The budget versatility of promotional products

As any marketing manager, brand manager, sales director of MD will tell you, a key part of any outlay on marketing is getting the best value for your money. And that is precisely why many companies consider promotional merchandise to be a vital part of their marketing mix.

Consider any of the main product groups of promotional products and business gifts and you will see the versatility it can play on budgets. The promotional pen for example. The most obvious first step is to decide on the lower specification plastic pen or the more visually impactful metal pen. Plastic pens have an immense price range to work within - consider a Panther Eco pen for less than 18p or go for a Prodir closer to 30p each. So you as the company must make a call on cheap giveaway or longevity of use.

For metal pens, generally the prices start from around 85p or so and of course can go as high as £3-4 and higher. Traditionally, the higher end pricing tends to reflect a brand name e.g. Papermate, Waterman, Parker etc, normally in some form of set and presentation box.
New onto the marketplace (and adding a further dimension to the area) is the rollerball pen...more expensive than the ballpen but generally accepted to be a better writing instrument with greater longevity.

But it’s not just writing products that demonstrate the budget versatility of promotional merchandise.

Drinkware is also an opportunity. Mugs have always been a popular as they have longevity of use...after all, when was the last time you through a mug out! So consider the budget flexibility of ceramic mugs versus plastic mugs. And then through in China mugs too! And surprisingly, the range of ceramic mugs keeps the pricing structure both attractive and affordable for most businesses.

Budget adherence (and juggling) is a fundamental part of business. So when looking into brand awareness, exhibition support or new product launches, promotional merchandise offers a vast array of opportunities to ensure budgets are spent wisely.

About The Author

Ian Feingold is a Director of Code Promotional Merchandise, an online supplier of promotional products and business gifts to businesses, charities and public sector organisations with products including promotional pens, promotional mugs, promotional umbrellas, promotional desk top items and eco friendly promotional giveaways.