Blog | Impress Ipswich

Getting Your Recipients to Want, Keep, and Use Merch Longer

In the world of promotional merchandise, capturing attention is just the beginning. You want your recipients not only to receive your branded items but also to cherish them, integrate them into their daily lives, and ultimately become brand ambassadors. Achieving this requires a thoughtful approach that goes beyond mere exposure. Let's explore some strategies to ensure your promotional merchandise leaves a lasting impression. Quality Matters: Invest in high-quality items that reflect positively on your brand. Cheap, low-quality merchandise may end up in the bin rather than being used. Durable and well-made items ensure longevity and practicality, enhancing their value to recipients Useful Day to Day: The key to prolonged exposure lies in offering items that serve a practical purpose in your recipients' daily routines. Whether it's a reusable water bottle, a sleek notebook, or a versatile tote bag, choose items that seamlessly integrate into their lives. The more utility your merchandise provides, the more frequently it will be used and often, across contexts, reinforcing your brand presence. Engage on Social Media: Encourage recipients to share photos of themselves using your merchandise on social media platforms. Seeing peers enjoy and endorse your branded items can evoke a desire to join in, use, and cherish the merchandise, strengthening their connection to your brand. Design with Style: Aesthetics play a significant role in the longevity of promotional merchandise. Create tasteful and visually appealing designs that align with your target audience's preferences. Eye-catching and attractive designs foster a strong inclination for continued use and retention of the item, solidifying its value. Whether it's bold graphics, elegant typography, or minimalist patterns, make sure your merchandise stands out from the crowd. Create an Emotional Connection: Tie merchandise to your brand story or values to create an emotional connection with recipients. For example, branded bags crafted from ethically sourced materials, with proceeds supporting local charities or environmental causes, carry a powerful message of compassion and collective responsibility, fostering an emotional bond. Offer Exclusive Items: Make your recipients feel special by offering exclusive or limited-edition merchandise. Whether it's a VIP gift for loyal customers or a reward for participation in a promotional campaign, exclusivity adds perceived value to your merchandise. Create a sense of anticipation and desirability around these items to incentivise engagement and retention. Emphasize Value: Create a buzz around your merchandise by highlighting the value the merchandise brings to the recipient. Whether it's convenience, functionality, or aesthetic appeal, make it clear how your merchandise enhances their lives, reinforcing its importance. Follow Up: Stay in touch with recipients after they receive the merchandise. Send follow-up emails or surveys to gather feedback and show that you value their opinions. This also provides an opportunity to reinforce your brand message and strengthen the relationship. Personalized to Recipients' Preferences: Tailoring your promotional merchandise to the individual preferences of your recipients enhances its relevance and desirability. Collect data on their interests, demographics, and purchasing behaviors to create personalized experiences. Whether it's monogramming their initials, customizing product colours, or offering product recommendations based on past interactions, personalized merchandise fosters a deeper connection and increases its likelihood of being retained and used. By incorporating these strategies into your promotional merchandise approach, you're not just providing items—you're creating meaningful connections that stand the test of time. From personalisation to quality assurance, each tip is designed to ensure your branded merchandise is wanted, kept, and used for longer, ensuring your brand remains top of mind for your audience. Read More

