If the task of selecting your next trade show giveaway falls on your shoulders and you don’t have time to surf the Web and thumb through catalogs for that “new” thing your boss is asking for, turn to these three tips.
o You’ll save time, get a better idea and make your boss happy.
1. Identify the objective of the giveaway.
a. Is it to draw attention to your booth at the show – then you would give away something that attendees might wear that would get others wondering, “where’d they get that?”
b. Is it to reward/thank the booth visitor – then you would give something that they might use in their office or car so they are reminded of your company.
c. Is it to create awareness of a new product/service – then it will usually have something to do with that product and may take on the same colors or themes.
2. Confirm the target of your giveaway.
a. A customer – your giveaway will likely be a “gift” of thanks. Or in the case of introducing a new product – it would be used to create awareness of the product and not the company.
b. A prospect – your giveaway will likely be awareness oriented about your company or products.
3. Align ideas with positioning of your company/product.
a. What ideas will communicate that one thing that differentiates your product/service?
There are thousands of ideas – not all the best ideas are “new.” And promotional products that have utility are those that will stick around your target’s office for a long time.
Picking the best idea
Once you have generated a list of promotional product ideas you’ll want to help your team pick their favorites. Remind the team of the three steps you took to create the recommendations.
o Then ask the team to “wear the shoes” of your target. As the target:
o Where would I use the item?
o Does it having staying power or will I give the item to my kids?
o Do I think it supports the impression I have of the company who gave the item to me?
Go get some ideas!
