Top 10 Promotional Giveaways for Savvy Companies

Top 10 Promotional Giveaways 

for Savvy Companies 

Look around your home or office and you will find mugs, magnets, and bags sporting the logo of your favorite teams, businesses, organizations, school, or employer. Promotional giveaways are everywhere, and research tells us that more than 70% of recipients remember the name of the company that gave them a particular product. Savvy companies know how to leverage the best promotional items to cement relationships and stay visible.

To find the best solutions as a print reseller, consider offering some of these perennial favorites to your clients: 

1. Customizable Tote Bags:

   Talk to clients about these visibility enhancers. In many cities and towns, one-time use bags have been banned or require a fee, making branded tote bags one of the most thoughtful and useful promotional items! The best tote bags come packed with other giveaways, so consider the other items on this list to fill up that beautiful bag.

2. Promotiona T-Shirts:

   Everyone loves T-shirts. They should be part of every employee welcome package and team event. They also help promote upcoming events and celebrate successes. Make them part of a multi-channel campaign by encouraging shirt-featuring selfies that can win the wearers additional promotional items!
   
   

3. Custom Promotional Mugs:

   Whether it holds coffee, tea, or pencils and pens, mugs are practical billboards. With a wraparound design, there is a generous amount of printable real estate to accommodate text and graphics that keep logos and messages front and center.
   
   

4. Customizable Promotional Mugs:

   Every mug needs a practical partner! Drink coasters come in circles and squares, opening the door to diverse designs. You can even make it a game—multiple designs that form puzzle pieces can lead to other promotional items that keep the story going.
   
   

5. Puzzles:

   With five sizes to choose from, puzzles can be just the ticket to creating engagement in a team or community. Custom-printed puzzles can carry a message or showcase products. Make it a collectible by adding time- and event-specific images, with new options available every quarter or every year.
   
   

6. Promotional Magnets:

   The wonderful thing about magnets is that they can stick to a refrigerator, a notice board, or any other metal surface. They are mini billboards that carry reminders and promotional messages. Paired with mugs, T-shirts, and tote bags, they create a strong branding package!
   
   

7. Promotional Keychains:

   We call them keychains, but they open the door to so much more! They can carry a logo or message that hangs from a backpack, tote, or laptop bag—with or without keys. They can even be used as clever zipper pulls for luggage or jackets.
   
   

8. Custom Printed Mouse Pads:

   These stain-resistant foam pads are great for mice, but they can serve even more functions. For retail environments they can enhance the surface for receiving and giving payment, mark locations for product pickup, or create separation in public spaces. Think of them as your all-purpose mini billboard.
   
   

9. Mirrors:

   With an assortment of sizes and shapes, mirrors are those little conveniences that are always appreciated. Add a message and contact information and they can serve as a brand reminder or even a business card!
   
   

10. Promotional Buttons:

    Pin-back and magnet-back buttons are versatile messengers. They are often used to indicate a business or roles. They can identify award winners, classes, and departments. They are the most versatile solution to help customers know who to engage with! Perfect for trade shows and events, a button is a cost-effective way to raise visibility.Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

Rider Signs: Fast and Easy Upgrades to Coroplast Signs

Rider Signs: Fast and Easy Upgrades to Coroplast Signs

As most of you know, our coroplast signs can really give your customers' campaigns a boost—use them to sponsor political candidates, advertise homes for sale, promote big events, and so much more.  They’re rigid, durable, and highly weather-resistant so they’ll hold up well indoors and outdoors.  What’s not to love, right?  And if that isn’t enough, now you can add information to your coroplast signs easily without having to create a new sign. Rider signs are designed to fit on top of standard coroplast signs. This not only makes adding additional information easy but easy to see too! 

They’re made from the same coroplast material and come with rider clips that fit inside the vertical flutes on both signs so that they can be attached to one another.  Add rider signs to your existing signs instantly update information about your campaigns.  

