25 Insane (but true) facts about promotional products.

If you’re in the business of promotional products, you know the impact they can have on an organisation’s marketing efforts.  But do you know these fun facts about promotional products?

1. Eight in 10 consumers own between one and 10 promotional products.
2. Fifty-three percent of these people use a promotional product at least once a week.
3. Six in 10 of them keep promotional products for up to two years.
4. Only one in five people will trash an unwanted promotional product.
5. Before receiving a promotional product, 55 percent of people had done business with the advertiser.  After receiving a promotional product, 85 percent of people did business with the advertiser.
6. With nearly six thousand impressions, bags generate more impressions than any other promotional product in the U.S.
7. Thirty-one percent of U.S. consumers own a promotional bag.
8. At one-tenth of a cent, bags tie with writing instruments for the lowest cost per impression of any promotional product in the U.S.
9. The first known promotional products – commemorative buttons – trace back to 1789 when George Washington was elected president.
10. Fifty-three percent of the time, promotional products create a more favorable impression of the advertiser.
11. Forty-eight percent of consumers would like to receive promotional products more often.
12. Consumers hang on to promotional products for an average of 6.6 months.
13. Sixty-nine percent of consumers would pick up a promotional product if they deemed it useful.
14. Sixty-three percent of consumers pass along the promotional products they no longer wish to keep.
15. Eighty-nine percent of consumers can recall the advertiser of a promotional product they’d received in the last two years.
16. Ninety-one percent of consumers have at least one promotional product in their kitchen, 74 percent have at least one in their workspace, 55 percent have at least one in their bedroom.
17. Seventy-seven percent of consumers say a promotional product’s usefulness is the number-one reason to keep it, with health and safety products, computer products and writing instruments ranked as the most useful.
18. The top five buyers of promotional products are clients in education, finance, not-for-profit, healthcare, and construction.
19. Wearables are the top product category, followed by writing instruments, bags, calendars and drinkware.
20. The first promotional product tradeshow was held in 1914 – there were 32 exhibitors.
21. Women are more likely to have bags, writing instruments and calendars, whereas men are more likely to own shirts and caps.
22. Ownership of logoed outerwear is highest in the Midwest, with 15 percent of people owning an item.
23. Logoed mugs in particular are more effective advertising than radio and television spots; 57 percent of people were able to recall the advertiser on a mug, versus 32 percent of radio and 28 percent of T.V.
24. Adding a promotional product to the media mix increases the effectiveness of other media by up to 44 percent.
25. Promotional products draw as many as 500 percent more referrals from satisfied customers than an appeal letter alone.

These Insane Facts are from SAGE blog.  

Golf Events -- Build Corporate Unity and Grow Your Business!

Golf Events --  Build Corporate Unity and Grow Your Business!

Planning a golf outing for employees or golf charity event?    Build corporate recognition and make your event even more memorable with logo’d gear and apparel participants will love!

Below are some great links to help you plan for a successful golf event and make sure your golfers are well-equipped on event day.

Golf Bag checklist -- http://www.packingchecklist.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Golf-Bag-Packing-Checklist.pdf

Golf, Single Day or Round -- http://www.packingchecklist.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Golf-Single-Day-or-Round.pdf

Golf Multi-Day Trip checklist -- http://www.packingchecklist.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Golf-Trip-MultiDay.pdf

Player gift packages welcoming golfers to the event are a must.   Players have paid to play and welcome gift package should reflect your gratitude, ensuring they will remember your event when it’s time to sign up next year.   Embroidered polos, wind shirts, hats, and golf towels are always well-received.   Providing your golfers with logo’d coolers, ball markers, tees, divet repair tools, golf umbrellas, coozies, bag tags, ditty bags, shoe bags, bug spray or sunscreen kits – these are all great ways to start the golf day.

Remember to show your volunteers how much you appreciate their participation as well!   A gift prior to the event and/or directly after will go a long way in thanking them for their participation and help to secure volunteers for the next event.   Water bottles, aqua towels, carabiner w/ bottle holders, hand sanitizers, sunscreen kits, and mini fans are just a few suggestions that will keep your volunteers comfortable throughout the day.

