When I first started out with my cleaning business and was making my rounds with cold call drop-ins, I always had a business card to drop off after every sales pitch. Then it dawned on me one day that I’m probably one of many sales people who comes by every week to drop off a business card and pitch their service to any potential suitor. Eventually my business card would get lost in the sea of other business cards, and generally by the end of the month it would end up in the garbage – at the time when most business owners unclutter their offices.
I couldn’t control the fact that my business cards might have been ending up in the garbage, but I knew that I wanted to make a lasting impression on a potential client and have something in front of them to serve as a reminder of myself and my business.
So, I started using promotional products to market my cleaning business more effectively and leave a more lasting impression on a potential client. This way when they think of office cleaning, they think of me and my business.
That means that every item I gave to a potential client or existing one as well, my business logo will be seen again and again for months to come.
The item of choice for me which was also relatively inexpensive to purchase, but very effective were stress balls. Everyone could use a stress ball in their day. I know I have a few at home that I squeeze on when I’m in-front of the computer and stuck in thought or simply frustrated after a tough day.
Here are 4 tips on how you can use promotional products such as stress balls to market your cleaning business or any business for that matter:
1. Attract New Clientele
Anytime you drop off a business card to a potential client, drop off your promotional item alongside. Not only will you stand out apart from other business solicitors, but you’re offering a free gift in exchange for nothing.
Your business card may get tossed out, but your free promotional items will highly likely be used and your name will always be in front of the potential client.
2. Promote Your Business
There are many different ways to promote your business for FREE either by yourself or through others. If you have suppliers that you deal within your industry, work together with them to offer their clients a gift with a purchase. It’s a win-win scenario for both businesses, they offer their clients a gift as a thank you, and in return your business gets the FREE promotion.
Another way that I promoted my business was through participation in my town’s festivals where you can give away promotional items and promote your business for FREE. Look into your town’s festival schedule, and see how you can participate.
3. Thank Existing Clients
I love to show appreciation to my existing clients, after all they’re the ones responsible for bringing in the most revenue for my business. Far too many businesses don’t show appreciation for their clients, but I wanted to be different.
Every so often throughout the year, I drop by to see the clients with coffee and a few promotional items such as t-shirts and stress balls. Everyone loves freebies, I look like a star and most importantly my business is being promoted.
4. Build Brand Recognition
When you started your business, one of the first things you did was have a logo created. This process is part of building your brand. Rather than having your logo sit around, use it to build brand recognition.
One of the biggest benefits of giving your prospective clients promotional items is that you can build brand recognition and brand awareness. Brand recognition is all about building a mental connection with your prospective clients. The key is getting these prospects familiar with the products and services you offer whenever they hear your name or see your company logo.
Final Thoughts
Promoting your product or service and building brand recognition doesn’t have to be a painfully expensive process. A little investment in a promotional product of some sort can go a long way and repay it’s self over and over again.
I used promotional items when I first started to differentiate my self from the rest of the solicitors. Today, I use my promotional products to build brand recognition, thank my clients and attract new ones.
Readers, what are your thoughts on promotional items? Do you like when you receive them? What do you do with a promotional item upon receiving one?
Best,
Eddie
Of course I love receiving promotional items:)
Michelle recently posted..What They Don’t Tell You When You Graduate
Most promo items are junk and end up in my trash can fairly quickly.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar recently posted..Should You Pay off Your Mortgage Early?
While this is often true, there is literally a ton of unique promotional items you can buy these days. If you do your research to understand your potential clients and people in general, you can find something useful that they probably don’t already have that most likely won’t end up in the trash can.
It’s always hit and miss, but you have a much higher chance of success than a business card I would think.
SavingMentor recently posted..Ultra Cheap Designer Prescription Glasses Tutorial (VIDEO)
It depends – stuff like pens and magnets (and stress balls!) I keep. If it’s just a junky piece of plastic – it goes out!
Cat recently posted..My stats for the month of October 2012
My husband collects promotional items…. don’t get me started, he loves them (and I like the pads of paper and usb’s and highlighters)
Barbara Friedberg recently posted..SHOULD I INVEST IN COMMODITIES?
I agree the most with building brand recognition. It can really play a big role once your brand get famous among common man.
Points taken and I’ll surely take note on this! I’m a bet surprise with this very well said article and my views and thought about having an idea for promotional products but none of it was close enough of what this article has to say… Two thumbs up! Thanks for sharing!
If I ever get a promotional item if it’s a pen I’ll keep it but for the rest of the stuff it just collects dust. I think promoting a business is very important and I think every person responds differently to marketing plans and because one person doesn’t like the stress ball 100 others might. It’s all risk but a risk that may be one of many ways to get your company name noticed. Cheers Mr.CBB
Canadianbudgetbinder recently posted..Reader Question:Do I Have To Share My RRSP With My Spouse When I Get Divorced?
As someone in the industry. I can’t stress how much knowing your target audience matters in selecting the right product. There are industry staples that always do well such as pens and magnets. However, there are a lot of really cool items out there that most everyone will enjoy. Just have to make sure that you cater to that target audience!