Real Estate Coroplast & Rider Signs

Your customers in the realty industry will love how easily they can update their listings: under contract, price reduced, etc. Adding top features right to the yard sign will make it stand out to prospective buyers: pool, bonus room, newly remodeled, etc. Encourage them to include a phone number, website, QR code, or agent name to really boost engagement from the front lawn.

Special Event Coroplast & Rider Signs

Special events need special attention! Rider signs from The Print Cafe pair perfectly with coroplast yard signs to draw attention to grand openings, big sales, extended hours, and more. Show your customers how they can draw attention and increase foot traffic to their next big event like concerts, grand openings, health fairs, fundraisers, etc. with the addition of a rider sign. Your customers will love giving their events an extra boost with rider signs by adding directional arrows, websites, QR codes, and more! 

Political Campaign Coroplast & Rider Signs

It's no secret that campaign signs make a bold statement of support and awareness for a candidate. Show your customers how they can put an exclamation point on their campaign signage with rider signs from The Print Cafe. Adding a website or QR code to their existing political yard signs will really give a candidate a boost while keeping the public informed of upcoming events. 

Head to https://www.printcafeli.com/store/product-view.html/84-Signs and check out our selection of coroplast rider signs today!

How to Stay Healthy When You're Stressed

The new year is a terrific time to focus on your health.

One of the greatest overall benefits to your health is eliminating or reducing your stress. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy when you’re stressed out.

1. Get regular exercise.

This sounds simple enough, yet most of us struggle with it.

Exercise can include parking farther away so you have a longer walk to work or the mall. It can involve swimming, playing basketball with a friend, and even window shopping at the mall. Just find ways to move around more and things you enjoy.

2. Keep a sense of humor.

Try to relax enough to laugh.

Read a joke book. Read a funny book or watch a funny TV show or movie. Have lunch with a friend who lightens the mood.

3. Try some relaxation techniques.

Meditation, deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, or even getting a massage are great makes to stop awhile and take care of yourself. This is the best way to stay on top of your game.

4. Take time for hobbies.

Think about what you love to do: golf, swim, read, craft, paint, hike, listen to music, etc. Then add it to your calendar.

Schedule it in so you are sure to do it. It is not a waste of time; it’s necessary for your health.

5. Spend time with family and friends.

Take time for lunch, dinner, or coffee with others. This is an important part of staying healthy.

6. Get organized.

Take time to organize your stressors. This can instantly relieve stress.

When we try to do too much, it can put an unnecessary stress on our bodies. Write out a budget if you’re worried about money—schedule tasks with enough time to accomplish them rather than rushing to get them done in record time.

7. Get outside in nature.

Sometimes we need to disconnect from the Internet, email, social media and TV.

Being in nature can re-set our clocks and give us new perspectives on life. Go for a walk, a bike ride, a canoe ride, or just sit in a park and observe nature at its finest.

8. Get enough sleep and rest.

Did you know that sleep and stress are directly linked?

The CDC has said that the lack of sleep is an epidemic right now. A lack of sleep leads to elevated levels of cortisol in the blood, which leads to weight gain and brain fog. Try to go to bed at the same time every night.

9. Journal about your life and stress.

Write down all the things that come to mind. It doesn’t have to be organized or even well constructed. Just write. Free write so your mind can catch up with itself.

If you’re experiencing stress related to your marketing materials, we can help. We offer organized, high-quality printing that will take the pressure off of you.  Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

Is Die Cutting for Me?

You know how a new haircut can change the way people see you? It can make all the difference in your level of professionalism.

And die-cutting can do the same for your marketing materials.

With die-cutting, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. With fresh, new die-cut marketing materials, the public will definitely take notice.

What is Die-Cutting?

It is a cut using a sharp steel blade that is formed into any specific shape you want.

It is then used to cut through the paper. It’s a lot like a cookie-cutter, except you cut paper instead of dough.

Just think what you could do for your dull, old marketing materials. It’s not just circles and squares. Die-cutting allows you to make stair steps, holes, rounded corners, sharp points, and much more. Make any point you want with fresh, new die-cut materials.

