Hotline Blog

Printed Pens add value to your advertising campaign

A whopping 2 billion promotional pens are manufactured in the United States each year.  If you add this to the rest of the world, the final figure for branded pens made each year would be phenomenal!  Let’s think about this rationally!  If you have a fundraising event, conference, trade show or corporate event approaching in the near future and you needed some promotional merchandise – what would be the most used promotional gift?  Promotional pens would certainly come in the top three.  Don’t believe me? Here’s a challenge try and spot a pen in the next 5 seconds!  I bet you were able to do it and you probably spied more then 1!  People don’t realize it but one day pens will rule the world!  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Everyone has their own favourite pen.  One that makes your writing look legible or one that glides across the page with the least amount of effort.  Pens are a collectable item and many people have a selection both in the office and at home!  There are many different types, plastic, metal, eco friendly, red, blue, black, multi functional, cheap, and expensive, etc. The list is never ending!

Now think about how many times a day you use a pen.  Just using a pen once a day means you get 365 uses out of that promotional product.  That could even amount to 365 glances at your company logo - if it has been designed effectively for the pen itself.  Free advertising all year round for a minimal amount of money!  Pens also fit in with budget constraints. For a few hundred pounds you could get thousands of pens to distribute all over the UK with your company name branded on them.  It is quick easy and effective!

Promotional merchandise the products that work

Wanting to succeed is part and parcel of driving your business forward.  Effective sales and marketing within a company play a vital role which can help your business to stay adrift instead of sinking to the depths of depression!  Promotional merchandise is the perfect way to boast sales, staff moral and most importantly customer relations. Promotional merchandise can be in the form of business gifts, promotional giveaways, promotional clothing or specific branded corporate merchandise.

So many customers ask ‘which are the most effective promotional merchandise products to invest in for my advertising campaign?’  The answer is simple.  Effective promotional merchandise involves a key combination;

1. An appropriate product which coincides and compliments your event

2. An eye catching, bright yet informative design which will grab the attention of your audience.  When considering the perfect promotional product functionality has to be top of the agenda.  A product that can be seen and used is a winning combination.

One of the most effective promotional items is the mouse mat.  Mouse mats can be used in the office, at home and can be carried in your laptop bag everywhere you go.  There are a variety of different mouse mats to choose from soft top, hard top, flexi and liquid. Mouse mats with calculators, wrist rest etc. the choice is never ending!  I personally recommend the Brite Mat; it is bright, new age and great to use.  For an item that was invented in 1979 it is an essential for anyone with a laptop or computer!

Select your promotional product with your message in mind!

I could reel off fact after fact about the benefits of promotional products, for example last year

America alone spent $18 BILLION on promotional products.  You would think this is a big enough indication to the world that promotional products and giveaways really do work.  Promotional products are great because they are tangible, flexible and long lasting AND they compliment target marketing and other advertising media.

Everyone likes to receive something that is free and if you can use it on a day to day basis such as a promotional pen, key ring or bag – all the better!  Promotional products really do make people smile and more importantly remember who your company is!  Promotional products don’t always have to be desktop items; they could be promotional clothing garments, outdoor games, manicure sets, stress balls etc.  Anything that will attract the attention of possible clients or customers.

Promotional products don’t always have to be given to customers in a corporate environment as a business gift.  Promotional products could act as an incentive to purchase something else.  Take the idea of buying cosmetics.  Customers may be more inclined to buy more beauty products if they were offered a free make up bag when a certain amount of money has been spent.  The possibilities are endless.

The key to a successful promotional campaign is getting the message right.  If you need any suggestions please do not hesitate to give us a call.  Oh…one more thing, delivery charges have been dropped.  Happy shopping!

Promotional Keyrings to advertise in your customers pocket

The list of benefits for promotional keyrings is endless.  Not only do they hold keys, trolley coins and other important things - they act as a great advertising tool too.  They can serve as great business gifts and are also an appreciated gift at trade shows, conferences and exhibitions.  Promotional keyrings are extremely cost effective and are used continually for both personal and business use.

There is certainly a type of key ring to suit your specific event or occasion.  If you are after a cheap and cheerful key ring which reminds people of your company name and contact details why not invest a few pennies in the Round Acrylic Keyring.  Not only are they cost effective and pleasing to look at, they enable your ‘customers’ to walk around advertising your product.  If cheap and cheerful is not appropriate, then how about a stylish metal key ring - perhaps the wave key ring or even the digital camera key ring (now there’s a thought).  Impress your clients at the same time as maximising brand exposure!

It is important to note that most people that own keys, own a keyring.  Therefore it is imperative to select the most appropriate keyring and brand it accordingly. Do not miss out on this unique advertising tool!

Promotional Mugs – the perfect promotional product

Take a look at the environment around you.  I bet you can spot at least one lonely mug of tea somewhere lingering in the office!  Ah…but can you see the logo?  Is it big, bold and eye catching?  Can you see the wording, the contact details and the company logo?  Has it been printed to an exceptionally high standard? 

We may not realise that numerous cups of tea and coffee play a vital part of office life.  Over 80% of office workers now claim they find out more about what’s going on around the office over a cuppa!  Here is another interesting fact, 98% of people take their tea with milk, but only 30% of people take sugar in their tea – How random!

