Advertising

Specialty AdvertisingProducts Relating to 'Specialty Advertising'

What is Specialty Advertising?

Specialty advertising is a unique and distinctive way to market your products and services. Companies give away custom design promotional products, also called specialty advertising products. The goal is to attract new customers and increase sales revenues.

Sometimes, small business owners give away specialty advertising items to employees or partners to show appreciation. Non-profit organizations give away promotional t-shirts or pens to volunteers and donors for their support. Other times, large corporations give away specialty advertising gifts to clients for relationship building and brand loyalty.

In marketing, specialty advertising is a rather informal, creative and leading edge discipline. It is a combination of branding and gifting in one unique discipline of its own. There are hundreds, thousands and millions of products that business can give away.

Advertising or gift experts can help you to design a campaign. They will help you to define your goals and objectives. More importantly, they will help you to plan your timeline from design, production to deliver right on your budget.

Advantages of Specialty Advertising:

• Compete on brand and quality instead of price alone
• Build emotional attachment and increase future sales revenues
• Promote positive experience and brand loyalty
• Creative and flexible reward system for clients, employees or partners

Disadvantages of Specialty Advertising:

• Cost money to produce all the promotional items before sales coming in
• Challenge to keep a consistent brand image across all product lines
• Giveaway gifts and promo items without a reward system or plan
• Not all products or gifts translate well into different cultures and languages (e.g., sending a clock to Asian clients may cause a negative connotation of death)

You certainly want to check with your brand advertising expert or marketing professional who understands different cultures.

Popular promotional items in trade show and special events are:

• Pens
• Notepads
• Coffee mugs
• T-shirts
• Hats
• Balloons
• Mouse pads
• Golf balls
• Umbrella

More high-end specialty advertising products include:

• Digital camera
• MP3 / MP4 players
• Expensive office gift sets
• Luxurious spa gift sets
• Brand name golf ball sets
• Brand name watch sets
• Crystal or diamond jewelries
• Leather briefcase or laptop bags

Sky is your limit. You have the budget. Advertising or gift experts will have the solution for you.

Here are the keys to Successful Specialty Advertising Campaign:

1. Integrate:

Write your marketing message or slogan with key contact info (e.g., website or 1800 number) on the promo items

2. Interest:

Learn what your clients like before sending out the gifts, especially the high-end expensive ones

3. Inform:

Tell your gift receivers what you would like them to do (e.g., continue business relationship, provide more support, refer more clients)

4. Have FUN:

Make sure your promotional items should provide a lasting impression for months and years

Pick a good promo item. Launch your market advertising campaign. And, monitor your results.

Dr. Vi is an e-business and marketing consultant at Global Marketing Communications Network, Inc. (GLOBAL MCN). Our mission is to promote positive social, economic and cultural changes around the globe through effective marketing communications system. Our value is bridging the gap through value, trust and quality in both digital and real space.

Visit www.globalmcn.com or email: dr.vi[at]globalmcn.com

Article Published: Thursday 24th May 2007