The Redbows Promotional Gifts Blog » Conferences / Exhibitions

Redbows PSI Membership Approved

Rob — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:42:11 +0000

Redbows continues to grow its international reputation and reach. The company has just been accepted for full membership by the Promotional Product Service Institute (PSI) in Germany. Being elected to this society gives Redbows greater access to global promotional gifts manufacturers. This latest membership also in some way acts as a further endorsement that Redbows is a company of some standing within the gifts industry. Alongside BPMA (British Promotional Merchandise Association) and Promota memberships, and the number of satisified comments that Redbows regularly receives, customers can rest assured that they have found a gifts supplier committed to service excellence. In this day and age success is all about positive differentation.

Gifts Are Part Of The Marketing Mix

Rob — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:53:12 +0000

All too often promotional gifts are thought of as simple freebies and giveaways. Market research (available from the PSI – The International Network for the Promotional Products Industry) whom we have just joined – shows how promotional items are invariably being used as part of a wider communications strategy within a fully-deployed marketing communications mix. Off course companies deploying such a strategy are the ones who are riding out this recession. They will emerge stronger and fitter, and far more competitive when market growth returns. We like to consider that Redbows is also one of these companies, as we continue to invest in our marketing programmes and some interesting micro-websites. The first of these will be announced very soon…

Face To Face With A Gifts Consultant

Rob — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:57:14 +0000

Well the other day I actually had a field visit from one of our international promotional gifts suppliers. It was actually great to be face-to-face with someone from a global manufacturer and merchandise supplier – a company with whom we normally only correspond and communicate through voice comms (mobile and telephone) and email. When you strip any relationship down, it always distills to the basic of how much you ‘connect’ with that person. We live in a world where all too often the inputs we require to ‘connect’ are missing. Even with video conference calls, video cams and software packages such as Skype, nothing makes up for meeting face-to-face. At Redbows we also try our hardest to have some ‘banter’ with all our stakeholders and clients, and try to establish a meaningful rapport. Not because we are sales people but because we just ‘love to be loved’ and connect. After all even a promotional gifts consultant is human. Nothing can digitize that. And what about the supplier? Well, I am now inspired to push more promotional pens and paper pads business their way – their rep or road warrior or whatever is the most politically correct term these days – was lovely! She also loved her Blackberry and was keen to let me know how it saved her time and helped to de-stress her day. I can see that iPhone getting that little bit closer.

Baseball Caps and Bags For Corporate Events

Rob — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:50:15 +0000

So the other half came back from Barcelona and the Catalunya Moto GP last week and for once he managed not to get sunburnt. I put this down to the welcome pack he received which included (thank goodness) a baseball cap. Now he has quite a selection of caps and hats but never remembers to pack one. So I got to thinking about corporate events this summer and what to suggest to clients to include in their welcoming packs. The thing is, if your event covers a conference and then some sort of activity – you always manage to remember to include pens and paper pads, but there is so much more in the world of promotional gifts to consider. For example in addition to branded baseball caps, you could consider a lightweight backpack bag, and perhaps some branded lip balms and clic clac mint tins. We can even provide branded flip-flops and beach chairs. So if you are holding a corporate event this summer, remember think of it as a PR activity, which can generate a substanstial amount of goodwill. Besides having everything planned like clock work, companies also get remembered for providing those extra little ‘goodies’ that make the whole event that little bit extra special.

Happy Birthday and Thank You

Rob — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:09:28 +0000

Well this June our promotional gifts blog is two years old. Boy that means we have been writing thoughts and ideas down for 24 months. So a big thank you to everyone at Redbows who has contributed and even authored the odd post here and they. During this time our blog has been imitated by many, hacked and plundered for it concepts and content. However, we remain vigilant and look forward to being creative and doing what we do best – effective promotional marketing for ourselves and our clients.

Business Startup Opportunities

Rob — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:13:49 +0000

We have seen a huge increase in enquiries from business start-ups so far this year. Two things we notice: more people are turning to the internet as a technology that allows them to quickly reach a large audience – either through Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertising or good search marketing, and secondly that more women are looking to enter the business world. ‘Mumtrepreneurs’ is the new in vogue term. But what does this mean for our industry? Well from the enquiries we are seeing more clients are looking to purchase start up sets and small quantity/low cost promotional items like pens, mugs and mousemats. This is great news for companies like us and we are doing all we can to help these new start-ups and ventures, with special offers on selected items including small quantity run printed pens and free origination on promotional items like stress shapes and balls. There is no doubt that there is a general levelling going on in the business world but we hope that in our way we can help new companies take that first step into promoting themselves and getting their names and contact details out there.

