Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello, I need in some ideas for gifts/promotional materials that service businesses can give their customers. I red about eatable (chocolate+something sweet+ photo and business name) business cards, wanted to  have something rememberable.
For instance, you have window cleaning service - what you will give to your customers as a small business gift?


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http://www.availsuite.com
A small business management software for the field service industry.
U.S. Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Small Business Specialist

Hi beeboobe,

 

A standard gift is note pads with your company’s contact information and logo.  All business people use note pads so it keeps your business name always in front of your potential customers.  Baseball caps with your company logo or name are also popular.  Ink pens are another common gift itdea.

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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.

We have a new member who specializes in exactly this: The site is
http://www.promotionsdept.us/

The member is: Wehavepromotionalideas.
You could send them a private message through SuN mail.

If I was being creative and funny?

If I was a window cleaning company that serviced offices ...
I would brand those wipes you use to clean off your computer screen with my logo and contact information.

If it was for homeowners, I would get a bottle of window and put some kind of sticker on it that said "Can`t reach those high ones? Give us a call and we`ll do it for you!" and then had your logo / contact info.

If it was a holiday, I would use chocolate ... for most holidays, actually.

The promotional tactics really depend on your needs. We just did some great door hangers for a different kind of home services company.

Another SuN member has this site: EventBrander. He may be able to help you with unusual promotional items.

nhgnikole, thanks!
I have some doubts with chocolate and other eatable things. If a window cleaner or plumber gives you a chocolate after washing your windows, will you eat it?


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http://www.availsuite.com
A small business management software for the field service industry.
U.S. Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Small Business Specialist

Well I wouldn`t hand out chocolate ... that would be something I would send in a holiday card or something. They would melt if you were driving around in the car.

If I were handing out, I`d go with something catchy like above.
Or funny magnets with some kind of character on them.
Or pens or note cubes.
Or little tape measures.
Or magnetic plastic chip clips.

When I was the marketing manager at an upscale window company, we handed out lots of things - one of the good ones was a long magnet on window care. If the item is useful, people will keep it ... like if you have a list of emergency steps with your branding on it (like "in case of _____, do _______"), or a pen, or a notepad, or a chip clip.

If it`s something not useful, they will toss it (like 90% of the promotional items out there).

I think the reining king of chotchkies is the Tour de France ... trucks come through before the riders and hand out an enormous array of stuff. You really can brand anything!

Hi B,

 

I would give them something interesting like a pocket mirror with the company logo on the back & a slogan that says "We keep you clean"!  I have lots of biz product ideas on my website www.mmihome.com under Product incentives--if you see somehting you like e-mail be on the contact form & I will get you a FREE sample!!

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Media & Marketing Intelligence For Entrepreneurs

Hello mmi266
I`m still waiting for your response :(

nhgnikole, thanks! Could you please clarify what is a long magnet you handed out?





-------------------------

http://www.availsuite.com
A small business management software for the field service industry.
U.S. Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
Small Business Specialist

Hi BeeBooBe,

    I agree with previous replies in that the promotional item you choose needs to be functional, something that your clients will actually keep around and use, and if you can tie it into the service that you provide then that is even better!

   In a previous message someone mentioned branding the wipes you use.  While I haven`t seen wipes in any of my catalogs, it doesn`t mean they are not available. 

   Do you recommend using a certain kind of wipe, towel, or rag to dry windows with?  You could always get towels and embroider them with your logo and info.

   My company is a promotional items distributor.  Feel free to contact me should you have any other questions or if you`d like some catalogs.

LaurenGGD

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GG Designgroup
"Place A Face On Your Business"
* Graphic Design * Printing * Promtional Items *

I guess giving a business card or some sort of small stationary memento gift like a pen stand with your company information ... you can also give an envelope set or a letter pad... just a suggestion though :) i mean altogether something which is always in use and largely visible

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www.PurpleTrail.com
Free Online Invitations & Event Planning Tool