. Lastly, start customizing your products with your logo and increasing your brand's identity and image. Before you know it, your products will create traction and generate new customers while your current client’s loyalty and satisfaction increase.