All of us have received promotional items at some point in our lives. Promotional merchandise includes "give away" items that businesses gift their customers and/or prospective clients. These items will have a business logo and contact information printed on them.

As small business owners, most of us realize how important giving away promo items can be for our long-term advertising campaigns. The problem is knowing what to give.

From imprinted ballpoint pens that you can buy in bulk for less than fifty cents each to old world style globes with fancy brass stands imprinted with your company information, there is promotional merchandise to fit into just about any business budget. Personally, I feel that the usability of a promotional item is much more important than the cost.

If it is something that your client will never use or look at, the promotional item is probably a waste of money. What you want is something that will continually remind your customer or prospect of your business. Before spending a cent, there's a good way to figure out if you will be flushing money down the drain with your promotions: Check your junk drawer.

I personally do not know anyone who does not have a "junk drawer" – that depository of stuff that you don't quite feel right about throwing away because it was either a gift or it might be useful sometime in the future. I actually have two junk drawers: One is full of rubber bands, twist-its, straws, a collection of ketchup packets, and other crud that I'll use every once in awhile or will throw out at the end of each year. The other one is full of key chains, little calculators, and refrigerator magnets that I've received from various local businesses. I guess you could call this my "promotional merchandise junk drawer."

Why are they in the junk drawer? I never use them. Take a look at your own junk drawer and you'll discover a bunch of cheap promotional items that you'll never use. Herein is the key to what sorts of promotional items you should or should not be buying.

Giveaways that I use all the time are calendars and pens. These promotional products are not very expensive; yet, they are practical and something that your clients will appreciate and actually use. Other practical promotional merchandise that people will use on a continual basis includes USB flash drives, mouse pads, sticky pads and memo pads.

You might find that caps are an affordable promotional product that your customers appreciate. Just about anyone is going to wear a cap or hat at some point, so these promotions might come in handy for your customers.

Your promotional products should also have some bearing or relevancy for your business. For example, it would be a bit odd if a mining company gave cute little cosmetic kits as its promotional merchandise.

There are thousands of things that can be printed with your business logo or information and, of course, thousands of unique promotional ideas you can grab for your advertising campaign. The main things to consider are (a) the cost and (b) if your prospects will use your promotional gift or toss it in the junk drawer. Since the whole point of giving away merchandise is to promote your business, you want something that will continuously advertise your business to your client. A ballpoint pen with your company information has a higher chance of pulling in more business for you than a hot pink t-shirt that's way too small for that ex-Marine client your consulting business has been courting

Web site design can become expensive work. Before your company starts out on the World-Wide-Web, be sure such costs are necessary. Your business can have a professional looking web site by simply ordering a banner ad design from a professional web designer. Nowadays, there are many graphic designers that are specializing in banner ad design. A banner ad design will certainly lead to more business for your company and more sales of your product.
Banner ads can be crucial when you are advertising your business over the Internet. The first thing that your potential clients will come across will probably be the banner ad design. The banner ad design will refer the people who are interested of your business to your web site. A good banner ad design will certainly increase your incomes and give a good idea of your work.
Your banner ad design needs to be stylish. When searching for a professional web designer make sure that you both have similar ideas about the look of your banner ad design. The banner ad design must match the whole concept of your web site load quickly and leave a good impression about your products.
As a way to advertise their work, some web designers may suggest to create a banner ad design for you free of charge. This is because they want to convince you that they are able to perform a quality work so if you need web design services you may turn to them. Future business with you may bring to them greater incomes than the cost of the banner ad design. The success of the graphic designer depends on the customers’ satisfaction. If you rest contented with the web designer’s work you may share the experience with somebody else. Therefore, if you are satisfied with your free banner ad design, the possibility to share your impressions with other is enough for the designers.
You may even ask a graphic designer to create for you a banner ad design, which you will be able to customize by yourself. If you wish, you may add your own pictures and text. You just need to share your demands about the banner ad design with the professional designer and he will make for you a template which will only be a guide for your future work on it. If you are not able to create your banner ad design alone but you can simply finish the work, you may ask for this service. The template, which the web designer will provide, will only give you the plan for the banner ad design. Later you must insert your own text and other contents into the banner ad design.
One important rule while creating your banner ad design is to keep it clean and simple. Do not allow any gaudiness to ruin your style. Make sure you have included directions to your web page on the banner ad design with flashing text or sound. If your banner ad design is well done, the potential clients will pay the attention your business deserves.

Are you afraid that your latest promotional campaign will be swept away with the rest of the advertising clutter? Placing your advertisement in a key location is a pivotal step in getting it noticed.

