Pens are possibly the most popular promotional handout item.  They’re inexpensive, they’re useful, and they seem to stick around.  Let’s try a little experiment.  Stop a moment and look at that mug right next to your computer. No, not the one with the last dregs of this morning’s coffee.  The other one – the one loaded with pens.  Now take them out of the mug and peruse the business names on them.  You probably don’t even know how they came into your possession, but there they are.  Perhaps Ron’s Roofing & Siding is your favorite; no, you’re not into shingles, but it’s purple and you always liked a nice rollerball.  Then there’s Betty’s Donut House, and while you do frequent the place, you didn’t even get the pen there.  It was probably nabbed from a bank teller who swiped it from the business owner making a deposit who found it at the doctor’s office… you get the point. Pens get around, and although you may not run to your mug full when it’s time to call a roofer, no doubt when you flip through the Yellow Pages and spot Ron’s Roofing and Siding, somewhere deep within you’ll feel a warm fuzzy due to that purple ballpoint you use daily. Hence another reason the pen may just be mightier than the sword. Or the billboard.

So what are your options? So glad you asked. Whether the pen is cheap or expensive, they have great staying power. But of course you don’t want to hand out fancy Cross pens like they’re  candy at a parade. More than likely that would remain something special for your incentive program. Here are a few suggestions for less expensive handouts:

The Character Pen:  These little guys are kinda quirky, and we like their ability to stick with a theme.  This cow pen, pictured top left, is a great handout for the dairy industry, for instance. It’s got lots of room for your company name and logo, along with contact info.  The barrel is metal and is laser engraved. The pen cannot be milked, but it will write for a long time.

The Banker’s Pen:  This one is more serious, as you can see.  Since not everyone wants their pent to be smiling at them as they write (see cow), you may opt for this banker’s model. It’s inexpensive, has a metal barrel, and comes in red or blue.  It’s also lasered, and the engraving comes through in a nice gold. A nice pleasant weight, it really does look and feel much pricier than it is.

The Natural Wood Pen: A wood barrel adds some warmth and a nice natural look that’s pretty popular.  This particular one is quite reasonably priced, and is great for having a theme or simply something unique that’s extra hard to part with. We think this one would be great for businesses involved in construction, interior design, anything focusing on nature or arts, and about a million other possibilities.

The pen is a pretty fun item to choose to represent your business.  Endless possibilities combined with the knowledge that your brand will be in someone’s mug next to their computer make the pen the long standing first choice for promoting your company.

If you like any of the promotional pen options you see here, please don’t hesitate to call us to chat. We’d love to help you find anything from a flamingo pen to that fancy Cross pen for your incentive programs. You can contact us at 1-888/664-6449 or by using our Contact Form page.

Perhaps the reason branded tote bags are so popular is not only the versatility and practicality they offer users, but their talent for being walking billboards for your company.  Not only will people hang onto any tote bag given them, they’ll put them to great use.  And with reusable bags on the rise in popularity, this means your brand could be carted everywhere from busy city streets to the beach, even to the grocery store.  So what promotional tote bag do you choose to get your name out there?  

Of course price is often a major consideration, but most totes easily fall into the “affordable” category.  Economic bags should be sturdy too, otherwise they don’t outlast your investment.  Going with something like this Recycled Cotton Market Bag will offer durability at a good price.  And in keeping with the theme of this particular bag, you can even opt for eco-friendly inks.  A great way to show your customers that your company cares.

Here is something for the more fashion conscious – although it comes in a variety of colors, this apple green Reversible Tote presents a truly hip choice.  It gives an eye popping backdrop for your logo, and recipients won’t dare part with this one.  The front pocket adds a bit of organization and added practicality.

For a more recreational feel, this Windjammer Tote has a great nautical design and comes with black, royal blue, red, or apple green accents.  The main compartment is zippered, and the front pocket has a Velcro enclosure.  This tote would be perfect at trade shows and will easily transition to everyday use.  It’s hard to imagine a logo that wouldn’t look good on this one!

Now’s the perfect time for totes.  As the weather warms up, people will be shifting their activities to the great outdoors, and having a great bag to take along will be appreciated and displayed.  Getting your brand out there in “walking billboard” form couldn’t be easier than offering your customers, visitors, and employees the practicality of the perfect promotional tote.

For more information on these and other totes, please contact us – we’d love to talk totes.  We can help you find the perfect selection from literally hundreds of options, so dream it up!  We’ll find your match.

Greening your company’s image is quickly becoming more  than an advertising trick – it’s getting to be a necessity.  As clients and customers are getting more in tune with environmental concerns, they’re also using those concerns to steer their spending.  And while there are differing opinions on hot issues such as climate change, recycling and cutting back on waste in general is always a responsible, if not money-saving, idea.

Lately there is a huge turn towards green and recycled products in the promo arena.  For instance, if your company normally hands out plastic water bottles, finding reusable and healthier stainless steel water bottles makes a statement to potential customers that you’ve got your mind on the same global concerns as they.  And finding these items has become easier as the trend toward eco products snowballs.

Other possible promo items in the green category include:  Recycled paper notepads with matching pens, recycled duffel bags, reusable lunch totes, bamboo t-shirts and wearables, and items that can easily be recycled after use.

Promoting your company by using greener tactics sends a message to your customers and the community that you care about the environment we all share.  It also begins to build a more positive identity around your brand while making you more appealing to customers and clients who choose to only do business with organizations who have greener practices.  Overall, it’s a win-win situation that will catapult you and your business into a greener light.

For help choosing eco-friendly promo items, feel free to contact us: 1-888/664-6449 or email us ati2k@generalmotivation.com. We’d love to help you build your strategy!