And don’t forget prizes – winners need awards!    Trophies, yes, but you can also wow your winners with unique prizes like logo’d golf bags and coolers, embroidered head covers, commemorative golf prints and scorecard holder/frames.

Need additional ideas or assistance planning your golf event?   Let’s talk!   Logo’d Gear can help you find the very best products that will fit your event needs and marketing budgets.

Call or email about a program you want to pursue today!

704-334-9333

customerservice@logodgear.com

By Susan White

The HR Minute -- Involve and Solve

Involve Employees to Help Solve Safety Issues -- It’s Simple!

The Concern:
A construction company saw an increase in the number of injuries that were
occurring on its job sites and needed to take action. Not only were they
concerned about employee safety but if they continued to have accidents, they
feared an increase in their insurance costs as well as possible lawsuits related to injuries.

The company was committed to improving safety and protecting its employees
from harmful situations. They not only wanted to remind workers how to be safe on the job but also wanted to enlist their help in correcting safety-related issues and concerns.

The Solution:
The company initiated a new safety incentive program and decided to use small tally books with clear insert pages to help employees get involved.
A list of safety tips and goals as well as details regarding the new safety incentive program were placed in the clear insert pages. Each employee was asked to review the safety tips regularly. In addition workers were urged to record safety hazards at the work site and provide a suggestion on how to eliminate the hazard.

At the end of each week, workers turned in their suggestions, and the hazards
were then identified and corrected. All suggestions were submitted into a
random weekly drawing and the worker/s whose name was drawn was awarded a prize. The more suggestions submitted by a worker the better his/her odds of winning, and the more safety improvements for the company.

The Results:
Safety awareness increased and the number of accidents decreased. Employee
involvement and morale also increased significantly as employees felt their
ideas and suggestions were not only valued and appreciated, but also part of the solution. Employees continued to use their tally books and submit suggestions.

Call or email about a program you want to pursue today!

704-334-9333

customerservice@logodgear.com

By Susan White

Fulfillment

Fulfillment - Allowing You to Focus on Your Core Business…

Outsourced fulfillment services

Logo’d Gear has specialized in order fulfillment in every sense of the word. We have picked, packed, and shipped orders to bolster the marketing programs for a multitude of industry leading clients, as well as fulfilling orders for their customers and sales staffs. Pick and pack fulfillment, shipping services, literature fulfillment, kit assembly, collating … we have built our fulfillment business on it.

By providing all of these services, we have made it easier for businesses to focus on what they do best. And, with our years of experience, customers know they can count on the Logo’d Gear for timely, reliable services. Don’t lose focus on your core business, let us handle all of your fulfillment needs while you concentrate on the products and services that have made your company successful.

At our fulfillment center, our professional staff works with companies in need of order fulfillment and product fulfillment services to provide comprehensive assistance in all aspects of business operations. Our commitment to investing in our processes and customer service means we continuously look to improve our offering to our clients and provide fulfillment services that are faster, more accurate, and provide greater cost-savings to you.

At Logo’d Gear, we know your staff and your customers expect shipments to be accurate and on time. We understand how important it is to maximize the customer service experience, build loyalty, and reduce costs. Late or inaccurate shipments can have a large impact on your customer or employees satisfaction. The aggravation and costs associated with waiting for late shipments or returning inaccurate shipments can drive people to other businesses. At Logo’d Gear, our focus is on providing your customers with the fastest, most accurate shipping solutions.

With hundreds of shipments handled per day, we understand we’re an extension of your brand; this takes knowledge and focus. Through sophisticated warehouse management and a highly trained staff, we make sure the fulfillment operation is fast, reliable and accurate.

Logo’d Gear understands customer satisfaction is at the core of success. When we handle order fulfillment, our staff is keenly aware of the importance of careful, accurate picking and distribution. We realize that in acting on your behalf while serving you and your customers, we are also entrusted with the well-deserved reputation you’ve already built.

When distributing orders to your customers, we always focus on maintaining the speed and quality your customers have come to expect. At Logo’d Gear, we take our responsibility to your staff and customers as seriously as you do: ensuring satisfaction is our primary goal.