April 24, 2024

Products that Stand the Test of Time

In the world of Promotional Merchandise, not all products are created equal when it comes to standing the test of time. While the concept of giving away branded merchandise remains powerful, selecting the right products can make a significant difference in terms of longevity and impact. In this blog post, we'll delve into specific products and explain why they are the best choices for creating lasting impressions and enduring brand recognition. Branded Pens and Notebooks Branded pens and notebooks are classics for a reason. These items serve a practical purpose in our daily lives, ensuring that your brand is prominently displayed each time someone takes notes or writes. The reason they endure is their utility. Pens run out of ink, and notebooks get filled, but the memory of your brand remains. Moreover, the tactile experience of writing by hand creates a deeper connection with your logo or slogan. Reusable Drinkware Stainless steel water bottles and travel mugs are fantastic choices when considering the longevity of promotional merchandise. Not only do they last for years, but they also promote eco-consciousness. These items are often carried daily, serving as a constant reminder of your brand. The durability of stainless steel ensures your logo doesn't fade or wear over time, maintaining brand recognition. Tote Bags Reusable tote bags have become an essential part of modern life, as more people are adopting eco-friendly practices. Branded tote bags are versatile and can be used for grocery shopping, carrying books, or as everyday bags. Their spaciousness allows for a larger and more prominent logo, ensuring that your brand is visible wherever the bag goes. Tote bags are more than just accessories; they become a part of people's routines. Customized Apparel Customized apparel, such as T-shirts and hoodies, is an excellent choice for creating a lasting impact. When people wear your branded clothing, they become walking advertisements for your brand. High-quality fabrics and well-executed designs ensure that these items remain in use for years. Moreover, people often hold onto branded apparel due to the comfort and sentimental value associated with them. Calendars Calendars are timeless promotional items that stand the test of time, quite literally. They provide year-long exposure for your brand, and their utility ensures they are displayed prominently in homes and offices. Calendars also tap into the nostalgia of traditional timekeeping methods, adding a touch of sentiment to your promotional efforts. Conclusion When it comes to selecting promotional merchandise that will endure and make a lasting impression, it's essential to choose products that offer both practicality and sentimental value. Branded pens, reusable drinkware, tote bags, customized apparel and calendars are among the best choices due to their durability, utility, and the potential for evoking positive emotions. Investing in these products not only ensures long-term brand visibility but also strengthens the connection between your brand and your customers. So, when you're planning your next promotional campaign, consider these timeless options that will help your brand stand the test of time and continue making a meaningful impact. Read More

September 20, 2023

Strategy and Follow-Up Timeline for Marketers - Mastering Promotional Merchandise

Promotional merchandise has emerged as a powerful marketing tool, but its true potential lies in a well-structured strategy and a thoughtful follow-up plan. We understand the challenges marketers face while giving out merchandise to recipients. In this blog post, We will share a clear and effective strategy for distributing promotional merchandise and provide you with a timeline for follow-up to maximize your campaign's impact. Step 1: Establish Clear Objectives Before diving into the world of promotional merchandise, begin by defining clear objectives for your campaign. Whether it's increasing brand visibility, boosting customer loyalty, or driving sales, having well-defined goals will guide your decisions throughout the process. Step 2: Know Your Target Audience Understanding your target audience is essential for selecting the right merchandise that will resonate with them. Conduct thorough market research to gain insights into their preferences, interests, and needs. This knowledge will help you tailor your merchandise to match their tastes effectively. Step 3: Design Cohesive Branding Consistent branding is crucial in promotional merchandise campaigns. Work closely with your design team to ensure that your brand logo, colors, and messaging are prominently displayed on the merchandise. This will reinforce brand recognition and leave a lasting impression on recipients. Step 4: Choose Relevant and Useful Merchandise Select merchandise that aligns with your audience's interests and lifestyle. Practical items that recipients can use regularly will keep your brand top-of-mind. Popular choices include high-quality apparel, eco-friendly products, tech gadgets, and stationery. Step 5: Plan Your Distribution Strategy Devise a well-thought-out distribution strategy to reach your target audience effectively. Consider handing out merchandise at events, including it as a part of a product launch, or using it as an incentive for referrals or social media engagement. Personalized packaging can add a touch of exclusivity and increase the perceived value of the merchandise. Follow-Up Timeline: Day 1-7: Immediate Gratification After distributing the merchandise, the initial follow-up should involve a simple "thank you" email or a personalized note to express your appreciation for the recipient's support or attendance at an event. Include a brief reminder of your brand's message and website URL. Day 14-21: Gather Feedback Reach out to recipients to collect feedback on the merchandise they received. This can be done through a follow-up email with a short survey or a social media post inviting comments and reviews. Valuable feedback will help you fine-tune future merchandise campaigns. Day 30-45: Special Offer or Discount Offer an exclusive discount or a special promotion to encourage recipients to make a purchase from your company. Use personalized coupon codes or unique URLs to track the success of your campaign. Day 60-90: Engage on Social Media Encourage recipients to share photos or testimonials of themselves using the merchandise on social media. Create a branded hashtag and run a social media contest to incentivize participation. Engaging user-generated content can significantly amplify your brand's reach. Day 120-180: Re-engagement Email Send a re-engagement email to recipients who haven't interacted with your brand since receiving the merchandise. Offer them valuable content, like a whitepaper, an e-book, or an informative blog post. This approach can rekindle their interest in your brand. Promotional merchandise is a great marketing tool when you've got a solid plan and follow-up in place. Simply adapt the steps in this guide and timeline for follow-up to suit you, and you'll see your campaigns making a real impact on your audience. Building brand loyalty and growing your business is absolutely achievable! And don't forget, personalization, relevance, and engagement are the secret sauce for a successful promotional merchandise campaign. Happy marketing! Read More