Since you can practically buy ad space on just about every surface possible, finding the right location for your promotional message can be quite a challenge. Choosing an otherwise untouched area for your ad can increase its success. Dimly lit areas, floors and narrow walkways seem to be free of advertising and promotional materials in most buildings.

Dimly Lit Areas

Dimly lit areas may seem to be off limits when it comes to promotion and advertising since well-lit areas provide a more inviting location for posters and signs. However, backlit displays provide a perfect way to take advantage of these hidden areas.

An illuminated backlit sign can spark interest and grab the attention of customers in casinos, movie theaters and shopping malls. Whether you are promoting an upcoming event or a new product or service offering a backlit display can expand your marketing reach throughout the building.

Floors

For the most part, the floors of most venues are uncharted territory when it comes to advertising and promotion, but with adhesive graphics, you can place your message on the surface of just about any floor (even carpet).

Floor graphics cannot only help to increase awareness, but they can also help to direct your customers to products or other locations. When you place floor graphics in high traffic areas, be sure to use a high-tack adhesive to ensure that they will last throughout the duration of your promotion.

Every business owner dreams that advertising in a certain medium will net them dozens of clients in the very first week or month. Sometimes those dreams are fulfilled, but most of the time they are not. If advertising was a sure thing, there would be less of it. It would be more expensive. Every business would be successful. There would be no small businesses.

There are many ways your advertising message can be delivered. All advertising mediums can be effective when used properly and consistently. However, no advertising is worth the investment if you just shotgun it or try it a short time.

Here's why:

Even among consumers that want your services, 98% will not bother to call you the first time they are exposed to your ad. Maybe they are short on time or just looking around. Often, consumers will simply procrastinate and not make the call. They will make a mental note of your advertisement and come back an hour, a day, a week or even months later. If your ad has disappeared, you've lost a potential customer.

While your advertising could get you a phone call or two right away, your biggest success will come from those who don't yet have a need, but will in the near future. Most products and services are not purchased on a whim. They are considered and talked about for some time.

When the consumer receives your advertising message, they may not be ready to respond, but they listen and pay attention. In their mind, it is part of the decision making process. The final decision will be made in the fututre. This is particularly true in advertising big ticket items where there is a high emotional component in the decision. If consumers don't see or hear your name now, you stand less chance of getting the call when they take action.

Along with accumulating information on potential services providers, the consumer starts paying attention to where they find the advertising. When the time comes to take action, they are then going to respond to that which is top of mind. They are not at the starting their buying process, they are at the end of it.

Advertising consistency is the key to higher performance. A single advertising insertion or schedule may get you that lucky immediate response. However, if you measure your success on initial shot, then chances are that you will have lost about 98% of your advertising's potential. Advertising is a long-term investment and should only be entered into when you are ready to stick with it. Your advertising investment works like compound interest. The first dollar you invest continues to work month after month. There really is a substantial penalty for early withdrawal.

Write articles to promote your business and website. This way you will create great content and gain a fabulous reputation as an expert in your field. Ezine publishers are always looking for new material. And let’s not forget the fact that it will be free advertising. You will see your article gain exposure all over the world with the blinking of an eye.

Make sure to include a resource box and or with your link at the bottom of your article. You can even write a short sentence explaining the right to reprint your copy or article as long as the resource box remains at the end of the article. Now it’s time to begin our short lesson.

Writing your first article is always hardest the first time around, but once you get started there will be no stopping you.

The first thing you should do is to try to think of different ideas to market your products or business. If you do have a marketing business, you may want to think of different techniques to attract new customers.

As you think of the idea, quickly jot it down. That way you won’t forget it. Once you have quite a few, select which one you want to use first, and write about it. Be sure to choose a title that will capture the reader’s attention.

Now you can start to generate your article. There are two different formats for you to use. First, is the Outline Method. With this way of writing, you jot down all the important things that you want to mention in your article. Then you simply discuss in more detail, the aspects that you created and throw in useful information. You could even include links to helpful resources.

Next is the Lecture Method. This method is fabulous. Think for just a little of what you want to write about. Now pretend that you’re talking to someone about your topic. Just let it flow naturally, as though they are sitting right next to you. Type while you’re talking out loud if this is helpful for you. Carry on a full conversation with yourself. I find this the easiest method. Whisper the conversation as you type.

Develop your own style that works best for you. Have fun; play with your words a little. Relax and enjoy your conversation. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your words will flow. And voilà! There it will be!

Don’t be afraid to give your article character. If you’re a funny person, throw in a bit of humor. Readers like that.

Subscribe to ezines or article groups. Read other articles to get an idea of what other authors are writing. Don’t copy their style though. Let your own personality shine.

