6 Promo Items Entrepreneurs Need To Know About!

As an entrepreneur, it's hard to stay on top of it all.  We get it.  You are working to balance sales, employees, payroll, accounts payable, marketing and much, much more!  In addition, if you are like a lot of business owners, you want to be on the cutting edge when you can.  It makes you look more professional and in touch.

But it's hard to make the time to do it all!

So at Hasseman Marketing we did some of the homework for you on Promo!  Here the 6 promo items you need to know about right now!

16 oz Persona Tower Travel Mug:  We have all seen the cheap tumblers in the promo industry.  They are fine, but they don't really do the job of keeping coffee hot.  What does that mean?  It means your customers won't really use them, so your marketing dollars are wasted.  The Persona will become your clients favorite coffee mug.  It keeps coffee hot for over 5 hours...so when you are on the road you want this mug!  This is the mug that will give you marketing impact when you give the gift...and for all the miles down the road!  These tremendous tumblers are on special for $13.89 (setup $55) right now.

 The Wedge Mobile Device Stand:  The fact is, some of the most valuable marketing space today is around your mobile device.  Want your client's attention?  Be near their phone!  This high quality phone stand offers a great full color decoration and even a screen cleaner on the bottom.  Want to tell a story?  Want to drive traffic to a website?  Just want to have VERY valuable ad space on your clients desk?  This fits the bill.   These are in the current HMC flyer for $6.45 (setup $80). 

Economy Retractor:  Once you get one of these you will be surprised how often you can use it!  The Retractor is a great item for trade shows or events.  You will also find that you can use it in your office, networking events or even sales calls!   These are an extremely affordable way to "silently sell" new services or add on products.  With the right design, these can be a powerful tool in your marketing arsenal.

Clip It Vent Mount:  Have we mentioned the power of marketing around the phone?  This is not only a perfect tool for that, but also helps with safety.  The clip it vent mount holds your phone so that it is always within arms reach.  It is functional and easy.  In addition, it keeps your logo (or message) in front of your clients all the time they are in the car.  This is one of our favorite new products in the industry!  You can get these in the latest HMC flyer for $2.75 (setup $50). 

The Juicebox:  Want to be a hero in someone's eyes?  Give them a charger when their phone is about to die!  You may have seen some of these on the market in the past, but the Juicebox is a nice phone charger (will charge your phone 2.5 times) and it comes in a FUN package!  If you want to grab attention and keep it...this item is perfect.  And think outside of the (juice)box.  These are awesome for trade shows, golf outings, traveling...anytime someone will need their phone and cannot plug in!  Oh...and did we mention this marketing piece revolves around their phone!  :) 

365 Performance Pique Polo:  You want your team to look like a team, but you don't want to spend a fortune.  Sound familiar?  Here is a low cost performance golf shirt for under $17 (with embroidery)!  Lots of colors and sizes.  This makes outfitting the team a lot easier.

So there you have it!  These are 6 items that are sure to keep your name on the lips of your customers and prospects.   Now get back out there and keep up the hustle!

Last Week at HMC 6/7 - 6/13

It's the place to keep up with content from the week that was at Hasseman Marketing.  Let's jump into an exceptionally busy week.

Weekly Word:  Yes, we have the Weekly Word!  This week we talk about Values!  Do yours line up?

Voices I Listen Too:  This is one of highest read blogs we have ever put out.  Check out the voices that we listen to in business...and in life!

8 Ways to Get Your Work MOJO Back!  We all get in a rut sometimes!  Here are 8 Ways to get out!

ASI Radio:  ASI does a weekly radio show and this week Kirby Hasseman was the guest.  You can listen to him talk about video marketing, social and more...here!

Delivering Marketing Joy:  On this week's episode we talk with Patrick Black about social marketing, blogging and more.  It's a good one and you can see it here.

The DMJ Podcast:  Speaking of Delivering Marketing Joy, we have had requests to turn the show into a podcast so you can listen to the interviews on the go.  It's a process, but it's one we have started!  Here are the first 15 episodes!  Enjoy!