July 25, 2023

Captivating Your Target Market - The How and The Why

One of the most important questions you should ask when creating promotional products is: "Is this item useful or desirable to my target audience?" The answer to this question can mean the difference between a successful promotional campaign and one that falls flat. Captivating your target audience with promotional merchandise is all about creating a strong emotional connection with your audience. You want your promotional products to resonate with your audience and inspire them to take action, whether that's making a purchase, recommending your brand to others, or engaging with your brand on social media. So, how can you do it? Here are some tips and insights to help you get started. Understand Your Target Market - An Overview First you need to understand who they are, what they care about, and what motivates them. This means taking the time to research your audience, and using that knowledge to inform your marketing strategy. The following steps can help you reach a better understanding of your Target Audience: Collect Data: This can include demographic information and other data that can help you understand their needs and interests. This data can be collected through online or offline surveys covering a range of topics, social media analytics gaining insight on most frequently used channels and subjects, website analytics to get an understanding of navigation behaviours and popular pages, purchase history for buying habits, customer feedback of their past experiences and other sources. Segment Your Audience: Segment your Audience into different groups based on their interests and needs. This segmentation can help you create targeted promotional products that speak directly to the unique needs of each group. Desirable? Look at Industry Trends: Trends in popular products, colours, or materials, as well as trends in the way that promotional products are being used by other brands. By staying up-to-date with industry trends, you can create products that are relevant and engaging to your target audience. Useful? Consider Product Practicality: Will your audience be able to use the product in their daily lives? Does it serve a practical purpose? By creating products that are practical and useful, you can increase the likelihood that they will be used and kept by your target audience. The Importance of Follow Up: Following up with your target audience after any campaign to gather feedback and insights helps you to improve your personalization efforts in future and better understand the needs and interests of your audience. How to Captivate your Target Market - Taking it a Step Further Tell a Story: People love stories, and using promotional merchandise to tell a story can be a powerful way to captivate your audience. Whether it's a product that tells the story of your brand's origins or a custom message that resonates with your audience's values, storytelling can create an emotional connection and inspire action. Solve a Problem: This can include practical items like phone chargers or reusable shopping bags, as well as products that address more emotional needs, like stress balls or aromatherapy candles. By providing solutions to your audience's needs, you can create a deeper connection and inspire loyalty. Use Humor: Humor is a powerful tool for capturing your audience's attention and creating a memorable impression. By incorporating humor into your promotional merchandise, whether it's a witty message or a playful design, you can create a positive association with your brand and foster engagement. Stand Out: In a crowded marketplace, it's important to create promotional merchandise that stands out. This can be done by choosing unique products, using bold colors and designs, or incorporating elements that are unexpected or surprising. By standing out from the crowd, you can grab your audience's attention and make a lasting impression. Use as a Reward: You could offer a free gift with purchase or give away promotional merchandise to customers who refer new business to you. This not only incentivizes participation, but also creates a positive association with your brand. Make it Interactive: This can include products that encourage your audience to share on social media, participate in a contest, or engage with your brand in a fun and interactive way. By creating products that people want to show off or share on social media, you can increase your brand's reach and engagement. This can include products with unique designs, humorous messages, or items that are exclusive or limited edition. Consider Your Brand Identity: It's essential to consider your brand identity and how it aligns with the needs and interests of your target audience. For example, if your brand is focused on sustainability, you may want to create products that are eco-friendly or made from recycled materials. By aligning your products with your brand identity and values, you can create a more meaningful connection with your target audience. To captivate your target audience with promotional merchandise, understand their needs and interests. Segment your audience and create targeted products. Consider practicality, desirability, trends, and use storytelling, problem-solving, humor, and interactivity to stand out. Align your efforts with your brand identity and values. Follow up with feedback to improve personalization and understand your audience better. With these tips and insights, you'll be well on your way to creating promotional merchandise that captivates and inspires your target audience. Read More

