The Redbows Promotional Gifts Blog

April showers – we love’em because it means sales of our promotional umbrellas go literally through the roof. No seriously umbrellas are one of those promotional products that get clients noticed and their branding across. So what ensures a successful umbrella promotion? Well first thing to do is choose an umbrella product that meets your budget. This is relatively easy because most umbrellas can be grouped into sports, walking, automatic, gents and female. The most popular type of umbrella gift is the golf umbrella off course because it offers such a large canopy. Next think about your branding. Most umbrellas have eight panels and it is possible to print on just one or all of these and even to have alternate message. There are other customisations that you can do in terms of the handles and shafts but most clients pick a brolly, choose the colours and off they go to print. Job done. Off course there are some new alternatives such as the Quadbrella and Twinbrella – double sized and large, and more suited to corporate events and promotions.

I know that many of our clients are avid golfers. Now is the time when they put on their baseball caps and fleeces and head down to the driving range to get some practice in, before the inevitable weekend jaunts around water logged courses in freezing temperatures. Golf is one of those wide-appeal sports that offers plenting of promotional opportunities and at the Promotional Gifts Store we have a very wide range of branded golf gifts and merchandise. What I like about this range so much is the wide range of items and budgets we can appeal to. Starting with low-cost items like branded golf tees we move on to higher value items such as clothing and even golfing umbrellas. Now a personal favourite of mine are the golf putting sets – perhaps because they allow me to practice golf in my office or living room, in the warmth with a nice mug of tea and a Toffee Crisp close to hand. Nice…

What do you give a new employee as part of their induction pack? Apart from a copy of the company handbook and other health and safety related documents, do you give them some branded promotional products to help them see that they are now part of your team and under your umbrella? You see so many times we think about promotional giveaways for clients without thinking internally. The PR people call this internal PR – no surprises there but it is just as important to market a company and brand to its employees and suppliers as it is to clients. And don’t forget. You can always issue products retrospectively. This is another important aspect to consider if you want to maintain equity between new and existing employees.

I came across some research the other day about the most favourite promotional gifts found within company cars. ????????Promotional pens are off course the leading item followed by ice scrapers and umbrellas. Now I have to say that a promotional umbrella is a firm favourite for me. I often carry at least one umbrella in the boot of my car at all times. It is simply one of those long-lasting items that I never want to be without. Though I may only use it a couple of times a year, when ferrying visitors around, going to meetings or even just trekking to the shops with the family, I know that my personalised umbrella is there for me – come summer shower or winter storm. This type of gift really does bring home the true essence of promotional marketing. Umbrellas are useful and practical, and can be used within both a business, social and personal environment – making sure your marketing brand is always in mind.