As a promo product Distributor, you’re an expert at helping customers tell their brand story with creative imprinted items. However, piquing interest in a crowded landscape can be difficult. Both for you – trying to gain business from end buyers, and for your clients trying to connect with the end user.

So, how do you promote a promo product? First, you make sure that it is attractive, useful and high-quality. Something that helps your customers reach their target audience and is something the end user will want to keep and use frequently. Next, it’s time to get creative. Think outside the box with your imprint, use your whole scope of marketing channels and build memorable campaigns with impact.

Here are 5 ideas for how to promote promotional products that will inspire you and get people talking.


1 – Connect with the Imprint

Sure, promotional products are meant to get a business name, logo and/or slogan more exposure. However, adding a clever company-name related quip, meaningful expression or cool image can also add longevity an item’s lifespan. For example, why not put business info on one side of a Koozie® can kooler and a fun message or graphic on the other? Or relate a portion of the imprint to the item itself. Like adding “Adventure is Calling” alongside the logo on camping and hiking promos. Showing you understand what clients want and how items will resonate with end users will keep customers coming back time and time again.

#16002 Koozie® Olympus Backpack

2 – Be Savvy with Social

When it comes to social media, the idea is to actually be social! Post frequently and engage with your followers. Take images and videos up a notch by showing products in unique ways. In addition, make sure the promos you promote on social are eye-catching. Stay current with the latest trends and brands that are getting attention and relate that back to your product assortment in posts and social ads. If you’re not sure how to maximize your social media presence, check out this article with tips about how to use different platforms.

3 – Collectible Offers

KAPSTON-Pierce-Collection
The complete KAPSTON® Pierce Collection

Coordinating promo products build excitement for the potential of what is coming next. Not to mention, including a special offer or series of offers takes this idea to the next level. For example – Send hospitality clients a KAPSTON® Pierce Passport Wallet, and then wait a few weeks to follow up with the matching KAPSTON® Pierce Luggage Tag. Insert a coupon inside the luggage tag with an offer for a KAPSTON® bag order of their choice – anything from a duffel to a carry-on.

Not only have you created multiple touch points, but also introduced your client to a range of products while creating good will via a single creative campaign.

Bonus tip! You could even print a special offer or promo code right on the item! If you are able, make the offer reusable with an extended expiration date (or no expiration date at all). Include any necessary info and stipulations if there’s room or include an accompanying insert to explain the details. Customers are sure to keep and promote a promo product that includes the opportunity to score a deal!

4 – Spread the {Promo} Love

There’s no better way to promote your business than to show off exactly what you can do! Create your own swag bag that includes your favorite promos, your business marketing collateral, business card and/or a special offer. At the same time, if you have a single item you want to promote, consider giving it as a gift to leads, friends and other businesses in your community. Then sit back (just for a minute, you do own a business after all!) and watch the word-of-mouth marketing take hold.

A Distributor Self Promo Case Study:

A Distributor noticed that clients were especially interested in wine-themed products one year, so they thought following that theme for year-end client appreciation gifts would be well received. To demonstrate they were in-touch with trends, they placed a bottle of wine in a #46056 Koozie® Wine Bottle Kooler and sent them to VIP clients. Their customers were very appreciative, inquired about the product and recipients placed a higher percentage of orders the following year.

5 – Level Up your Landing Page

Our final tip for how to promote promotional products will help make sure your efforts don’t go to waste. Create a unique landing page on your website and include that web address on all your marketing campaign materials – including the product imprint. This will help you gather valuable information so you can track customers’ activity, assign actions and attribute sales to measure the ROI of your campaign. Taking care to learn more about the people who interact with your business will help you segment your audience and create a more personalized customer experience.


Now that you’re armed with ideas for how to promote promotional products, we hope you’ll check out bicgraphic.com to shop thousands of items to help build your clients’ brands and grow your business!


Enjoying our content? Think your customers would enjoy it as well? Feel free to take this article and post it on social media, your blog or wherever else you market your business. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE . . . STEAL OUR STUFF!

Koozie® is a registered trademark of BIC Graphic North America. ©2020 BIC Graphic NA, Clearwater, FL.

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