The Cost of Bidding:  We all think of bidding as a process designed to save money.  But does it?  In this post we discuss how it costs you money!

Kirby is a Rising Star:  In the midst of this week, we also received news that Kirby was named as a Promotional Products Industry Rising Star.  Great news for Kirby!

As we said, it was a busy week!  It's time to get back at it this week!  Time to embrace the hustle!  Have a great week everyone!

Consider the Cost of Bidding

When creating a promotional campaign, you want a creative powerful promotion that will wow customers and affect human behavior.  That is what a great Promotional Products campaign can do...affect change.  The best campaigns can create an increase in direct mail opens, engagement on social media, create a safer work place or increase sales!

But in addition to making sure you create a campaign that "hits the mark," most organizations want to make sure they are getting a fair shake on price.  No one wants to over pay...and no one wants to be taken advantage of!   So many organizations create a bidding process to ensure the best price.  While this is understandable, in theory, it's important to consider the cost of such a campaign. 

Yes...there is a cost.

First, it's important to note that if the first part of this equation is NOT true (you have an effective promotional campaign), then the second part (the cost) really doesn't matter.  You are now just spending money to spend it.  No good would come from that...agreed?

So if you have a trusted promotional advisor (and if you don't, we can help!) then their job is to help you create those effective campaigns.  The best relationships like this are like partnerships.  You share the themes, goals, and budget with them (if you don't create them together) and they provide you ideas that help you reach those goals.  It's a win-win, because you get great ideas (hopefully) and they get the business.

But when you take their creative concepts and bid them out on the individual products, it's a different relationship entirely.  The relationship becomes entirely transactional.  That is fine (if that's what you want) but you start to rob yourself of the value of the advisor.

If you take their ideas and bid them out, they are not likely to bring you ideas again.  And if they do, they won't put the time and effort into them.  After all, you have told them (by your actions) that the ideas are not what you value.  So they may decide not to provide you ideas at all.

"Let me know when you decide what you want," they might say.  "Then we will be glad to provide a bid."

What does that mean, in dollars and cents?

Let's say your hourly rate is $15 per hour.  In order to get a creative and effective promotional campaign, you could easily spend a day looking for ideas.  Then you might spend another day going through bids to make sure they are accurate (and comparing apples to apples).  So that's two days of your time.  In most cases, pricing between competitive promotional distributors is going to be close.  So you might save a nickel per piece.  If you ordered 1000 of whatever promotional item you decide on, you have "saved" $50.  But you spent $240 to do it.

Of course this does not factor in your creativity.  It doesn't call to attention that a good partner is probably attending industry shows (and seeing the latest and greatest promotional items) and you are not.

But at the end of the day, you have lost a free, trusted, creative, outside source.  It's a choice.  And it's yours to make.  Of course if you don't have that trusted source, that's a different conversation.  But if you do, you might be wise not to drive them away.

So just ask yourself...what is your time worth?

Last Week at HMC 5/24 - 5/30

As the year moves quickly down the tracks, we are trying to keep up the content.  Here is a look at last week!

Commencement:  Last week we start with a look at Kirby getting the opportunity to speak to the graduating class of 2015 in Coshocton.  Here is a look at the video of the speech.  Would you rather just read it?  That's here!

Weekly Word:  It was a short work week last week because of Memorial Day.  But here the Weekly Word reminds you about Service.  Thanks to the Men and Women of our Military for their service...and what can you do?

Delivering Marketing Joy:  This week we met Aubrey Collins.  Aubrey works with Media Tree.  She is a blogger, marketer and mom.  We talk to her about the challenges with that...and the lessons.

Birthday Girl:   Amie (or as we call her, Moonbeam) had a birthday last week too!

Fixing the Potholes:  It's Orange Cone season in Ohio.  What does that mean?  It means inconvenience...and progress.  Read more here.

