Creating Your Own Customized Branding Merchandise

Are you a do-it-yourself kind of person? Do you cater to different clients, participate in various events? Find branding merchandise and imprint minimums too high? Looking for something more personal or simply want to save money?

If inspired, there are many ways you can create a lasting impression with your own personalized promotional items and gifts that are reflective of you and your recipients or the different occasions you offer give-aways. Plus you can always recruit others to help and have fun while you're at it.

A lot of sites offer wholesale novelty merchandise, bulk candy and gifts. Costco's, Sam's Club etc. can provide you with great items you can personalize for specific projects, events, seminars, clients etc. It's all how you package them and incorporate your contact information.

Dollardays.com is an example of a one-stop shop for anything and everything you can imagine ranging from mini travel kits, spa sets, frames, office and home gifts, desktop fountains, sport related and food items, etc. to brand and designer gift items all at remarkably low prices. You can get endless ideas that will allow you to target specific clients and events making them all the more memorable.

And never underestimate the power of a treat! GroovyCandies.com and NationwideCandy.com are just two online wholesaler's offering great bulk pricing and well loved brands. Of course there are healthier options and you can even make your own treats if you have a specialty to show off...and all that extra time! They'll certainly remember your efforts, which is the point. So. now that you have items in hand, how do you personalize and package them? Depending on your industry, your recipients, and the purpose of the gift, following are several suggestions to get you started.

Personalizing Your Products:

- Create custom labels you can adhere to individual items. You can print your own or have them made by the roll. The copy could be your website, copy of your business card, a thank you, or anything appropriate for the occasion.

- A gold or silver label printed in black will give the item a higher end boutique look. Two sites that offer custom printing and a variety of options are LightningLabels.com and ColorPrintingWholesale.com

- If you are filling gift pouches, envelopes, bags or boxes with samples, candy or other items, punch a hole in your business card or a card you've printed for the specific event and attach with a ribbon.

It's All In The Presentation

You can make anything look richer just by paying a little extra attention to how you present it. Be creative. Be Unexpected! NashvilleWraps.com offers a large variety of every kind of gift packaging ranging from assorted boxes, baskets, mini organza drawstring pouches and wrappings with low minimums.

- If the items you ordered are packaged in stock boxes with model numbers on them, please! get rid of them and either indulge in gift boxes with tissue or shredded paper or if the item is already packaged or wrapped, the simplest way to dress it up (with or without cellophane or tissue paper) is with a ribbon or raffia and business card or hang tag attached.

- Bulk goods, several small items as one gift or a gift certificate or special offer card can be packaged in various size organza drawstring pouches with a card either attached or included in the bag.

I hope you found this Resourceful. Inspired. Affordable. Personal.

Warmly,
Andi

http://www.ThePerfectPresent.net
Branding Merchandise & Marketing Concepts...with a twist!
Personalized Consulting Packages and Merchandise Quotes
http://ResourcefulInspiredAffordable.blogspot.com

How do you answer, "What do you do?"

Since like a lot of people, I want to be all things to all people (a big no-no). I've always dreaded those four little words. With so many possibilities, it was also tough to break it down into what Laura Allen calls a 15 Second Pitch.

The other day I came across an article by Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach, Avi Frier with those four little words, What do you do? For some reason, his logic resonated with me and really gave me some clarity. Answering I am a doctor, lawyer or Indian chief, is not what you were asked. You're not telling people what you do!

I realized this is a great way to make yourself focus on what you provide. It gives you the opportunity to more clearly target different audiences, skills and services you want to offer. And, once you determine how you want to reply to "what do you do" or develop your elevator pitch...you'll have the answer for both.

Plus, as I mentioned in Is your business card's back side naked?, once you have your statement defined, you can include it on the back of your cards, making different cards for different potential clients. It will reinforce your initial conversation and ideally, make you stand apart from your peers.

I hope you find this Resourceful. Inspired. Affordable. Personal.

Warmly,
Andi

http://www.ThePerfectPresent.net
Branding Merchandise & Marketing Concepts...with a twist!
Personalized Consulting Packages and Merchandise Quotes
http://ResourcefulInspiredAffordable.blogspot.com

Is your business card's back side naked?

Now that I have your attention... while re-designing my card, I decided to put my phone and fax numbers on the back lower right side. Staring at the card, it occurred to me, instinctively, most people will automatically turn a card over to look for the phone number. So take advantage of that available "ad space" by including something unique to make a personalized and more memorable first impression!

By offering something reflective of you, your profession or clientele, you can simply set yourself apart from your peers, starting with your card. Below are some suggestions to get your wheels spinning. The possibilities are endless....

Write a personable sentence about what you specialize in or why you are different than everyone else with your title (in addition to the fact you are writing this sentence). Explain what you do, provide or who you're target is, because they may know someone specifically looking for your assistance.

Double your exposure and get in front of ideal clients whose paths you might not otherwise cross by partnering with a (reputable) complimentary business or service that will benefit both of your clients. Depending on your profession and personal style, you can present each other as an introduction, a recommendation, a "thought this might interest you" or simply print one business on each side and when you hand out the card, mention this is a company you work with that will benefit them.

What are you offering that makes you different than everyone else with your title? What will motivate people to follow up with you even if just out of curiosity? Is there some related group, article, complimentary information you can supply or include links that might be useful?

Who doesn't love a little something extra? Can you provide an incentive to contact you? To receive articles/tips/facts etc. about XYZ, sign up at.... What about a "limited-time" offer or discount when you purchase a series of your services or sessions. A give-away etc? Referral discount? or something for free if they contact you?

Provide different offers to targeted groups. It's an interesting way to see who responds to what.Make up cards for specific networking events,conferences, trade shows, non-profit events etc. For example: Members of XYZ, we are pleased to offer a special ..... XYZ Event attendees, enjoy a ...............For non-profit events, you might consider offering to donate xx% of their first purchase or project with you to theorganization.

www.printsmadeeasy.com offers quantities as small as 20! For an additional $8.00 to make this double-sided card, how can you not take advantage of this opportunity to make yourself shine ??

Think about it, if you are willing to give a little added-value upfront, chances are, you're the kind of person people will want to work with! Wouldn't you want to work with you?

I hope you found these suggestions Resourceful. Inspired. Affordable. Personal.

Warmly,
Andi

http://www.ThePerfectPresent.net
Branding Merchandise & Marketing Concepts...with a twist!
Personalized Consulting Packages and Merchandise Quotes
http://ResourcefulInspiredAffordable.blogspot.com