News Category: Industry News

Promotional umbrellas are a fantastic idea for a promotional product. They last a long time and offer both form and function in one very nicely branded and wonderfully designed item. But how to make it stand out from the crowd? Here are a few tips on how to get your branded umbrella to make a lasting impact:

 

Pantone matching:

Don’t settle for a stock colour with your umbrella – ensure your exact brand colours are used to get the full brand imagery impact you’re after. (IBrolly umbrellas are screen printed to the highest quality). Make sure your chosen supplier is able to use your precise colours when printing your umbrellas.

 

Make the most of the print area:

What’s the point of investing in what can essentially be a mini billboard for your business if you are just going to print one small logo on the canvas? Ensure your branding is prominent, striking, and well placed. There are certain companies who even allow for full photo imagery printing on the outside AND inside of your umbrella. Make the most of the surface area, and make your brand stand out.

 

Choose the right promotional umbrella for your target audience:

If your ideal customer is a wealthy, appearance driven lawyer, then a small, budget telescopic umbrella with tacky branding is probably going to end up in a cupboard (or even the bin). We have a huge range of umbrella types, and know the industry well – so talk to our advisors about what branding options and umbrella type is going to be the most effective with your target audience.

 

Use imagery to make an impact:

Patterns, photos, striking images – these can surprise and delight any potential or existing customer. Add high quality images where appropriate to your umbrellas to stand out from your competitors and make your umbrellas more aesthetically fashionable.

 

 The devil’s in the detail:

Create the perception of attention to detail by branding unexpected areas of your promotional umbrella – the handle, umbrella shaft, lining, and the tie wrap are just some unique areas that you can add your logo to on an umbrella.

 

 Don’t forget the packaging:

Speaking of detail, don’t forget to think about your umbrella packaging when you are designing your umbrella! Aluminium tubes give off a sense of sophistication, where a plastic case can also give off a lasting impression. We also offer postal tube printing which is ideal for larger umbrellas, like golf umbrellas and city walkers. Our printable postal tubes are an ideal opportunity to protect your clients’ umbrella whilst in transit and promote your brand at the same time.

 

With a bit of thought and detail, customisable umbrellas are an incredibly flexible giveaway for your clients and even your employees. Get in touch with one of our team today to discuss your options and needs.

 

When it comes to your marketing strategy, and particularly brand awareness, we know how important promotional products can be. As more and more businesses have moved online, it may seem that the need for promotional products has become less relevant in favour of social media campaigns and other online tactics. However, that means that the opposite can now make you stand out all the more. There is nothing more important than personalization in your marketing at the moment, and investing in personalized marketing helps companies stand out from the crowd.

1. Branded products increase brand loyalty:

In a world where choices are ever increasing, building a following around your brand is even more important. Brand loyalty can often be the deciding factor in whether a person buys from your business or someone else. One way in which you can encourage brand loyalty is through sending corporate gifts. A promotional gift which is useful is even more likely to increase brand support, and create trust.

2. Low-Cost Repeat Brand Marketing:

A digital ad on social media or a search engine is digested in a few seconds. An email is easily deleted. Physical branded products, however, last far longer. Useful products, such as pens, umbrellas, or torches, are something your customer is more likely to hold on to, and use. Every time a promotional product is used, it builds the potential for more people to gain awareness of your business. You’ve only made the initial investment in the product, but the return on the investment just keep going for days, weeks, or even years as items stay in use.

3. Create brand ambassadors in your employees:

It’s definitely not just your customers who will appreciate branded products. A strong brand identity through promotional items in the workplace can build staff loyalty – and even make them excited about the company vision, mission and values. Having staff who are proud to show off their place in a business, is a great way to help build employee motivation and teamwork – not to mention improve your free marketing opportunities.

4. Develop a Reputation for Quality:

Choosing cheap promotional items is fine for quick wins at exhibitions and an everyday handout. Everyone loves something free and will pick up free branded keyrings or pens for their desk. But a meaningful, high quality gift has a longer lifetime value, is more likely to get used, and will create an air of quality and professionalism around your brand.

For more information about our product selection, feel free to get in touch.

Branded products used to be the go-to as a brand awareness exercise for all businesses. Wall calendars, desk items and umbrellas would be plastered with a logo and sent out to raise awareness of a brand name and try to drum up new business.

In today’s digital world, online marketing tends to be the most popular way to try and gain new business. With so many marketers focusing their marketing efforts online, promotional products have been neglected as a way to promote a business.

So how much of an impact are these marketing products still having on potential clients? Are they even relevant anymore?

 

The stats don’t lie – promotional products make an impact:

 

A 2016 study on global advertising impressions stated that most people keep promotional products for approximately eight months. That’s far longer than a like or scroll passed a social media ad! The actual time is obviously dependent on the product. For example, pens only last 3-4 months, but umbrellas last for 14 months – but this still speaks volumes.

Social media manager Elle-Rose Williams stated in a Forbes interview that she sees branded products as an important brand messaging tool: “Promotional products allow people to see your brand, associate your brand, and recognize your brand. All these things are important as the more people who become aware of your brand, the better results you will see in business and sales.”

 

Promotional gifts provide tangible brand messaging:

 

In this digital era, the average person is so used to being bombarded with advertising in all forms they are desensitised to them. The impact of a quality promotional product, that has been thought out well, can last. A recent study confirmed that the recall rate for promotional product is a record 85% for some products! There is something unique about receiving a physical item that you can touch, feel, and actually use, that far exceeds the impact of a TV advert or magazine spread.

 

Online ads are getting more expensive:

 

Digital marketing certainly is a cost-effective way to reach your target audience, but there is no doubt that PPC advertising is getting more expensive. There are a range of reasons for this. One is more competition – there are far more users levaraging the power of PPC Marketing. Other reasons include text ads getting larger, and ads generally taking up more space on search engine pages.

In contrast, an undeniable draw of custom promotional products for your business’ finances is that they are a predictable investment. According to the Advertising Specialties Institute, the cost for promotional products is not expected to increase markedly in the next few years. This makes them a more stable, reliable and innovative way for advertisers to reach target customers – both existing, and prospective.

Unlike other forms of online marketing, rates are not set to increase with every year, and you are not tied in to any complicated contracts. You can simply buy some custom promotional products and distribute them at your will for as long as you wish to see the positive effects manifest.

 

So, are branded products still relevant? We say yes:

 

Looking at the statistics, it seems as though a well thought out branded item can have a tangible, lasting impression. And there’s great value in the sentiment behind the offer. Everyone loves a freebie,  and even if it costs you just pennies per item— it can go a long way with your customers if done right.