Innovative fulfillment solutions in various industries and channels to the end user gives us valuable insight when handling, packaging and shipping products on behalf of our clients. Detailed procedures and longstanding relationships across our industry leave our clients free to focus on other aspects of business development by utilizing our fulfillment outsourcing capabilities. Logo’d Gear has commitment to, and experience in, all aspects of inventory storage, management and delivery.

Ecommerce order fulfillment

Through our fully integrated eCommerce platform we can handle eCommerce operations from beginning to end, from the placement of an order to its packaging and delivery. Logo’d Gear is continuously expanding this aspect of our company in order to provide clients with innovative solutions for their online marketplace. As our client’s eCommerce needs expand and evolve, we will continue to stay ahead of this emerging technology, ensuring our clients and their customers are always satisfied with the service they receive.

We offer a wide range of services in our third party fulfillment programs. Our marketing fulfillment and promotional fulfillment services are designed to provide delivery of our client’s products and marketing materials on short notice, without sacrificing quality. In the same vein, Logo’d Gear is experienced in delivering print fulfillment services in support of their promotional or marketing applications.

We’ve seen it all and done it all. No matter if your orders are shipped by the envelope, the carton, or by the pallet; we will get your job done and provide value for both you, your employees and your customers. We have the experience, resources and personnel to provide all of your fulfillment needs. Logo’d Gear, truly is your one stop shop for order picking, distribution and shipping solutions.

Lower costs. Accurate shipments. Faster delivery. Higher quality.

Contact us about our Fulfillment Services:

-         Catalog Fulfillment

-         E-Commerce Fulfillment

-         Fulfillment Online Inventory Store

-         Fulfillment Services

-         Kitting, Collation and Assembly

-         Literature Fulfillment

-         Marketing Fulfillment

-         Pick, Pack and Ship Services

-         Print Fulfillment Services

-         Promotional Product Fulfillment

-         Secure Inventory Management and Control

-         Special Handling

-         Third-Party Fulfillment

-         Value Added Services (Personalization, Gift Cards, Gift Wrap)

Call or email about a program you want to pursue today!

704-334-9333

customerservice@logodgear.com

By Paul White

Winter Emergencies

With the weather turning cold again, people's thoughts are turning toward preparation for winter. Helping people to be prepared for winter roadside emergencies is a great way for a business to develop a reputation for caring.

The first concern in a winter emergency is staying warm until help arrives. Ideally, that means running the vehicle's heater. If the heater is working and there is plenty of fuel, warmth isn't a problem, but possible carbon monoxide build-up is. A small shovel is invaluable for making sure that the exhaust pipe remains clear so that the air inside the car remains fresh and healthy.

If fuel runs out or the heater isn't working, staying warm becomes more of a challenge. At the very least, every passenger needs a warm blanket and winter hat. Many people going from home to school or office don't dress for bitter weather if they're going to be in a heated vehicle, so having warmer clothing on hand can be a life saver. Heavy socks, insulated boots, a warm coat, and gloves or mittens can take the misery out of waiting and help prevent dangerous hypothermia. Emergency warming packs can help to keep hands and feet toasty.

Staying warm burns calories. High-calorie snacks and drinks will be welcome in an emergency. Many emergency ration kits come equipped with chemical heaters. A little water causes a chemical reaction that heats the food or drink to 200 degrees. Not only does this reaction heat the food or drink, but it also provides additional warmth. The chemical heaters can also be purchased separately.

Most people nowadays have cell phones with them to call for help, but it's still important to be visible. Roadside flares are a quick attention-getter and can be seen even in bad weather conditions.

Many items for emergency kits are readily available at Logo'd Gear. Blankets, hats, scarves and gloves, and custom sweatshirts are easily available, branded with any company logo. Logo'd Gear also offers cold-weather and auto kits, pre-loaded with an assortment of necessary items for winter emergencies. Even single-use hand warmers can be emblazoned with the company logo.

But businesses need not limit themselves to what's in the catalog. A call to Logo'd Gear is the first step to exploring how to get the company brand on what customers will need most during the cold months ahead

Logo'd Gear Offers the Best in Tradeshow Apparel

Embroidered polo shirts for trade shows don't have to be expensive.
Logo'd Gear can provide durable and attractive shirts, embroidered
with the company logo, for as little as $11.99 each. In spite of the
low price, these are quality shirts in 100% cotton. With a flat knit
collar and open hem sleeves, these shirts are available in colorfast
black, red, royal blue, navy blue, or dark green.

