Chosen by Asker

Certain industries lend themselves well to having their names all over some promotional items, but for most I'm of the same opinion as you. They're sold on hope and what-if and not on actual results. At worst, they do no harm, but at best they're completely ineffective. For goods or services someone might need on short notice (such as a courier), I can appreciate how having your number on their coffee mug would work in your favour because they need you rightthisminute and it's easier to just call someone than look up different phone numbers and select from those. But the main selling point of promotional items isn't unlike that of spam: It's a numbers game and the sale is made on the hope that mailing everyone a pen is going to make some of them call you. I, personally, have higher hopes for normal information-based advertising and marketing materials, having just thrown out all the promotional junk we get. I did, however, keep the mug with the courier service on it.

by Gravy

4 months ago

Asker's Rating: 

I have never looked at a coffee mug and though, oh, I should call them! I don't think it works at all. One of my clients recently left a pen for me. I noticed I loved the pen itself. Next time he left another pen. Since the pen was so cool, I started feeling obligated to check into his services. So in some small way it could work, but the item would have to be super cool, and the potential client would need to feel a sense of obligation over receiving it, in my opinion. Even in that, the odds of getting a sale out of it are slim to none. I have since forgotten about the pen or the idea that I should look into that title company.

by tazzmainiandevils- 4 months ago

Gees I have to agree with others - I really don't change my buying habits because of a pen. I collect stuff at trade shows for my nephews to play with - great stocking stuffers! he he. The only ones I think who benefit are the makers of the promo items. However, it is common to give gifts to good clients to show appreciation - anything from a nice whiskey to Omaha steaks. Size/$ of gift is client-specific. Usually these arrive after the sale. But I have occassionally gotten a few from people trying to get my business (candy usually). Due to the low response rate and high cost, the pre-giving generally has to be limited. But if it is a decent gift, it can work (except government people can't accept gifts). So I think the promo stuff tries to fill the gap. Remember the Wall Street movie where young stock broker kept sending expensive gifts to Gordon Gekko - it did finally get his attention..... (but remember that the insider info is what got the sale - he he)

by TheRockLady- 4 months ago

Like anything it's probably a numbers game; 100 gifts =1 customer. Probably a waste of time for a small business, but people like (nice) pens with logos of the companies they do business with.

by raysor- 4 months ago