April 11, 2023

Award Winning Products 2022-2023

We are pleased to announce the British Promotional Merchandises' top Promotional Products, awarded as stand out Products of the Year across their respective categories. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at some of the most impressive promotional products of the year and explore how they are making an impact in their respective industries. With the help of these products, businesses can enhance their brand recognition, customer loyalty, and ultimately increase sales. So let's dive into the list of the best Promotional Products of the year and find out how they can help your business stand out from the competition. Winning Categories include: Apparel Award & Gifting Bag & Folder Drinkware Food & Drink Health & Travel Innovative Product Stationery Sustainable Product Technology UK Made Work & Play Writing Instrument Apparel Products Customized clothing items is a cost-effective way to promote a Business and create a sense of belonging among customers, whilst acting as a walking advertisment. Unique designs can help a business stand out from the competition. Retail Industry - Branded clothing items can help create a cohesive brand image Hospitality Industry - Branded uniforms can help staff stand out and improve the customer experience Sports Industry - Branded team uniforms can create a sense of unity and pride among players and fans Education Industry - Branded clothing can create a sense of school spirit and community among students, faculty, and alumni Awards & Gifting Products Offering awards with your company's logo, you can showcase your brand and reward your top-performing employees or customers. This helps to create a sense of pride and motivation while boosting overall morale. Branded awards can also help businesses stand out from the competition by creating a unique and memorable experience for recipient, creating a lasting impact and can build a strong reputation for your brand. Bags & Folders Branded bags and folders offer an excellent opportunity for businesses to increase brand recognition by featuring their logo on a functional item that recipients can use every day. Whether used to carry work documents or promotional materials, branded bags and folders offer a convenient and practical way to showcase your brand. Drinkware Products Branded Drinkware is a popular choice of promotional merchandise across different industries because it has a lasting impact on customers. By putting your company logo or message on a mug, tumbler, or water bottle, you create a functional item that is used repeatedly, exposing your brand to a wider audience. To leverage the full potential of branded Drinkware, consider distributing it as part of a loyalty program, a trade show giveaway, or as a gift to employees or clients. Food & Drink Products Branded confectionery is a sweet and memorable way to promote your business across different industries. Whether it's chocolates, sweets, or baked goods, customers are always happy to receive a sweet treat with your company logo on it. By associating your brand with a positive experience, you can enhance brand recognition and can increase sales by providing a tasty incentive for customers to purchase your products or services. To make the most of your branded confectionery, consider using it as a giveaway item or as part of a welcome package for new clients. Health & Travel Products By putting your company logo or message on items like hand sanitizers, first aid kits, and travel accessories, you create a functional item that is used frequently by customers. Branded Health & Travel Products can help your business stand out by demonstrating your commitment to your customers' well-being. Consider branded health and travel products as part of a loyalty program, as a gift with purchase, or as a giveaway item which can help increase sales and differentiate your business from the competition or can be included in welcome packages for new employees or clients. Innovative Products Innovative branded products are an exciting way to make a lasting impression on customers and stand out from the competition. By providing customers with a product that they can't get anywhere else, you create a sense of exclusivity and differentiation that can boost brand recognition and loyalty. Using these products as part of a marketing campaign can help your business stand out from the competition and attract new customers, whilst offering innovative branded products as a reward or incentive for purchases can drive sales and encourage repeat business. To make the most