Creative Uses with Die-Cutting

You have probably thought about using die-cutting on your business cards to make them stand out in the pile of rectangles. But have you thought about using this technique on door hangers, postcards, brochures, and presentation materials?

The options are out there. It’s up to your dreams as to what you’d like us to accomplish for you.

Would you like your logo to stand out? We can do that. Or what about an image associated with your type of business?

Let’s say you are an architect, a real estate agent, or a builder. You could use a roof die-cut or a house. Or, if you own a restaurant, let’s create a basil leaf, a loaf of bread, a bowl of pasta, or whatever suits you. Or maybe you own a pet shop or dog training business in which we could cut out the shape of a dog.

No matter what item you choose to die-cut, it will freshen up your marketing materials and help draw attention to the most important aspects of your business as you see fit.

Need ideas? We’re here to help. Our die-cutting is top-notch and will serve your purpose of standing out in a crowd. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

 

         Psychology Techniques to Drive Sales for Your Business

 

Knowing how the human brain works and what drives people to make decisions is immensely beneficial in marketing.

Luckily, there’s much research and information regarding various psychological tips and tricks to drive sales and expand your business. Here are a few.

Cut down on the options

Sometimes too many decisions can cause a customer to shut down, resulting in no sales. 

To avoid this, research your prospective client beforehand to determine what products or services would best suit their needs. When doing the sales pitch, focus on only these to cut down on the options. Even better, you can lump products into packages, so your prospect needs only to make one big purchasing decision instead of multiple small ones. 

No matter what you ultimately pitch to your client, it’s imperative you do so with the correct framing techniques. 

Utilize positive framing

Framing is how the information is presented. 

Positive framing increases sales. Therefore, try to sell your product or service in a positive light by homing in on the benefits. 

However, feelings other than positive ones can be beneficial if framed correctly. 

Fead your prospect’s fear of missing out (FOMO)

People are much more likely to act when they feel if they’re afraid of missing out on a great opportunity. 

Creating the sense of scarcity is an effective way to fuel FOMO within your prospect.  After all, the more rare something appears, the greater in value it becomes. Scarcity also presents a time limit for them to act, prompting them to buy soon. 

If the product or service is scarce because of high customer demand, then even better! The customer will assume the purchase will be a good choice because many other people seem to enjoy it too. 

The sense of scarcity can be artificially generated through limited editions and limited-time sales. 

Sometimes, FOMO is the main driver of a client’s decisions. Sometimes, it’s something else. Getting your client to articulate their thoughts to you can be immensely beneficial for the sales process. 

Get your client to tell you why

This one’s rather sneaky but highly effective because people are more likely to listen to themselves. 

If you can get your client to verbalize why exactly they want the product, then they will, in effect, want it more. To achieve this, ask your client why the product or service appeals to them and what’s holding them back. Your client will be able to tell you, and affirm to themselves, why they want the product or service. If something is holding them back, you will be able to better adjust your strategy.

You can get your client to want your products or services even more through promotional products. 

Give your prospect promotional products

When someone receives a gift, they’ll want to reciprocate the kind action. This makes them more likely to buy from you. 

Promotional products are ideal because not only are you generating a feeling of trust and reciprocity, you’re also advertising your company. The best promotional products are ones that your client will truly enjoy. Therefore, research your target market to create promotional products customized for this group. 

Giving and receiving are beneficial to both parties. Therefore, it’s helpful to get your client to give something as well. 

Ask your client for small favors

Once your client gets in the habit of doing small favors for you initially, they’re much more likely to agree to more significant favors down the road.

This is known as the Ben Franklin Effect. It is named after the founding father Ben Franklin, who, to build rapport, would ask someone for a small favor, such as lending him a book. This small act would generate feelings of warmth and helpfulness. 

In practice, this may look like asking your client to sign up for a free e-letter, share comments on social media, read blog posts, attend free webinars, or download an ebook. Later, when you ask them for something larger, such as to buy a product or service, they’re much more likely to do so. 

