You are here: Home / Blog / Tossed On The Way Out?

Tossed On The Way Out?

February 26, 2011 By 6 Comments

This week I posed this question on my swag consulting page on facebook:

What do you do with flyers that you pick up at shows….like The Home Show?

  1. Toss them on your way out of the show
  2. Leave them in your car
  3. Bring them in your house—put them in a pile and then toss them later
  4. Truly keep them where you know you can find them when you need them

The results were 95% responded # 3. They bring them in their house, put them in a pile and then toss them sometime later.

I posed this question after seeing a post made to facebook where someone was showing a design they had made for a flyer (that was gorgeous, BTW) that they were going to use at a trade show.   I couldn’t help but wonder:  ”Is the company at the trade show aware that while most people will take the flyer, 95% of them will end up in the garbage?”

Then I considered that maybe the company was:

  1. On a limited budget
  2. Thought that people would truly hold on to their flyer
  3. Did not plan enough time to order swag in time for the event
  4. Do not know how to effectively use swag

I believe that to be truly effective, you must have a marketing ‘mix’ in your marketing toolbox.  A vital tool that should be in your marketing tool box is promotional products….or swag, as most like to refer to it these days.

So let me ask you this:

If a pen or other swag item was offered along with the flyer, how long would you keep the pen?  Would you:

  1. Toss it on your way out of the show
  2. Leave it in your car or purse
  3. Bring it in your house—put it in a drawer and then toss it out  later  a) before  or b) after the ink runs out
  4. Truly keep them where you know you can find them when you need them

According to a study by PPAI (Promotional Products Association International), 55% hold on to swag for more than a year.

How about you?  How many swag items do you have:

  1. In, or on, your desk
  2. In your pocket
  3. In your purse
  4. In your car….how about that travel coffee cup

 

Contact Corporate Impressions

 

About

 

Share

No related posts.

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized
  • http://theOGDENgroup.net Tom Ogden

    I agree with the above, but I would qualify that an unremarkable pen or other item will be forgotten and list very quickly. I would also add that a flyer gives a great deal more information than the pen would, even if it’s only in the fleeting seconds that I happen to glance at it at the show and as I’m tossing it at home.

    I would *guess* that a combination of a flyer and an accompanying swag would be most effective of all. That way I get more of the message as I’m tossing the flyer and have more of an inkling of why I’m keeping track of the pen.

    • http://www.CorporateImpressions.biz Evan Milton

      Great feedback, Tom,

      I would agree that the flyer *paired* with a remarkable pen or other item is the way to go exactly for the reasons you state. And to add a little ‘pop’ on the flyer add a QR Code.

      Evan Milton~

  • http://ArborBarberTreeService.com Ryan Ringe

    I also believe that a flyer and some swag would get you maximum exposure. The swag, unless unremarkable as Tom mentioned, will stay in a household or business and will help a customer think of you when the need arises. A flier will bring you the business of someone who needs your services directly, and will also educate the customer as to what your business does.

    I would want some swag that was “remarkable” and catchy, and /or something that can be placed where a homeowner would see it regularly.

    An example might be a mini calendar that could be posted in an office, or a pen or keychain with an LED light that says “We outshine the competition”. At a Garden and Flower show, I might want to make a refrigerator magnet that has a gardening/ planting schedule for annuals, perennials, etc.

    Knowing you, Evan, I am guessing that you would have a lot better ideas than me.

    By the way, what is a QR code?

    Ryan Ringe
    Arbor Barber Tree Service

    • http://www.CorporateImpressions.biz Evan Milton

      Great tag line for an LED light, Ryan. The words: arborist, QR Code, Slimmer are all links.

      In your case, being an arborist, the kitchen is a great place to make sure that your contact information is handy.

      And I would also suggest the garage or work bench. When someone needs to have trees trimmed, removed, or stump grinding done, they may in the kitchen or working in the garden. By making sure they see your information When THEY NEED it, you increase the likelihood that you are the one that gets the call.

      QR Codes. Here’s my QR Code

      You need a Smart Phone and the ScanLife app. You can go to your app store and search for ScanLife. It’s a free download.

      Go to the ScanLife app. You phone’s camera will be activated. Center the code in the window and the app will scan it and take you to the data contained in the code. This particular code of mine is my contact information and if you give permission, My contact information will automatically be loaded to your ‘contacts’ on your phone. So you’ll be able to contact me wherever you are!

      Here’s another QR Code for Slimmer Or maybe it’s Slimer?

      These are just two examples of QR Codes and how they can be used. I’m printing these on all sorts of swag.

  • http://www.axiasls.com John Harding

    Evan,
    Do you know about corn mugs? They’re travel mugs made out of 100% biodegradeable corn plastic and you can imprint them with logos, names, numbers, etc. I’ll bring one to you on Thursday. They might be another item you can offer your clients. A corn mug is definitely something that people will hold on to because it’s useful, it’s “green” so it makes people feel good and it’s a conversation piece. Something to think about . . .

    John

    • http://www.CorporateImpressions.biz Evan Milton

      Hi John!

      Yes. I’ve been selling imprinted corn mugs for……well……the last 12 years. There are many products that are made from corn. Go to my Product Search (this is the link) and type in the words “corn products” to see a few.