of your products consider targeting them towards your target audience and showcasing their unique features in your marketing materials. Stationery Products Branded stationary is a valuable investment for any business looking to enhance its brand recognition and increase customer loyalty. By offering customized stationery items, such as notebooks and planners, with your company logo or design, you can create a product that customers will use regularly and associate with your brand. These versatile and useful items are a practical and memorable way to promote your business and stand out from the competition in any industry and while also encouraging regular use. Whether you're looking to attract new customers, retain existing ones, or simply raise awareness of your brand, branded stationery is an effective and cost-efficient marketing tool that can help you achieve your goals. Sustainable Products Branded sustainable products offer a range of benefits for businesses looking to enhance their brand reputation and reduce their environmental impact. By offering eco-friendly products, such as reusable bags and water bottles with your company logo or design, you can demonstrate your commitment to sustainability and attract customers who value environmentally responsible practices. This not only boosts brand reputation but also helps to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable future. With the increasing awareness and demand for environmentally friendly products, offering branded sustainable products is an effective way to attract new customers, retain existing ones, and make a positive impact on the planet. Technology Products Offering technology products can help your business stand out from the competition and appeal to tech-savvy customers who value the latest technology. With the versatility and functionality of technology products, they are practical and memorable promotional items that can make a lasting impact on customers. Customers are more likely to engage with products that they perceive as valuable, technology products have the added benefit of having a positive impact on your customers' lives, making our lives more convenient and efficient by allowing us to stay connected and organized on-the-go. UK Made Products Appealing to customers who prioritize locally sourced and sustainable products. By purchasing products that are made in the UK, businesses can support local economies and reduce their carbon footprint, as products do not need to be transported from overseas. UK-made products are often associated with quality and craftsmanship, which can enhance the perceived value of your brand. Work & Play Products Branded recreational products can create a positive association with your brand by associating it with leisure and fun. This can help to enhance brand recognition and encourage customer loyalty, as customers are more likely to engage with products that make them feel good. Branded recreational products can also help businesses stand out from the competition by offering unique and memorable products that can create a lasting impression. Recreational products can be used as incentives for employee and customer appreciation, as well as for events and trade shows. By incorporating branded recreational products into your promotional strategy, you can not only promote your brand but also create a positive and memorable experience for your customers and employees. Writing Instruments Branded writing instruments are a highly effective and versatile marketing tool that can be used to promote a wide range of businesses and organizations. Customized pens, pencils, and other writing instruments provide a practical and useful item for customers, while also showcasing your brand in a highly visible way. Whether used as giveaways at events, included in gift bags, or distributed to employees for daily use, branded writing instruments are an affordable and impactful way to keep your brand top-of-mind with your target audience. With a variety of styles, colors, and customization options available, there is a branded writing instrument to fit every brand and budget. From sleek and sophisticated to fun and playful, these items can be tailored to match the tone and style of your brand, making them an ideal choice for any marketing campaign. So, if you're looking to invest in top-quality merchandise that truly stands out, look no further than these silver, gold, and platinum award-winning products. With their superior quality and recognition, they are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who receives them. Read More