So that was this week?  What will next week hold?  Check in to find out!

Last Week At HMC 4/26 - 5/2

Let's take a quick look back at the week that was at Hasseman Marketing.  As always, we are trying to keep the hustle up!  What do you think?

A Good Sore:  Sometimes you have a sore that hurts for no good reason.  But when sometimes...the sore feels good!  Here is what we mean!

Be Happy:  Sometimes people think that if they are successful, they will be happy.  But studies show that is not the case.  Learn more on the Weekly Word.

Why Vision Matters:  Have you ever been in a meeting (with good people) where everyone was frustrated?  It might have meant that the vision was not aligned.  Learn more about why that matters here.

Awards:  Did you know we can help you with all your AWARD needs?  Here are two recent examples of awesome awards we have done to help our clients recognize special people. 

Delivering Marketing Joy:  In this episode Denise Tashereau tells us why she focuses on a very specific niche in her business.  Really enjoyed this one!

Social Media Audit:  This is brand new!  We are going to reach out to clients to help them do Social Better.  We will do a FREE Social Media Audit of your company or organization and give you 5 actionable tips to make it better.  Just click here and sign up!

Not a bad week.  But enough of the recap...time to get back after it!

Customer Retention Using Marketing Joy

Let’s start with a statistic that should really make you think.  Studies show that 69% of customers that leave you (as a customer, donor, supporter, etc.) will do so because of “perceived indifference.”  They will leave you because they simply don’t think you care.  Seriously, think about that.  Nearly 7 out of ten lost customers come down to the fact that you didn’t show them that you gave a crap about them.

This statistic both frightens and excites me.

On one hand, it means that my customers could leave me because I have just been careless and lazy.  It means that if I am not careful, my competitors could swoop in and take my revenue…just by caring more!  Am I doing enough to show customers (regularly) that I do sincerely appreciate their business?  Are you?  That can be scary.

On the other hand, it is an entirely fixable (and improvable) situation.  If I am not doing enough to show them, I can fix it!  It is totally within my power to do so.  That’s a good thing.  I don’t have to wait for some cosmic shift in the economy, or some other outside force to change.  I can do it all by myself.  I just need to care more!

On the third hand (is that even possible?) I see this as an opportunity.  It means likely that most businesses are NOT caring enough about their current customers.  That means I (and now you) can create systems that allow you to gain market share…through caring! 

How cool is that?

So how do we do it?  Let’s talk about some very concrete ways to make sure your customers know they are appreciated.

Send Cards

 It’s funny.  Sometimes the things that make a big difference in your customer’s eyes are the simplest.  Send your customers a card on their birthday.  Send them thank you cards for their business.  Send them a holiday card.  Send them a thanksgiving card.  Most people open their mail standing over the trash can, because all we get are bills and junk mail.  A heart felt thank you card really stands out. 

The reason most people don’t send out cards regularly is they lack a system.  Let’s face it; most of us have good intentions.  But those intentions go out the window when we can’t find the right kind of card, or we can’t find a stamp, or we don’t have the person’s address.  We need to schedule a specific time each day (or week) that we send out cards. 

One of my favorite practices is to try to create a reason to send out at least one thank you card each day.  Sometimes it will be for a purchase that a customer made.  Sometimes it will be just because someone helped you.  It’s a fantastic practice. 

Two things will happen.  First, your customers will NEVER think you don’t appreciate them.  And second, you will have a better attitude about life.  If you spend every day trying to find something to be thankful for—guess what—you will become more grateful.  That’s not a bad side benefit for doing something to help you increase your business!

Quarterly Thank You Program

If you are like most businesses, you have 20% of your customers or clients that produce 80% of your sales.  It’s not a universal rule, but it is surprising how often it is true.  So those 20% are the clients you REALLY want to show that you care.  So in addition to sending them a birthday card, a thanksgiving card and thank you cards, you want to reach out and “touch” them at least once a quarter. 

