10 Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Promotional Products
Mistake #1 – Choosing The Wrong Product
In this competitive market, selecting promotional products that align with your brand and target audience is crucial for fostering a connection and encouraging brand loyalty. For instance, if your business promotes beauty and wellness, products such as compact mirrors and lip balms would resonate well. Select innovative products with bold, detailed designs to draw attention and set you apart from competitors. If you’re unsure which products will appeal most to your audience, you could order a selection to offer and see which gets snatched up first.
Mistake #2 – Ignoring Quality
Choosing quantity over quality is a common mistake when ordering promotional products and can have several consequences for your marketing efforts. Offering high-quality items at your event provides the perfect conversation with potential customers and leaves them with something to remember you by. On the other hand, low-quality items are often discarded or rejected, resulting in poor ROI. If your products break easily or the design rubs off after a few uses, they’ll be easily forgotten by customers and provide no benefit to your brand. Opt for products made from durable materials such as stainless steel travel mugs, which provide as many customisation options as their plastic counterparts and can be laser-engraved for a permanent visual of your logo.
Mistake #3 – Underestimating Budgets
A well-planned budget for ordering your promotional products will not only help you avoid overspending but also enable you to invest in high-quality products that will leave a lasting impression on customers. Establish an initial budget that allows you to effectively plan for costs, including design, production and delivery. This will also cover any potential rush charges or fees for additional delivery addresses.
Mistake #4 – Failing to Order in Time
While there are many products we can assist you with on short lead times, such as tote bags, sports bottles, pens and notebooks. We always recommend ordering your promotional products well in advance to ensure a smooth ordering process. Last-minute orders often include rush fees and express shipping charges, which can take up a chunk of your marketing budget. By ordering weeks or months in advance, you’ll avoid these fees and reduce the risk of unexpected issues, such as production delays or late delivery. An ideal timeline would be 6-8 weeks before your event, especially when ordering large quantities.
Mistake #5 – Skipping The Artwork Proof
Poorly designed products can reflect negatively on your brand and harm your reputation. This could include spelling mistakes, low-resolution images, poor colour combinations, and overly complicated designs. It’s your responsibility to check that your artwork is 100% correct. Once production has started, it’s unlikely that changes can be made. Additionally, choose a print position that will make your logo most prominent. For example, if it’s a tote bag, you’ll want your design printed in the centre for best visibility.
Mistake #7 – Not Considering Practicality Â
When promotional products are practical and useful, they are more likely to be kept and used by the recipient. They’ll show your customers you care about their needs and lead to a more positive perception of your business. Frequently used products deliver a higher ROI and ensure repeated exposure to your branding. Items such as metal water bottles, notebooks and shopping bags encourage users to promote your brand through everyday usage.
Mistake #8 – Forgetting A Distribution Plan
Planning how you’ll distribute your products is essential in ensuring your marketing leads to positive results. Whether you’re looking to boost brand awareness, generate leads or drive sales, a clear plan will help you achieve your goals. If you’re handing out your products at an event, find out the estimated number of attendees to avoid overspending and having products left over. Some great channels for distributing your goods include trade shows, in-store promotions, direct mail campaigns, online giveaways, and community events.
Mistake #9 – Misunderstanding Audience Preferences Â
Taking the time to research your audience’s needs and preferences will help you choose products that appeal to them. Relevant items will show customers you understand their needs and create a stronger connection with your brand. This will generate a higher return on investment, with customers more likely to engage with your brand again, and lead to an increase in sales.
Mistake #10 – Failing to Evaluate Results Â
After handing out the products, gather feedback from the recipient to see whether your products appealed to them and what improvements can be made in the future. Track metrics such as engagement, sales and enquiries to see if your giveaways had any impact. This is easy to do when customising your products with QR codes or unique URLs that allow you to measure conversions directly.
Final Thoughts
It’s all too easy to rush into ordering your branded products without a proper marketing strategy in place. However, by taking the time to research appropriate products, set a budget, and plan how to distribute your items, you can maximise your investment. At Everything Promo, our sales account managers will help you source the best promotional products to represent your brand. Please let us know any budgets, timeframes, or design requirements so we can provide you with your personalised quote. Browse our popular product range, including bags, drinkware and tech.