March 07, 2023

We know what you want - Return on Investment

February 15, 2023

Product Inspiration and How to Find it

Promotional merchandise is a great way to promote your brand and leave a lasting impression on your target audience. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this post, we'll provide an overview by outlining various product types and advise where you can find further product inspiration. What types of Products are available? The list is extensive and the simplest way to navigate the wide range of available merchandise is to browse the various categories online for a generalised feel of what is out there. You can also benefit from physical and online catalogues which often cherry pick products of different categories and condense them. Some of the broader categories of merchandise include but are most certainly not limited to: Clothing: T-Shirts, Shirts, Polos, Jackets, Jumpers, Gilets, Hi Viz, Scarfs, Hats, Gloves, Aprons Office: Desk Accessories, Diaries, Notebooks, Sticky Notes, Stationary, Pens, Pencils, Calendars, Folders Drinkware: Mugs, Travel Mugs, Cups, Sports Bottles Bags: Drawstring, Laptop, Conference, Carry Bags, Totes, Backpacks, Travel, Toiletry Technology: Charging cables, Wireless Chargers, Power Banks, USB, Earphones, Phone and Computer accessories Outdoors and Events: Umbrellas, Keyring Torches, Display items, Lanyards, Name Badges, Wristbands, Balloons, Thermometers Sport and Leisure: Bike and Car Accessories, Footballs, Golf Balls, Summer, Fitness, Reflective Giftware: Awards, Confectionary, Food and Drink, Crystal Glassware, Executive Giftsets Promotional: Keyrings, Badges, Magnets, Bookmarks, Bottle Openers, Stickers, Stress Balls, Logo bugs, Teddy Bears Health and Wellbeing: First Aid, Cosmetics, Facemasks, PPE, Hand Sanitiser Product Trends and Specific Sectors Many products lend themselves to specific sectors of Business, Health, Education, or Charity etc and as such you can find these grouped together under specific Themes online. This also applies to trends and annual events, taking the guesswork out of finding the right products for you. Popular Themed and Trend categories include: Eco Products Small Business UK Made Products Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter Products Back to School and Freshers Easter, Christmas, Valentines Employee and Client Recognition Work from Home Staycation Specific Sectors: Charity, Hospitality, Travel, Agricultural, Construction, Entertainment, Breweries, Shipping, Tech, Housing, Solicitors etc Festivals, Celebrations, Events and Trade Shows Industry Professionals Recommendations You will often find Best Sellers lists which indicate the more popular products within the Promotional Merchandise space, these often include highly sought-after products for their Price point, Quality and Value for money or Popular products which are trending. In theory this can allude to an endorsement from Industry Professionals, and oftentimes justifiably so. However, experience of production processes, seeing trends come and go, regularly collaborating with different audiences, industries and our endless samples and delivery/shipping experience gives us the ability to consider your unique individual needs and make key recommendations which can support your decision making. Innovation and Fresh Ideas New to the space or a seasoned professional buyer – you can all benefit from fresh and new ideas. Many of our suppliers like to innovate and produce new solutions and as such add to the list of products you can consider. As always, the type of product you ultimately choose should meet your goals and suit your budget however there are always products for you - it’s a case of knowing where to find them. As industry experts it is our role to continue to be relevant and move with the times, so if there is something new in the industry that fits your campaign or needs you will find it is recommended to you at the point of enquiry or during consultation. Want to keep abreast of changes beyond this? The most commonplace to find new and updated ideas is on company socials or by signing up to newsletters. Beyond Promotional Merchandise Sites – Where else to look We are exposed to products and trends across different mediums of entertainment – Radio, Television and social media, all of which offer us insight into what is valued by different target audiences. Pay attention to the types of adverts you are hearing and seeing, would they also appeal to your target audience? What kind of product or service are they offering? Have you noticed a new product trending or a celebrity endorsement making its way through socials? Perhaps a recent Tik Tok or Youtuber has offered insight which demonstrates a new cultural phenomenon. In conclusion, there are many options available when it comes to promotional merchandise. Writing instruments, drinkware, tech accessories, tote bags, and apparel are just a few examples of the many options available. By choosing the right item and ensuring that it is high-quality and useful, you can create a positive association with your brand and drive leads or sales. Simply contact a member of the team to discuss your business requirements today - We are always happy to help at whatever stage of enquiry. Read More

February 07, 2023

first Impress Ipswich - Home

Heading Impress Ipswich - Home

Heading one more Impress Ipswich - Home

Getting Your Recipients to Want, Keep, and Use Merch Longer

Products that Stand the Test of Time

Strategy and Follow-Up Timeline for Marketers - Mastering Promotional Merchandise

Captivating Your Target Market - The How and The Why

Award Winning Products 2022-2023

We know what you want - Return on Investment

Product Inspiration and How to Find it