So establish yourself a budget.  How much are you willing to spend over the course of a year in order to say “thank you” to these top clients?  Remember, these are your bread and butter.  This is probably not the time to go cheap.  This number will be different for every business, but in my experience, you don’t have to break the bank. 

Got it? 

Now just for argument sake, let’s assume this number is $100 per year.  You are willing to spend $100 over the course of a year to say thank you to these top clients.  Now just divide that number by 4.  So you have $25 per quarter to get some sort of gift to give to these clients.  This is more than just a gesture.  This promotional gift will not only show your appreciation for them.  It will also showcase your logo and remind them each and every time they use the gift that you are a great company to work with!

Now just tailor the gifts to your audience.  You are now touching these clients 4 more times a year with a great tangible piece of appreciation. 

How does this work?  Let’s give you an example.  Let’s say you are an insurance agent that has a wide variety of customers.  You have business professionals, farmers, families and more.  This diverse group of customers gives you an idea of things you do and don’t want to give.  So your quarterly gifts might look like this:

Quarter 1:  Roadside Safety Flashlight.  This makes sense because you are not only promoting your brand, but you are showing you care about your client on the road.  http://us.starline.com/catalog/product/16757

Quarter 2:  High End Travel Mug and Cooler Bag.  This is a cool combo because your clients might be thinking of vacations or road trips for the warmer months.  Great way to remind them that you are with them through the miles and smiles! 

http://us.starline.com/catalog/product/32789

http://sevillegear.com/product-details/12-Can%20Convertible%20Duffel%20Cooler/7/0

Quarter 3:  BBQ Set.  At this point they will be in barbecue season with tailgating just around the corner. 

http://us.starline.com/catalog/product/1278

Quarter 4:  Executive Calendar and Tumbler.  These two gifts are sure to stand out in the office and the home. 

http://norwood.com/product/3211/Motivations/

http://www.goldbondinc.com/tubehc

Obviously these are just a few ideas to get you thinking.  There are thousands and thousands of options.  But these are some cool things that transcend generations and gender. 

*Also, here’s a quick tip to make this easier for you.  Get with your promotional products consultant and tell them your plans.  Then see if you can order all of these at once.  Ask to see if they will ship them about a month before you need them.  This will allow you to budget a bit.  And it will “poof” create a reminder system so you remember it’s time to say “thanks” again to your clients.  When the boxes arrive it’s time to start!

There are lots of ways to thank your clients.  These are just two.  Feel free to get creative and have some fun thanking your customers.  You will be glad you did!

 This was an excerpt from the book Delivering Marketing Joy (Using Promo To Grow Your Business the Right Way).  You can (and should) get your copy on Amazon!  

Last Week at HMC 3/15 - 3/21

March Madness is in full swing on the court and the madness is at Hasseman Marketing too!  Here is a quick list of the cool activity that happened last week!

Don't Argue with Non-Believers:  There are people who will love what you do.  Some won't buy it at all.  Don't argue with the second group.  It's not worth it.  Here's why.

The Way NOT To Earn Business:  How do you earn more business from your clients?  Here is a way NOT to do it.  

Winning Cures Everything...Or Does it?  If you follow sports you have heard the term "Winning Cures Everything!"  Sometimes we feel the same way about sales for a business.  But more sales doesn't cure everything.

Weekly Word:  If you want to be a writer, you have to write every day.  Whatever you want to be great at, you have to do Daily. 

Delivering Marketing Joy:  That's right!  It's time for a new Edition of Delivering Marketing Joy.  This week we meet up with Promotional Industry Hall of Famer Paul Kiewiet.  It's a great episode and it's right here.

The Power of Calendars:  Want an advertising tool that is targeted, cost-effective and powerful?  Of course you do.  Check out this discussion about the power of Calendar Advertising...and why YOU should be using them.

Improve Brain Function:  Want to have a better brain?  Duh.  Of course you do.  Here are three quick ways to improve your brain...and you can make it happen!

What do you think?  Which of these was most impactful to you?