Not only will asking your client for small favors prime them for purchases down the road, but the small favors will help your client become more familiar with your business. 

Generate familiarity

Familiarity is good because it creates positive feelings. 

People like the things they are used to. Making your business familiar to your clients will help increase sales because as your business becomes more familiar, it becomes more trustworthy and good in their eyes. However, balance is essential. Too much can lead to oversaturation, which will backfire. Find the middle ground. 

Psychology is a powerful tool for persuasion. The above strategies will greatly help you increase your sales and the growth of your business! Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com

The Potential Impact of the Ukraine Crisis on U.S. Manufacturers Posted by IndustryNet on Tuesday, March 1, 2022

The Potential Impact of the Ukraine Crisis on U.S. Manufacturers 

Posted by IndustryNet on Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Just as pandemic-related supply chain bottlenecks begin to ease, U.S. manufacturers now face an unwelcome déjà vu of global supply chain disruptions emerging from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, further underscoring the role geopolitical risk plays in the reliability of global supply chains.

The Russia-Ukraine crisis has the potential to further upend global supply chains, trigger shortages of key supplies, drive up inflation, and poses significant cybersecurity risks. The impact is already being felt in Europe, with automotive plants dependent on Ukraine-made components shutting down and the prospect of food shortages and food inflation all but a certainty.

As the world’s eleventh largest economy, Russia is a major oil exporter and supplies critical materials for a wide range of manufactured product, impacting diverse industries, from auto and agricultural sectors to pharmaceuticals. As the crisis intensifies, U.S. manufacturers should be aware of the risks and potential impact on their business.

Supply Chains Risks

Although supply chain disruptions triggered by this crisis are not expected to be nearly as severe as they were during the pandemic, there could be notable impact for some companies.

According to supply chain risk management company Interos, more than 2,100 U.S. -based companies have least one direct (Tier 1) Russian supplier. These include a small percentage of items sourced in the industrial machinery, oil, gas, steel and metal categories.

But when considering more indirect (Tier 2 or 3) supplier relationships, the impacts to U.S. companies intensify, with more than 190,000 companies in the U.S. with tier 3 supplier relationships in Russia and 15,000 tier-2 relationships.

Materials Shortages

Both Russia and Ukraine are major export markets, supplying a wide range of critical materials to manufacturers around the world. Known as Europe’s breadbasket, Russia and Ukraine make up nearly a third of the world’s wheat exports.

Here are some specific commodities impacted by the crisis:

Metal Production: The conflict is already having an impact on the steel industry, with some raw materials exporters unable to move cargo out of Ukraine, setting off a domino effect across the global steelmaking industry. Russia is also a major supplier of nickel and platinum and also controls 10% of global copper reserves.

Semiconductor Manufacturing: The semiconductor sector is already contending with pandemic-related chip shortages, leading many to ask if the current crisis in Ukraine has the potential to make things worse. After all, both Ukraine and Russia are significant suppliers of specific gases and metals utilized in the chipmaking process, oftentimes for etching or lithographic purposes. Ukraine, for instance supplies 70% of the world’s neon, used in the lithographic aspect of chipmaking. Other key gases and metals supplied in the region include argon, xenon, krypton, hexafluorobutadiene (a gas used for etching), and palladium (used in making catalytic converters).

However, these potential supply issues had already been identified when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, leading many chipmakers to diversify their supplier base at that time. In fact, The U.S. Semiconductor Industry released a statement to this effect recently, with SIA CEO John Neuffer stating, “The semiconductor industry has a diverse set of suppliers of key materials and gases, so we do not believe there are immediate supply disruptions risks related to Russia and Ukraine.”

Food Processing: Russia and Ukraine account for 29% of the global wheat export market. Other major food exports include barley, sunflower oil, and corn. While Europe is poised to be the hardest hit, the conflict could drive up food inflation even more in the U.S., impacting processors. Wheat and corn prices, for instance, are on the rise.