The Time Line For Giveaways

Rob — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 10:10:36 +0000

When it comes to below-the-line marketing budget spends promotional products remain one of the most cost-effective mediums. The key though is to make sure that you put as much thought into the timeframe that your giveaways and premiums will be used within. Why? Well take promotional gadgets with internal batteries. Batteries have a design life and most will probably run flat without recharge or replacement within twelve to eighteen months. So if you use promotional flashcards for example, you are probably going to get the most benefit from them out of an autumn/winter campaign. A well known emergency car rescue services provides these in its welcome packs. Off course gadgets like USB flashdrives have an infinite life as they are powered from a PC USB port. One thing to watch here is to make sure you use an imprint that will last the life of the product – embossed or engraved is always the best way to go especially if there is a chance the imprint will get rubbed in a pocket against metal objects like keys and pens. If you give away items at a tradeshow or exhibition that are relatively low cost like promo bugs, the you have to remember that the majority of these low-cost giveaways are going to be out-of-sight within six to twelve months or sooner. So pick items that you believe your target audience will keep and use, again and again because each time they use them you know that your brand is right is front of them. A firm favourite for me is rulers. It does not matter how much work we do online at some stage we all need to print information out and use a ruler to measure or as a guide to data reading. Promotional rulers are one of the unsung winners when it comes to giveaways and merchandise – have you got one in your drawer? If not would you keep one if it was given to you? I would dare to suggest a definite yes! Promotional Mugs are another best seller when it comes to gifts offering longevity.

Spring Tradeshows and Exhibition Giveaways

Rob — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:34:57 +0000

Well this time of year is one the busiest for tradeshows and exhibitions and it is a good time to just step back and think through just what makes great gifts and promotional products at this type of event. Let’s reduce this problem down and focus on seminars. When we hold a seminar for clients they are generally talking about having a captive audience for a period of time. During this time they want the clients to become totally absorbed with a brand and use branded promotional items to reinforce and support activities during the seminar. So, for example, at the start of the day clients may receive name badges and welcome packs using conference boxes or bags packed with information that will be used during the day, a branded paper pad for notes and personalised pen. It is also likely that key information such as company presentations, datasheets and price lists may also be included on a personalised flashdrive. On the tables in front of the clients may be bottled water – branded off course, along with some personalised sweets and mint tins. Attendees may also receive some corporate clothing which will be embroidered with the company logo and there may well be surprise gifts during the day for a seminar related competition. So looking a the basics we have to start with a budget and our focus for the event. Then we simply find the best possible way to deliver the objectives for the promotional products including getting a client’s attention and leaving them with a favourable, lasting impression. The same is true of exhibitions and tradeshows but the amount of time you get a client for is more limited. What we recommend is that you put low-cost, low-bulk items on the front of stands to use as giveaways like pens, bugs and badges. Also if your budget covers it include some branded bags and carriers – this will become ‘free advertising’ around the event. Keep your more expensive gifts for key clients and only pass these out if they sit down with you or request a sales follow up after the show. Promotional products are very effective items and especially at tradeshows and exhibitions but you have to remember that when your visitor gets home they may well have a bag stuffed with goodies and your gifts have to be ones that stand out from that crowd.

Great Ideas For New Year Conferences

Rob — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:21:38 +0000

As the new year approaches, many businesses and organisations will be attending conferences and exhibitions. The typical season runs from mid January to around late March for many the trade shows and events and recommences around September. This pattern follows most sales cycles. For conferences and exhibitions there are a number of promotional products that can be used to help develop a brand image. The more expensive the items, the more the chance that they will be used long after the event. At the Promotional Gifts Store our Occasions guide features promotional items for conferences and products for exhibitions. For a conference we would always recommend conference folders and perhaps if the budget allowed pack them with other promotional branded items like pens, paper pads, keyrings and at a push a branded flashdrive with conference presentation and notes on. At exhibitions giveaways for general visitors would off course include pens, bugs and other lower-cost items, with perhaps a more expensive item like a laptop bag – again packed with goody items – for higher value clients.

Heat Packs For A Promotion With A Punch

Rob — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:30:04 +0000

Action man has just warned me that he is coming down with a serious case of ‘man-flu’ – that’s my other half for those not familiar with my blog. So as he walked in the door I gave hime some handy heat pack promotional gifts to keep him happy this weekend. Seriously, heat packs are a great ideas for winter promotions and come in all sorts of shapes and colours. We can even supply them as keyrings. They are novel and fully reuseable -simply drop into boiling water to reenergise them.