Absolute Promotions Ecofriendly Promotional Products, Corporate Gifts, Printed Logo Items

Crap Holiday Ideas -

 - Warning  -  I'm about to get all Andy Rooney on you.

It gets me mad (Or maybe I should say sad, so I don't sound so negative) I keep getting all these emails from promotional manufacturers with misleading subject lines like: "The BEST new holiday idea"  "Here it is - NEW Corporate Gift that Rocks". I'm shaking my head, yeah right.  I finally break down and open a few of them, hoping of all hopes that somewhere - someone has a new cool thought but alas - more crap ideas.

Vinyl business card holder anyone?

I can't even bring myself to post this as a full size image.  Sure there can be a need for these in the world, but not as a "Killer New Custom Holiday Gift".  Maybe Inexpensive Gift for Insurance Industry would be better. Companies should really make their subject lines match their message.

No wonder we're closing our minds to the messages all around us.  I know that I'm just hitting Delete Delete Delete. I mean, c'mon man...give me something good.  Give me anything worthy.  So it's not the hottest new item on the market at least take some time and do some research to show me something worthy and label it correctly. Current styling, up-to-date colors, retro hip - I'm beggin' you.  

Every business has a unique message for its audience, I get that.  We all have our budgets to shop within, okay. Maybe try something useful, like for the same price range a company could send out something like this - no big deal but full color -full coverage decoration capability for a Brand and useful.  People have sun glasses or prescription glasses or cheaters.  Could even put a personal message inside too if you mail them.

Here is another one that kills me "Hottest" new USB Flash Drive Shape:

Uuhm, okay,...for the same price I could get any of these below.  You can totally produce a more business specific or fun shape to go with your message:

"ALL New Items for the Holidays" - This was the subject line this morning and these were the products they advertised.  Seriously. 

These conference totes are older than me. 

 

There are so many different new styles, up-to-date materials, trendsetting colors now that this just wastes everybody's time.  I'll stop now...just really bothered me this morning.

 

Census Promotional Products

It's 2010 Census time here in the United States, the questionnaire is scheduled to be mailed to every household in March.  It's going to have just 10 questions.  That would make the 2010 Census the shortest and easiest to complete since the first one was issued way back in 1790. Governments, businesses and non-profits all rely on the data collected from the Census.  It determines the number of Congressional seats each state has, it decides city, county and school board seats.  It directly affects how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to our communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more.  Helps with Civil Rights too. 

I know this sounds awful, but I'm especially excited over the Census this year because we were able to score a few gigs for customized Census promotional items.  So the 2010 Census for sure helped this small woman-owned business!  We did some work for the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and the KAFSC (Korean American Family Service Center).  You think small businesses have it bad? Non-profits are really struggling right now, so it's cool that the Federal Government gives grants for promotional materials.  You have to meet their criteria but we were able to exceed their requirements by not only keeping within budget but using eco-friendly promotional items too.  Best part ~ All were made in the USA.  

Each product has to carry the Census Partner Organizations logo and the 2010 Census Logo.  The project can not exceed $3,000.00 including charges from artwork to shipping.  So really, you need a lot of bang for your buck.  You want to reach as many people as you can to educate them about the importance of the Census.  You have to get as many customized products as you can for the money and of course you want the product to be useful.   

We did full color sticky note pads, pens and 100% cotton tote bags.  Thanks for the trust, thanks for the business and special thanks to Paul Webster for thinking of us.  We very much appreciate it. Brand on...

New promotional Ideas that follow trends

I got my first pair of fingerless gloves in New York City at a flea market about two years ago.  They're fun, they're striped... I love 'em 

 

I have a new pair for this winter, thanks to Louis from the Rosebud Casino in Nebraska.  Louis wanted to do a giveaway for the bikers attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2009. He did customized fingerless gloves. They came out great and he took the time to send me a few photos and a nice note.  That's Louis on the right.

 

"The gloves look great.  I'm fighting off our staff with a stick so that we can make sure we have enough for our promotion.  Great work.

The gloves are a hit, our promo ends this week.  The Rally ended the 9th, but we started a week before and are ending a week after because most of the traveling is done in that period. 

 

This was the first time we had done something like this.  And it was a success.   

The good deal is that we know they are wearing them when they leave.  A few us ride motorcycles (myself included) and we've spotted the gloves on the interstate and at gas stations. 

Good work. "

This is the part of my job that I get high on.  Producing a cool product that enhances a Brand. Promotional items don't have to be stick pens and white 11 oz coffee mugs.   

I have a motorcycle.  When I started riding, I found out there is like a secret motorcycle hand shake.  I'm not sure how to describe it, kind of like a low hand wave.  Whenever you're cruising up the road on your bike and you come upon a fellow biker you both give each other a slow, low sweeping hand to acknowledge each other. It's cool.  I remember the first time I got one.  I felt like I was part of a secret club.  Makes me smile to think of the Rosebud Casino custom fingerless gloves.  It makes them doubly cool.  So now with the wave, they're not only fellow bikers but they shared a rockin good time at Sturgis at the Rosebud Casino.  Memorable. 

See you next year at the Rosebud, thanks Louis.

  

Promotional Strategies - Finding the Rock Star Giveaway

Promotional products are more than just a giveaway.  You can associate some seriously good feelings with your brand. This is where promotional strategy can come into play.  Many times companies will begin to plan for the logo items just before a project is set to launch. 

Whether it is a new product announcement, a trade show, a new service, a new relationship, etc. By including the promotional item selection during the initial phases of the project development, you can make a significant difference in the attitude of the recipient. You could have the Rock-star giveaway item at the show!  The one people talk about when their favorite giveaway subject is brought up. 

It's a great idea to have your trusted "Promotional Strategist" in on project design.  You can count on kicking butt and triggering a positive reaction with the best item chosen for your message. Logo gear shouldn't be an after thought, if you can help it.  They are targeted ads with staying power.  They add great Karma to your brand.  The thing is ~ the branded corporate item doesn't have to be expensive, it doesn't have to be some crazy "out there" item, it just has to turn on your target audience.  That's what good promotional strategists do for you.

We literally have thousands of promotional products available, but you only need one or a few. Instead of flipping through catalogs we can help you narrow it down to the best selections to match your budget and your goals.