But my rant doesn’t just stop there!  Promotional mugs are a great way to subtly advertise your company and stand in the midst of your competitors’ environment. If you are a new company wanting to get into the public eye – then this is a positive way forward and a worthwhile investment.  They are a classic way of advertising minus the large amounts of money!  Not only are they cost effective, they also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and textures.  They are tough, durable and present a large print area for maximum exposure.

Take the Manhattan promotional mug.  A promotional gift that can be used for years without needing a replacement!  The

Manhattan

mug boasts a comfortable handle and a smooth exterior.  To add even more style why not print on the handle as well?

With the recommended number of cups of tea per day being 4 there is no wander people are turning to promotional mugs for their advertising needs!

Promotional products for the heat!

All the heat this week is really making it hard at Wimbledon. I think they should buy some promotional fans to help them breeze their way through the days. 4wcebaq6ki

Printed Pens – they are on everyone’s desk!

Everywhere you look, there is always a promotional pen smiling up at you. On the desk, by the phone in your handbag, in the bathroom (you know the one you used to write the note about washing behind your ears!).  There is no escape – so why not optimise on this!  They are the industries favourite promotional item and have always been popular for promotional campaigns and low cost giveaways.  Got an idea of your ideal pen – no worries we’ll find it.  The varieties available are unbelievable and there will certainly be one for you!

There is a pen for every occasion  whether it be a tradeshow or exhibition (an inexpensive pen that gets the message across and acts as a reminder of your company or brand) or the more sophisticated pen that will serve an a promotional gift for a special client.  Parker pens are a great gift that come with a lifetime guarantee – now there’s something to think about!

Our most popular promotional pen is the Style Ballpen.  This classic pen has a great print area and is ideal when printed with a website or logo.  Sometimes less is more!  It also boasts great value for money and comes in a range of vibrant colours to match your company logo.  I suggest a classic white pen with a one colour print and a tip and clip to match the colour – very professional!  Click here to see for yourself!

Printed conference folders – getting your message noticed

OK picture this… You walk into your clients office, papers stuffed under your arm, a pen resting on your ear and a calculator about to drop out of your pocket!  How professional! – that client will surely buy from you again – I think not!  Wouldn’t it be better if you had an executive leather folder under your arm, your printed pen attached to the inside binding and a calculator within the sleeve?  It really does project the right image of both yourself and your company.  Did I mention that it was branded as well.  Embossed printed with Silver – now that’s stylish.

Conference folders are a great walking advertisement and come in a variety of styles, designs and colours. Whether it be a leather, plastic or other synthetic material folder, they can be tailored to your preferences. How about having the folders adorned with a engraved metal plate – the extra touch can make such a difference.  They are one of the most useful promotional products and are a great gift that will be appreciated by both clients and colleagues.

The City Conference Folder comes with the highest recommendation. Manufactured from quality soft grained PU, this leather look folder will look terrific when printed with your logo and contact details. Featuring two stylish gilt corners, various internal pockets and an A4 pad and pen.  Look and feel the part and feel confident that you are organised and looking professional.

Promotional, recycled products – How to keep things green.

It seems to be the buzz word of the century ‘recycled products’ and with this week (22nd – 28th June) being recycle week, there is no better time to order your recycled products and show the planet you care.  Here are just a few interesting facts: Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour! …and recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for three hours!!  (now that’s pretty impressive.  We all know we should recycle more but sometimes it feels like its more like a chore then a benefit!  We all know it isn’t easy being green!

This is where recycled promotional products come into play. Offering promotional recycled gifts will impress your clients, customers and employees. Not to mention the fact you are helping out the planet at the same time. Need inspiration?  No worries, here are a few suggestions.  The recycled A6 desk pad is a good option. Made from recycled paper, it places a green touch onto your desktop and the main benefit is that you wouldn’t know it was recycled.  Number two on your list should be the strong and practical Jute bag.  Made from recycled polypropylene, it is great to look at and has a fantastic print area – a popular promotional gift and great advertising tool!

Recycled products are the way forward, one day normal products wont exist!

Promotional Carrier Bags – a low cost way of advertising.

Everyone is talking about promomotional carrier bags at the moment.  Different colours, sizes, handle, plastic, paper, eco friendly – so many decisions? Did you know that in the UK, over 13 billion bags are issued every year to shoppers? This means that each person receives, on average, roughly 220 bags a year.   Think of the promotional advantage you could take here.  It’s the easiest way to attract attention to your company brand in an extremely cost effective way.

There is certainly a promotional bag for every occasion, whether it be an exhibition or tradeshow, corporate hospitality event or a bag for a promotional gift.  Carrier bags can be printed, embossed or even embroidered if you fancy it! Your carrier bag should reflect the occasion. They don’t have to be boring and representative of a super market… but they cab be if you want them to be!

There are so many advantages with promotional carrier bags, not only are they highly practical, they have a humongous print area that can incorporate your logo, slogan, contact details and coloured image!  Take the standard white carrier bag, its inexpensive (from 9p), can be printed both sides for maximum exposure and is strong enough to carry giveaways, literature, food etc etc.  The hotline group offer many varieties of bags including tote bags, plastic bags, paper bags, sports bags.  Take a look at our selection today.