Once you’re finished your article, read and review your work a few times over again. If you can, put it aside until the next day. You’ll be amazed at how much difference this can make. Do a spell-check and there you go.

Make whatever changes or corrections that are necessary. Now submit your article to as many ezines or article directories as you can. Even as soon as a few days to a few weeks after you submit your article, you will realize that it is spreading like wild fire. Just do a search after you submit your articles with your article name or your author name and have fun browsing through all the various links.

They’re happening. They’re fun. And they’re Photo Cards. Whether its New Year Greetings and Diwali Cards, or whether it’s a birthday card or gift card or personalised post cards, photo cards are the latest must-haves. Offering express service all the way, “pour-your-heart-out” photo greeting cards or digital photo cards, easy “do-it-fast” online greeting cards personalization tools, and express delivery, photo cards are in.

Low costs and auto-printing options on quality websites add even more appeal. With a good range of print sizes for photo cards, and a wide variety of greeting cards, they are a hot favorite with users. From birth announcements to “poemed” Valentine’s Day photo greeting cards, from digital photo cards for New Year’s greetings to Diwali Cards, photo cards add romance and magic to your life.

Occasion or no occasion, photo cards let you tell someone you care. Birthday card or gift card, personalised post cards or photo greeting cards, digital photo cards are unique – and quick as a flash. Fun, special and adaptable, not just to your personal style, but to everything that’s important in your life, online greeting cards are favorites with all users.

With super-smart software that is pure simplicity, adding pizzazz to Christmas cards, Diwali cards, and New Year greetings is fun. And personal messages in a gift card, or love poems on Valentine’s Day greeting cards show how much you care. With borders for personalised post cards, and zap- your-friends online greeting cards, the list is endless.

A business card is a greeting card for your customers. The design is only limited by your imagination. Many people choose to design and print business cards themselves not for the reason of saving money. Instead they do it for customization and creativity.

Many websites make the design and customization of business cards as easy as a few clicks. The design of a business card online starts with choosing a business card template, change the font size, color, layout, or add additional text if you need, then customize it to your business with title, description, phone number and URL of your website if you have and choose to show it on the business cards. These online sites also give you the option to add your company logo or a photo without having to use their designs. It is a fun and easy way to create your business cards online and can actually save you time and money because you do not have to consult a graphic designer. You are the designer.

As the designer of your business cards, you need to make several decisions: 1) do you want a back-and-white business card, or a color business card; and 2) do you want a horizontal or vertical business card in terms of styles. Black-and-white business cards look professional and are suited for businesses in engineering, manufacturing and scientific fields. Color business cards are suited more for professionals who are in arts, web design and marketing. While horizontal business cards look traditional and conservative when they’re printed in black-and-white, vertical business cards may create the artistic and liberal impressions.

Once you’ve chosen a template, color and style of your business cards, the next step is business card printing. Business cards are often printed on papers. Some business cards are printed on plastic cards or even magnetic cards. A magnetic card is ideal for your customers to keep on their refrigerators so they will not lose your number. Color raised ink will make your company logo or your name stand out on a white background. Plastic business cards resist fading and scratching. Plastic card printing requires specific equipments which are not offered by all business card printing companies.

Business card printing online, as well as design, is fast and easy. You can get the look and feel of the cards instantly before you receiving the real cards. Consumers will likely keep business cards designed with character and printed on plastic cards around even after using your company’s services.

When the term ‘cash paying free paid surveys' is mentioned, you are really being told that there are many different systems for finding paid surveys. Most of these systems are free, and is certainly an option when you are looking around for paying surveys.

Some companies, particularly for databases, charge a membership fee, and this is okay if you don't feel like searching for them yourself. Quality paid surveys can be found through databases and companies.

Additionally, many of these companies have been around for at least twenty years. It's safe to say that you are going to get the best service, from those with a built reputation.

There are many free, legitamate paid surveys that you can become a part of without the help of others, or their database listings. There are many moms making extra money at home, while still attending to the family, who are able to find their own surveys by searching the net.

Cash paying free paid surveys have been made possible owing to the rise of the Internet as a real-time interaction medium. So now corporations with new products about to be rolled-out, can get the thoughts and opinions of people almost instantly via a digital questionnaire, thereby saving them a bundle.

There are many good paying surveys that can be found where you can answer for either cash or free products from the companies involved. The problem however, is that it takes up too much time to track down the good ones that pay well.

There are many free good paid surveys that can be found, that you can fill out for either cash payments or free products from the companies involved. The problem however, is that it takes way too much time to track down the good ones that pay well.

