10 Tips to Use Giveaways Effectively
Walk around any trade or consumer show and you will be able to collect a bag full of advertising specialties, or giveaway items all designed to promote. But look a little more closely. How many really do an effective job? How clearly do they get a message across? Is the message sufficiently visible? Is the giveaway useful or unique enough that you would want to keep and use it? All these questions, and more, need to be considered before jumping into the giveaway game.
Everyone enjoys receiving a gift, even if it is "just a little something." Gift giving creates a favorable impression. It can build goodwill, be an incentive, communicate a message and create awareness.
When thinking about advertising specialties for your next show, consider the following ten questions:
1. What do you want to achieve by giving away a premium item?
Your giveaway items should be designed to increase your memorability, communicate, motivate, promote or increase recognition. It is important not only that the message have an impact, but also the premium itself.
2. How will you select your premium item?
There is a multitude of different items you could consider as a premium. However, which one will best suit your purpose? To select the right item, you need to decide your objective. Do you want it to enhance a theme; convey a specific message or educate your target audience? A clear purpose should help make your selection process easier. A promotional specialist can also help you make an effective selection. Remember that your company image is reflected in whatever you choose to give away.
3. Whom do you want to receive your premium?
Having a clear objective for your premium item will also help you decide who should receive it. You may consider having different gifts for different types of visitors. You might have different quality gifts for your key customers, prospects and general passers by.
4. How does your giveaway tie into your marketing theme?
Is there an item that naturally complements your marketing message? Have the message imprinted on the item and make sure that your company name, logo and phone number appear clearly. An important aspect of any gift is to remember who it was from long after the fact.
5. What is your budget?
The price range for premium items is enormous. Quality, quantity and special orders, all impact the price. Establish a budget as part of your exhibit marketing plan. Consider ordering the same item for several different shows. The greater the quantity of your order, the lower the individual unit price.
6. What must visitors do to qualify for a gift item?
There are several ways to use your premium effectively. For example, as a reward for visitors participating in a demonstration, presentation or contest; as a token of your appreciation when visitors have given you qualifying information about their specific needs; as a thank you for stopping at the booth. Avoid leaving items out for anyone to take. This diminishes value and has little or no memorability factor.
7. Will your giveaway directly help your future sales?
Consider handing out a discount coupon or a gift certificate that requires future contact with your company for redemption. Consider premiums that will help generate frequent visits to customers and prospects, such as calling you for free refills.
8. How does your premium item complement your exhibiting goals?
Premiums can be used to prequalify your prospects. One company uses playing cards. Prior to the show, they send "kings" to their key customers, "queens" to suppliers, "jacks" to new or hot prospects. They request that the cards are brought to the booth in exchange for a special gift. When the cards are presented, the booth staff already know certain information about the visitor. They can then act on their previous knowledge and use time with the visitor more productively.
9. How will you inform your target audience about you giveaway item?
A sufficiently novel or useful giveaway can actively help to draw prospects to your booth. So make sure your prospects know about it. Send a "tickler" invitation with details of the giveaway, or create a two-piece premium, sending one part out to key prospects prior to the show and telling them to collect the other half at your booth.
10. How will you measure the effectiveness of your premium?
Establish a tracking mechanism to measure the success of your giveaway. If it is a redemption item, code it so that you know it resulted from the show. Post-show follow-up could include a question about the premium - did visitors remember receiving it and how useful was the item. After the show, critique your giveaway with your exhibit team: Did it draw specific prospects to the booth? Was it eye-catching enough to persuade passers by to stop? Did your customers find it useful? Did it project the right corporate image?
There are plenty of exciting premiums for you to choose from so that you can avoid the usual pens, pencils and keychains. Make your premium work for you and it will be money well invested.
About The Author
Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: "Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies," working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week.
 Google News Updated : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:05:39 GMT Jobless rate soars to 6.1% - CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com - Unemployment surges to 5-year high as employers cut workers for eighth straight month, bringing '08 job losses to 605000. By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney. Unemployment Rate Hits 5-Year High As Economy Continues to Shed Jobs Unemployment Rate Rises to 6.1% Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:05:45 GMT So What If Sarah Palin Used a Speechwriter? - FOXNews
FOXNews - By Betsy Newmark Disdaining Sarah Palin’s speech last night because she had a speechwriter is one of the lamest criticisms of her performance last night. Video: Inside the Tent: Reactions to Sarah Palin's speech Part 4 Panel Reviews Palin, Previews McCain Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:03:46 GMT Thai PM buys time with referendum plan - Reuters
Reuters - By Darren Schuettler BANGKOK (Reuters) - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has bought some time with a referendum aimed at defusing street protests, but it will do nothing to resolve Thailand's fundamental political conflict, analysts say. Video: Locking horns over politics in Thailand -- 05 September 2008 ANALYSIS: Thai demonstration raises democracy issues Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:33:48 GMT State falling way behind No Child Left Behind - San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle - California schools, required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act to lift more students over a higher academic hurdle this year, instead stumbled and slipped back, as nearly 1400 fewer schools met test-score targets. Only 48% of California high schools meet federal standards, even ... Middle schools lead county's API scores Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:41:11 GMT McCain honors NH soldier in convention speech - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - ST. PAUL, Minn.—In his speech to the Republican National Convention, presidential candidate John McCain paid tribute to a New Hampshire soldier killed in Iraq. Video: "Change is coming," McCain tells convention - 05 Sept 2008 US media mixed on McCain speech Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:43:54 GMT Haiti doubles hurricane death toll; US extends storm watches and ... - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - AP WILMINGTON, North Carolina: Tropical storm watches and warnings in the United States were extended from Georgia to areas just south of New York City on Friday as states along the Atlantic braced for Tropical Storm Hanna, which killed at least 137 ... Southeast states brace for Tropical Storm Hanna Hanna heads to Carolinas; Ike not far behind Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:14:26 GMT Partisan Reception Greets Palin as VP Pick - ABC News
