Selecting promo products for your business

1. Identify your target audience

The first step towards creating a lasting impression with your promo products is to consider who your target audience is. What’s their age? What are their hobbies and interests? What are their pain points? Ask yourself, “What would I want if I was this person?” Customers want to feel valued and that you chose promotional merch with them in mind.

You’ll also want to consider the time and place where you’ll be handing out these products. For example, if you’re targeting professionals at a B2B tradeshow you’re going to need different items than if you’re promoting your fitness studio at a local road race.

2. Set your budget

Next, consider your marketing budget and the amount you can spend on swag. Define a range that you will feel comfortable spending and stick with it. Developing a spend ceiling will help alleviate pressure on your business when it comes to selecting promo products. Take your time and make sure you’re defining a clear budget.

3. Select a range of products

Once you know your audience and budget, you can start selecting your products. It’s a good idea to have a variety of products on hand ranging from small and lower-priced to high-end and more expensive.

For example, you might give a bottle opener to everyone that makes a purchase, but you’ll give a stainless-steel water bottle to customers that spend a significant amount. Save your splurge promo items for your best customers. You can break apart these selections into 50% small gifts, 25% medium gifts, and 25% large gifts or whatever proportions work for you.

4. Create a communication loop.

Lastly, for each item you give away, make sure to include a way for the customer to connect with you after they receive it. Add a call to action to the product, such as an invitation to follow your social media accounts. You can also complement the product with a hanging tag that includes all of your contact information to make it easy for potential customers to get in touch with your office.