Logo'd Gear even sets up the logo for free with the purchase of these embroidered tradeshow shirts, providing single-location embroidery of up to 8,000 stitches -- more than sufficient for 90% of corporate logos.

Of course, Logo'd Gear offers a wide assortment of other styles of
embroidered tradeshow shirts. Our woven shirts come in both
short-sleeve and long-sleeve designs in a rainbow of colors. Polos and knits come in varieties such as Easy Care, Performance Fabrics, Organic, Silk TouchT, Mock & Turtleneck, and Sweaters. Many shirts are also designed to provide the best fit for youth, tall adults, and
ladies.

Perhaps a company's image is more geared toward active wear. Logo'd Gear offers t-shirts, tanks, and long sleeves. Of course, Logo'd Gear is known for offering the finest well-tailored shirts in all styles, with subtle touches that project the most professional image, even in casual wear.

Any of the range of apparel from Logo'd Gear can be embroidered with the company logo, making employees easy to identify with the firm, even when they're away from the booth. Each employee's professionalism and knowledge will quickly be associated with the organization's branding. Logo'd Gear's many bags and totes also make it a breeze to put together an entire harmonizing ensemble.

Embroidered tradeshow shirts from Logo'd Gear can also be paired with pants or shorts that combine a sharp look and high quality for a consistent appearance among all of a corporation's representatives. Potential customers can easily identify a company's knowledgeable staff no matter where they are at the show.

An added benefit to using branded clothing from Logo'd Gear is the reduced stress for professionals attending trade shows. Packing for the show is easy, because employees don't need to worry about choosing appropriate clothing to represent the firm. Co-workers are easy to spot in a crowd. The easy-care fabrics make sending clothing out for laundering worry-free.

Companies can take many hassles out of tradeshow preparation by using the fine products from Logo'd Gear.

Summertime Protection From Logo'd Gear

It's been a hot, dry summer, and likely to get hotter. According to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more Americans die from heat than from any other weather phenomenon. This underscores the importance of remaining cool and well-hydrated. Logo'd Gear offers the perfect promotional items to ward off the heat during any outdoor summer activity.

Personal misters are ultra-refreshing, and Logo'd Gear offers the highest-quality ABS plastic. These misters never need batteries, come in a variety of bright colors, and offer plenty of room for a corporate logo.

Battery-operated mini-fans offer immediate cooling relief with minimal effort. A screen printed logo reminds users of who is providing this respite from the misery of a sweltering day. Some styles also offer neck cords, writs cords, or LED lights.

Drinking plenty of water is vital on hot days, especially if people are participating in sports events. Logo'd Gear offers bottled natural spring water, custom-labeled with full, four-color printing. Bulk purchasing can bring the price down as low as 24 cents a bottle.

Branded windshield shades and side window shades keep cars cooler while folks are enjoying summer festivities.

A fridge or freezer full of cold packs can offer quick cooling for hot skin or first aid for a sprain or bruise. Logo'd Gear sells both reusable and biodegradable single-use ice packs. Like all Logo'd Gear products, these ice packs are a great way to spread branding with a company logo.

Heat isn't the only summer risk. Assorted sunscreen products, including lotions, zinc sticks, and sprays, protect against sunburn and are available in a variety of bottles, sticks, and single-use pouches ready for branding. For those who miss a spot or forget to use sunscreen, Logo'd gear also offers soothing aloe gel. Logo-ready UV detectors display the temperature and the intensity of UV rays -- vital information for outdoor events.

Branded sunglasses or visors protect the eyes from glare. Logo'd Gear can add a corporate logo or team mascot to sunglasses in scores of styles, from fun and simple to ultra-stylish.

To deal with minor injuries at outdoor events, first aid kits are invaluable, whether they're mini kits for personal use or larger kits to keep at a first aid station. Kits come in a variety of styles and colors, from sturdy boxes to flexible soft-side bags and totes.

Logo'd Gear products help to spread branding while beating the heat.