Many companies and organizations agree that promotional products are just about the most powerful marketing tools out there, since they forge a real connection between an advertiser and the person receiving the product. In addition, humans love to collect and use useful items, so choosing the right products means your brand can stick around someone’s house or office for years. Get ready to learn a short history of promo items, which product categories people prefer, why promo items make such an impact on us, and what industries use promotional items the most often!
A Short History of Promotional Products
Did you know that promo products date back to 1789 and the first U.S. president? During George Washington’s election, people used commemorative buttons – and then later expanded these types of promo items to almanacs, calendars and rulers.
Then, in the late 1800s, Jasper Meek, an Ohio-based newspaperman and printer, started distributing burlap book bags to local schools to promote his newspaper during slow times. Dubbed the “father of promotional products,” Meek’s marketing idea gained traction, leading to the growth of promo product suppliers.
In the early 1900s, promo products suppliers established the Advertising Manufacturers Association, which later became the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). The Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) is another industry trade association. PPAI and ASI hold annual conferences to bring together industry professionals.
The promotional products industry recorded sales of more than $100 million in 1947, and today is a $20 billion+ a year industry. That’s because companies and organizations consider promo products to be a cost-effective way to promote their brands, with an average cost of $.005 per impression.
Why We Love Collecting Items
You may not have realized that collecting items is a basic human instinct, and in fact, we’ve been collecting items for thousands of years. Archeologists have observed collecting across different time periods, cultures and societies, making it a universal phenomenon among humans. Here are some of the benefits of collecting meaningful items:
- Emotional connections: People gravitate toward gathering certain items and developing a collection, which brings them happiness and a sense of identity.
- Social connections: When we collect certain items, we bond with other people who share the same interests.
- Historical or cultural connections: Some people collect items that inspire nostalgia in us, or connect us to an earlier time, culture or country.
- Investment and prestige: Many people collect items as a way to show their wealth, taste and social status. Then, they donate these valuable collections to museums as a way to be remembered.
However, the great news is that anyone of any age or economic status can collect special items and foster social connections with others. That’s why giving your employees, prospects or clients branded promotional items is a great move, since they’ll keep, use and even cherish the items or add them to a collection (like t-shirts, pens or headwear).
Use These Popular Promotional Items
Did you know that promotional items are people’s favorite forms of advertising? According to ASI’s 2023 Global Ad Impressions Study, we’ve got the top product categories people want to receive and that they keep and use the longest. Receiving these products (listed from the most desirable on down) spurs recipients to do business with your company vs. a competitor if you give them these branded products:
- Outerwear/fleece – 61% of consumers keep and wear outerwear/fleece for two years or longer
- Athletic performance apparel – 59% wear performance apparel for two years or longer
- Power banks – 51% use a promo power bank for two years or more
- T-shirts – 47% wear a t-shirt for two years or longer
- Umbrellas – 54% use promo umbrella for two years or more
- USBs – 44% use a USB two years or more
- Pens – 52% use a writing instrument one year or longer
- Drinkware – 63% keep and use promo drinkware for a year or longer
- Polo shirts – 62% of people wear a promo polo for one year or longer
- Bags – 43% use bags for two years or longer
- Health items – 36% use a promo health item a year or longer
- Calendars – 62% use calendars for one year or longer
- Desk accessories – 58% use promo desk accessories for one year or more
- Headwear – 56% wear a cap for one year or more
It’s also helpful for you to know that 54% of consumers feel more favorably toward a company like yours that gives them a Made-in-the-USA product and 46% like a company more if they give an environmentally friendly product.
A Few More Compelling Promo Products Stats
PPAI surveyed consumers and employees and learned that promo gifts stand out as a sign of brand value and show that employers care about their staff. Here are some stats that can show you the ROI of using promotional products:
- “I’d like to receive promotional products from brands I know and like.” – 66% agree
- “If money was tight, I’d rather receive a useful promo product than be exposed to an ad on TV, internet, radio, etc.” – 66% agree
- “I’d look up a brand I don’t know much about if I received a promo product from them.” – 61% agree
- “I feel included as part of the team when I receive promo products from my employer.” – 52% agree
- “I feel appreciated by my employer when they give me a promotional product.” – 62% agree
Industries Purchasing Promo Items
If you think promo products aren’t for “your company,” take another look. Companies and organizations across so many industries use promotional products, since these items influence behavior and increase the likelihood of the recipient doing business with the advertiser. Here are some examples of industries that purchase and benefit from using promotional items:
- Educational institutions: Daycares, schools, universities, training programs and more use these products to make learning fun, attract new students, boost school spirit and promote new programs.
- Healthcare: Doctor’s offices, hospitals and other medical facilities use promo items to stand out, promote patient loyalty and bring awareness to health issues.
- Financial: In a competitive industry, banks, credit unions and other financial firms use promo products to establish trust with clients.
- Nonprofits: These organizations use promo items to create awareness, thank donors and connect with prospective donors.
- Government: Political candidates and agencies use promo items like totes or water bottles to communicate with constituents and citizens.
- Professional services: Attorneys, doctors, accountants and other professionals use promo items to advertise their services.
- Real estate: Agents use promo items to stay top of mind with home owners and buyers, and as housewarming and closing gifts.
Get Started Today!
Select Sales offers a wide range of quality promotional products and wearables to many organizations for brand promotions and employee recognition. We provide our clients with our design skills, unwavering dedication to excellence, and a customer-focused mindset, establishing ourselves as a dependable partner for businesses seeking long-lasting, premium promotional products.
Challenge us! We're on your team! If you’d like to use promotional items to connect with your customers, grow your brand awareness and recognize employees, call the Select Sales team at 610-974-8080 or visit www.SelectPromotionalProducts.com.