Cheap Promotional Items Guide
by Dan Tessier [email protected]
Here at Ad Specialty Products, we receive more calls every year for what we call promotional items on the cheap.
We have developed a sort of task force to help our ultra budget conscious customers find suitable trade show and convention items-- and put together this guide to show our customers some of their low cost options that have a high perceived value and, in the same turn, a high likelihood of being held on to after the event.
Here at Ad Specialty Products, we receive more calls every year for what we call promotional items on the cheap.
We have developed a sort of task force to help our ultra budget conscious customers find suitable trade show and convention items-- and put together this guide to show our customers some of their low cost options that have a high perceived value and, in the same turn, a high likelihood of being held on to after the event.
Cheap Promotional Items #1: Pens
Pens are an all time top seller for us. Even with our lower cost pens, we strive to provide promotional writing instruments that write well without hurting your pocket.
Our example to the left, is our Rachel promotional pen, a budget pen that comes with a large imprint area for displaying your logo properly, as well as a cap-off design. This pen is available in our store by clicking here, and offers more style for the price than the vast majority of our competitors.
Pens are an all time top seller for us. Even with our lower cost pens, we strive to provide promotional writing instruments that write well without hurting your pocket.
Our example to the left, is our Rachel promotional pen, a budget pen that comes with a large imprint area for displaying your logo properly, as well as a cap-off design. This pen is available in our store by clicking here, and offers more style for the price than the vast majority of our competitors.
Cheap Promotional Items #2: Polypro Hats
Polypropylene is the same material used to make tote bags. In the old days, the only choices that you had for low cost hats were mesh/foam trucker caps and painter's caps. These polypropylene hats are a small step up from those in terms of comfort, while actually being lower cost. How do we offer these at low prices? It's the combination of low cost material and the imprinting process. These are printed, not embroidered, which saves time for us and money for you. Contact us for current pricing, it will blow your mind.
Polypropylene is the same material used to make tote bags. In the old days, the only choices that you had for low cost hats were mesh/foam trucker caps and painter's caps. These polypropylene hats are a small step up from those in terms of comfort, while actually being lower cost. How do we offer these at low prices? It's the combination of low cost material and the imprinting process. These are printed, not embroidered, which saves time for us and money for you. Contact us for current pricing, it will blow your mind.
Cheap Promotional Items #3: Retro Sunglasses
Our suppliers are finally getting away from the dollar store style two-tone black and neon shades, and these solid color sunglasses are actually pretty darn cool looking. I try to keep an extra pair of sunglasses in my car, especially for our 90+ degree Rhode Island summer days. If you offer your customer a non-hideous pair of spare shades, you'd be surprised at how long they keep these. With promotional product, shelf life is very important, and this product has what it takes to be a winner. Note: we still carry the glossy finish version of these, also at fantastic prices.
Our suppliers are finally getting away from the dollar store style two-tone black and neon shades, and these solid color sunglasses are actually pretty darn cool looking. I try to keep an extra pair of sunglasses in my car, especially for our 90+ degree Rhode Island summer days. If you offer your customer a non-hideous pair of spare shades, you'd be surprised at how long they keep these. With promotional product, shelf life is very important, and this product has what it takes to be a winner. Note: we still carry the glossy finish version of these, also at fantastic prices.
Cheap Promotional Items #4: Bottle & Can Coolers
Your eyes are not deceiving you. To the left is indeed, a hoodie bottle cooler. We carry every type of bottle and can cooler on the market, and can even provide name brand Koozies if that is your preference. My personal favorite are the zippered bottle coolers, they look great and are super easy to get a bottle in and out of the item.
Your eyes are not deceiving you. To the left is indeed, a hoodie bottle cooler. We carry every type of bottle and can cooler on the market, and can even provide name brand Koozies if that is your preference. My personal favorite are the zippered bottle coolers, they look great and are super easy to get a bottle in and out of the item.
Cheap Promotional Items #5: Flyers
The flyer to the left is one of the collapsible, storable type. We also carry traditional flying discs, in a variety of sizes and an even bigger range of colors.