After 15 years in the sign business, I can usually tell which new business will fail within minutes of meeting with the client. I can tell when I hear what percentage of their total budget has been set aside for signage. I can also tell when they show me that they have more interest in getting a low price than getting a sign with a design that is compelling enough to draw people into their place of business.

I want to ask them, "Is a $1000 sign really cheaper than a $10,000 sign". When they say "Yes, it is". I want to explain to them that if their business fails because of poor signage choices, then how much did they really save on that $1,000 sign? On the other hand, if their business succeeds beyond their wildest expectations and it is due in part to their clever and effective sign content, then wasn't they extra $9k the best decision they could have made? It pays for itself and then makes them money if it helps keep them from "going under".

Signs are best looked at as "advertising". It is arguably the most effective and most important advertising purchase a new business owner will make. IF you purchase a $10,000 neon sign or a $10,000 electronic scrolling LED message board sign and you get 10 years out of it; you just paid $83.84 per-month (plus any upkeep needed or electricity used) for that point-of-sale advertising. How does that compare to what your business spends on other forms of advertising like the "yellow pages" or Radio or NewsPaper advertisements?

The final point I would like to make about giving your business sufficient signs is that you should continue the branding thought your business. Don't stop at one large entry sign. Put signs on every side of your business that is exposed to traffic if your local sign code allows it. If your town allows sidewalk signs, then put out a "sidewalk sign stand" to get the attention of the foot traffic. Be sure to put logos on each parking sign and a vinyl or etched logo on your front door and put some branding on the custom printed "welcome mat" that your customers wipe their feet on. I don't know how many times I have heard a customer say "we just had our best month ever" on the very month proceeding the upgrade of their poorly designed and insufficient signs. There are many sign advertising opportunities available and the best decisions will be made with the help of a sign design professional. When in doubt, just look at the size and quality of the "complete sign package" that you see at the biggest retail chains. Look at both the interior and exterior signs and ask yourself if you are as well represented with your signage. You can be sure that their accountants have researched this to death before approving such a large sign budget. So, if it wasn't "good for business" to have an extensive and complete sign package, then you would see very small sign packages with just one or two "low end plywood signs" at most of your top retailers ....and you just don't see that happening very often.

Some self-proclaimed marketing gurus say that each person in the United States of America is exposed to over 3,000 varying and different messages every day. And if you are driving around the city each sign is competing for your eye-ball.

While you read the newspaper each add also competes for your brains visual imagery capacity. Indeed these stats seem appropriate and realistic, yet your mind often does not allow even a slice of its attention to what you consider junk.

So, when marketing folks talk about over kill in the information age your mind is not necessarily even looking, in fact you would be surprised how much your mind blocks out and it does not matter if it is in a phone book, radio, billboard, side of a bus, newspaper or brochure on a counter top.

When you study how the brain works and why it works the way it does you will begin to understand that it is not just the headlines, which sell or help you achieve a favorable impression. Much has to do with how that headline is placed, colors used, etc. and then and only then does what the headline says even matter.

Some marketing gurus, marketing book writers and self-proclaimed marketing specialists want you to believe you either need to learn how to write better copy or hire them as consultants. The truth is most of these folks are old school straddlers of the fence in a changing paradigm of the new click happy, fast paced world, where human block out junk and their eye-ball and brains move fast.

It might be better to study the aspects of the human mind and visualization of the brain. And thus perhaps we need a few less know-it-all marketing specialists and you need to read a few more MRI white papers from the top Universities on what the brain is scanning for and why. Consider all this in 2006.

So often we hear marketing consultants and marketing book authors, which are a dime a dozen for the most part; say that Advertising is a Method to Communicate to the Customer Information About Your Product or Service. Sure that is one of the many ways in Marketing to reach your customer and most people who have been in business for quite a while, know that the multiplicity affect is a much better approach.

For instance if you have a back board ad at the little league field then that is a smart thing to do, sponsoring a prize a bingo night is brilliant and a little advertising in the right places can go a long way indeed. The real trick is to get the most bang for your buck when marketing your products or services.

Advertising can be beneficial some times, but generally it is much better to co-sponsor promotions, events and show community support when in a small business. Additionally this works well for larger companies, because it shows the potential clientele that you care about them. These types of marketing work well in Politics, business and soliciting funds for non-profit groups too.

The biggest myth is that if you have a small marketing and advertising budget that your choices are limited and that you have less opportunity? Not so. In fact you have more chances to be more creative with the resources you have. Consider all this in 2006 and be weary of the so-called and self-proclaimed marketing experts who have written 3 or more marketing books