Prices

The economic disruption fueled by this crisis may drive up prices even more across a wide range of commodities. Oil prices have hit $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014. The price of aluminum is up 20% since this time last year, while palladium (used in the production of fuel cells) is up 26.7% over the same time period.

Shipping

The Russian-Ukraine crisis has the potential to drive up shipping costs beyond already-elevated rates, driven by a spike in crude oil prices. Global freight rates have been dropping generally since hitting a pandemic-related high in September 2021, but the freight industry is now watching the Ukraine situation closely, with its potential to spike rates for tanker, dry bulk and container shipping rates.

Cybersecurity Risks

The crisis poses a significant cybersecurity risk to businesses around the globe, with Russian cyber-attacks expected in response to sanctions imposed by the West. Ukraine’s infrastructure has already been hit with a rash of cyberattacks. Meanwhile, the U.S. cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a “Shield’s Up” statement, encouraging all businesses to be prepared for the increased risk of cyber-attacks. Their guidance for all organizations can be found here. CISA is especially concerned about cyber-attacks on U.S. critical infrastructure, affecting a range of critical industries, including iron and steel mills, engine and turbine manufacturers, aerospace products and transformer manufacturers.

Crisis-Proof Your Supply Chain

While no one is immune to global supply chain disruptions, securing dependable, domestic suppliers is a winning strategy for protecting your supply chains from geopolitical risks. If you’re looking for domestic suppliers, start with IndustryNet, the free industrial marketplace, connecting millions of industrial buyers with suppliers of more than 11,000 products and services. Search, sort and quote for free by starting here.

 Be the Best at Customer Service

We all work in customer service to some extent…it just depends on who the customer is.

If you’re in an office, it’s your boss who is the customer. If you’re in retail, it’s the shopper who is the customer. And the list continues. So, it bears repeating that customer service is important.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our customer service skills could be honed a little bit. Or, maybe you have a new employee who doesn’t see how valuable good customer service is. Well, either way, here are a few ways to brush up on your customer service.

The Importance of Caring for Your Customers

Customer service, or customer care, is vital to us all.

It’s the difference between keeping and losing customers to the competition. One wrong move, and we might lose a valuable customer.

Customer service is how we respond to customers, and it entails a lot of duties. It’s not just how we answer the phone. It’s how we help them when they return items or when we explain policies to them. It’s also when we give deadlines or wait times.

Did you know that acquiring new customers is more expensive than keeping the ones you have?

That’s why customer service needs to be top-notch. It can’t be emphasized enough.

Customers want personalized service, and they will typically pay more for it. If your product is more expensive than the competition, but you have an outstanding customer care program, with engaging employees, you will be more likely to charge more for the same product or service. That’s how important good customer service is.

7 Customer Service Tips from the Pros

1. Greet customers by name.

Learn their names and impress them when they walk into your place of business.

2. Keep notes.

Keep a book with notes on your customers, so you remember things they told you, such as a significant event or date. Then be sure to ask about it the next time they come in.

3. Support each other.

Allow employees to share their frustrations. This will help prevent burnout and ensure they are ready to be pleasant with the next customer.

4. Respond quickly.

Be quick to respond when customers have a question, complaint, or want an estimate.

5. Customize the service, so it’s tailored to each customer.

Some people want to get in and out quickly. Other customers want to chat and take their time, so accommodate them.

6. Offer to help a customer before they even ask.

This shows initiative and evokes positive images of your company.

7. Treat customers like real people, not like a number.

Be sure to talk with them in a conversational tone, rather than like they are just another customer waiting in line.

Dealing with customers can be challenging. But when you keep your focus on staying positive and constantly improving customer service, you are sure to win over even your toughest critic.

We appreciate your business and want the chance to serve you in the near future. Check out our website today and see what we offer. Contact us today to get started! 516-561-1468 or FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF OUR MARKETING PRODUCTS GO TO: www.printcafeli.com