We are a pet friendly company, and are proud to offer pet friendly shatter proof flyers, which you may want to consider if you think that your customer will be using them with their pup. They don't cost much more, and add a degree of safety for your pet.
The flyer to the left is one of the collapsible, storable type. We also carry traditional flying discs, in a variety of sizes and an even bigger range of colors.
We are a pet friendly company, and are proud to offer pet friendly shatter proof flyers, which you may want to consider if you think that your customer will be using them with their pup. They don't cost much more, and add a degree of safety for your pet.
Cheap Promotional Items #6 USB Chargers/Tech Gifts
The sheer amount of tech stuff that we sell that is roughly under $3 per item is absolutely staggering as far as perceived value. We once had a customer tell us that a local cel store offers the item to the left for $25+.
Atop our list of other fantastic low cost tech items are stylus pens and guitar picks, computer brushes, computer cord organizers, and earbud style headphones. If you're into technology then we definitely speak your language, so give us a call.
The sheer amount of tech stuff that we sell that is roughly under $3 per item is absolutely staggering as far as perceived value. We once had a customer tell us that a local cel store offers the item to the left for $25+.
Atop our list of other fantastic low cost tech items are stylus pens and guitar picks, computer brushes, computer cord organizers, and earbud style headphones. If you're into technology then we definitely speak your language, so give us a call.
Cheap Promotional Items #7: Chocolate Squares
We sell a heck of a lot of these 1.25x1.25 chocolate squares, and with good reason. Our pricing is fantastic, and chocolate wrapped in gold has the "gold bar effect", meaning that it's an instant high perceiver value.
Chocolate squares will make you a hero at your next trade show or convention, where hunger is one of the top competitors for your potential client's attention. Our motto regarding food gifts is "beat the hunger, gain the client", and it's served us well for years.
We sell a heck of a lot of these 1.25x1.25 chocolate squares, and with good reason. Our pricing is fantastic, and chocolate wrapped in gold has the "gold bar effect", meaning that it's an instant high perceiver value.
Chocolate squares will make you a hero at your next trade show or convention, where hunger is one of the top competitors for your potential client's attention. Our motto regarding food gifts is "beat the hunger, gain the client", and it's served us well for years.
Cheap Promotional Items #8: Mints & Gum
Q: If hunger is one top opponent of you converting a potential client at a show, what is another huge external obstacle?
A: Bad breath! Try talking for an extended period of time without developing a case of stinky mouth-itis. Halitosis is a huge problem at trade shows, and if you've spent any amount of time at one, you already know this. The guy with the mints and the gum is known as a hero at these events, and we provide a variety of flavors and packaging to suit your budget.
Q: If hunger is one top opponent of you converting a potential client at a show, what is another huge external obstacle?
A: Bad breath! Try talking for an extended period of time without developing a case of stinky mouth-itis. Halitosis is a huge problem at trade shows, and if you've spent any amount of time at one, you already know this. The guy with the mints and the gum is known as a hero at these events, and we provide a variety of flavors and packaging to suit your budget.
Cheap Promotional Items #9: Bags, Bags, Bags!
We carry every style of promotional tote, from the standard die cut trade show bag to bags that rival the quality that you would find in your favorite department store. We've said this before and we will say it again: people keep these bags for a long time, the polypro bags have really come a long way and hold up very nicely. I have used the same polypro trade show bag for 3 years now to carry my dirty snowboard boots, and can tell you every word that is written on the item because I have seen it so often and my friends ask about it. They also make great beach bags after a trade show, so you are doing your part in being eco friendly by providing a convention tote that people will actually keep. It's just a bonus that ours happen to be the best darn looking totes in the industry. Before you leave, check out our bag section to shop for your next batch of totes!
We carry every style of promotional tote, from the standard die cut trade show bag to bags that rival the quality that you would find in your favorite department store. We've said this before and we will say it again: people keep these bags for a long time, the polypro bags have really come a long way and hold up very nicely. I have used the same polypro trade show bag for 3 years now to carry my dirty snowboard boots, and can tell you every word that is written on the item because I have seen it so often and my friends ask about it. They also make great beach bags after a trade show, so you are doing your part in being eco friendly by providing a convention tote that people will actually keep. It's just a bonus that ours happen to be the best darn looking totes in the industry. Before you leave, check out our bag section to shop for your next batch of totes!