ABC News - Sarah Palin is receiving a highly partisan reception on the national political stage, with significant public doubts about her readiness to serve as president, yet majority approval of both her selection by John McCain and her willingness to join the ... Video: Joe Biden On Palin's Speech Obama Camp Turns to Clinton to Counter Palin Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:18:50 GMT Increase Search Engine Traffic |
.JPG)
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... When advertising, you need to sell your opportunity, your products... Read More Want to create print ads that get results? Below are... Read More The unnecessary and extensive use of female models in advertisements... Read More We all are looking for ways to market our businesses... Read More For most companies, gone are the days of spending money... Read More Many people in business lay-out (design) their own ads. That... Read More What is it about magnets that draw people to leave... Read More Do you send email to your Online audience to let... Read More Is fear of failure an issue when you commit valuable... Read More Would you like to know how a car wash chain... Read More 1. Place copies of your circular on bulletin... Read More Believe it or not, there are plenty of opportunities out... Read More The content of advertising is basically the same no matter... Read More Are your business-to-business ads working for you? If they are... Read More So you spent good money on an ad, put it... Read More Creating a logo to get you noticed.When you're branding a... Read More 1. Spend money on decent quality business cards. Home made... Read More 1) Include a coupon in your large ads. This can... Read More First and foremost - You should identify your target market.... Read More Advertising online is very similar to advertising in any environment.... Read More I suspect that everyone has an idea of what lamination... Read More Rule One :- The HeadlineThe headline should summarize the whole... Read More Tired of pouring endless money into advertising? Do you wonder... Read More So, you own a small business, sales are down and... Read More If you knew these 10 high impact insider's hidden psychological... Read More
Adsense
websites
Advertising - Does it Matter?
Three Keys to Crafting Successful Print Ads
Womentisements
8 Low Cost Ways To Advertise, Promote and Market Your Business
Measure the Response of Your Advertising Campaigns by Using Promotional Products
Design Your Own Newspaper Ads
Magnetic Business Cards: Make Your Marketing Message Stick
Power Headlines for Promotion Success
The Art Of Fear Free Advertising
A $40 Million Dollar Little Known Referral Strategy
16 Methods for Getting Free Advertising
Where To Call For Free Advertising And Free Business Advice
7 Tips for Better Ads
How to Write B2B Ads That Catch Customers
Why Your Ad Failed
Creating a Winning Logo
11 Ways To Make Your Business Cards Work For You
10 Ways To Improve Your Print Ads
Direct Mail Rules of Thumb
The Principle Of Advertising Online
Lamination of Signs
How to Get People to Read Your Ads Like CRAZY!
How To Track Your Advertising Like A Hawk
Should Your Small Business Hire an Advertising Agency?
Online Advertising: 10 High Impact Psychological Triggers To Super-Charge Your Ad
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Online vs. Offline Advertising
Let's face it. Email marketing and publishing have became very... Read More
Printing - How Do I Buy It?
Why should I care where I get my printed material... Read More
Promote yourself on radio for free
Unless you have become extremely popular in your personal or... Read More
Creativity and Getting Outside of the Box
Sitting in front of a blank piece of paper? Wondering... Read More
3 Inside Secrets To Making You Richer Using Direct Mail!
Making money using direct mail isn't easy. And anyone who... Read More
Does Post Card Advertising Really Work?
You've decided to try advertising your business with post cards.... Read More
Is Your Yellow Pages Ad Putting Cash in Your Pocket... or Sucking Cash Out?
Any idea? It's a question that more than a few... Read More
Good Design Makes Good Sense
Organized your pencils and pens lately? Sorted your clothes into... Read More
Organizing Business Cards for Effective Contact Management
Now that you've had colorful new business cards printed, and... Read More
Why Radio Advertising Could Be The Best Thing You Ever Did For Your Business
In the marketing world, radio has earned the reputation of... Read More
10 Ways To Improve Your Print Ads
1) Include a coupon in your large ads. This can... Read More
16 Methods for Getting Free Advertising
1. Place copies of your circular on bulletin... Read More
Why Not Use the Humble Fax in Your Advertising Strategy?
When my daughter complained recently about the prohibitive cost of... Read More
Boost Headline Believability With Specifics
Don't use vague generalities in your headlines. Be as specific... Read More
The SKINNY on Radio Advertising
From meager beginnings in 1920, radio has grown with us... Read More
Improve Your Promotional Flyers And Improve Sales
Admittedly, I have not seen your advertising flyer. Then again,... Read More
Where To Call For Free Advertising And Free Business Advice
Believe it or not, there are plenty of opportunities out... Read More
Print Advertising: Knowing What To Put In Your Ads
So you've decided to run a print ad in your... Read More
See How to Advertise and Gain More Money to Blast Another Project
We have a Great News that we think that may... Read More
Consider These Pressing Facts Before You Renew Your Yellow Page Ad
Your Yellow Page Ad Deserves More than 10 Minutes of... Read More
Advertising That Annoys: The Real Story
Critics conclude that entertaining or "creative" commercials sell better than... Read More
Advertise Where Its Forbidden To
The most common way to drive people to your business... Read More
7 Questions to Ask Before You Advertise
Most business owners and managers keep a fairly close eye... Read More
Using Flyers to Advertise Your Online Business
Using flyers is one commonly overlooked method of advertising offline.... Read More
Finding Your Target Market
Achieving sales is probably the biggest challenge a web business... Read More
Advertising |