Cheap Promotional Items #10: Sports Schedule Magnets
We are specifically focusing on sports schedule magnets because we have a lot of customers who give away business card magnets, which is cool if you meet someone with whom you actually make a big connection and they decide to keep your magnetic card forever and ever on their filing cabinet.
In trade show situations, you often don't get time to make that level of connection with the vast majority of passers-by, and you want them to think of you later on as they go through their goodie bag as the attractive fellow (or lady) with great taste in promotional products.
Sports schedule magnets stay on filing cabinets and fridges for months, and if you are lucky, can become a conversation piece about this season's team, their chances for a title this year, etc. Many people, even non sports fans, have fond memories of past games.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of baseball, but I've never refused a ticket to ANY baseball game, be it major league, minor league, or even college-- because the people are all in a good mood and it's a great way to spend a day. Get some sports magnets and make a special connection at your next show.
We are specifically focusing on sports schedule magnets because we have a lot of customers who give away business card magnets, which is cool if you meet someone with whom you actually make a big connection and they decide to keep your magnetic card forever and ever on their filing cabinet.
In trade show situations, you often don't get time to make that level of connection with the vast majority of passers-by, and you want them to think of you later on as they go through their goodie bag as the attractive fellow (or lady) with great taste in promotional products.
Sports schedule magnets stay on filing cabinets and fridges for months, and if you are lucky, can become a conversation piece about this season's team, their chances for a title this year, etc. Many people, even non sports fans, have fond memories of past games.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of baseball, but I've never refused a ticket to ANY baseball game, be it major league, minor league, or even college-- because the people are all in a good mood and it's a great way to spend a day. Get some sports magnets and make a special connection at your next show.
Cheap Promotional Items #11: Paper Goods
As a salesperson, I am horrible at keeping track of my automobile mileage. Every year, I receive a free mileage log from my accountant with his logo on it, as a reminder to keep track of it and also to get my other accounting stuff together.
Auto mileage logs are just one example of the fantastically useful paper items that we provide. Paper products have experienced a growth in shelf life because of the "go green" movement. If you hand someone a stack of sticky notes in their least favorite color, they will still keep and use the notes because they feel bad about throwing them out. Take advantage of the low cost of our paper products and the eco friendly movement, and order some recycled note pads for which your customers will remember you fondly.
As a salesperson, I am horrible at keeping track of my automobile mileage. Every year, I receive a free mileage log from my accountant with his logo on it, as a reminder to keep track of it and also to get my other accounting stuff together.
Auto mileage logs are just one example of the fantastically useful paper items that we provide. Paper products have experienced a growth in shelf life because of the "go green" movement. If you hand someone a stack of sticky notes in their least favorite color, they will still keep and use the notes because they feel bad about throwing them out. Take advantage of the low cost of our paper products and the eco friendly movement, and order some recycled note pads for which your customers will remember you fondly.
Cheap Promotional Items #12: Keychain Tools & Lights
I don't know about you, but I personally have never thrown away a key light, bottle opener, or tape measure. You never know when you're going to need to look for something, open something, or measure something. It's almost bad luck to throw such a useful item away. We provide thousands of keychain type tools, and are adding new stock to our online store nearly every day. Chances are, we have an item that will relate directly to you and your mission, so give us a call.
I don't know about you, but I personally have never thrown away a key light, bottle opener, or tape measure. You never know when you're going to need to look for something, open something, or measure something. It's almost bad luck to throw such a useful item away. We provide thousands of keychain type tools, and are adding new stock to our online store nearly every day. Chances are, we have an item that will relate directly to you and your mission, so give us a call.
We hope you enjoyed our guide of cheap promotional items, please remember to check out our promotional products store and to give us a call, as we always strive to provide exceptional service. We can be reached at 401-451-1874 or [email protected], ask for Dan.
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